80-year-old lolo graduates with honors from junior high school

According to [GMA News], an 80-year-old man just graduated from junior high school in Marinduque thanks to the Department of Education's Alternative Learning System (ALS).

According to Mark Salazar's report on "24 Oras," Monday, Teofilo Bonites Sr. graduated as the second honor in his class. He intends to continue to senior high school and college to pursue a degree in either journalism or political science.

"Don't look at your shadows; look at me. Age is not a hindrance and neither are other obstacles in life like poverty or illness," he said in Filipino.

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Lolo Teofilo once travelled to Manila and became a newsboy at the National Press Club, where he began dreaming of becoming a reporter. He didn't give up on that dream even as he advanced in age and continued to pursue his education.

"He is a very persistent ALS learner. Very positive and determined to achieve his dreams despite his age," said ALS Mobile Teacher Chona Recto in a mix of English and Filipino.

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"He was never absent in class. Even when it would rain and the road is slippery, sometimes he would even arrive earlier than the teacher," she said. "When face to face was no longer allowed, he didn't give up and asked me for modules online."

According to [GMA News], Lolo Teofilo's wife thanked ALS for giving him the opportunity to continue his studies.