While browsing through Philippine Star at its web page, I saw two inspiring stories that I would like to share with everyone this Christmas.
The first is about a 65- year- old mother from Cebu, who finished in Top 10 the Licensure Exam for Teachers last October along with her son, who also passed the same exam; and the second a dialysis patient from Candelaria, Quezon, who also passed the LET.
Ma. Nida Suarez finished with a score of 92.60 percent, sharing the 10th spot with 25 other individuals, making her the oldest LET topnotcher ever. A total of 15 students from schools based in Cebu figured in the Top 10.
The Professional Regulation Commission released the results last December 16, announcing that that 49,783 or 54.43 percent of the 91,468 exam takers for the elementary level passed; of the passers, 29,183 were first timers and 20,600 were repeaters.
The senior citizen finished her studies from the University of the Visayas-Dalaguete, graduating in 2020. Her attempt to take the exam had to be delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nida's son Bezaleel, himself a passer of the same exam with an equally impressive 89.60 percent score, shared in a Facebook post how proud he was of his mother.
"I never doubted you ever since.... you never failed to impress me with your excellence! This day, you continued to prove what you're capable of at the age of 65!" wrote Bezaleel.
According to Bezaleel, Nida decided to go back to studying at the age of 59 after initially choosing to work to raise her family.
Congratulations Nida, I hope you can inspire more seniors to finish their college degrees and try to get their licenses. It is never too late to learn and transform yourself into something, other than motherhood or a dutiful housewife.
A second source of inspiration is about dialysis patient, Arnold Morales who passed the LET and his Facebook account is making the rounds inspiring social media users after he graduated from college last year while battling a chronic kidney disease.
“Akala ko 'yung LET ang tatapos sa buhay ko, buti na lang ako 'yung tumapos sa kanya,” he wrote.
“Little did you know, isa akong Dialysis Patient sa loob ng limang taon. Hindi ko akalaing makakakuha pa ako ng ganitong achivement sa kabila ng aking sitwasyon. Ang dami kong silent battles during review na ako at ang pamilya ko lang ang nakakaalam (physical, emotional, financial) -lahat na yata? Pero sobrang bait ni Lord, hindi nya ako pinabayaan at kinaya ko pa rin,” he added.
He wanted his story to become an inspiration for teachers who failed the LET.
“Sa mga kapwa ko ka-guro na hindi pa pinalad. Sana ay maging inspirasyon ito sa inyo kahit papaano para magpatuloy pa ring huwag sukuan ang pangarap na lisensya,” he said.
“May tamang panahon para sa lahat. Hindi kailangang ipilit, hindi kailangang madaliin dahil kung ito’y para sayo, marami mang hadlang, tadhana na ang kikilos at kusang gagawa ng paraan upang ito’y makamtan. Basta’t samahan lang ng sipag, tiwala sa sariling kakayahan at higit sa lahat pananalig sa Panginoon,” he added.
Last year, Arnold told Philstar.com that he's fighting a chronic kidney disease, now on Stage 5, for four years. But the illness didn't become a hindrance in pursuing his dream to finish his education from Tayabas Western Academy.
And this week, he told Philstar.com via Messenger that he is still having his dialysis. He hopes he will have a kidney donor for transplant so he could have confidence to apply as a teacher.
“Hindi ko pa po na try mag apply para magturo po. Kasi mababa yun kumpiyansya ko dahil sa sitwasyon ko. Siguro saka na lang po pag nabigyan po ako ng chance makapag transplant at maging normal ulit. Pag kaloob po ni Lord,” he said.
“Feeling ko naman po ay kaya ng katawan ko. Malakas naman po ako. Napapanghinaan lang po ako mag try kasi feeling ko wala pong kukuha sa akin. Mas marami pong iba na mas healthy at mas ok kumpara sakin,” he added.
My take
We should never stop dreaming big things for ourselves. If we set our goals to come close to our dreams, nothing is impossible. Just like three very successful tycoons I know, they had to overcome poverty and dreamt big. They never stopped trying and taking risks until they reached their dreams.
We should never give up despite our financial, physical, familial, or emotional handicaps. These are challenges we need to hurdle. These stumbling blocks are there for a purpose—to make us firm and resolute in reaching for our dreams.
Of course, keeping the faith in our God and in ourselves is very important. It will enable us to look beyond those hurdles that come our way.
May the approaching new year strengthen our faith and hope in ourselves and have more faith in God.
Merry Christmas to one and all.