Today we tell a different story and that is about Nanay Candelaria Bahia, a 64-year-old grandmother who went back to Junior Highschool at Dasmariñas West National High School. to follow her dreams. She believed that poverty shouldn’t stop one from studying, so after decades of waiting, she came back to finish her studies. This episode was featured in our TV show, “Kasangga Mo Ang Langit” on PTV4 every Friday at 10pm.
In her own words, “Wala namng batas na nagpipigil na ops hindi kana pwedeng mag aral may edad kana, matanda kana, eh basta sa akin desire ko yan eh pinili ko ang pag aaral. Pag ako nakatapos sa aking adhikain eh yun na siguro na masabi ko na pinaka masarap sa buhay ko. Bago manlang ako kunin ni Lord meron nakong na achieve sa buhay ko. Talagang gustuhin ko man, labing dalawa kaming magkapatid tapos yung tatay ko rin no read no write din sir tapos yung nanay ko pang karaniwan lang na may bahay at sa dami naming makapatid hindi talaga kami kayang tustusan mag-aral. Kaya nauna samin yung kabuhayan, pang araw araw naming sa buhay para kami makaraos sa araw araw namin.”
When Nanay Candelaria was younger, finishing elementary was a challenge. However her mother believed that she was a woman and couldn’t afford the education. When Nanay Candelaria had her family, she wanted to continue her studies but she had to prioritize her children first. However none of her children finished college. She realized that even if one is poor, there will always be a way to get things done, if you are motivated to finish your studies. Unfortunately, none of her children had this motivation.
Given the chance, should the opportunity arise, she would like to be able to go to college and take Political Science as a course. “Gusto kong malaman sir ang, ano ang batas. Unang una batas, tapos pangalawa gusto ko ring makatulong sa walang alam tungkol sa batas kasi tinatanong ko yan sa sarili ko bakit maraming batas hindi naman na implemento,” she said.
On her first day in school, Nanay Candelaria was prepared for the criticisms and possible bullying that she could face because of her decision. However, it didn’t happen. Her classmates would even help her carry her bags and were very courteous. She became an inspiration, not only to her classmates, but her teachers as well. Her story of determination and struggles became viral when a teacher name Marilou Flor posted it on youtube.
Her class adviser, Ms. Jorie Fermin only had this to say about nanay Candelaria, “ah pagbutihin pa po yung pag aaral magpursige po sya wag nya pong pakinggan yung mga naririnig nya sa paligid nya. Ipakita nya po na pursigido syang makatapos kahit po nasa ganung edad na sya. Mga ang edad po siguro nung mga dati ko pong tinuturuan hanggang 18 years old. Pero po 64 years old ngayon lang po talaga. At natutuwa po ako na naging bahagi po ako ni nanay Candelaria.”