The Department of Education (DepEd) has congratulated an octogenarian from Gasan, Marinduque who has completed the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Junior High School.
DepEd said 80-year-old Teofilo Lacorte Bonites Sr., popularly known as “Tatay Philo”, proves that learning knows no age, describing him as an “inspiration.”
It urged those students who were having difficulties in pursuing their studies to emulate Bonites’ perseverance, diligence, and passion for learning.
Bonites is one of the graduates of Junior High School at the Bacongbacong Community Learning Center in Gasan, Marinduque.
ALS Education Program Specialist II Chona S. Recto, who serves as mobile teacher of Tatay Philo, said during the two-year ALS program, Bonites showed his diligence despite his age and medical condition.
DepEd cited Bonites has excellent public speaking and communication skills, while the ALS teachers described him as social media savvy despite his age.
Tatay Philo has a Facebook account which he uses to send messages, DepEd said, quoting the ALS teachers.
“Ang edukasyon o pagnanais na matuto ay wala sa edad, kasarian, o katayuan sa buhay. Kung minsang nagkamali at nadapa ay laging may pangalawang pagkakataon para para bumangon at bumawi (Education or learning knows no age, gender, or status in life. Sometimes, you make a mistake and fall down, you always have a second chance to get up and bounce back,” Recto said.
She said Bonites will be assisted to continue his education and complete his Senior High School so that he could fulfill his dream of becoming a journalst.