Street Gangster to Pageant Standout: Jomarl Pabalan’s Tale of Redemption
The road to self-actualization is never a smooth one. Oftentimes, while growing up, we choose the wrong paths and make mistakes. Why? Because we didn’t know better. But the important thing is, we carry hope within ourselves despite these obstacles. And for Jomarl, this hope led him to his redemption.
His tumultuous childhood
Jomarl Pabalan, a 22-year-old student from Mabalacat, Pampanga, shared his story of growing up in the slums of his hometown. He describes this place as “lugar ng mga siga.”
He said that people in his area did not tolerate weaklings, so at a very young age, he was exposed to various illegal activities. Drugs, riots, murders, and gambling were all part of his childhood. Then, he went on to become one of them.
“Eleven years old nung ganap na mapabilang ako sa gang na sikat sa amin na tinatawag na KURUTA. Hango ito sa anime at ang tawag din sa kanila, tribu ng mga pulang mata. Natuto akong manigarilyo, uminom ng alak at kapag nalasing maghahagis ng bote sa kalye at maghahanap ng gulo.”
He shared that there are also kids his age who joined the gang. Their elders made them the lookouts during gang wars. Sometimes, they even smuggled illegal drugs.
Well into their teenage years, they always got into some sort of mess inside and outside the school premises. That’s why he and his mates were always in and out of barangay halls and police stations.
Throughout high school, Jomarl was always involved in trouble. That was until he got caught up in a tangle with a girl he was courting at that time.
“Dahil adik ako nung mga panahon na iyon, nagalit ang mga magulang niya sa akin at gumawa ng paraan para mailayo [ako] sa anak nila. Gumawa ng kwento na sasaksakin ko daw ang anak [nila] at yun ang nagpaalarma sa mga guro sa aking eskwelahan.”
Despite this incident, he was allowed to graduate on the condition that he will not continue his senior high school studies in any public school.
Turning his life around
When Duterte implemented his War on Drugs campaign in 2016, Jomarl feared for his life. He heard of the news that minors like him, who are involved in illegal drugs, were killed by law enforcers and vigilantes. He stopped doing his vices in an attempt to go under the radar.
“Nung mga panahon din ito, nakumbinsi ako ng aking magulang na ipagpatuloy ang aking pag aaral sa senior high school. Kaya naman pumasok na lang ako sa pribadong paaralan bilang pagsunod sa kasunduan na bawal na akong mag enroll sa mga pampublikong paaralan.”
He was eventually drawn away from trouble when he met new friends who have strong faith and belief in God.
Entering the world of pageantry
In 2017, when Jomarl was on his way home from school, someone approached and urged him to join a pageant in their barangay. He refused at first, afraid of what others might think of him. But then he eventually agreed and attended the screening process.
“Isa ako sa mga controversial na candidate sa barangay namin, dahil napaka-rare lang sa sigang tulad ko ang sumali sa ganong kompetisyon. Samu’t saring negatibong komento ang narinig [ko], tulad ng “Mayabang naman yan,” “Bakit kasali yan? Wala nabang iba?,” “Adik yan,” “Manggugulo lang yan.” Yang mga katagang yan ang gumising sa akin at bumiyak sa puso [ko].”
However, a beauty camp offered to handle him as a candidate after hearing his backstory.
“[Ni-train] nila ako, ni-rehab at sinesermonan araw-araw. Hatid sundo din ako sa bahay para masiguro na hindi na ako babalik sa magulong lansangan.”
Jomarl and his team prepared for almost a month before going onstage. One of the moments he will never forget during the coronation night was his question and answer portion. The question was “Kung bibigyan ka ng panginoon ng pagkakataon magbukas ng dalawang letter, anong pipiliin mo? Ang malaman kung kailan ka mamamatay o ang sanhi ng iyong pagkamatay?”
He tackled the rather difficult question with a heartfelt answer.
“Ang pipiliin ko pong letter ay ang malaman kung kailan ang araw ng aking kamatayan. Hindi ako perpekto, marami akong kapalpakan sa buhay, marami akong naperwisyong tao. Nais kong gamitin ang mga natitira kong araw upang bumawi sa mga nagawan ko ng masama, para kapag namatay na ako, may naiwan akong magandang nagawa sa tao.”
That was the answer that won him the crown.
Showcasing his true self onstage
After his winning moment at the pageant, he was chosen to represent their barangay in the city pageant. He won the Mr. Mabalacat City 2018 2nd Prince title. Jomarl attributes his success to his dedication to pursuing a decent life.
“Dahil sa aking pagiging totoong tao at [dahil] lagi kong sineshare ang aking pinagmulan, madaming tao ang naantig sa aking pagbabagong buhay.”
Because of this achievement, he met other people who inspired him to continue studying until college.
“Nung mga panahon na ’to maraming realization ang naglaro sa utak ko at gumising sa siga kong puso. Dito ako nagkaroon ng interest na kumuha ng kurso sa pagiging guro. Dito ko napagtanto na nais akong gamitin ng Panginoon para maging instrumento ng pagbabago [para] sa mga kabataan.”
Jomarl also continued to test his luck in the pageant industry. Because of his true efforts, he won multiple titles in several provincial pageants.
Because of the pandemic, he stopped doing his usual activities, just like the rest of us. He said that this was a time when he felt an overwhelming sadness because of what was happening to the world.
Misters of Filipinas journey
But then, at the start of 2021, he saw a post on social media that a screening process for Misters of Filipinas will be held. On June 12, he traveled to Manila for the screening, despite the risks it entailed. Fortunately, he was chosen as one of the candidates for the prestigious pageant as the representative of Pampanga, his province.
“Sa buong journey ko sa Misters of Filipinas, maraming pagbabago sa buhay ko ang nangyari. Dito ko lalong niyakap ang kurso ko bilang guro. Mas lalo akong ginanahan sa buhay at nais kong maging inspirasyon sa mga magiging estudyante ko.”
Jomarl won the Misters of Filipinas – PEPPS Ambassador title. He shared that he will use this feat to inspire other youngsters like him.
Sharing his life lessons
His story so far is quite an inspiring tale — not just for young delinquents but for struggling adults also. Jomarl gave us a glimpse of what his life may have become if he didn’t change his ways, that addiction and conflict are never part of the path towards a decent life.
From a stray teenage soul to a superstar on the pageant stage, Jomarl turned his life around for the better. He shared three important lessons he learned from this experience of turning over a new leaf.
“Hindi pa huli ang lahat para pindutin ang restart button ng buhay para makapagsimula ulit at mamuhay nang disente.”
“Kailanman hindi basehan ang nakaraan para bumuo ng magandang future.”
“Disiplina, sipag, kababaang-loob at pagiging totoong tao ang sikreto sa tagumpay.”
Jomarl Pabalan has definitely come a long way. But he is just at the beginning of his journey towards success. Whether in pursuing his dreams of becoming a teacher or continuing his pageant career, he will surely put his mind and heart into everything he will do to achieve this.
His strong will and determination will surely lead him to where he truly belongs.
