After 34 years, this mother received her college diploma!
Mommy Lilia Asuncion graduated from high school in 1985. However, she did not pursue college due to an unforeseen circumstance.
“Valedictorian po ako nung high school. Tapos, maaga po ako nagka-baby. So, nag-stop na po ako kasi iba ‘yung responsibility na maging nanay,” she told The Philippine STAR.
Mommy Lilia then focused on taking care of her two children while working part time in a clinic.
“Nung malaki na po ‘yung baby ko nag-work po ako dun sa dermatologist, assistant po ng dermatologist, and nanahi rin po ako, nag-embroidery, para po makatulong din ako sa gastos po ng anak ko,” she said.
Years had passed but Mommy Lilia still wanted to fulfill her dream of graduating from college. That is why in 2019, she asked her children if she could go back to school.
“’Yung panganay ko is mag-38 at ‘yung bunso ko naman po is mag-28. Tinanong ko po ‘yung mga anak ko kung pwede po ba akong mag-aral ulit. Sabi po nila, “Sige po, Ma.” Kung makakapasa ka po sa entrance exam, why not. Nung nag-exam po ako, ako po talaga ‘yung pangalawa sa huli ring natapos kasi po basa-basa po ng mga questions, iniintindi ko po nang mabuti,” she recalled.
After acing the entrance exams, Mommy Lilia enrolled in 2019 at the Bulacan State University-Meneses Campus and took Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English.
“Noong meron na pong libreng college education, in-open po sa’kin ‘yung door na ayan na pwede ka na ulit makapag-aral so grab mo na ito, ito na ‘yung opportunity,” she noted.
While she was excited to go back to school, she admitted that she was a bit hesitant to continue college.
“Noong first time ko po sa school, medyo kinakabahan po ako kasi baka ma-bully po ako. Siyempre po may edad na. Takot ako na baka ‘yung kabataan ngayon iba na sila baka hindi marunong gumalang pero okay naman po kasi ‘yung seksyon po namin mababait naman po ‘yung mga kaklase ko doon at hindi naman po nila akong tinuring na parang kakaiba sa kanila. Kasi mommy din po ang tawag nila sa akin,” she shared.
Her professor, Dr. Christina Dionisio-Vicencio, was one of the individuals who lauded her dedication to continue studying.
“Ma-inspire ako sa kanya. Kasi among other students, siya ‘yung may pinaka-may edad na. Ang unang [sinabi] ko sa kanya is buti po nag-aral kayo. Kasi diba very seldom na makakakita tayo ng isang estudyante na may edad na pero pipiliin niyang pumasok sa paaralan,” Dr. Christina said.
“Could you imagine? a 51 year old na naka-school uniform and then nasa loob ng klase. Tapos naka-school uniform siya, talagang magugulat ka na ay may estudyante akong ganito na alam kong may edad sa akin pero ito nakaupo naka-complete uniform. Kung iisipin mo, mas matanda ito sa akin pero ganoon siya magbigay ng respeto sa kaniyang mga guro. Hindi lang sa akin, sa aming lahat po sa university,” she added.
Mommy Lilia graduated magna cum laude and received three awards — Outstanding Student in Education, Best in Specialization and Best in Thesis.
She received the highest honors from their batch during their graduation this year.
Mommy Lilia indeed proves that age doesn’t matter in achieving one’s dream.
“Huwag lang pong mangarap, bigyan po natin ito ng kulay at gawin ang lahat ng ating magagawa para po magtagumpay po sa hinaharap,” Mommy Lilia stressed.
“Ang lesson nito for me sa buhay ni mommy Lilia na no matter what kung ano ‘yung pinagdaanan mo, no matter what kung nag-stop ka ba or hindi mo nakuha ‘yung pangarap mo dati, age doesn’t really matter in reaching your dreams, in chasing your dreams,” Dr. Christina added.
