Find out what our friends were doing when they were 50 years old.
Amanda del Rosario
60, Registrar’s Office
When I was in my 50’s, I decided to finish my master’s degree in UA&P. I enrolled in the MA in Education major in Liberal Education Program (MALE) in 1999 when I was 43. It was dissolved, so I enrolled in the Master of Arts in Values Education Program (MAVE) in 2000, but it was dissolved too. When the School of Education and Human Development (SED) offered the Master of Arts in Education major in Child Development and Education Program (MA CDE) for Practitioners, I grabbed the opportunity and enrolled in 2005, and I finished the degree and graduated on June 20, 2009 (I was 53 years old then). Then, SED reopened the MAVE Program and I enrolled again and finished the degree in 2012.
Practically, I was studying almost throughout my 50’s, doing research, interviews, surveys, and, as the saying goes, burning the midnight oil.
In my 50’s, I earned two master’s degrees in UA&P, and now that I am 60 years old—a certified senior citizen, a grandmother of two—I can apply what I have learned in UA&P, “that education is a lifelong process and we continue to learn in formal, non-formal, and informal environments throughout our lives” (Blossfeld, 2011).
Mercy Verches
56, Information and Communications Technologies Office
I was celebrating life!
When I was a little bit younger, my dream was to travel upon reaching the age of 50. The Lord is so good to me because He answered my prayers. I was given the chance to travel, not only here in Asia but also in Europe and in the US.
My husband’s work as a seaman has compelled me to be most of the time both father and mother to my three children. All of them were totally dependent on me—from their younger years up to the time they graduated from college. I am fully, utterly amazed at the love and grace of our Lord, whose help and guidance saw me through all the trials and hardships along the way.
Life is immensely easier and better nowadays. I have more free time for myself, and I can indulge in activities that help me relax and unwind. Nevertheless, I still do things for my family and siblings. Shouldn’t life be one of service to others? In truth, that is what makes us truly happy.
Eranio Ornedo
61, Building and Equipment Maintenance Section
Sa edad na 50, malakas pa rin at pinipilit na maging malakas para sa pamilya na umaasa at sa kumpanya na nagtitiwala sa kakayanan ko hanggang ngayon.
Isang achievement na makaabot ng 50. Sa gabay ng Diyos sa araw-araw na pagpasok sa trabaho sa ganito katagal, nakapagtapos ang aking mga anak at nagkaroon ng maginhawang buhay ang aking pamilya.
Naaalala ko pa ang mga araw na nagsimula ako dito sa CRC sa pagkakarpintero. Nalagare yung daliri ko at maraming beses akong na-high blood at nagkaroon ng sakit pero tuloy pa rin ang buhay. Siyempre hindi ako pinabayaan ng kumpanya.
Isang lesson na natutunan ko ay hindi titigil ang usad ng buhay. Parang CRC, ngayon ay UA&P, reaching the top.
Turning 50 is a good thing. Maraming magiging experience at maraming lessons na matututunan, maibabahagi, at maipagmamalaki.
Lydia Yuson
63, Financial Management and Reporting Group
A new life begins at 50!
In my 50’s, I went through a huge change in my work environment—from one of the leading financial entities in the business district of Makati, where I spent 22 years of my life, to academe – here in UA&P. I was the vice president and corporate secretary when I availed of the early retirement in the latter part of 2000. Thereafter, I went into consultancy, and in March 2006, I joined UA&P. Time flies and I am now on my 11th year as Managing Director for FMR. At 50, I also obtained my Master in Business Economics; I took up SBEP in 2002 and graduated in 2004. I know there is a lot more that I can do, with a little help from my friends and a lot of help from my Creator. I have lived a full life; my constant struggle now is to make it more and more beautiful and meaningful.
Adolfo Pepito
55, General Services Section
At 50, I am still fit to work and to travel from Cavite to UA&P every day for work duty. I am still strong and in good health because I exercise regularly for 15 to 20 minutes. I am also conscious of avoiding fatty foods. I regularly visit the UA&P clinic for BP monitoring.
I have become more prayerful now and exert more effort to be kinder to other people, most especially those from the neighborhood. I try to show more love and care to my wife and two sons. The whole family go to church every Sunday.
Elvira Roque
56, Oratory Section
Since my early years of working, I have dedicated myself to housekeeping functions – management and maintenance of buildings.
It is a work that can pass unnoticed, that is, when things are running smoothly, no one pays attention to the people behind the cleanliness and good condition of the facilities.
But when things are amiss, suggestions, feedback, recommendations, and reminders proliferate. These are well taken because they give me a feeling of unity and of care from everyone who serves as my eyes upon all the corners of the University.
I try to instill it in the minds of the people in my team that housekeeping is an opportunity to serve the others and to make their stay in the University pleasant; doing so contributes in a way to their education as they would learn how things can and have to be in order to create a bright and cheerful atmosphere.
Bringing about the pleasant environment of the University needs the collaboration of each one. And for this I would like to extend my gratitude for the help of everyone and for the opportunity to render this work of service to make this University conducive to studying, creating friendships, and forming the minds and souls of young people in whose hands lies the future of this country.
Rodolfo Astilla
54, Building and Equipment Maintenance Section
Nasa maintenance section na ako noon bilang electrician. Nagpapalit ako ng mga ilaw, naglilinis ng air-con at tumatao sa recollection. Ako din ang nag-aasikaso ng mga air-con kung kelan ito papatayin o bubuksan upang magamit ito nang maayos.
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