A 60-year-old woman from Rizal yet again proved that age doesn’t matter in achieving dreams in life.
Inang Letecia, a senior citizen, graduated from primary education at the Doña Susana Madrigal Elementary School under alternative learning system on July 7, 2022.
Inang Letecia’s family couldn’t be more happy for their mother, who sacrificed her own dreams just to take care of them.
“Sabi ko sa pag-aaral pala, wala pala sa edad. Kahit pala matanda na na tulad ko, na nagnanais, ay mangyayari, magagawa pala,” Inang Letecia said.
Inang Letecia only finished Grade 5 and admitted hardships in studying due to old age.
“Hirap na hirap ako nun. Nung una, parang ano, mag-gi-give up na ako. Tapos sabi ko sa anak ko, dun sa bunso ko, hindi ko na yata itutuloy, nahihirapan ako. Sabi ng panganay ko, kaya mo ‘yan, Inang! Tuloy mo ‘yan!” she shared.
Her son Noriel said that it has been his mother’s lifelong dream to at least graduate from basic education, that is why he couldn’t help but share the newest achievement of Inang Letecia.
“Kasi nung that time, pi-ni-em ni Inang ‘yung graduation picture niya. Actually, na-touch ako sa part na ‘yon kasi ever since, ‘yun ‘yung dream niya. Dahil sa pagpupurisgi niya, kasi lagi niyang sinasabi kasama ‘yung tatay namin na ayaw nila maranasan [namin] actually ‘yung naranasan nila. As a son na proud talaga na makatapos ‘yung nanay, and ‘yung ginawa niya para sa amin, ‘yun ‘yung parang nagtulak sa akin para ipost ‘yung achievement niya. Something na nakakaproud naman talaga,” he said.
But due to poverty, Inang Letecia had to work as a helper at the age of 12.
“Noong ako’y dalaga pa, gusto kong talagang makapag-aral. And then, 16 years old, medyo nagkakaisip na ako, naisip ko sa sarili ko na ano, habang-buhay na lang ba akong ganito? Mangangatulong? Kaya sabi ko, mag-aaral ako,” she said.
Inang Letecia’s mother said she couldn’t afford to send her to school. But she did not give up and instead worked hard to save money to sustain her needs in school.
When Inang Letecia got married, she worked hard for her children’s education. She started selling different food items to help her husband in sustaining the needs of their family.
“Sabi ko, kung ako’y magkaanak o magkapamilya. ‘Yung pangarap ko dun ko na lang ibubuos sa magiging anak ko. Sabi kong ganon sa sarili ko,” she said.
It was Inang Letecia’s proud moment when all of her three children graduated from college.
“Napakabuti ng Diyos dahil tinugon niya ‘yung aming pangarap sa aming mga anak. Dahil ‘yun nga ang lagi ko ring sinasabi sa kanila nung araw, noong sila’y nag-aaral pa na mag-aral kayong mabuti, ineencourage namin sila… dahil ayaw namin na maranasan niyo ‘yung naranasan namin, dahil napakahirap ng walang pinag-aralan. Kaya sabi ko sa aking mga anak, mag-aral kayong mabuti dahil ‘yun ang magbibigay sa inyo ng magandang kalagayan,” she added.
Just like other students, Inang Letecia answered her modules at home after face-face classes were postponed due to the pandemic. She recalled the feeling when finally after many years of delay, she was able to wear her toga and attend a graduation!
“Ang sarap pala ng feeling na makapag-suot ng toga. Sabi ko, ganito pala, sabi kong ganon. Bagama’t may kahirapan konti ‘yung pag-aaral dahil pagsagot sa module, dahil mapurol na siguro. Pero na-challenge pa rin ako na mag-aral. Sabi ko, ang sarap pala ng feeling na makapagsuot ka ng toga. Nakatapos ako ng grade 6, at ngayon ay para bagang nahahamon pa akong muli na mag-aral sa high school,” she shared.
She is also thankful for her children for guiding her with her modules. Inang Leticia plans to enroll to junior high school this year.
