UPLIFT Cares 8th Moving Up Ceremony And Recognition Day: ‘Continue To Dream, Persevere, Succeed’

By God’s grace, lives can be transformed with hope and purpose.

During the UPLIFT Cares 8th Moving Up Ceremony and Recognition Day, held at the CCF Center Multi-Purpose Hall in the afternoon of August 11, 2026, our 158 Alternative Learning System (ALS) Junior High School completers and 36 graduating UPLIFT Plus Senior High School scholars for Academic Year 2025-2026 gathered together to celebrate their educational milestones.

Opening Segments

In his opening message, UPLIFT Cares Chief Operating Officer Denny Dinsay reminded the UPLIFT completers and graduating scholars that their journeys did not end with the event; rather, they were embarking on a greater dream that could only be fulfilled with God’s help.

Leading the presentation of our ALS completers was UPLIFT Cares Learning Facilitator Ronnie Pagdatu, while heading the confirmation of the completers was Department of Education (DepEd) - Antipolo City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Lerma Flandez.

UPLIFT Cares Scholarship Head Sid Valencia led the recognition of the graduating UPLIFT Plus scholars.

Main Message

In the event’s main message, CCF East Ortigas Pastor Julius Rayala shared about his own life experience and the transforming impact of God’s grace.

Pastor Julius recalled that in spite of their lack of finances, he still pursued his college education. To sustain his studies, he supplied food items to a canteen and taught guitar lessons on weekends.

Reflecting on the message found in 1 Corinthians 15:9-11, Pastor Julius emphasized that it is all about grace. He highlighted the importance of pursuing education in spite of various discouragements and stressed that God’s grace brings humility, stewardship, zealousness and excellence, and security.

To further inspire the attendees, he introduced Jedd, an ALS completer who shared his testimony with the audience. Jedd sold goods such as sampaguita and rags on the streets in his younger years. In August 2025, Jedd was invited to attend CCF Commonwealth and join a discipleship group (Dgroup). Soon after, he enrolled in the UPLIFT ALS program, where he also experienced God’s goodness and faithfulness. By God’s grace, Jedd is now studying in Grade 11 while working on the side.

ALS Completers March On Stage

Marching to the stage and taking their bows were our ALS completers from our Learning Centers in the Greater Manila Area: Brgy. Sta. Cruz and Brgy. Maybunga, Pasig City (under our Learning Facilitator, Vea Alexandra Pineda); CCF Commonwealth and CCF Fairview (Jesusita Pelenio); CCF Upper Antipolo and Brgy. Pag-asa, Binangonan, Rizal (Ronnie Pagdatu); and CCF Lower Antipolo and Brgy. Mahabang Parang, Angono, Rizal (Donna Mae Sta. Singh).

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Mrs. Andeng Ynares, in a short message from her husband Antipolo City Mayor Casimiro Ynares III, encouraged our completers to appreciate that they are so blessed. She emphasized that it is never too late for someone to strive for his or her dreams, and that learning carries no age limit.

After her speech, the recognition of our completers resumed. Recognized on stage were our ALS completers from CCF Imus (Jerome Tabjan). This was followed with the online recognition of our provincial completers from our Learning Centers in: CCF Bacolod and Brgy. 29, Bacolod City (Princess Lee Mondreal); CCF Cagayan de Oro (Juana Jane Barro); CCF Cauayan, Isabela (Julius Malsi); and CCF Manolo Fortich and Alae, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon (Emily Malinao).

Deserving ALS completers received With Honors/High Honors/Highest Honors, Perseverance Award, or Perfect Attendance Award.

Marching Of Graduating UPLIFT Plus Scholars

Also recognized were the 14 graduating UPLIFT Plus Senior High School scholars, and 22 graduating UPLIFT Plus College scholars.

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Select graduating and undergraduate UPLIFT Plus scholars took home Academic Competence Award, Character Training Award, or Servant-Leadership Award.

Scholar’s Testimony

UPLIFT Plus scholar Kinah, a Business Administration (major in Marketing Management) graduate from the National Teachers College, delivered her impactful testimony of a renewed life purpose.

Kinah, the only child in her family, was raised by her grandparents. To support her grandmother, Kinah sold ice candy and halo-halo. When the pandemic hit, her challenges became even more difficult, but she turned to prayer as her refuge.

On July 21, 2021, Kinah accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior. Kinah eventually became an UPLIFT Plus scholar, a Dgroup leader and an UPLIFT Plus on-the-job trainee. Toward the end of her testimony, she encouraged those facing tough life challenges to put their trust in God.

Closing Segment

UPLIFT Cares Learning Facilitators, Scholarship Leads, and Scholarship Coordinators led the audience in worshipping God through singing the Filipino gospel single, “Pupurihin Ka Sa Awit.”

Help Change Lives Through Education

Behind every graduate is a story of grace, perseverance, and people who believed. Join us in making a meaningful impact in marginalized communities by supporting the education of UPLIFT Cares ALS learners and scholars. To begin your sponsorship journey, send us a message through our social media accounts or email us at sponsorship@upliftcares.com.