Generito Yosores turned a late diploma into proof that age did not close the door on education.
The 64-year-old pedicab driver from Molave, Zamboanga del Sur graduated on April 2, 2019 with a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English from Western Mindanao State University External Studies Unit Molave Campus. His graduation ceremony was held in Pagadian City, where 1,398 graduates from the WMSU ESU campuses in Pagadian, Molave, and Aurora received their diplomas.
Yosores reached that stage after years of work and study. He first enrolled in an agricultural course before deciding to become a teacher. He later shifted to BSEd major in English while continuing to earn a living as a pedicab driver.
His routine was punishing. During the day, he drove his pedicab to make money. At night, he attended classes. When examinations came, he studied late to pass the tests given by his professors.
Yosores told the Philippine News Agency that “poverty and age were never a hindrance” in finishing the college degree he had long wanted. He completed the course in four straight years.
The ceremony became more than a school milestone. PNA reported that the audience gave him a standing ovation when he received his diploma on stage. His graduation photo later spread on social media, where netizens praised his determination.
After graduation, Yosores said he wanted to look for work and eventually build a family. He also urged young people to finish their studies because education could lead them to a better future.
His story matters because it shows the hard cost of education for Filipinos who cannot afford to stop working while studying. Yosores did not wait for perfect conditions. He worked through age, poverty, and daily responsibility until he earned the diploma he refused to give up.
