Five Young Aklanons, One Shared Dream: Excellence Beyond the Classroom

Iloilo City-  — Every graduation season produces stories of academic excellence. But every once in a while, a story emerges that is not simply about medals or Latin honors—it is about relationships that make success more meaningful.

For five young Aklanons from Kalibo, earning academic distinctions from different colleges and universities was the culmination of years of perseverance, sacrifice, and determination. Though they pursued different fields and studied in different institutions, they shared one common goal: to graduate with excellence and make their families proud.

Among them are twin sisters Delma Jane Beltran and Delma Joy Beltran, who both graduated Cum Laude from the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology) program at Central Philippine University (CPU) in Iloilo City.
Aside from the twins, their childhood friends include sibling Joush Bocelli Arevalo who graduated Cumlaude taking up Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management In Western Visayas State University and Nino Rumar Arevalo who took up Bachelor of Science in Criminology also a Cumlaude in WVSU.

Their another friend James Aaron T. Apostol also excels in the College of Nursing at the University of St. Augustine.
For many people, twins inevitably invite comparison.

Growing up, the sisters said they were constantly asked the same question: “Which one of you is better?”

Their answer, however, never changed.

“It depends,” Delma Jane wrote in a heartfelt social media post after graduation.

“We both have our own strengths, our own timing, and our own ways of shining. We were never meant to be compared because we’ve always understood and respected what each of us can do.”

The sisters admitted that people were often amazed whenever they earned identical examination scores, shared the same ideas, or understood each other without speaking—a phenomenon many jokingly referred to as “twin telepathy.”

Yet behind the similarities lies something even more remarkable: a relationship built not on rivalry but on mutual respect.

“What I’m most grateful for is that there has never been jealousy between us,” Delma Jane shared.

“Every achievement you’ve reached has always felt like mine too, and I know you’ve always felt the same for me. Instead of competing, we chose to celebrate each other’s wins, no matter how big or small.”

Like most siblings, the twins admitted they had disagreements through the years.

“Sometimes we’re enemies, sometimes we’re best friends,” she wrote. “But through every season of life, you’ve always been my constant. Even in silence, even in distance, I always know you’re there.”

Their college journey tested both their intelligence and resilience.

The demanding Medical Technology program required long hours of laboratory work, countless practical examinations, sleepless nights reviewing lessons, and moments of self-doubt.

But the twins never had to face those challenges alone.

“From our very first day of college to the day we graduated, we’ve shared everything—sleepless nights, stressful exams, moments of self-doubt, and the quiet victories no one else saw,” Delma Jane reflected.

“Looking back, I know I wouldn’t have made it through the same way without you beside me. You made the hard days bearable and the good days even more meaningful.”

Walking together across the commencement stage wearing the same Cum Laude medals became more than an academic achievement. It symbolized years of shared sacrifices and unwavering support.

“We didn’t just survive college—we finished it together with Latin honors,” she wrote.

“We didn’t compete to be better than each other; we pushed each other to become better versions of ourselves.”

She ended her tribute with words that perfectly captured their unique bond.

“I’m incredibly proud of you, Delma Joy Beltran. We didn’t just graduate—we made it, together, as one story told in two lives.”

Their inspiring journey reminds people that success does not always require competition. Sometimes, excellence grows through encouragement, understanding, and celebrating another person’s victories as one’s own.

The Beltran twins are joined by three other outstanding young Aklanons who likewise earned Latin honors in their respective colleges and universities. Although they pursued different disciplines and followed different academic paths, they were united by the same values—hard work, perseverance, discipline, and faith.

Each faced unique challenges. Some endured financial hardships, while others balanced demanding academic workloads, research requirements, internships, and leadership responsibilities. Their stories differ, but each demonstrates that excellence is achieved through consistent effort rather than extraordinary talent alone.

Their accomplishments also reflect the growing potential of Aklan’s youth. They prove that students from Kalibo can excel in some of the country’s most demanding academic institutions and programs while remaining grounded in humility and service.

As these five graduates begin new chapters as professionals, they carry more than diplomas and medals. They bring with them lessons forged through years of perseverance, resilience, and sacrifice.

For the Beltran twins, their story offers an even deeper message.

In a society that often measures twins against each other, Delma Jane and Delma Joy chose a different path—not one of comparison, but of companionship.

They proved that success is never diminished when shared. Instead, it becomes richer when celebrated together.

Their journey serves as an inspiration not only to aspiring students but also to families and communities: that true excellence is not about being better than someone else—it is about helping one another become the best versions of ourselves.

For Kalibo, these five young achievers represent more than academic excellence.

They embody the hopes of a community and remind everyone that dreams, when pursued with determination and supported by those who believe in us, can become extraordinary realities.