By Mark Bryan Sagulo
As soon as the morning shift is over, you would see her roaming around the campus and carrying some cleaning tools. She’s like a real-life fighter. The broom is her weapon, sweeping is her special fighting technique, and the school is like a base she has to protect. She definitely makes the surroundings spick and span!
Inside the classroom, you would see her intently listening to the teacher while jotting down important notes. She admits that she is trying her best to cope with the lessons. Despite her age gap from her classmates, her teachers appreciate her willingness to participate in class discussions and group activities. Beyond academics, she plays the role of a mother in the classroom and leads her classmates in making sure everything is in order. Her adviser describes her as someone who is helpful, diligent, and affectionate. This is probably why she is adored not only by her classmates but also by her teachers.
A student in the morning, and a janitress in the afternoon, Marites Maomai, or “Nanay Tes” as she is known to many is truly an inspiration and proves that she is the epitome of the saying, “You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream.” Playing a double role in school is surely not an easy thing for a 49-year-old mother of two. But what drives her to continue day-by-day is her lifelong dream to finish her studies and receive a diploma in Business Administration. Although it feels like it’s long overdue, it doesn’t bother her because “quitting” is never an option for her.
Her selflessness was the reason why she had to set her dreams aside. When she was younger, she had to stop studying and work as a guard to earn a living and support the education of her siblings. She was not regretting her decision although it took her a long time to make her pursue her own dreams. Today, she feels proud that she was able to support and help them. And now that the time is right, she is seizing the opportunity to reach her own stars.
She believes in the power of education. During my interview, she told me this, “Mahalaga ang may pinag-aralan. Mahalaga ang edukasyon sa isang tao dahil susi ito ng tagumpay.” I admired how resolute she was while uttering these words as if she was already picturing the future in her head. I may be younger than her, but I couldn’t help but be moved by her courage and confidence. I was simply in awe of her determination.
Her mantra in life is “try and try until you succeed.” Indeed, she is trying everything in her power to juggle her time between work and study. She may be a little far from her destination right now, but with how positively she is approaching her path, I am sure she will get there. I know her dreams will be realized. I know her struggles will pay off and she will soon reap the fruits of her labor—success!
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