BukSU’s 3rd ager siblings prove age, poverty are not hindrances to finish education

IMPASUG-ONG BUKIDNON – Bukidnon State University’s 3^rd ager siblings prove that education is for all regardless of age and social status. These three students now await their graduation day on June 2023.  

Ms. Lydia C. Binahon, 72 years old, Ms. Rebecca C. Diaz, 62 years old, and Ms. Eva C. Dialong, 61 years old, were the three 3^rd ager siblings who were BukSU’s candidates for graduation.

The three of them were known as “Condahan Sisters” in the satellite campus and were also lumads of Impasug-ong, Bukidnon.

“We have different problems in our own family but what we have in common is our poverty,” Ms. Rebecca C. Diaz said during their interview in the “Kaglambaga” radio program on April 28, 2023.

Ms. Diaz mentioned they used to walk in the slippery road passing through pineapple plantation just to reach the school because they don’t have allowance for a vehicle fare.

They also don’t have gadgets for their studies and financial allowance but their classmates share to them what they have.

She emphasized that amidst all these challenges, “poverty never hinder them to continue the school year and it was God who provide them all their needs.”

Ms. Diaz encouraged everyone to go to school and finish their studies first before building a family so they can have something to teach to their children in the future.

As for Ms. Binahon, the eldest of the three, it was her desire to have a college school in -Impasug-ong and she was thankful that in 2019, their mayor announced the coming of BukSU satellite campus in their place.

She added that other people have ridiculed them because of their age, but that didn’t stop them from continuing their education.  

“We cannot believe that we are now graduating students. It was a great challenge financially but we just trusted the “Magbabaya”. I challenge the youth to really go to school, dili ra matagdan mahuman ra jud (in no time, you will be able to finish it).

As for Ms. Dialong, the youngest of the three, “opportunity only comes once” so she grabbed the chance to study in BukSU’s Impasug-ong satellite campus and pursue her education.

She added that going to school was better than just staying at home especially in times where she wasn’t able to work in the farm during unfavorable weather conditions.

Dr. Teresa I. Birol, Campus Head of the satellite campus, said in BukSU Updates Episode 14 interview aired on DXBU 104.5 FM, that the enrollment process of the three 3^rd ager siblings was part of their Affirmative Action Plan since they belong to the group of Indigenous individuals and they were also from the marginalized sector.

The Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) is implemented by the campus to provide equal opportunity and access to educational opportunities considering the students’ disparities in various situations.

“The satellite campus implemented the AAP during the modular learning through tapping the Municipal Mayor and the barangay officials in regards to the distribution and retrieval of the module in every respective barangay where the students are residing,” Dr. Birol said.

She added that they have also conducted webinars in both in-person and online. The delivery of instruction and lessons to the students were also done for those who cannot access the internet.

She also mentioned how the three of them were determined and dedicated to finish their studies and they were always on time when submitting school requirements.  The three 3^rd agers’ motivation to pursue their education started when Ms. Diaz enrolled her son in the satellite campus. They originally planned to just assist him at school but were inspired to enroll as well as they were determined to finish college. (Ms. Diana Rose B. Lagoy/Information Unit)