70-year old lolo is PSU’s oldest graduate
BATCH 2015
NOBODY can be prouder as graduate of Pangasinan State University’a (PSU) batch 2014-2015 than 70-year old Dagupeño “Lolo” Jesus Peralta Martinez of Barangay Malued.
Lolo Jess walked to the stage along with 1,376 of his batchmates to claim his diploma last Saturday April 14 during their graduation ceremonies held at the CSI Stadia.
MARTINEZ
Lolo Jess dropped out from college more than 40 years ago, and managed only to realize his long-time dream to have a college diploma two years ago through the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) in PSU Lingayen campus. He spent another year to earn his Masters degree in Development Management (MDM) in PSU Urdaneta City campus.
He stopped schooling when he migrated to the United States where he worked as an insurance agent. He later on became an insurance broker and put up his Jess Martinez Insurance Agency from 1970 to present.
“I had worked so hard in my life. It’s about time I look after myself and pursue my dream,” he said days before claiming his diploma.
He said his graduation from college and eventually for his masteral degree last April 14 was for “self-fulfillment and contentment in my life”.
He was certain that getting his diploma would give him that special feeling, and it did. For sure I would feel elated and feel good because this never happened before in my life,” the young looking lolo said about his graduation on April 14.
One of his children gave him US $1,000 as a graduation gift.
A dual US-Filipino citizen, Lolo Jess raised seven children, whose education through college was his priority. Today, they are all professionals and US-based, and has nine grandchildren.
After accomplishing his dream for all his children, he felt “something was lacking.” It was his unrealized dream to earn his own college diploma.
A friend encouraged him to enrol in ETEAAP to earn his college degree since he had enough work experience that can earn him credits for his MDM degree having worked as retirement adviser, notary public and tax consultant in the US.
“To me it was others first before self. But now that my children are already professionals, it was about time I also went back to school and earn my own dream degree,” an excited Lolo Jess exclaimed.
He was grateful that even as a senior citizen, his classmates and professors did not give him any special attention. “We were treated equally,” he said beaming with pride.
He encourages others who failed to work on their college degree “to do it, despite their age! It will make you feel good.”
He recalled writing in his high school yearbook that he wanted to become a lawyer.
The achiever that he is, he will enrol in a law school here this summer “to keep me alive and going”. (Tita Roces)
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