The happiness in the heart of a college graduate is immeasurable, especially if they are the only degree holder in their family.
Just like the success story of Jonathan Bartolome Agullana from Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, a Summa Cum Laude graduate and Class Valedictorian of the Batch 2020, who completed a Bachelor of Elementary Education at Data Center College of the Philippines of Laoag City, Inc.
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| Photo courtesy: Jonathan Bartolome Agullana (Facebook) |
In an exclusive story sent to The Summit Express, Jonathan shared that he is the seventh of eight siblings raised by a farming father and a plain housewife mother. He is also the first degree holder in their family and is now a licensed professional teacher (LPT). He is extremely happy because not only did he graduate from college with flying colors, but he also cannot believe he made it to the topnotchers of the LET.
“Hindi nakapag-aral ng kolehiyo ang mga kapatid kong nauna sa akin dahil sa kahirapan. Sapat lamang ang kinikita ng magulang upang tustusan ang pangangailangan sa araw-araw. Despite that, pinalaki ako ng parents ko appreciating the value of having good education. I'm a ‘top of the class wanna be' since elementary,” he said.
Jonathan also shared that when he entered college, he did his best to achieve his goal of finishing his studies. He completed his degree with the help of scholarships, his mother borrowing from relatives and neighbors, and support from family members.
Graduating with flying colors opened an opportunity for him to attend a review center in preparation for his LET. His journey to taking the LET was also challenging due to the pandemic.
“I was supposed to take the LET in March 2020 but was rescheduled thrice due to the pandemic. It was never a piece of cake given the pressure I was carrying on my shoulders at that time – my family was rooting for me na iaahon ang pamilya sa kahirapan. I thought I wouldn't make it on the topnotchers' list, but I managed to rank 10th in the September 2021 LET,” he proudly said.
Currently, Jonathan is happily practicing his teaching profession at his alma mater.
Congratulations, Jonathan!
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
