As we celebrate the Feast of St. Augustine, it is only fitting that we spotlight a story of profound transformation and renewal in our beloved alumni community. This year, we turn our focus to Atty. Aldwin Leslie M. Muyuela or simply, Dwayne, whose life mirrors the profound journey of St. Augustine himself—a journey marked by challenges, self-discovery, and ultimately, profound redemption.
Dwayne’s narrative begins with promise and potential, much like St. Augustine’s early years. He excelled as the valedictorian of Cabatuan National Comprehensive High School, distinguished by his leadership roles and scholarly achievements. His journey was poised to follow a bright trajectory, attending university with high expectations from his family and community. However, similar to Augustine’s initial wanderings, Dwayne found himself veering off the anticipated path.
During his second year of college, his life took a turn when he joined a fraternity, which introduced him to a lifestyle filled with vices that led him astray. He described this period as a dark chapter, where he lost sight of his goals and faced profound personal setbacks, including being incarcerated due to fraternity-related activities. This period marked a significant departure from his previous achievements and led to his failure to complete his engineering degree, much to the disappointment of his family.
However, just as St. Augustine experienced a pivotal conversion, so too did Dwayne find a turning point in his life. After years of stagnation and a job that offered little fulfillment, he discovered the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) at La Consolacion College Bacolod. He described this opportunity as a “second chance” in life, a chance to reset his path and pursue his true potential. With renewed vigor, he embarked on this educational journey, traveling to Bacolod every weekend, a testament to his dedication and resolve.
In 2018, Dwayne graduated from the ETEEAP, an accomplishment he describes as worth every struggle, emphasizing that “the tassel was worth the hassle indeed.” This milestone was not merely an academic achievement but a pivotal moment that restored his belief in himself and his capabilities. It propelled him to further his education in law, where he not only survived the rigorous demands of law school but excelled, finishing as the second topnotcher in the comprehensive exams of his cohort.
In December 2023, Dwayne reached another significant milestone in his journey—passing the bar examination and signing the roll of attorneys. His story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of education and personal determination. It echoes the life of St. Augustine, whose own path of missteps and rediscovery led to a profound spiritual and intellectual awakening.
Dwayne’s return to La Consolacion College Bacolod as the commencement speaker was a full-circle moment, standing before graduates as a living embodiment of resilience and redemption. His message was clear: “Trust the process, but know the rules.” He emphasized that while some may succeed without conventional paths, for many, education, especially programs like the ETEEAP, serves as a crucial gateway to opportunities and a better future. As we celebrate the life and teachings of St. Augustine, Dwayne’s journey from a troubled past to a triumphant present serves as a beacon of hope and a reminder that it is never too late to change one’s course and achieve greatness. His life, much like Augustine’s, is a call to all of us to seek our own paths to redemption and to fulfill our potential, no matter the obstacles we might face.