For nearly two decades, Roselyn Galario was known as “Bisay”—a dedicated member of an armed movement who spent her days organizing communities, writing songs, and rallying for change. At just 12 years old, she never imagined that the path she chose to uplift the poor would eventually lead her into darkness.

Now, she is using every lesson from those 18 years to build something different: peace.

Recruited as a child

Growing up in a remote part of Mindoro, Galario said armed groups were a constant presence in her community. When her cousin joined first, she soon followed—drawn in by promises of addressing the province’s problems.

“We’d skip school to meet in coconut groves,” she shared during the maiden episode of Ang Binagong Buhay aired on Adventist World Radio Station 89.9 FM. “They taught us about the issues facing our people, and before we knew it, we were part of the group. We lied to our parents, even when they heard we were at rallies.”

Her role grew beyond singing. She organized youth, women, and Indigenous Peoples’ groups, and engaged with politicians to push for change. During intense military operations in the region, she kept fellow members going through hunger, fueled by her deep concern for the marginalized.

The crack in the ideology

Galario’s faith in the movement began to fade when resources intended for communities failed to reach those who needed them most. NGO funds for IP schools and party-list allocations were limited, and a leader’s remark opened her eyes: “If we help them build livelihoods, they won’t need us anymore.”

“That’s when I knew something was wrong,” she said. “We claimed to fight for the poor, but we were actually holding them back.”

A new path to peace

After leaving the movement and going into hiding, Galario reached out for help. Local officials and the 2nd Infantry Battalion helped reconnect her with her family—and with Adventist World Radio, which she had first encountered years earlier during its medical missions.

A Bible verse became her anchor: “But this I command you: you do not love me as you once did.” It led her to embrace her faith and commit to peaceful advocacy.

Today, as an AWR missionary, she heads the Mindoro Island Fully Reconciled Association (MIFRA), working with LGUs and NGOs to bring livelihood support, spiritual guidance, and peace initiatives to communities. She has organized 18 associations—all registered with the Department of Labor and Employment—focused on uplifting people without arms.

Message to the youth

“Our young people have skills and passion,” Galario stressed. “But they’re being used to spread violence. There’s nothing wrong with speaking up about issues—but we can do it peacefully.”

Pastor’s reflection

Pastor Robert Dulay, who co-hosted the episode alongside Quinn Denmark Braga and Kasy Punzalan, echoed Galario’s message and emphasized the power of spiritual renewal.

“When she held arms, her ability to help was limited. Now, we’re proving that advocacies can thrive when we choose peace,” he said, citing 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”