23/06/2026
AETA PRIDE 🌱
“Dahil may pangarap ako, kaya kinaya ko,” Dexter Santos Valenton said.
Dexter Santos Valenton, a member of the Aeta community in Barangay San Ramon, Floridablanca, Pampanga, became an inspiration after he was recognized as the first known Aeta to pass the Criminology Board Exam.
Dexter was among the 11,098 passers of the Criminologist Licensure Examination.
His achievement brought him one step closer to his dream of becoming a police officer.
Growing up, Dexter faced poverty and hardship. His parents were farmers, and their family struggled financially while raising nine children.
Despite this, he continued studying.
During his elementary and high school years, Dexter walked for hours just to attend school. When he reached college, he became a scholar under the Pampanga provincial government’s scholarship program, which also helped cover his board and lodging while studying.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from Central Luzon College of Science and Technology.
After graduation, Dexter focused on reviewing for the board exam. The process was not easy. He experienced sleepless nights, exhaustion, and financial struggles while preparing for the licensure test.
To support his review expenses, he sought help for books, received assistance from a review center, and helped his parents with planting so he could earn money for his allowance.
His efforts paid off when his name appeared on the list of successful examinees.
For Dexter, becoming a future police officer is not only a personal dream. He said he wants to become a good example not only for his tribe, but also for the country.
His story shows how education can open doors for Indigenous youth who continue to dream despite distance, poverty, and discrimination.
From walking hours to school to becoming a registered criminologist, Dexter’s journey carries a message of pride for his family, his community, and every student who believes that hardship does not have to be the end of a dream.
