He drowned in the ocean once. The memories of his beloved family flashed before him. He remembered each of his sons’ face, his daughters’ smile, and the comfort of his beloved wife. With no oxygen under water, Nasser dove into the gate of death. Slowly, he thought he wouldn’t see the light of day ever again. 

Now sitting on the very boat that almost took his life, staring far across the vast, calm ocean, Nasser J. Jamil, 46, cannot help but recall his life’s strongest waves and how he paddled it out to survive for his family. 

 

THE WAY OF WATER: EMBRACING THE TIDES OF CHANGE 

Jamil family, rooted in the indigenous Sama Banguingui bloodline, has become a shining symbol of acknowledging and valuing existing customs and beliefs while also keeping up with the ever-changing circumstances, new knowledge, and evolving values of the world.

The Sama Banguingui tribe is often stereotyped for their way of life. They have a reputation for being resilient and deeply connected to their sea-based culture. Their houses, most often, are on stilts in the sea withstanding every strike of the ocean wave. 

In such a community, one accustomed practice apparently poses a risk to children’s future. Many Sama Banguingui children are forced by their circumstance to get married at a very early age –to escape poverty and to help their family. In fact, Nasser’s wife, Mudzna, was also a young bride when they got married. 

In this community, where marrying young is a rite of passage, Jamil family became a game changer. Instead of passing down the cycle, Nasser and Mudzna, decided that their children deserve a better and brighter future where they can decide for themselves when to get married, what jobs to pursue, and generally, navigate their life’s future.

Their six children became living proof that environment does not determine destiny. 4Ps does –Perspective, Perseverance, Plan, and Prayer.

The couple’s perspective in raising their children was nodded by their tribal leader saying “Usa jud na sila ka-ehemplo… Kami diay mga Sama Banguingui puede mo-asenso, (They are role models… that we, the Sama Banguingui, could also succeed in life.)” This gave their children a chance to reach for their dreams which is, if not unheard of in the tribe, a rare milestone amongst tribal members. 

In the midst of poverty, Jamil Family showed adaptability, persistence, and flowed around obstacles by embracing a flexible, present, and responsive approach to life’s challenges. Their perspective in life helped them overcome hardship by becoming like water, finding the path of least resistance and adapting to any form or circumstance, even if it meant breaking the very custom that they experienced too.

This, among all other traits, made Jamil Family worthy of the title as Huwarang Pamilya.

ROWING AND STEERING 

In 2010, Jamil Family became part of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) as program beneficiaries, an event that the couple considers as the breakthrough that propelled and directed the course of their boat to betterment. Both they raised six children—Adzhar, Annuar, Albinzar, Saber, Rafida, and Nurhaida—in the modest village of Pulo Mabao in the municipality of Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay, where the waves dictate both danger and livelihood.

Seaweed farming and fishing were their daily bread. Each has their own contribution in the family’s livelihood. Though not obliged, the children chose to help their parents in the sea. Their collective effort in seaweed farming—tying lines, harvesting, drying, selling—was never assigned. It was understood and voluntarily practiced. They worked the tides together, just as they chased their dreams together.

Mudzna, carried not just laundry and seaweed, but hope in every pot she cooked, in every Parent Leader meeting she led, and in every Family Development Session she attended. She never let go of her role as a mother, a mentor, and a prayerful woman, grounding her children in discipline and devotion.

The children, on their part, never waited to be told what to do. Adzhar and Annuar, while studying in Zamboanga City, would send part of their scholarship and salary home. Adzhar and Annuar have long been their father’s trusted companions at sea, especially during nighttime fishing trips. They would set out around 6 PM during harvest season, navigating the dark waters together, and usually return home just before dawn. These shared nights on the sea became not just a means of livelihood, but a quiet testament to their resilience, discipline, and bond as a family.

Albinzar manages the family’s seaweed farm with unmatched diligence. The girl’s, on the other hand, help in selling the seaweeds. He used his income not for personal gain, but to buy a motorcycle for his siblings and reinvested in their livelihood. 

 

BATTLING DANGEROUS WATERS

In 2012, the family hit rock bottom. Nasser, battling a storm at sea, nearly lost his life. In desperation, he tied himself to a rope and let the waves carry him, praying only that his corpse be found if fate took him. But Allah has better plans. He survived. Since then, he vowed that his children would never have to face the sea’s wrath to survive. That harrowing day became a turning point. 

