Making the most of opportunities: Adelaida Parallag, a ChE graduate at 56
Date Posted: March 19, 2024 at 03:19 PM
College is commonly known to be the next step in a budding adult’s academic journey. This serves as their bridge from being a teen brimming with potential to a professional showcasing their capabilities and competing in the “real world.”
At 57 years old, Adelaida Esplana Parallag defies the stereotype of a typical college student. Born and raised in Tiera Nevada, Tinambac, Camarines Sur, her journey towards completing her bachelor's degree in chemical engineering at Adamson University is a testament to resilience, determination, and the unwavering pursuit of dreams, regardless of age.
Shelved ambitions
Adelaida's path to higher education was not without obstacles. Financial constraints forced her to put her academic aspirations on hold.
"I was not able to pursue my studies because my parents cannot afford to send me to college," she recalls. Instead, she ventured into the workforce, driven by the desire to support her family.
Despite the challenges, the thought of returning to school lingered in Adelaida's mind. However, the opportunity to work abroad seemed like a more feasible path towards improving her family's circumstances.
“Nagkaron ako ng opportunity na magtrabaho abroad so I decided to quit my studies and work instead. Gusto ko kasi talagang matulungan yung pamilya ko kasi galing kami talaga sa hirap,” she shared, mentioning her experiences when she initially took Civil Engineering at the University of the East.
“When I was offered a job abroad, naisip ko na parang mas madaling paraan para maiahon ko ang pamilya ko sa hirap. Yung tatay ko nagsasaka sya pero yung sinasaka nya hindi nya sariling lupa kaya sobrang hirap talaga na halos sa pagkain lang talaga ang kinikita, pero minsan kulang pa rin lalo na anim kaming magkakapatid,” she recalled.
After she started working, she slightly improved their living conditions and managed to purchase a house in Naga City. Two of her siblings were also able to complete their college education because of the tricycle she purchased in her initial journey that eventually became their livelihood.
“Bunso ako pero nakita ko kasi yung mga kapatid ko hindi na napag-aral tapos nagsipag-asawa na tapos yung mga asawa nila, doon na rin kung ano yung sinasaka ng tatay ko.”
Mrs. Parallag eventually settled in with her career and started her own family. However, another twist would happen as an opportunity presented itself to her, although in the latter part of her life.
Second chance
It wasn't until a chance encounter with her husband's aunt that Adelaida's educational journey took a pivotal turn. "Noong dumalaw kasi yung auntie ng husband ko, inalok nya ako... Sabi nya sige, tutulungan kita pero magtapos ka muna ng pag-aaral," she recounts. This offer reignited her long-dormant academic ambitions.
With the support of her husband's aunt, Mrs. Parallag embarked on her educational pursuit, choosing Chemical Engineering as her field of study. Despite her initial unfamiliarity with the discipline, she embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. "Hindi ko talaga choice ang Chemical Engineering... inisip ko na kaya ko," she states.
Adamson University became her academic home, selected for its affordability and esteemed academic programs. "Nakita ko yung Adamson na nag-ooffer sila ng lowest tuition fee tapos with high academic programs sila," she explains. The university's commitment to excellence resonated with Mrs. Parallag, motivating her to excel despite the odds.
Transitioning back into the role of a full-time student after years in the workforce posed its own set of challenges for Mrs. Parallag.
“Mahirap talaga yung adjustment kasi nung nagstop na akong mag-abroad, talagang natigil na lang ako sa bahay. Then nung nag-aral ako, full-time student naman na ako pero nung nag-stop kasi ako, wala pang computer nun, wala pang cellphone,” she quipped.
“Talagang hirap na hirap ako kasi ang alam ko is yung old school pa. ‘Pag may assignment, sa libro pa ako maghahanap. Yung mga classmate ko, naka-computer ang bibilis nila. Yung Google noon, hindi ko pa alam,” she furthered, also mentioning that her responsibilities at home sometimes add extra pressure while she is studying.
Not a walk in the park
In an interview with her daughter, Danielle, Mrs. Parallag’s adjustments were evident, and the journey she took was not for the faint of heart.
“Yung sa age ni Mama pinoproblema namin. Nagstart sya nang 2015, iniisip namin pag naka-graduate sya, if magtatrabaho pa sya, kaya pa ba?” she said.
