The Dreamer: JAYSON ALTICHE HONGO
Degree: Bachelor in Secondary Education Major in Mathematics
Class of: 2012
From the Halls of DEBESMSCAT to the Global Stage: How Math Alumnus Jayson Hongo Triumphed Over Cancer to Teach in the USA
Every morning, Jayson Altiche Hongo walks through the doors of Ubah Academy in Hopkins, Minnesota, greeting a classroom of American high school students ready to learn mathematics. To his students, Mr. Hongo is an exceptional educator—passionate, deeply knowledgeable, and boundlessly encouraging. But long before he made his mark in the United States, the foundation of his global career was laid on the campus of Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT), where a single, unexpected conversation altered the course of his life forever.
The Spark of a DEBESMSCAT Legacy
Long before he became a successful J-1 international teacher, Jayson was just a young boy from the small island of Ticao, Masbate. Stepping onto the sprawling DEBESMSCAT campus as a freshman in 2008, he felt entirely consumed by a quiet fear. It was his first time away from his family, and the massive campus felt overwhelming.
“My dream was clouded by fear and uncertainty because I did not know if I was strong enough to survive the challenges ahead,” Jayson recalls. He carried the heavy weight of silent sacrifices, terrified of failing and disappointing those back home who believed in him.
Interestingly, Jayson’s journey toward becoming one of DEBESMSCAT’s most inspiring alumni was completely accidental. He had lined up in the long enrollment queues fully intending to pursue a degree in BS Industrial Technology-Electrical Technology. However, fate intervened at the registrar’s counter when Dr. Miraflores, the then college registrar, looked over his high school records.
“You have good grades in your report card,” Dr. Miraflores noted. “Is there any chance of taking BSEd-Math?”
With no way to call his parents for advice and hundreds of eager enrollees waiting behind him, Jayson took a breath, remembered his knack for numbers, and replied, “Okay, I’ll take that course.”
That split-second decision marked the beginning of his transformation. As a proud student of the State College, Jayson found mentors who would shape his entire teaching philosophy. Professors like Dr. Rocel A. Turco constantly pushed her students toward excellence, frequently drilling a timeless philosophy into them: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for the day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Jayson internalized this deeply, building the foundation of the educator he wished to become.
Tested by Fire: The Fight for Survival
Graduating with the DEBESMSCAT Batch of 2012, Jayson carried a degree, a newfound confidence, and dreams that were much bigger than his circumstances. He entered the Department of Education (DepEd) in 2014 as a substitute teacher, landing a permanent position by 2015. He poured his heart into overcrowded classrooms, often prioritizing his students’ comfort and learning over his own well-being.
But in 2021, Jayson’s world ground to a devastating halt. He was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.
The diagnosis initiated a grueling, year-long regimen of treatments that shattered his body, drained his finances, and pushed his mental resilience to its absolute brink.
“There were moments when fear consumed me, and I questioned if I would ever stand in front of a classroom again,” Jayson shares openly. “But in the darkest season of my life, I discovered that true strength is born from pain. If you surrender everything to God, nothing is impossible.”
Surviving cancer shifted something fundamental inside him. When he finally stood back in front of a chalkboard, he was no longer driven by standard professional ambition. He was driven by pure gratitude and the resilient spirit he first forged as a working student at DEBESMSCAT.
Carrying the State College Pride to the United States
That renewed purpose unexpectedly opened doors across the ocean. Today, as a J-1 High School Mathematics Teacher at Ubah Academy in Minnesota, Jayson proudly represents his roots. Moving to the United States meant navigating a completely new culture, adapting to a different educational system, and proving his capabilities all over again. Yet, the hardships of his past and the training from his Alma Mater served as an unshakeable armor.
As a DEBESMSCAT alumnus on the global stage, Jayson views his position as more than just a teaching job; he is a cultural ambassador. He brings the trademark warmth, unparalleled work ethic, and deep compassion of Filipino teachers into the American school system, bridging communities through mutual understanding and respect.
In his classroom, math formulas are paired with life lessons. He intentionally designs his classroom to be a sanctuary—a safe, motivating space where students are allowed to struggle, fail, and try again. He shares his story of survival not for applause, but to remind teenagers that their current limitations and hardships do not write the final chapter of their lives.
A Message to the Next Generation of Transformers
Looking back at the terrified boy from Ticao Island who walked onto the DEBESMSCAT campus over a decade ago, Jayson has nothing but words of comfort and fire for the current students standing at their own starting lines.
“Growth is not a smooth journey, and there will be days when you feel like you are not good enough or when life becomes heavier than your dreams,” Jayson says, offering advice to the current student body. “But do not be too hard on yourself. Every successful person was once a beginner who struggled quietly while trying to find their place in the world.”
Jayson Altiche Hongo’s life is a living testimony for every current student and fellow alumnus. It proves that the most broken, painful chapters of our lives do not mean the story is over. Sometimes, they are simply the foundation for a global stage.
“Continue believing in yourself even when confidence is difficult to find,” he smiles. “Because one day you will look back and realize that the struggles you once cried over became the foundation of the person you were meant to become.”
Ladies and gentlemen,
