PHINMA University of Pangasinan’s oldest freshman
The Philippine Star
by Eva Visperas
June 15, 2019
SAN JACINTO, Pangasinan – At 75, this grandpa is the oldest college freshman in a Pangasinan university, but he doesn’t mind, saying that it’s never too late to be educated.
Benjamin Naoe, born on March 22, 1944 from Barangay Sta. Maria, went back to school taking up Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at PHINMA-University of Pangasinan in Dagupan City.
Excited for his first day in college on June 10, Naoe told The STAR that he left home at 5 a.m. so he can arrive at school early for his 7:30 a.m. class. He said the school gate was still closed so he asked the guard to let him in by showing his receipt for the tuition fee he had paid.
He said he was the only one who wore his uniform of light green polo with a white undershirt, black pants, and black shoes. He found out later they have one week more to wear the civilian clothes of their choice.
Naoe, a widower since 1985, said he struggled to let four of his six children to earn college degrees first before he decided to pursue his own dream to earn a college degree.
He had worked as a parts specialist of vehicles in a company in Saudi Arabia from 1979 to 1999. He returned to work abroad from 2000 up to 2017.
He retired two years ago and was eager to go back to school but he only finished first year in high school and one-year vocational course in auto mechanic.
“It was long patience that I endured and I even tried to work in an auto shop locally without salary,” he said.
Last year, he enrolled under the Alternative Learning System (ALS) at Mangaldan National High School and passed the examinations making him a high school graduate this year.
He said he had read news reports that quoted Education Secretary Leonor Briones as saying that ALS graduates must be accepted for college.
He did not re-marry as he focused his attention on his children.
Naoe said he pursued Political Science “which gives me a broader knowledge about life.”