“But since may opportunity naman and may handang magpaaral sa kanya, okay na rin. Iba rin naman kasi pag may tinapos, di ba?” she continued in jest.
Danielle then continued to share moments when she saw the obvious difficulties her mother endured in wearing multiple hats as a mother, a wife, a student and more.
“Sobrang busy nya. High school ako noong nagstart sya sa Adamson, naaalala ko bago ako matulog nag-aaral sya, tapos paggising ko nang alas-kwatro, nag-aaral pa rin sya,” the third-year Chemical Engineering student recalled.
Her mother eventually opted to live in a dormitory near school and occasionally goes home when she can. “There was one time, nagkasakit yung kapatid ko, tapos sabi nya hindi na sya nakakapasok sa klase. Dun sya nagstart na may binagsak na subject.”
Mrs. Parallag also found it hard to keep up with the lessons and the phasing of classes since she had not done so in years. It was a good thing they also had help from their relatives.
“Yung time kasi na nagstart si Mama, nandun din kasi yung Tita ko, tumutulong samin and tinutulungan din si Mama sa school. Tapos maliit pa yung bunso namin noon and kami ng kuya namin, tapos si Papa, lagi namang nakaduty,” her daughter explained.
“Minsan pumupunta yung Tita ko samin sya yung nagluluto tapos minsan nagpapalaba sa kanya si Mama.”
She then echoed her mom’s sentiments on the online setup, which really gave the latter a hard time, even in securing her own classes.
“Dapat fourth year na sya before magpandemic, and dapat isang taon na lang sana para makagraduate, or if ever may sumobra, isang sem lang. Nung nagpandemic, nahirapan syang kumuha ng subject kasi nga online,” she said.
“May isang sem ata nagtatake sya ng subjects pero mga ilang units lang, tapos yung thesis nila hindi nila natuloy at lately lang sila nakapagpatesting ulit sa DOST kaya umabot ng ganon katagal.”
Danielle, though, revealed that despite having it rather difficult, studying has become one of the bonding sessions between mother and daughter. They have become each other’s study buddies, be it the daughter asks questions, or the mother wants to refresh herself from her previous lessons.
Ready to soar higher
As Mrs. Parallag approaches graduation, her journey serves as an inspiration to all who encounter her story. Despite the hurdles she faced, she persevered, emerging victorious against all odds.
“Masaya ako na gagraduate na ako pero naaalala ko noong pumasok ako is yung sinabi ng isang nag-interview sa akin noon: “Kukuha ka ng ChE, mahirap ‘to; magsusunog ka ng kilay. Kaya mo pa bang makipagsabayan sa mga bata? Alam mo ang memory natin sa ganitong edad natin, hindi na ganon katalas,” she shared.
“Sabi ko sa kanya na kakayanin ko naman kasi iniisip ko na yan, pero um-oo na ako dun sa magpapaaral sakin eh. Kakayanin ko po pero mahirap talaga. Kaya ngayon na gagraduate na ako, satisfied talaga ako kasi nakayanan kong mairaos yung isang mahirap na field.”
Looking ahead, Mrs. Parallag plans to take the board exams in Chemical Technology while preparing for the Chemical Engineering boards.
Her experiences at Adamson University have instilled in her a sense of social responsibility and a commitment to making a positive impact in society.
To those blessed with the opportunity to pursue education without hindrance, Adelaida offers words of encouragement: "Mag-aral silang mabuti... wag sayangin ang pera na pinaghirapan ng magulang nila."
For individuals facing circumstances similar to hers, she imparts a message of perseverance and faith: "Tyaga lang. Magsikap lang. Kung ano ang pangarap mo, ibibigay din ng Diyos kung ano ang nararapat."
Mrs. Parallag's remarkable journey stands as a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and the unwavering pursuit of someone’s dreams. As she prepares to embark on the next chapter of her life, her story serves as an inspiration to all who dare to defy the odds and follow their aspirations, regardless of age or circumstance.
As her daughter put it, “Finally.”
Now, as Mrs. Parallag has already received her diploma in Chemical Engineering during the Mid-year Commencement Exercises last February, she now waits for Danielle’s graduation for them to take the Chemical Engineer Licensure Examination together.
