Never too late: This 67-year-old aspires to be a reporter

A 67-year-old proves that education has no boundaries as she heads to college to pursue a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and hopes to be a reporter someday.

Lolita Escal touched the hearts of netizens as she took the college entrance examination at University of Rizal System - Angono and was able to become one of the top scorers.

She hails from Doña Nieves San Isidro, Angono, Rizal, the same place where she started dreaming of becoming a professional despite her age. 

Poverty became one of her biggest hindrances -- but Escal was eventually able to pursue what she wanted through the educational opportunity brought by the Alternative Learning System (ALS). 

In continuing her studies, she has become no stranger to various challenges. But she persevered, and was eventually able to graduate from high school.

"Actually, noong bata po hindi po ako nangarap dahil na alam ko na mahirap ang buhay ko. Kaya hindi ako nangarap. Ngayon na lang po ako nangarap noong nakapag-umpisa na ako mag-aral. Gusto po ng journalism," she said.

"Grumaduate po ako ng 1969-1970 (elementary). So, nag-enroll po ulit ako noong 1971 sa high school, first year. Kaso po drop na po ako nun e, nag-drop ako. Tapos nag-enroll ako ulit ng ALS, nitong 2018," she added. 

"Tapos tuloy-tuloy na po yun... 12 ako nag-umpisa, 2nd year. Tapos 3rd year, 4th year. Graduate po ako ng 4th year. Tapos mga 3 taon. Tuloy-tuloy na po 'yan, 2024 lang po ako nag-graduate,” she added.

For Escal, giving up has never been in her vocabulary. Even though her source of income -- selling salt -- may be put in jeopardy, she still took a risk and continued her studies in hopes of a brighter future. 

"Ang klase ko kasi panghapon, so hindi po ako makapagtinda dahil ang tindahan po namin... umpisa po ng paninda is hapon, hindi pwede mag-display ng umaga," she said. "Magkasabay 'yung aral ko saka 'yung tinda ko. So hindi po ako kumikita noong Grade 11 po ako. So 'yung mga kasama ko rito sa bahay, naging supportive naman sila."

‘Walang diskriminasyon sa edukasyon’

The support of Escal's family played a crucial role in continuing the education she left behind for decades. 

She also shared that the school environment she had before helped her adapt to college life. "Pagdating ko doon sa school, supportive rin naman 'yung mga classmate ko... Hindi ko kayang lakarin [ang school] pero nandyan na sila. 'Pag nakita nila ako lagi na lang naglalakad, nililibre na po nila ako ng pagsasakay."

"Kasi ang dami ko nang dinaanan na trabaho. Ngayon sabi ko, talagang kulang. So kailangan kong magpatuloy," she continued. "Nagkaroon ako ng pangarap na maging journalist, gusto ko 'yung i-pursue. Kaya sabi ko mag-enroll ako, kasi parang doon ako mag-enjoy."

According to Escal, she enjoyed reporting during her years in high school, which fueled her desire to become a famous reporter someday.  

She emphasized the importance of education and encouraged the youth to embrace their years in studying.

"Pahalagahan niyo lang ang edukasyon at kailangan mo mag-focus sa pag-aaral, at magtapos ka nang maaga… Para ‘pag maaga makatapos, maka-focus, hindi 'yung aabutin ka ng kagaya ng edad ko," she said. 

"Ako kasi… ang sitwasyon ko, marami ako naging hadlang pero patuloy lang 'yun… Talagang mahalaga ang pag-aaral, lalo na sa pagtanda -- sa kinabukasan," she stated.

Asked to share a message to people her age who desire to pursue their education after being put on hold, Escal said firmly to show no fear, especially to those who believe otherwise.

"Huwag silang matakot. Kung nagnanais ka, ipagpatuloy mo. Huwag kang matakot... Wala namang diskriminasyon sa pag-aaral," she said.