A lolo from Cebu recently graduated from senior high school at the age of 70 years old! But his dream doesn’t stop there as he aims to take BS agriculture in college!
“Tuwang-tuwa ako talaga. Hindi nila akalain na talagang makapagtapos ako sa pag-aaral ko,” Tatay Carlos said with so much happiness.
It was in 1963 when Tatay Carlos Saladaga graduated from grade school, but he was forced to halt his studies due to poverty.
“Pangarap ko talaga noon na mag-aaral ako kaso lang mahirap kami tapos malayo rin ang paaralan dito. Naghanap na lang ako ng trabaho. No’ng una tumutulong ako sa tiyuhin ko don sa Cebu City,” Tatay Carlos told The Philippine STAR.
Tatay Carlos tried several jobs—carpenter, factory worker, helper and construction worker to make ends meet.
“Pagkatapos [kong] [magtrabaho] [sa] kumpanya, bumalik ako dito. Nagtatanim-tanim na lang ako tapos napag-isipan ko ‘yung ALS, hindi ko kaagad na narinig na may ALS pa pala,” he said.
When he went back home, he realized one thing about his future that ignited his passion to start studying again despite his age.
“‘Yung mga kasamahan ko ay may iniskwelahan sila.Tapos sila, pagkadating ng mga edad nila na 60 na, magretire na sila. Kinukuha pa rin sila na consultant. Ay ako wala na. Dahil ‘pag edad ko na ganun, wala na ako. Pahinga naman basta 60 na,” he explained.
“Gusto ko talagang makatapos ako ng pag-aaral. Sabi ko, pwede pa ba? Sabi nila oo, dahil ‘yung teacher nagpunta dito. Sabi ko, Gusto ko madagdagan ‘yung kaalaman ko,” he added.
In 2020, Tatay Carlos passed the Alternative Learning System (ALS). He then immediately enrolled in senior high school to finish his secondary education.
Despite his age and hardships, Tatay Carlos is determined to finish his studies.
“Kasi ako ang may gusto. Kahit na anong sasabihin nila, ay wala hindi ako napakialam niyan. Basta ang ano ko lang, diretso ako. Nahirapan ako financial talaga. Walang tumutulong sa akin. Kaya nagtatanim-tanim ako. Tapos may maibenta ako ng bungang fruit trees.Nag-alaga din ako ng kambing,” he shared.
He also shared that his teachers and classmates, who were patient enough to help him, were also vital to his success.
“Pakitaan mo lang na mabait kayo tapos magtulong-tulong ka sa mga gawain. Marunong din ako magdala sa kanila kahit mas bata pa [sila] kaysa sa akin,” he said.
Last July, Tatay Carlos graduated from senior high school at Daantabogon National High School.
“Nadagdagan din ang natutuhan ko, mga nasa isip ko.Sa kung meron akong gagawin, nakakaintindi na ako. Hindi katulad noon, na wala talaga. Parang akong gumagawa ng hindi ko alam kung ano ‘yung ginagawa ko,” he stressed.
He plans to take BS Agriculture in college as he seeks to learn more about taking care of his plants and animals on his mini farm.
Tatay Carlos hopes that he could be an inspiration for the public to work hard and finish their education despite the circumstances.
“Hindi huli ang lahat. Sana kung marinig nila ‘tong interview na ‘to, dapat ma-enganyo din sila na mag-aaral sila muli.Nakita nila na ako nakapagtapos, makapag-isip sila na mag-aaral nga ako. Malaki na ang edad ko kaysa sa kanila na bata pa. Pati ‘yung mga apo ko ay ma-i-inspire na sila mag-aral dahil nakita man nila na ako nag-aaral ako kahit na matanda na,” he noted.
