Scouting Diaries

Learn from shared scouting experiences, knowledge, and skills of Scouts around the world.

11/11/2025

𝙆𝙒𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙊𝙉𝙂 𝙏𝙐𝙉𝘼𝙔. 𝙆𝙒𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙊𝙉𝙂 𝘽𝙐𝙃𝘼𝙔.

𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐃 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄
𝗔 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀’ 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀

“On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, the Republic of the Philippines, and to obey the Scout Law…”

This is recited with pride by every scout. But for one man, this oath became more than a promise – it became a lifelong compass. A teacher who turned his pledge into purpose and his purpose into service.

Master Teacher Nestor B. Versoza, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines Outfit Adviser of F. Bustamante National High School (FBNHS), has spent decades living out the very words of the Scout’s Oath.

At 62, he continues to lead with faith, courage, and unwavering dedication — a living embodiment of the pledge he once swore as a young scout.

For Sir Nestor, every good deed begins with faith. In every scout gathering, whether within school grounds, city, regional, national, or international jamborees, he begins with prayer. Not as a mere tradition, but as an act of trust and reverence.

“A scout must always be prepared for any circumstance, and we seek our readiness through God’s guidance,” he shared.

His faithful service once saved his scouts’ lives.

During a National Jamboree in Palo, Leyte, he and his scouts were attacked by a man wielding a bolo at Lipata Ferry Boat Terminal.

“There were many stranded people there, and one of them was the 60-year-old farmer who attacked us in the terminal,” Sir Nelson recounted. “He said that he needs to have his medication; however, due to limited capacity, the scouts were prioritized because of the event and not them. So, he forced himself and attacked us.”

Although it was a life-threatening situation, Sir Nelson thought of her students.

“My faith in the Lord gave me courage. I managed to subdue the man and protect my scouts,” he shared.

His left shoulder was injured, but his spirit remained unshaken. A proof that faith in action can overcome fear.

His bravery and service did not go unnoticed.

Sir Nelson was awarded the Medal of Honor for Bravery and Heroism for saving his scouts’ lives during the perilous encounter in Lipata Ferry Boat Terminal, and was named among the Top 10 Most Outstanding Scoutmasters in the Philippines in 2008, held at the Development Academy of the Philippines in Tagaytay City.

He also received the Bronze Tamaraw Award, one of the highest honors bestowed by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines to those who exemplify outstanding leadership and devotion to the scout movement over the years.

These accolades, though prestigious, stand merely as reflections of a life lived with humility and purpose.

His obedience to the Scout Law extends beyond his duties as a teacher. His leadership has inspired both students and colleagues to see scouting not as routine, but as a mission of service.

“I cannot help but be inspired by Dr. Versoza’s dedication. His leadership showed us that scouting is more than marching and flag ceremonies — it’s a call to serve humanity and protect the future of our scouts,” Andrei Abayon, a teacher and FBNHS Rover Peer, shared in an interview.

He has done his duty to God through prayer and faith, to his country through service and courage, and to the Scout Law through obedience and example.

His journey proves that scouting is not defined by uniforms or ceremonies but by a heart devoted to service. In him, the oath ceases to be mere words; it becomes a way of life — a personified pledge of courage, faith, and purpose that continues to inspire generations of scouts to live with honor and serve with heart; even when it will cause his own life.

By Client Junnil V. Pasaol