10/06/2025
Congrats! Proud kami sayo!๐ค๐
๐ฆ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ผ: ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ป๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ช๐ต๐ผ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ถ๐ ๐ช๐ฎ๐ ๐ง๐ต๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐๐ด๐ด๐น๐ฒ๐
When Palawan marked a historic milestone โ 400 Years of Christianity โ its celebration was not only remembered through solemn liturgies and grand gatherings, but also through a stirring theme song that captured the spirit of faith, resilience, and gratitude. Lending his voice to that anthem was Sherwin Dave M. Suaco, a young music minister from Roxas, who, alongside fellow servant-leader Christine Hope Homo, became the voice of a generation honoring centuries of Christian faith in the province.
For Dave, singing the official theme song was more than a musical achievementโit was a deeply personal moment. It symbolized how far he had come: from a small-town boy with big dreams and empty pockets, to a licensed engineer and respected choir conductor. His journey, marked by sacrifice, service, and song, is a powerful reminder that even the most humble beginnings can lead to extraordinary destinations.
Born on August 30, 2000, Dave is the eldest of five siblings in a humble household led by his father, Dindo Suaco Sr., a farmer and construction worker, and his mother, Sharon Grace Suaco, a housewife with hearing and speech impairments.
From a young age, Dave knew what hardship looked like. โMahirap lang kami, pero hindi kami nawalan ng pangarap,โ he says. Their family lived a simple life, relying on his fatherโs meager income to make ends meet. Despite the challenges, Sherwinโs childhood was filled with love, faith, and a deep sense of responsibility.
โAng pangarap ko noon, maging engineer para makatulong sa pamilya.โ
Daveโs educational journey began at Mendoza Elementary School, followed by Mendoza National Agricultural High School. He pursued Senior High at Palawan Polytechnic College Inc., and later enrolled at Palawan State University, where he earned his degree in Electrical Engineering.
But the road to graduation was anything but easy. A turning point came when the family lost their home and land due to false accusations against his father. โNaibenta ni Papa ang aming mga ari-arian. Wala kaming magawa.โ With nowhere else to go, Sherwin moved to Puerto Princesa to live with his grandmother, who offered him shelter and food while he studied.
Even then, he had to walk long distances to school just to save his allowance. โNilalakad ko lang ang PPCI hanggang Kentroy sa Old Buncag.โ In college, he became a self-supporting student, juggling multiple jobsโdoing laundry, working in construction, teaching choir, and even becoming a water boy at a refilling station.
โHindi naging madali, pero proud ako. Lahat ng hirap, kinaya ko dahil gusto ko.โ
๐๐๐๐ฉ๐, ๐๐ช๐จ๐๐, ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ง๐ฎ
Daveโs love for music was inherited from his father, a guitarist in their small chapel. When his father stopped playing, Sherwin stepped in, teaching younger kids simple songs for Mass. His dream of joining a cathedral choir came true when he was recruited by the Catholic Youth Movement (CYM) in Puerto Princesa.
โNa-stiff neck ako sa kakatingin sa choir loft. Ang gagaling nila!โ
From being a wide-eyed recruit, Dave rose to become the Music Director and Conductor of CYM, leading choirs in major church events, composing hymns, and mentoring young musicians. His involvement in the 400 Years Celebration of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa, where he conducted over 400 choir members and composed theme songs, remains one of his proudest moments.
โHindi mo kailangang maging magaling. Kailangan mo lang ng pusong handang maglingkod.โ
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ป๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ
Despite his deep involvement in ministry, Dave never lost sight of his academic goals. He kept his board exam plans a secret, quietly reviewing while continuing to serve. In Cebu, where he prepared for the exam, he faced financial struggles again. But just when he was about to give up, help came in the form of a kind couple he now calls โInay and Itay.โ
โHindi ko hiningi, pero dumating sila. Sabi nila, โWe consider you as our youngest son.โโ
Their support allowed him to focus on his review, and in December, Sherwin passed the board exam. โPara akong lumulutang sa tuwa. Legit ang saya. Worth it ang lahat ng pagod.โ
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ: ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ง๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ถ๐น๐น ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ด๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ
Now a licensed engineer, Dave dreams of returning to his communityโnot just to work, but to serve.
โGusto ko makabalik sa aming komunidad habang nagtatrabaho. Ipinapanalangin ko na sana makahanap ako ng work na malaya akong makapag-serve ulit.โ
He hopes to continue mentoring youth, composing music, and leading choirs that inspire faith and unity. For Sherwin, success is not just about personal achievementโitโs about giving back.
โThe more you serve, the more the blessings you have. Hindi nagpapabaya ang Diyos sa kanyang mga lingkod.โ
๐ผ ๐๐๐จ๐จ๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐ฟ๐ง๐๐๐ข๐๐ง๐จ
To those struggling with finances, school, or ministry, Dave offers this:
โWag mawalan ng pag-asa. Ang buhay ay may kanya-kanyang panahon. Magtiwala ka sa Diyos. Do your best and let Him do the rest. Mas mabuting maranasan natin ang walang-wala. Mas maiintindihan natin ang buhay. Mas mararamdaman natin na kailangan nating magsumikap upang tayo naman ang makatulong sa iba.โ (via K. Santos)
