4Ps child with special needs wins gold at Palarong Pambansa

Testimony by: John Michael C. Deocades

4Ps Monitored Child

CALINOG, Iloilo (Pangarap) – My body may carry limits, but my spirit sprints beyond them which every stride is a proof that courage outruns obstacles.”

This is my mantra in life. I am John Michael Carisma Deocades of this municipality. I grew up in a small town where the rhythm of life was simple but steady. My father is a tricycle driver while my mother serves as a church lector. From them, I learned humility, responsibility, and the value of hard work. As a monitored child under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), I carried with me the hope that education and discipline could change my future.

As a Special Education (SPED) learner at the Alcarde Gustilo Memorial National High School, I faced challenges that sometimes made me doubt myself. But I refused to let labels define me because of my disability. On the track and in the classroom, I gave my best. Coaches and teachers noticed how I never skipped practice, how I paid attention to the smallest details, and how I tried to lift my teammates’ spirits. When I received the Most Athletic award, it wasn’t just about my strength, it was about my heart.

In 2023, my life changed at the Palarong Pambansa. I won gold in the 4x100m relay and the running long jump. That victory could have made me complacent, but instead it fueled me. I trained harder, studied smarter, and balanced my responsibilities with discipline.

Three years later, at the 2026 Palarong Pambansa Paragames, I led my relay team to another gold and earned bronze in the long jump. Those medals proved that perseverance endures.

But my story isn’t only about medals. It’s about impact. My classmates in the SPED program saw that barriers can be broken. Children in my neighborhood started trying sports because they saw me succeed. My father’s long hours driving and my mother’s quiet dedication at church reminded me that success is built on sacrifice and love. Every cheer I heard was proof that I wasn’t running alone.

Now, as a Grade 11 student, I continue to balance academics and athletics. My goals are clear: to compete internationally, to mentor younger athletes, and to finish my education strong. My journey shows that with family support, community programs like 4Ps, and relentless effort, obstacles can become stepping stones.(Submitted by Calinog MOO, Iloilo POO) Photo credit to Alcarde Gustilo Memorial National High School