𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗦 | 𝐈𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐀 𝐓𝐲𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞

It was a typical Sunday at Colegio de San Gabriel Arcangel, Inc. (CDSGA) Hotel Campus, the kind that marked the first Sunday of my face-to-face classes. My excitement for today’s classes was a blend of nervousness, anticipation, and eagerness to dive back into the rhythm of campus life — most especially, the subjects we have today are the sets of subjects that I like. As a first-year Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English, I was particularly looking forward to my first Art Appreciation class. Everyone knows that I love arts and crafts, and I am excited to delve into the world of one of our minor subjects. 

I arrived early, only to find the assigned room for us was occupied. It turned out that there was an error; the space was also booked by second-year students from Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English. Since our class mayor was not around and I was the only class officer at that time, as the class auditor, it was my responsibility to sort out the issue. My classmates were already starting to grumble, and tension was in the air as we sought an alternative room. Luckily, after a half an hour, our class mayor arrived and found a room for us temporarily.

That’s when I first met Nanay Josephine Villatema Amante. She was standing nearby together with one of our classmates, Irene, looking as calm as ever amid the chaos. At 65, she stood out not just because of her age but because of her presence — an aura of positivity and approachability that was almost tangible. She was there, talking with our classmates, smiling with everyone as if nothing chaotic was happening to us.

“Hello po! I am Althea.” I said with enthusiasm — a typical thing to me every time I talked with everyone around. She smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling. “I’m Nanay Josephine,” she introduced herself. “I’m also here for the Art Appreciation class.” We chatted briefly, exchanging names and stories. Nanay Josephine was a second-year student in Bachelor of Elementary Education, and her enthusiasm for learning was immediately apparent.

It was a nice thing that she continued studying despite her age. She had always dreamed of continuing her education but life’s demands had kept her away from it. At 65, she was back in school with a fervor that matched up with young generations around her. Her decision to return to education wasn’t just about personal fulfillment; it was about setting an example for other people that life is not a race, you can always fulfill all your dreams the next time around.

Our talk resonated deeply with me. I must say that I am privileged to study without minding anything — here, in front of me, was someone who had faced various challenges and yet approached her education with the same enthusiasm as a student who had just begun their journey.

Eventually, as we made ourselves comfortable in our temporary classroom, the Art Appreciation class went on without a hitch. But the real lesson of that day was not found in the course subject we have to take for this semester but in the encounter with Nanay Josephine. Her story reminded me of the limitless nature of learning and the importance of pursuing our passions, no matter where we are in life. Her presence in our class is a testament to the idea that learning doesn’t have an age limit. Her journey is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. You can always rest and get back on the path you want to chase when the right time for you has come. As I continue my studies, I’ll carry her inspiring example with me, knowing that every challenge is an opportunity to grow and learn.