In a world where many choose to turn their backs on the past, Juane V. Bastida carries his history like a torch — not as a burden, but as a guiding light.
Juane is a young man whose life has been shaped by both tragedy and resilience. A self-proclaimed sporty soul with a passion for dancing, he has found ways to channel his energy into the things he loves, despite the stormy seas he has sailed through.
“I’ve always enjoyed dancing. It’s one thing that lifts my spirit,” Juane shares. Alongside his favorite tunes from Adele — whose music speaks of heartache and hope in equal measure — he moves to the rhythm of a life that hasn’t always been easy, but has always been meaningful.
Juane’s connection to the sea runs deep, tied to the memories of his late father, a fisherman who shaped his understanding of life and loss. “My parents separated when I was in Grade 3,” he recalls. “After that, my father was all we had.”
Tragically, Juane lost his father while he was still in his first year of high school. “I could never bring myself to return to the sea after that,” he confides. That moment — watching his father take his final breath — became a turning point in his life, not of surrender, but of awakening.
Today, Juane stands at the crossroads of grief and purpose. “What I’m experiencing now is a calling — something deeper that’s guiding me,” he reflects. “I chose this path not just for my future, but for the future of our country.”
He realized how vital fisheries is to the nation’s survival. Beyond just the livelihood of coastal communities, it anchors food security, sustains economies, and holds a cultural heritage that must be protected.
Like many students of his generation, Juane weathered the challenges of online learning during the pandemic. It was a time of isolation and frustration, with uneven academic standards and missed opportunities. “Some instructors gave grades that did not reflect our dedication or performance,” he notes, his voice tinged with disappointment but also resilience.
Despite these hurdles, Juane chose not to dwell on setbacks. “I never dwell on my failures; instead, I strive each day to be better than the person I was yesterday.”
His faith served as an anchor through turbulent times. “Through it all, I remain deeply grateful to Allah for His protection and for giving me the strength to carry on.”
Support also came from friends and family — the people who stood by him in silence and celebration alike.
Now, with graduation on the horizon, Juane has set his sights on new horizons. “After graduation, I plan to take the board exam, gain work experience for 2 to 3 years, and then seek opportunities abroad,” he says. “I don’t have a Plan B yet, but I’ll make sure I can make it.”
For Juane, the future of the fisheries sector, especially in Caraga, matters deeply. “I hope to see a sustainable, innovative, and inclusive fisheries industry — one that empowers local fishers and secures food and livelihood for the region.”
His favorite marine creature, the whale, mirrors the qualities he values: elegance, strength, and a quiet grace that persists through the depths. “They’re truly fascinating, majestic beings,” he says. And in many ways, Juane carries the spirit of the whale within him — enduring, resilient, and ever moving forward.
Juane lives by a simple, powerful mantra: “Que sera, sera — whatever will be, will be.” It’s a philosophy rooted not in passivity, but in courage and acceptance. “No matter what challenges you face, face them with strength and courage,” he advises. “If you can handle it, don’t wait for help — stand up, push through, and prove to yourself that you can.”
In Juane’s story, there’s a lesson for us all: that even when life’s waves threaten to pull us under, we can choose to dance, to dream, and to dive headfirst into the possibilities ahead. (Andy T. Ordoña, Information Officer, DA-BFAR Caraga)
