A 31-year-old man from Bulacan proved that education has no age limit.
Jonell Cils Calisin took almost nine years to finish his degree in architecture at the Bulacan State University. He graduated on July 15, 2022.
“Gusto ko po talagang makapagtapos at mapagawa po yung bahay namin talaga kasi nga po, hindi po sa amin ‘tong lupa kaya hirap din po talaga kaming ipaayos ‘yung bahay, wala po kaming kakayahan at tsaka isa po, ang hirap po kasi ma-regular sa isang trabaho pag hindi ka tapos ng kolehiyo kaya pinursigi ko po talagang makapagtapos,” Jonell Cils Calisin told The Philippine STAR.
In 2010, Jonell enrolled in college but eventually decided to stop studying due to financial issues. He then worked in a gasoline station to help his family.
He worked full-time for three years. However, his dream of becoming an architect never swayed so he worked hard to save up some money. In 2015, he went back to school to finish his degree.
“Naisipan ko rin pong sumuko, ilang beses ko ding naisip na itigil ko nalang ‘to, magtrabaho nalang kaya ako pero inisip ko, ilang taon na ako nun eh– ilang taon na ako nun, 25 na. So mahihirapan na rin ako maghanap ng maayos na trabaho na tatanggap sakin so tinuloy ko na rin ‘to kahit mahirap,” he recalled.
“May naranasan din ako na kabatchmate ko siya, naging professor ko siya, so sobra akong naintimidate na parang, “uy ang taas na ng narating niya, nagtuturo na siya, lisensyado na siya tas ako ito estudyante pa lang,” he added.
Despite the challenges he faced, Jonell is now one step closer to his dreams!
“Naghahanap po ako ng trabaho for apprenticeship of my architecture to get a license,” he shared.
Jonell said that he offers his success to his five other siblings and parents.
“Syempre po sobrang saya na ‘yung lahat ng sakripisyo ng parents ko sakin at ‘yung paghihirap ko eh maayos, maganda po ‘yung kinalabasan, worth it po siya. Ito talaga ‘yung gusto ko eh, na hindi ko rin alam pero pag tumitingin ako sa bahay namin na parang gusto ko ba ganto nalang kami? ‘Yun palagi ‘yung pumapasok sa isip ko kaya gustong-gusto ko pa din bumalik sa kurso ko kahit mahirap,” he shared.
Jonell hopes that through his story, he will be able to inspire other people to continue fighting for their dreams.
“Mahirap pero hindi imposible at ‘yung kahit hirap na hirap ka na, kahit pagod ka na, tuloy mo lang kasi worth it yan. At yung sinasabi ko palagi na kahit, wag mong hayaan na ‘yung ibang tao na magsabi ng pangarap mo.Sabi nga nila “age is just a number,” matututo ka kahit anong edad mo,” Jonell stressed.
