Your Mighty Lola: A 67-year-old student and dressmaker

Veronica Ornos reading in front of a sewing machine.

Education is the most powerful weapon that you can own. If you finish your studies, you can be one of the fortunate ones to land your dream job. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, some have decided not to continue their school journey due to personal reasons. However, 67-year-old Veronica Ornos said that the pandemic outbreak could not delay her from achieving her goals.

A senior citizen student dressmaker attracts her teacher's attention in Central Alternative Learning System (ALS) after being noticed as the oldest student they ever handled.

“Fifty years old ang pinakamatanda namin na estudyante. Kaya nung nalaman namin na 67 years old na siya, mas lalo namin siyang gustong tulungan hanggang makapag tapos (Our oldest student was 50 years old. When we discover that she’s already 67 years old, the more we become eager to help her graduate),” the teacher said.

The old lady claimed that using her age as an excuse for her to stop studying was lame.

“Ba’t ko naman ikakatwiran ang edad ko? Mali iyon. Hangga’t humihinga pa ako, hindi ako titigil mag-aral (Why would I use my age as an excuse? As long as I am breathing I wouldn't stop from studying),” she said.

Studying for her passion

Veronica describes herself as a hardworking person. She said her motivation to study was her dream career in life.

“Gusto ko kasing maging journalist o kaya naman isang psychologist (I want to become a journalist or a psychologist),” she said.

“Pangarap kong maging journalist dahil mahilig ako mag salita at magsulat ng mga istorya (I also dream to be a journalist because I love to speak and write stories),” she said.

“Gusto ko din na maging psychologist kase habang mas tumatanda ka sa medical field, lalo kang magiging eksperto (I also want to become a psychologist because in the medical field, the older you become, the more you become an expert),” she added.

Aside from her dream career, Veronica also continues her study to get a high-school diploma.

“Syempre, kapag nagkaroon ng ako ng diploma, maipagmamalaki kong may aral ako kapag nag apply ako ng trabaho (Of course, if I had a diploma, I can proudly say that I have knowledge if I apply for a job),” she said.

Studying to inspire

When Veronica saw the news about the senior citizens who graduated from ALS, she told herself to accomplish the same to motivate the elders in her surrounding also to study if they still could.

“Kaya nag-aaral din ako para hindi mahiya yung ibang matatanda na gusto pang pumasok sa eskwelahan (I study to also remove the embarrassment from the elders who still wants to go to school),” she said.

“Kapag kaya, sige. Kapag may pangarap, kumilos. Hindi dapat mahihiya kahit kulubot na ang balat (If still can, go. If you have a dream, act. You shouldn’t be embarrassed even if your skin is wrinkled),” she added.

Veronica mentioned her mission is not only for the elders but also for the youth. She claimed her responsible personality could save plenty of children from regret if they opted not to finish their studies.

“Kung hindi nila pipiliing mag hirap sa pag-aaral ngayong bata pa sila, t’yak na lalo silang mag hihirap pag matanda na sila (If they didn't choose to suffer at school at a young age, they will undoubtedly suffer more as they grow older),” she added.

‘The Granddaughter’

Full disclosure: Veronica Ornos is my grandmother. She loves to write with me whenever I am doing my essay assignments.

Every time I see how my grandmother works in her school and on her job as a sewer, I cannot help but admire her strength and dedication.

My Lola might always be busy, but she never fails to give me the love and time that I need.

Since my grandmother loves to write about me, it’s my turn now to write an appreciation article for her– for a wonderful grandmother who continues to sew her journey on the way to success.