Abdul Rashid Magarang, “Gwapong Boy Next Door” of Barangay Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City

This Maranao-blooded gentleman started as a young boy who was raised by a single-mom, together with his sister. Abdul Rashid Magarang was born in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte and stayed there until high school. Though he grew up filled with love, Rashid was somehow placed into a very alienating environment due to his religious background. But nevertheless, Rashid stayed strong and took everything as a way to improve and be more optimistic. “When I was in elementary, I was enrolled into a Christian school. I felt sad especially during our first Wednesday masses where I was always left alone because I was the odd one out,” he shared. “But, I still moved past that and grew up with values. I learned how to be respectful and obedient as well to always persevere in everything I do,” Rashid added.

When he got to college, he moved to Lumbia and lived with his mother’s sister. But he later on went Marawi to enroll last 2013. He actually had a hard time sticking to one course and kept shifting before ending up as a Social Works undergrad. “When I got in to MSU-Marawi, I initially enrolled as a tourism undergrad. By the time I got to my second semester, I was advised by my father to rethink and enroll under a course which had a board/licensure exam after graduation,” Rashid remembers. “I wasn’t good in math so accountancy was out. With my sister being in the profession, I then enrolled myself under the Social Works course,” he added.

We then asked why the Boy-next-door joined this year. Remarkably, this super cool, approachable and family-oriented kind of guy’s answer was pretty blunt yet inspiring. He actually joined because he saw the competition as an avenue to learn and become a better person. “Life is a learning process. We learn things in our life that will ultimately use to evolve and become better people,” Rashid shared.

He also joined because he wants to make a difference, not only in his dear Brgy. Lumbia but also the city. One of his major aim is to create a program that would give kids the empowerment they deserve.  “I want to empower them and let them know of their rights because the more they become aware of their rights as a person and as a citizen, they can then make good and clearer choices to live in order to become better people,” Rashid passionately expressed. He also aims to give the city a tourism boost through promotion using himself as the medium. “If I do become this year’s Barangay Gwapo, being one of the city’s ambassadors, I would promote the city’s tourism wherever I would and could go outside the city,” he said.

Rashid then gave us his message of thanks to everybody who has been behind him, supporting him and inspiring him to keep moving forward. “I would like to express my deepest thanks for everyone’s support. It has been my motivation to win with everything that I’ve got. Thank you so much!” Rashid gratefully expresses.