Beyond the Mountains: The Journey of Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel

In the mist-covered highlands of Claveria, Misamis Oriental, a young boy once roamed the dusty roads and muddy trails, unaware that his humble beginnings would lead him to become the 8th President of the University of Southern Mindanao. That boy was Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel.

Born on June 24, 1969, in Don Carlos, Bukidnon, Dr. Pimentel is the third among ten siblings, all raised in a household grounded in resilience and faith. His mother hailed from Batad, Iloilo, while his father came from Cagayan de Oro City. Bukidnon, where fate brought them together, became the root of their family’s story.

Even as a child, Jonald was filled with a deep curiosity about the world beyond the mountains. He admitted to being a little ambitious, often watching airplanes fly overhead and dreaming of becoming a pilot. His early years were defined by simple joys and tough realities: hunting birds in the forest using jackfruit sap as glue, or hauling water in bottles on a bamboo cart through long, slippery paths.

His mother, a full-time homemaker, and his father, a businessman-turned-public servant who served two terms as Municipal Councilor of Claveria, worked hard to provide. Though neither  parent completed college, they instilled in their children the importance of education and discipline. The family managed a modest sari-sari store, a buy-and-sell trade of local goods, and a farm with vegetables, coffee, and falcata trees.

College life was far from easy. As one of nine surviving children, Dr. Pimentel sometimes felt lost. He recalls, not with bitterness but understanding, times when his father would forget to bring him food or allowance. He initially enrolled in Electrical Engineering but eventually shifted to Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at the Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT),  where he also earned his Master’s degree in Mathematics.

Despite hardships, he leaned on practicality and inner strength. His easy rapport with people opened doors, and he supported himself through tutoring and odd jobs, including finishing balusters. Summers were spent not in leisure, but under the sun, harvesting crops on their farm in Malagana, Claveria, to raise money for school.

Even in high school, the young Jonald looked for ways to help the family. He cleaned teachers’ yards and walked their children to school, small but meaningful tasks that earned a few pesos and taught him the dignity of work. For the Pimentel family, survival was a team effort. “We were trained early to help provide for each other,” he said. That early training in responsibility, initiative, and hard work became a foundation for his life.

Dr. Pimentel’s decision to run for University President was not born of personal ambition, but of a strong sense of duty. As a longtime faculty member and Professor VI, he understood the needs of the institution. It was in 1994 when he started as an Instructor in USM. Over the years, he has grown into a seasoned and respected leader.  His time as dean gave him firsthand experience with the day-to-day struggles of faculty and students alike.

His global academic journey further shaped his leadership. He earned his Master of Science in Biostatistics from Hasselt University in Belgium (formerly Limburg Universitair Centrum) and a Ph.D. in Psychometrics from the University of Twente in the Netherlands. These experiences deepened his understanding of education systems and broadened his perspective on academic excellence.

“My goal is to help USM soar,” he shared. “What I’ve learned overseas, I want to bring home, for the benefit of our faculty, our students, and our entire community.”

Dr. Pimentel credits his moral compass to his parents. From them, he learned that integrity and time management are non-negotiable. These values guide him today as a leader.

As President of USM, his vision is centered on people empowerment through faculty development, quality education, and community-based livelihood programs.

“As a mathematics educator, leadership came naturally. I never dreamed of becoming USM President. My only dream was to teach. But now that I’m here, my goal is clear: to make USM greater.”

Faith remains a pillar in his life. During college, he was trained in ministry and began sharing his beliefs. Today, he is an active leader of the Filipino Vineyard Community Church in Malasila, Makilala, Cotabato. Together with his wife, Dr. Florilyn, and their son, Dr. Jxyf Raymond, who are both medical doctors, as well as their other sons, Belgie Jan and Ijsell Kyd, he supports feeding and education programs for children and provides free medical services to Indigenous Peoples (IPs).

“Work is temporary. What matters is how we’ve helped others. After all, we won’t stay in this life forever,” he reflected.

Dr. Pimentel’s success is not a product of privilege but of perseverance, faith, and family unity. “We struggled financially, but through prayer, hard work, and helping each other, we overcame life’s battles. All nine of us siblings finished college,” he proudly shared.

Looking back, the muddy roads and hard-won coins of his youth weren’t just memories.  They were lessons. They shaped not just his journey, but the man he became. Today, he carries those memories into his leadership: humble, grounded, and purpose-driven. For Dr. Pimentel, resilience is more than a virtue.  It is a lived experience. And now, it is the heart of his presidency at the University of Southern Mindanao.