No one can ever tell you that it is too late or that you are too old to do something that you have always wanted to do. Four of the new graduates of the Governor Mariano E. Villafuerte Community College (GMVCC)-Siruma have proven that age is not a hindrance to great education.
On July 19, 2022, GMVCC-Siruma, one of the provincially-managed colleges offering free quality tertiary education, held its 1st commencement exercises at the GMVCC-Siruma Covered Court with the theme, “Reaping the First Fruits after Years of Striving for Quality Education.” A total of 49 graduates marched and graduated with degrees in Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Bachelor of Technical Vocational Teacher Education with majors in Computer Hardware Servicing, Automotive Technology, and Heating, Ventilating, and Airconditioning Technology.
Among the rejoicing graduates is the 54-year-old BS in Fisheries graduate and Leadership Service Awardee, Narcy T. Ela of Poblacion, Siruma. Ela was also a Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) grantee during college.
Ela was only in her first year high school when she got married and had children, but finishing her studies has always been her dream. Being a part of their Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) Program, she was shy to write her name and educational attainment along with the other members’ names on the attendance sheets during their meetings. Even after being elected as the President, her confidence hardly improved. This made her more eager to finish her studies. In 2013, she was able to finish High School through the Alternative Learning System (ALS).
“Ogmahon po ako ngunyan ta naka-graduate ako igdi sa GMVCC,” said Ela. With gratitude, Ela happily added, “Salamat po sa Provincial Government asin ki Governor Luigi, Congressman Lray, asin Congressman. Migz sa saindang espwerso sa pagpapatugdok kan eskwelahan igdi sa samong banwaan.” As a mother of seven, setting herself as a role model for her children was her biggest motivation to finish her studies.
Another graduate like Ela is 51-year-old BS in Fisheries graduate, Linda T. Martirez from Fundado, Siruma. Thirty-six years after graduating high school, going back to school and finally earning a diploma feels surreal.
As a barangay official, Martirez was able to take the Civil Service Exam and applied to the municipal office for a higher position, but having a high school diploma alone limited her opportunities in being appointed for a position that is suitable for her. So when the GMVCC-Siruma opened, Martirez was encouraged by their municipal mayor to enrol, not just to secure the job, but also to secure a brighter future for her family. With the urge to provide the best for her children, her interest in learning was revived.
“Kun mayo an GMVCC, mayo na akong pag-asang maka-klase ta tig-prioritize ko na an pamilya ko asin makapagtapos an mga aki mi. Pero dahil sa GMVCC, nagpursige kaming magklase,” said Martirez. “Kaya dakula an pasasalamat mi ki Governor Luigi. Dakulang tabang an GMVCC sa banwaan kan Siruma ta sa panahon ngunyan, dakulon nang nagtitios [kaya] masakit na magpaklase sa ciudad,” she gratefully added. Together with her husband, Martirez is devoted to provide a better future for her children.
Another inspiring story is of two sisters, Rizel Gases and Darlene Calida, who got each other’s back in striving for the diploma that they longed for. Because of their family’s financial concenrs, both of them had to stop studying after finishing high school. They had to make way for their siblings and to start working to share the burden of their parents to make ends meet.
Upon knowing that the GMVCC-Siruma will be established, 42-year-old Rizel was very delighted and decided to enrol and finish her studies. She never looked at her age as a hindrance in reaching her dreams. Also, she was thankful that they no longer have to travel for hours to reach Naga City and had the opportunity to attend college right at their hometown without tuition fees.
“Masayang-masaya po ako kasi kahit may edad na, nakatapos pa rin. Di ko inaasahan na makakatapos ako ng pag-aaral kasi dati pangarap ko lang ‘to pero ngayon nagkatotoo na,” shared Gases. With sincere gratitude, she added, “Salamat po Governor Luigi, Congressman Lray, at Congressman Migz sa tulong niyo. Kung wala po kayo, walang GMVCC-Siruma dito at syempre sa buong Camarines Sur na tinutulungan ang lahat ng mahihirap na makapagtapos ng pag-aaral.”
Gases plans to take up Master’s Degree and pass the Licensure Exam for Teachers and pursue teaching. She also hopes that she gets a chance to share the opportunity of having quality education to her fellow Sirumanians.
“Proud na proud po ako igdi sa sakuyang tugang ta dawa dakol siyang pinag-agihan, nagpursige siya para makatapos. Asin maogmahon ako ta sabay pa kaming nag-graduate,” shared Gases happily. Her sister, Darlene, 41 years old, whom she motivated to finish studies with her, felt sentimental and could not believe that she is now a degree holder and even got the chance to share this triumphant day with her sister as a fellow graduate.
Due to her lack of proper education, Calida accepted various kinds of informal jobs and among these is working as a housemaid in Manila. After some years, she started her own family, and securing her children’s future comes first. Thinking of their current situation and her past experiences, Calida thought that if only she was able to have a proper education, she might have had secured their finances with a formal job. But because of their financial incapacity and after being diagnosed with cancer, she shrugged off the idea of studying again.
After some time, she recalled that she kept on having dreams of wearing a toga and finally graduating, which came to reality through the GMVCC and with the never-ending support and motivation of her sister, Rizel.
For Darlene, her elder sister was the one who had the biggest influence for her to finish college. If not for her sister’s motivation to push through whenever she feels like giving up every time her underlying health condition gets to her, if not because of her sister reminding her to finish their module activities, Darlene may not have been there to successfully graduate with her sister .
Both of them graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Technical Vocational Teacher Education Major in Computer Hardware Servicing.
For Narcy, Linda, Rizel, and Darlene, having children and being older than the rest of their class did not stop them, but rather inspired them to work for their lifelong dream of having proper education. Their struggles and past experiences throughout those years due to their families’ financial challenges made their graduation day even more special. These strong and courageous women, while wearing their togas and holding their diplomas, along with the joyous graduates of Class 2022 in Siruma, are the first fruits who strived for years to get free quality tertiary education.
Through the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, under the leadership of Governor Luigi Villafuerte, Camarinenses who are deprived of the chance to study due to poverty are given the opportunity they need to have a brighter future ahead.