In October 2024, the family received a ₱14,828 seaweed farming grant. With strategic replanting instead of quick selling, they multiplied their yield and income. Albinzar, as the lead, ensured that the business and the grant that they received would thrive, not for himself, but more importantly, for the education of his siblings. Their technique became a local model for sustainable livelihood.

With steady income, the family renovated their home in 2022 and updated their kitchen in 2025. Today, they live in a cemented, tiled home with sanitation facilities and internet, something that was once just a dream, now a reality.

 

 

JAMIL FAMILY’S HOUSE BEFORE AND AFTER

 

CHASING THE DREAM FROM WATER TO LAND

For years, Jamil children casually walked about 5 kilometers daily on a muddy, nearly impassable road just to attend school in the pursuit of their secondary education. It was not until 2021 that the road was finally cemented. That bittersweet memory lives on, a reminder that no hardship could outmatch their resolve.

Despite being devout Muslims, the Jamil family made a bold and heartfelt decision to enroll their children at Loyola High School, a private Catholic institution run by the Dominican community. This choice was not merely about academics. It was an act of vision and courage, grounded in the belief that faith, values, and learning transcend religious boundaries.

At Loyola High School, Jamil children were embraced with open arms. With support from the school’s scholarship program, they were not only given access to quality education, but it became a pillar of hope. And so, they excelled in their studies, remained grounded in their Islamic faith, and became role models among their peers, proving that integrity, hard work, and humility are universal virtues.

The success of the family academically was not only measured in certificates and in gold lining medals that put them in the pedastal amongst others. It symbolizes that education empowers not a single member but the entire family.

Soon, Adzhar, the eldest, pursued a degree in Islamic Education at Western Mindanao State University, supported by a CHED scholarship from 2018 to 2020. During summer breaks, he returned home to help his family with fishing and sea-related tasks. Deeply rooted in his faith, he also served as a Tablig, reaching out and sharing Islamic teachings with Muslim communities in Zamboanga and Basilan. With determination, he aspired to enter public service and took multiple attempts at the civil service examination, hoping to secure a position in a government agency. Though success has yet to come his way, Adzhar remains steadfast. Today, he is an active member of the Masjid in Pulo Mabao, continuing to assist his family both in their religious life and in their daily livelihood at sea.

 

Annuar, the second child, pursued Criminology at Southern City Colleges with the help of another scholarship. Both siblings supported each other and their younger siblings during school.

In December 2022, Annuar became the first member of the family to bring great honor and pride by earning his license as a Registered Criminologist. He was the first professional from both the maternal and paternal sides, passing the licensure exam on his first attempt. He achieved this milestone through perseverance and by saving every peso from his job at a department store. Despite being rejected in his initial applications to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Coast Guard, he remained undeterred. With a hard-earned degree and professional license in hand, Annuar chose not to rest. Instead, he took a job as a salesperson, using his income to cover the costs of preparing and securing documents for his applications to various government uniformed service agencies.

Albinzar, on the other hand, took TESDA training in welding and electronics. He poured his energy into seaweed farming, managing operations. He was primarily concerned about the daily transportation of her younger siblings. From his income from helping his father, he decided to purchase a motorcycle and paid for it in full cash and serve as remembrance of his hardwork.

The family fondly calls him “Manager”, a title he has rightfully earned. He takes the lead in their seaweed farming activities and diligently remits every single peso of his earnings to his mother. Out of deep respect, Mudzna never makes a financial decision involving his remittances without first seeking his permission, even though he always assures her that it’s perfectly okay. This mutual trust and respect reflect the strong values that hold their family together.

Saber, the fourth child is now a Civil Engineering student at Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University. Teachers once whispered he had the makings of an engineer.

Apart from than this, Saber also took from his father who served as a Barangay Kagawad in the past for nine years. He, too, shows great leadership in the community now by being part of the Sangguniang Kabataan. Civic engagement became a way for the family to give back to the community that shaped them. Truly, fruits don’t fall far from the tree. 

Among the six siblings, Saber is the most exposed to public engagement. Naturally charismatic and confident, he easily builds rapport and isn’t afraid to initiate ideas. His role as SK Secretary has further sharpened his leadership skills and strengthened his connection with the community.

This year, while studying in Zamboanga, Saber and his close childhood friends to start saving a portion of their weekly allowances to build capital for a small business. After months of discipline and teamwork, Saber managed to save ₱3,500, along with contributions from his friends, raising a total of

nearly ₱15,000.

