CAVITE – Rico Pantoja stood out among his fellow graduates at Amaya Elementary School in Tanza on July 6.
At 15 years old, he towered over his kindergarten classmates, most of whom were ten years his junior.
“Masaya po sa pakiramdam na naka-graduate po ako nang kinder (It feels good to graduate from kinder),” Pantoja told the Manila Bulletin on Tuesday, July 11.
“'Nung unang araw po nang pagpasok ko sa school, masaya po kasi naramdaman ko po na ganito po pala 'yung pakiramdam nang pumasok sa eskwelahan (During my first day in school, I felt happy because I found out how it feels like to go to school).”
Photo courtesy of Raquel Arle Lu (MANILA BULLETIN)
Pantoja is an orphan and was adopted by a poor family who was not able to send him to school.
During the campaign period for the 2022 elections, he signed up as a campaign volunteer for Tanza Councilor Icel Del Rosario Morales in order to earn an allowance. After the elections, the councilor’s family adopted him and offered to send him to school.
“'Nung una, nahihiya siya kasi maliliit ang mga kasama niya (At first, he was shy because his classmates were younger),” Pantoja’s teacher, Raquel Arle Lu, told the Manila Bulletin.
"Pero pursigido siyang mag-aral, na-conquer niya 'yung hiya niya… Parang naging kuya po siya ng mga bata (But he was determined to learn, and he conquered his shyness… He was like a big brother to the kids).”
Pantoja’s determination earned him the Word Weaver Award during the moving up ceremony.
Photo courtesy of Raquel Arle Lu (MANILA BULLETIN)
Amaya Elementary School Principal Rea C. Famorcan said they advised Pantoja to take the qualifying exam for Alternative Learning System, a parallel learning system providing opportunities for adult learners.
Pantoja is now preparing for the qualifying exam to be one step closer to his dream of becoming a policeman.
“'Kung medyo may edad na po kayo, hindi naman po tinitingnan nang eskwelahan kung ilang taon ka na para makapag-aral ka. Libre naman po kasing mag-aral kahit ilang taon na (If you are already an adult, the school does not look at your age before admitting you. Studying is free whatever your age may be),” he said.
“Magsipag lang po kayo, ‘wag po kayong mahihiya kasi balang araw magagamit naman po 'yan sa buhay (Be diligent, do not be shy because you can use education later in life).”