MANILA, Philippines – An 80-year-old “lola” is set to finish her secondary education this coming April.
Salvacion Flores Nacario or fondly called as “Lola Sally,” shyly smiles at the camera as she posed for her graduation photo. Wearing a white toga, the old woman is happy that she will soon achieve her dream of finishing high school.
Lola Sally's story gave netizens hope that no one is too old to still reach for her dreams.
Lola Sally is a senior high school student at Fort Bonifacio High School in Makati City. Despite her age, the grandma tirelessly goes to school everyday fueled by her motivation.
Decades ago, Lola Sally was a young lady who dreamt of becoming a military nurse. Unfortunately, her mother got sick and being the eldest, she was forced to quit school to care for her. She was already in second year high school then.
Soon, the young lady married a military man and born 10 children. Only 6 of them are alive now.
Lola Sally's ambition to finish high school was initially met with disapproval from her family. Her 5th child, Juanito Nacario, was worried of her mother's health. He said, “Para sa amin, ayaw na namin sana mag-aral siya dahil sa matanda na siya, baka one day madapa siya sa paglalakad niya pagpasok sa iskul. Pero since na hindi namin siya mapigilan, wala na kaming nagawa. Sabi namin, pabayaan na lang si Nanay na ganyan.”
Since then, Lola Sally wears a high school uniform, goes to school and studies her lessons. Her granddaughter accompanies her everyday. The elderly student even had a mild stroke in 2016 but it didn't stop her going to school.
Lola Sally shared how much she enjoys learning and being with her classmates. She said, “Kahit may edad na ako, gusto ko pang matuto. At masaya ako kapag nakikita ko yung mga classmates ko na nagbibiruan, pero magagaling sila.”
“Nawawala yung problema ko kapag nasa paaralan ako,” she added.
Lola Sally added that there are those who tried to put her down but it didn't dampen her spirit. She said, “Nay, bakit nag-aaral ka pa? Magsugal ka na lang. Mag-aral ka na lang ng Mahjong o Tong-its!' ‘Kayo na lang,' sabi ko, 'Hayaan niyo na lang ako.'"
Just like any loving “lola”, Lola Sally has an advice to young students. She said, “Sikapin niyong makatapos kayo at matupad ang mga pangarap niyo. Wag kayo maglakwatsa, wag kayo mag-girlfriend-girlfriend diyan o magnobyo-nobyo diyan."
Even Lola Sally's classmates are proud of her achievement. One of her classmates, Chryzaine Dionisio shared photos of Lola Sally along with a caption,
“Age doesn't matter for Education. CONGRATULATION we made it nanay! Parang kailan lang pic natin na naggroupings yung pinost ko ngayon naka toga na. We are so proud of u nanay SALVACION 'SALLY' NACARIO.”
— Sally, The Summit Express
Salvacion Flores Nacario or fondly called as “Lola Sally,” shyly smiles at the camera as she posed for her graduation photo. Wearing a white toga, the old woman is happy that she will soon achieve her dream of finishing high school.
Lola Sally's story gave netizens hope that no one is too old to still reach for her dreams.
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| Lola Sally is going to be a highschool graduate soon | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Chryzaine Dionisio |
Lola Sally is a senior high school student at Fort Bonifacio High School in Makati City. Despite her age, the grandma tirelessly goes to school everyday fueled by her motivation.
Decades ago, Lola Sally was a young lady who dreamt of becoming a military nurse. Unfortunately, her mother got sick and being the eldest, she was forced to quit school to care for her. She was already in second year high school then.
Soon, the young lady married a military man and born 10 children. Only 6 of them are alive now.
Lola Sally's ambition to finish high school was initially met with disapproval from her family. Her 5th child, Juanito Nacario, was worried of her mother's health. He said, “Para sa amin, ayaw na namin sana mag-aral siya dahil sa matanda na siya, baka one day madapa siya sa paglalakad niya pagpasok sa iskul. Pero since na hindi namin siya mapigilan, wala na kaming nagawa. Sabi namin, pabayaan na lang si Nanay na ganyan.”
Since then, Lola Sally wears a high school uniform, goes to school and studies her lessons. Her granddaughter accompanies her everyday. The elderly student even had a mild stroke in 2016 but it didn't stop her going to school.
 |
| Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Chryzaine Dionisio |
Lola Sally shared how much she enjoys learning and being with her classmates. She said, “Kahit may edad na ako, gusto ko pang matuto. At masaya ako kapag nakikita ko yung mga classmates ko na nagbibiruan, pero magagaling sila.”
“Nawawala yung problema ko kapag nasa paaralan ako,” she added.
Lola Sally added that there are those who tried to put her down but it didn't dampen her spirit. She said, “Nay, bakit nag-aaral ka pa? Magsugal ka na lang. Mag-aral ka na lang ng Mahjong o Tong-its!' ‘Kayo na lang,' sabi ko, 'Hayaan niyo na lang ako.'"
Just like any loving “lola”, Lola Sally has an advice to young students. She said, “Sikapin niyong makatapos kayo at matupad ang mga pangarap niyo. Wag kayo maglakwatsa, wag kayo mag-girlfriend-girlfriend diyan o magnobyo-nobyo diyan."
Even Lola Sally's classmates are proud of her achievement. One of her classmates, Chryzaine Dionisio shared photos of Lola Sally along with a caption,
“Age doesn't matter for Education. CONGRATULATION we made it nanay! Parang kailan lang pic natin na naggroupings yung pinost ko ngayon naka toga na. We are so proud of u nanay SALVACION 'SALLY' NACARIO.”
— Sally, The Summit Express
