ANGONO, Rizal – Age doesn’t seem to matter for fresh senior high school graduate 67-year old Lolita Escal who seemed dead serious in fulfilling her dream of becoming a journalist.
Moments after taking the center stage of the Angono National High School (ANHS) where she spent years just to finish high school, a requirement so she could enroll at the University of Rizal System where she hopes to earn a degree in Journalism, Nanay Lolita – as referred to by her classmates, said that it’s never too late for anyone to obtain a college degree.
“Hangga’t kaya ko pa,” a visibly fulfilled Nanay Lolita said.
As she slowly walked the aisle, Nanay Lolita recalls the howling cheers of over 1,700 graduates as parents, teachers and guests in attendance were wowed by what they aptly referred to as a sheer determination worthy to emulate.
When asked what kept her from pursuing formal education during her younger years, Nanay Lolita said that poverty struck their family. She added that her parents could hardly earn enough.
Aside from the diploma, Nanay Lolita also received a certificate of recognition from the school.
According to her classmates, Nanay Lolita, who resides in Barangay San Isidro, seldomly missed school days and actively participated in class.
“Kahit gumagamit na ng tungkod si Nanay Lolita, bihira yan umabsent… pag bumabaha o kaya masama pakiramdam. Tahimik lang siya pero attentive lagi sa klase,” says a fellow senior high graduate.
According to Mayor Jeri Mae Calderon, Nanay Lolita is an inspiration, for which the local government intends to make her a role model if only to convince people beyond 20s to reconsider going back to school.
“Siya si Nanay Lolita mula sa Barangay San Isidro, isang patunay na hindi hadlang ang edad sa pag-aaral. Ang pangarap ay makakamit basta may determinasyon at puso,” Calderon said in her Facebook post. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
