MANILA - A graduation performance from Alabel National High School (ANHS) in Sarangani Province has captured the hearts of thousands online after 732 graduates performed a surprise sea of lights while singing “Liwanag sa Dilim” - from Incognito by SB19’s Pablo.  

Held at Sarangani Capitol Gymnasium on April 14, the event took a dramatic turn when all the lights were turned off and the graduates raised their cellphones, switching on flashlights in perfect timing. The moment created a moving wave of lights, earning cheers and emotional reactions from the crowd. 

 Video by Kyrs Cadapan

‘Liwanag’ from ‘Sidlak’

The students are part of Batch Sidlak 2024, named after the Cebuano word “sidlak” which means “sparkling” or “brilliance.” 

According to the teachers, the anime matched the message they wanted to share. 

“From the title itself–Liwanag sa Dilim….Ngayon, marami tayong na-experience na darkness sa paligid natin. So 'yung mga magsisipagtapos or 'yung mga nagsipagtapos nating mga kabataan, dapat nakikita natin sila as the light that will shine in the darkness in the darkest of nights,” said Sir Allan Ralph Royce Sumalinog, also known as Sir D, who led the graduation training team. 

“Sila ang magiging pag-asa ng bayan na. Sila ang pwedeng magdala ng liwanag sa atin.”

Teachers said the idea to perform a choreographed song came early during the graduation planning. The first and only song they considered was “Liwanad sa Dilim,” thanks to its meaningful lyrics, and strong emotional pull.

“Nag-meeting muna kami ng mga kasama [co-teachers] ko tapos chineck namin kung ano ba yung mga possible na mga kanta na akma sa kanila at kumbaga magugustan din ng mga viewers or audience namin,” said Sir Ricknel Villamora Carbonel, a Senior High School PE teacher, who choreographed the performance. “

So nagustan naman nila kaya isa yun sa mga dahilan kung bakit 'yun 'yung pinili po namin po.”

While the performance looked grand, the preparation behind it was modest.

The teachers had limited time to train the graduates due to tight schedules and academic responsibilities. 

Sir Ricknel, who was in charge of the choreography, recorded a video tutorial that the students could follow. 

“Nag-send ako ng video then after that is 'yung video doon sila magpa-practice muna.” 

The rest of the training was handled by the students themselves, who took initiative to practice as a group. Despite the large number, teachers said the students were generally cooperative and disciplined. 

“Ang laki po kasi ng tiwala po namin sa kanila ng mga teachers….Kumbaga disiplinado po sila lahat…Isa po yun sa mga naging nagustan po namin sa kanila,” SIr Ricknel added. 

Sea of Lights Surprise

The most-talked about part of the performance–the flashlight part–was not even part of the initial plan. The idea came from Grade 12 Coordinator Emegeline Velarde who suggested using a flashlight.

At first, they thought about using lighters with built-in flashlights but decided to use cellphones instead because they were brighter and more practical. 

“Tinry ko po yung i-off y'ung ilaw dito sa kwarto kung okay lang ba 'yung ilaw ng lighter….Then although malakas po siya pero hindi siya kasing lakas ng ilaw ng cellphone. Kaya ayun nag-stick po kami sa pangalawang option which is 'yung sa light ng cellphone,” Sir Ricknel recalled. 

The lights show was taught just four days before the ceremony to keep it a secret from the audience.. 

“Kami lang po yung mga graduates ang nakakaalam na may ganung surprise… parang na-shock ang lahat during the graduation ceremony na may na may pa-surprise 'yung Batch Sidlak,”  said Ariane Macalua, a STEM Graduate and the former student council President.

Phones are usually not allowed during the program, but the teachers made an exception for this performance

For the teacher behind the performance, the goal was more than just a show–it was about sending a message and closing a meaningful chapter.

“Sobrang saya po sir. Kasi sa practice pa lang po, goosebumps na po kami lahat eh….. So sobrang saya at sobrang na-appreciate ko po yung performance po nila sir,” said Sir Ricknel, still overwhelmed by the moment. 

He hopes that beyond the applause and the viral attention, the performance becomes a reminder of what the students can achieve. 

“I hope 'yung kanta or 'yung performance nila is naging inspirasyon yun para mai-connect or maisagawa nila lahat ng mga plano nila sa buhay nila. Then I hope lahat ng mga gusto ninyo or mga gustong kunin niyo sa buhay niyo is makamit niyo in the near future.

For Sir D, the message is clear: the discipline and unity they showed on stage should carry on long after graduation.

“Kung mag-aaral sila ng kolehiyo or magsisimula na sila sa kanilang trabaho…, naway madala nila ang ang mabuting disiplina and naway sila ay maging liwanag sa dilim.”