MANILA, Philippines – A 64-year-old single mother became an inspiration to many after proving that age is not a hindrance to achieving one's dreams.
For Gesa Ortega, her mother's story is indeed one for the books. Her mother, Serna Tumabini Ortega, was born and raised to a poor family. Life wasn't easy for Serna, she wasn't able to finish high school and got married early. Unfortunately, her husband passed away and she had to raise all 7 children on her own. Serna did everything she could to make ends meet. She prepared and sold Pinoy "kakanin," became a "labandera" and a push cart vendor at local events.
When her two daughters, Gesa and Maria Cherryl finally achieved their dream of finishing college, it was time for their mother to pursue hers.
Last June 2019, Serna posed next to her proud daughters when she finally finished high school. Now, she is pursuing her senior high school education at the Bayawan Senior High School taking night classes.
Gesa shared how motivated her mother is with her studies, "It was always her dream to finish studies herself and now that she is taking classes and learning new things she is even more motivated to continue. She's been told that she has been an inspiration to her younger classmates and others who are older but may be too shy to go back and finish school."
Gesa couldn't be any more proud of what her mother has achieved. She said, may her mother's story inspire more individuals to pursue their dreams in life, no matter how old they are.
She said, "It makes sense that there's so much interest since there are so many like her who want to finish their studies but for whatever reason have been unable to do so."
She also extended her gratitude to the principal and teachers at her mother's school, the Bayawan Senior High School who have helped many individuals like Serna to take another shot at achieving their dreams.
— Sally, The Summit Express
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| Serna Ortega is back to being a student at the age of 64 | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/ Gesa Ortega |
For Gesa Ortega, her mother's story is indeed one for the books. Her mother, Serna Tumabini Ortega, was born and raised to a poor family. Life wasn't easy for Serna, she wasn't able to finish high school and got married early. Unfortunately, her husband passed away and she had to raise all 7 children on her own. Serna did everything she could to make ends meet. She prepared and sold Pinoy "kakanin," became a "labandera" and a push cart vendor at local events.
When her two daughters, Gesa and Maria Cherryl finally achieved their dream of finishing college, it was time for their mother to pursue hers.
 |
| Serna Ortega posed to her proud daughters when she graduated high school | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/ Gesa Ortega |
Last June 2019, Serna posed next to her proud daughters when she finally finished high school. Now, she is pursuing her senior high school education at the Bayawan Senior High School taking night classes.
Gesa shared how motivated her mother is with her studies, "It was always her dream to finish studies herself and now that she is taking classes and learning new things she is even more motivated to continue. She's been told that she has been an inspiration to her younger classmates and others who are older but may be too shy to go back and finish school."
Gesa couldn't be any more proud of what her mother has achieved. She said, may her mother's story inspire more individuals to pursue their dreams in life, no matter how old they are.
She said, "It makes sense that there's so much interest since there are so many like her who want to finish their studies but for whatever reason have been unable to do so."
She also extended her gratitude to the principal and teachers at her mother's school, the Bayawan Senior High School who have helped many individuals like Serna to take another shot at achieving their dreams.
— Sally, The Summit Express
