Age Does Not Matter (by: Sir Arnold Montemayor)

Age Does Not Matter

by:  Sir Arnold Montemayor

He was born on March 17, 1926, orphaned at the age of ten, graduated Grade VII at the age of thirteen, unable to finish his First Year High School because World War II broke out, worked as a diesel mechanic with the American Bases in Macao, employed by Pfizer Company as utility personnel and later promoted to a “chemical operator”, and at the age of 82 years old, he graduated in high school.

He is Petronio R. Del Rosario who passed NFE A&E Examination, Secondary Level, held on October 19, 2008 at Nueva Ecija National High School, making him one of the oldest if not the eldest graduate of Alternative Learning System. A man in his senescence yet with the vivacity of youth and enthusiasm of a neophyte, he finished his secondary education.

So much he would want to finish his secondary education at his octogenarian age, there were myriad of reasons he was unable to. First, his pride—he couldn’t imagine himself entering a high school campus and studying in a formal school surrounded by teenage classmates.  Second, the nearest secondary school from Brgy. Sta. Rita, Jaen, where he is residing, is 20-kilometers away. Third, with his skimp pension he has to eke out his income to cover extra expenses should he decide to enrol in the formal school, aside from consuming four years attending classes from Monday to Friday to finish his high school.

In the words of Mang Totoy, he figuratively equated ALS to a lighthouse, inflated rubber interior and mattock. A lighthouse intermittent signal directs sea vessels not to lose their course in the vast waters. In the same way, the out-of-school youth and adults are guided by ALS in the enormous challenges of life not only to finish their basic education but as well as to give purpose in their lives. When a person is about to drown, an inflated rubber interior (salbabida) can save his/her life. ALS has saved people from illiteracy. Trapped inside a cave, a mattock is of great use to pick a hole in the ruins that the light penetrating from it could rescue the person to find his/her way out.

Mang Totoy was always full of enthusiasm and ardour to attend his learning sessions. He always went early to Jaen Community Learning Center pedalling his bicycle. He was attentive in the learning sessions, avid to learn more and never tired sharing his knowledge. His knowledge of Philippine history is extensive which comes from his repertoire of life experiences. The moment he started telling his life stories and gems of ideas, we couldn’t help but be riveted to listen to him. He is such a jovial and interesting person to talk with. His vivacity defies his senescence age.

It was June 15, 2009 at San Isidro, Nueva Ecija, Mang Totoy attended ALS graduation rites. He received his secondary level diploma signed by Jesli Lapus, the DepED Secretary. Nothing more is fulfilling to Mang Totoy than to finish his secondary education. As an expression of gratitude, he is now a volunteer tutor assisting ALS learners in some of their lessons and assignments. Knowledge, he said, will be meaningful if it is treasured, shared and righteously utilized.     

Finishing his secondary education, according to Mang Totoy, is a metamorphosis towards a sense of completeness of his being. No hindrances he couldn’t surmount to attain this. He believes that in terms of education no one is too old or too late to learn. In his age, he still preciously prized education. His perseverance and love of learning has touched the lives of people around him.

Mang Totoy himself is an epitome of a person where age does not matter when it comes to education—that age is not a hindrance to finish his secondary education.

For more info about Mang Totoy, just visit www.alsjaen.blogspot.com

DepEd Jaen District ALS Staff (Jaen, Nueva Ecija):

Ericson J. Eduardo, District ALS Coordinator, cp# 09204146546, www.alsjaen@yahoo.com

Dennis T. Cruz, Mobile Teacher, cp# 09273255307, www.dennis_cruz1028@yahoo.com

Marlyn M. Antonio, Instructional Manager