Age is powerful, it has great control on people. At 6 children should be in school, at 25 adults should have a job and start planning on marriage. Men believe that life begins at 40, and this thinking give them a push to do more challenging activities. According to Thomas Armstrong’s book, The Human Odyssey: Navigating the Twelve Stages of Life, there are 12 stages of life and each stage of life has its own unique gift to give to humanity that must be supported and protected. But there are times these stages are in disarray due to inevitable circumstances. An example of this is Corazon S. Manansala or Nanay Cora, who at 53 is a learner in Alternative Learning System.

Nanay Cora, a Bulaqueña, is the fifth of the seven children of Silverio Laderas Manansala Sr. and Miguela Del Rosario Santos. Born in a family that barely made ends meet, Tatay Silverio worked hard as barber and cobbler and during Christmas season he made and sold lanterns out of bamboo. Making life worse, he died at a young age that made Cora’s mother and second oldest brother took the responsibility of supporting the family. This situation prompted the siblings to do odd jobs to help the family which resulted to not continuing their secondary schooling and sending two of them to live in relatives as helpers.“ Kahit saan kayo mapunta, huwag ninyong kakalimutan ang pakikisama at pagiging tapat, dahil ang katapatan mahirap hanapin, ang pagtitiwala ng tao mahirap ibigay.” These were the words of Cora’s father that gave them strength to keep moving forward.

Year 1973, the family decided to live in Balut Pilar, Bataan, where Nanay Cora met his husband, “ang pagkakaroon ng asawa sa murang edad ay naging dahilan din, kaya di ako nakatapos ng pag-aaral.” Her married life was not easy, she helped her husband financially by doing laundry and selling rice cakes. She devoted her life to her family and was proud to say that two of her children earned their college degrees and are now working successfully while the youngest is still studying in Balanga Elementary School. She realized that it is about time that she pursues her greatest dream, and that is to finish her schooling even though she is already 53.

“Siguro panahon na, kahit may edad na ako, gusto ko pa ring makakuha ng kaalaman na maaring makatulong pa rin sa akin.” Nanay Cora dreamed of finding a job, and for her, this will be possible if she finishes her studies. As a learner Nanay Cora is independent, responsible, self-motivated and has a strong belief in herself. In spite of her age, she leads cooperative group work and very confident in standing in front of the class. Her modesty and affection grant her a harmonious relationship with her classmates. Her favorite learning strand is Mathematical and Problem Solving Skills and her best friend is Jenny, a mother like her. Excitement is what she feels every time she will come to school because she knows that she will learn again. She is very grateful to her teacher Mr. Fernan B. Lezada, that despite her age, she was accepted as a learner and given the chance to finish Junior High School. She described Sir Fernan as a very good teacher who can explain the lesson well.

Graduating in Alternative Learning System is a gift that she has longed to give her children. She wants to surprise them of this achievement and at the same time be an inspiration to other out-of-school adults that age is not a hindrance in attaining a goal. Nanay Cora at 53 is a wife and a mother who continuously gives love and support to her husband and children, a learner who is eager to reach her full potential and a model of optimism. Nanay Cora may have travelled a long and winding road, it has taken her awhile, but it’s not important. What matter is, she NEVER stops.