BASILAN - About fifty students at the Balas Elementary School in Lamitan City marked graduation day with their feet submerged in floodwaters.
This after a heavy downpour spurred flooding at the school's multipurpose hall on Wednesday, where the ceremony was held.
As the school had no time to look for another venue, students- the boys in their uniform and girls in white dresses - had no choice but to take their shoes and socks off to attend ceremonies in ankle-deep flood, school principal Maria Nava told ABS-CBN News.
Some parents expressed dismay at the situation, saying their kids were forced to take part in the ceremonies when the school could have come up with a solution.
A parent who requested anonymity said the school administration could have looked for another venue early on, as Lamitan has been experiencing strong rains since last week.
The location of the multi-purpose hall is known to be a flood prone area, said Ibrahim Ballaho, Balas village chief.
-- Photos by Bayan Patroller Arvialyn Sabdulla