55-year-old grandpa finishes high school

Estopin with Mayor Eric C. Codilla

AFTER being deprived of a formal education, a 55-year-old grandfather can now call himself a member of a graduating class as he proudly marched onstage to receive his high school diploma. Wilfredo Estopin finally finished his high school studies thanks to the night studies offered by New Ormoc National High School (NONHS).

Estopin is one of the 1,043 graduates who participated in the 60th Commencement Exercises of NONHS last Mar. 28. He is not only the oldest graduate, he also belongs to 15 other pioneering students of ONHS’s night school who also received their diplomas that day.
 

The 4th child of 11 siblings, Estopin was forced to drop out of high school during his younger days out of poverty. He passed an acceleration test in 1987 which accelerated him to 4th year high school but couldn’t attend classes because of work. His wife Fedelina is employed at the city government.
 

The couple prioritized their kids’ education who are now degree holders. Michael, 32 graduated in BS Psychology and now works in the Human Resource Management Office of Western Leyte College. Jessie, 31, finished Management at University of the Philippines Tacloban Campus (UPTC) and now works for Philippine Health Insurance Corp.
 

Lowela Jane, the youngest at 27, finished BS Psychology also at UPTC and is now on 4th year at law school. Among the three, both Jessie and Lowela are married with one and two kids, respectively. Now that their children have their own lives, Estopin decided to fulfill his own dream of finishing his studies.
 

In line with his work as a driver, Estopin plans to take up Automotive Mechanic at Ormoc Manpower, Training and Research Center on June. This year’s graduating class of NONHS also include three hearing-impaired from the Special Education. NONHS opened the night class in 2008 to allow workers like Estopin to study. The class starts at 4:30 pm and ends at 9:45 pm and takes five years to complete the entire curriculum. by Elvie R. Roa

(West Leyte Weekly Express issue of Mar. 26-Apr. 1, 2012)