91-year-old grandpa fulfills dream to finish high school

It is never too late to fulfill one’s dream. This was proven by a 91-year-old man who recently finished high school in La Union, seven decades since he first attended secondary school in Lubuagan.

Federico Bentayen from San Gabriel, La Union graduated from Balbalayang National High School on June 29, 2022.

According to Kalinga Academy in Lubuagan, Federico was once a student of their school in 1951. However, he was only in his third year of schooling when he had to put his education on hold in order to work and provide for his children and wife.

Federico, a retired miner in Atok, Benguet, has six children with his wife, Leonida Tecne Angeleo of Tadian and Sagada, Mountain Province.

Years later, after fulfilling his responsibility as a parent, Federico thought of going back to school to continue the other dream he had to postpone almost 71 years ago.

In a video posted on Facebook, Bentayen, during his message to his fellow graduates, challenged the young ones to pursue higher education and to make sure to finish their studies.

“Kinaagpaysu na, kariten kayo padak nga aggradwar. Kariten kayo nga ituloy yu iti uskwela yu, haan kayo nga agsarsardeng. Agabante kayo tapnu magun-od yu ti arapaap iti biyag yu, nu anya man nga kurso iti kayat yu nga alaen. Siyak dakkel iti babawik,” he said.

Federico didn’t let regret haunt him for the rest of his life as he immediately took the opportunity to return to school when he was given the chance, despite his old age.

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