A 71-year-old lola from Taguig City proved that achieving one’s dreams has no deadline.
According to Mariz Umali’s report on “24 Oras,” Friday, Lola Ellen Rivera received her elementary diploma at the Maharlika Integrated School and will now move up to high school.
But according to Lola Ellen, she had to go through a lot before achieving the coveted certificate.
At a young age, she became a victim of abuse, so she decided to run away and live on the streets, which also became the reason she was not able to study.
To earn a living, Lola Ellen tried selling various items and even worked as a barker.
But because it has been her longtime dream to be able to go back to school, Lola Ellen enrolled again at the age of 65.
“Gusto ko tapusin ko po pag-aaral ko,” she said, adding that her favorite subjects were Filipino, Math, and English.
Unfortunately, Lola Ellen also experienced being bullied, but she did not let it affect her dreams.
“Gusto ko pong magtayo ng bahay, kotse, bike,” she shared. “Kaya ko pa po lalakas pa ako ni papa God.”
According to Maharlika Integrated School’s principal Aurora Perez, Lola Ellen studied well: “Masipag po talaga sya at gustong-gusto matuto. Nagsikap naman po sya kahit hirap na hirap sya.”
In August, Lola Ellen will enter Grade 7.
“Kahit matanda na mag aral pa rin wag hihiya. Ako bakit hindi ako hiya? Aral ka muna, tapusin muna,” she advised her fellow senior citizens and other students who share the same dream.—Carby Basina/LDF, GMA Integrated News