They launched a humble coffee station, which quickly exceeded expectations. Originally targeting just 30 cups a day, they now consistently serve more than double that number. For Saber, this small business is more than just income. It’s his way of easing his parents’ financial burden. “When I go back to school, my parents won’t have to worry anymore about what I’ll need for opening classes,” he shared with pride.

Determined to support his education, Saber also applied for several scholarships during his first year. Just this June 2025, he received the good news that he had been selected as a benefi

ciary of the Tertiary Education Scholarship. He is now in the process of completing all the necessary requirements.

Rufaida is a consistent honor student and an active student leader throughout her high school years. She graduated with an impressive average of 94 and earned academic honors. Recently, she applied for a CHED scholarship and is now enrolled at Universidad de Zamboanga, pursuing a degree in Nursing.

Despite the financial challenges, her family remains fully supportive of her dreams. Her older brothers have assured her that they will help cover her tuition, de

termined to see her

succeed. Still, Rufaida is doing her part—her scholarship application is her way of lessening the burden on their parents.

In addition to her studies, Rufaida also helps manage Saber’s coffee station. Whenever her brother is away or busy complying with scholarship requirements, she takes charge of the business in his absence, showing her dedication not just to her future, but to the family’s shared efforts.

Nurhaida, the youngest of the siblings, is also a consistent honor student. She is the last monitored child in the 4Ps system and, like her older siblings, actively participates in activities at their Masjid and Madrasah. With a clear dream of becoming a dentist, Nurhaida is determined to excel in her studies, knowing that maintaining high grades is her key to qualifying for a scholarship. Her quiet determination and deep faith fuel her ambition to one day serve others through her chosen profession.

Their story is not just about escaping poverty. It’s about defying limits. About holding each other up when the waves come. About educating not just minds but also the hearts.

 

From the muddy roads to the college gates, from borrowed nets to sustainable farms, from despair to dreams, Jamil family stands as a huwarang pamilya, a model of what happens when ambition is anchored deep in love, faith, and unity.

They have turned the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program into more than just assistance but as an anchor of their dreams and ambition, their lifeline to transformation.

A daughter’s prayer: A Letter to Allah

Among the many defining moments in the Jamil family’s journey, one stood quietly between the pages of a notebook used in Madrasah, a handwritten letter by the youngest daughter, Nurhaida. It wasn’t addressed to a person, but to the One she holds dearest—Allah.

In her soft, careful script, Nurhaida poured out a prayer that reflected more than her youth. It carried the weight of their struggle, the depth of their gratitude, and the sincerity of her dreams. Her words were simple but powerful. In a world filled with distractions and hardship, this child chose to center her thoughts on faith, family, and the future.

Nurhaida’s letter is more than just a prayer, it is a testament to the spiritual foundation that anchors the Jamil family. It reminds us that while poverty may test the body, faith guards the soul. And even the youngest among them carries a fierce sense of purpose.

It is in this quiet moment, tucked in the pages of a Madrasah notebook, that the heart of the Jamil family is revealed, not just in what they’ve built with their hands, but in what they’ve surrendered in prayer.

Deeply grounded in Islam, the family observed daily prayers, revered Fridays, and enrolled their daughters in Madrasah to deepen their knowledge of their faith. Mudzna often preached, “Only Allah can lighten the weight of our journey.”

Their children, while surrounded by peers at play, chose instead to stay home -reading, cooking, helping, learning. Their discipline was not enforced. It was a choice born out of respect and quiet determination.

The Jamil family is deeply rooted in their Islamic faith, living each day with devotion and purpose. As practicing Muslims, their home echoes with the rhythm of daily prayers, the wisdom of the Qur’an, and the values of humility, modesty, and compassion. Not only do they nurture spiritual discipline within the household, but they also ensure that it flourishes through education. 

For the Jamil family, faith is not just a belief. It is the anchor that steadies them through life’s most violent storms. As devout Muslims, their days begin and end in prayer, and every decision is guided by the teachings of the Qur’an. Their faith is not simply practiced. It is lived. 

Truly, Jamil Family lives a life that many would say something that should be emulated. They are a true epitome of what is expected of a Pantawid Pamilya. A family that is bound by love, faith, harmony, purpose, and contribution to society.

With these characteristics, it is no doubt that Jamil family deserves the title as HUWARANG PANTAWID PAMILYA 2025.