By Danilo P. Padua, PhD
There are a lot of feel-proud stories where an “old” person went back to school to finish elementary, high school, college or another college course. And these were really something to cause nodding smiles to many other people.
I have witnessed a mother and son graduating in high school at the same time. I also had a co-graduate in the elementary who was 24 years old! However, few could compare with the educational journey of Arsenio Malong, the former barangay chairman of Atok Trail, Baguio City.
He was still actively serving as barangay head at the age of 65, when he started his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree at the Benguet State University in La Trinidad. That was two years before his term ended in 2013. With his official functions and the daunting rigors of academic struggle happening simultaneously, it is a wonder how a senior citizen like him can cope with the demands of his studies.
According to him, he devised a plan for him to be able to discharge his functions in the barangay as best he could. That calls for a very early (as early as 4 am) or sometimes late night stay in his barangay office. He delegated some functions to his kagawads. When there were enough vacant time in-between classes in school, he rushed to the barangay to attend to pressing concerns. Sometimes, he cut classes too if there were urgent matters needing his attention. It was a stressful and taxing schedule even for a man in his prime.
His decision to pursue his dream of finishing an agriculture degree was met with skepticism by some. Others even discouraged him saying, “where will you use your degree later? Just give the chance to your children or to younger ones”!
Arsenio has four children; one is an accountancy graduate, another finished a BSND course, while two others completed vocational courses and married early. His wife had already gone beyond.
To those who tried to dissuade him, he posed a question: “ where are the agriculture graduates that could help agricultural production in the barangays? Who then can help”?
He was therefore fixated on getting his dream of an agriculture degree. He needed to sacrifice. And he imposed on himself a time management that is both proper and effective. He struggled mightily while studying. How can a septuagenarian brain that was definitely marshalled into much action cope with a more intense cerebral exercise? It was really a gigantic mind wrestling.
Field practicum was a sure challenge to him. It required a lot of physical energy which he obviously do not have in abundance anymore. Memorization, inevitable and vital in the academic field, was also a certain source of constant struggle.
But graduate, he did. He is definitely determination and perseverance personified.
Prof. Myrna Walsiyen, one of his professors, and the current chairperson of the Animal Science department, College of Agriculture of BSU, describes Arsenio as diligent, persistent and determined. When problems arose, according to her, Malong was not easily ruffled. He plowed on until things became better again. Problems appear to be a welcome spice in his life journey.
For his part, Dr. Sonwright Maddul, former VP for Research and Extension of BSU, and also a former professor, initially thought that Arsenio had mistakenly entered his class. “Are you sure you belong to this class”, he incredulously asked him. Arsing just granted him an enigmatic smile, and planted himself squarely on the nearest vacant seat. Dr. Maddul volunteered that it was the first time that he had a student like him. Indeed, it was also the first time that BSU hosted a senior citizen being enrolled in its various undergraduate academic programs. The professor saw him as silent but always ready to smile and that he had very good rapport with his classmates.
Helpful and cooperative were also obvious traits shown by Arsing during his sojourn in the university. The most impressive characteristics of Malong as a student, according to Dr.Maddul, was his intense desire and determination to complete his degree. He was pleasantly surprised to note that Malong was not the lowest performer in his class. He beat some of his younger but less determined classmates.
At Malong’s age, his professors were a bit surprised too of his good research work for his thesis on native chicken in Baguio, covering about two dozen barangays. He even completed his thesis before finishing all his required academic subjects, which is considered not the normal case.
Some of Malong’s classmates affirm their teachers’ assessment of him. He can mingle with bagets, they say. Some of them were sometimes embarrassed because he was always early for his classes, not an absentee colleague, and always sat in front. He was very eager for his next class, active in asking questions, active in student organization, even if he was not an elected officer.
The students note with fondness that Arsenio was always the first to wear rain boots whenever there was field work; he took down notes even if there were handouts; read notes while waiting for teachers instead of engaging in trivial talks; and not embarrassed to approach other students if an assignment, an activity or lecture was not clear to him.
Students defer to him because of his age and his vast experiences but quick to help him when lectures were fast. Fact is, a student was assigned the task of helping him during such cases. Otherwise, he was mostly on his own. On the other hand, he used to assist some laboratory professors explain the practical side of crop and animal production.
Now that he is a newly-minted BSA graduate, Arsenio wants to share his knowledge to others , especially those in the barangays of Baguio. He plans to contact leaders and offer his services. He feels he can contribute much to the waste disposal and management of animals, improvement of biogas production, composting, and backyard agriculture in the barangays. As the city agriculturist of Baguio seems to be needing assistance for agricultural activities in the city, he appears to look forward to actually be of help.
Arsenio Malong has served as a huge inspiration to others on how to complete their chosen degree with determination. He proved that in education, age does not really matter. CONGRATULATIONS Arsenio. As they say, may your tribe increase!**
