The joy of a college graduate is indescribable, particularly when they are the only degree holder in their family.
Such is the success story of Jonathan Bartolome Agullana from Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. A Summa Cum Laude graduate and Class Valedictorian of Batch 2020, he completed a Bachelor of Elementary Education at Data Center College of the Philippines in Laoag City.
In an exclusive interview with The Summit Express, Jonathan revealed that he is the seventh of eight siblings, raised by a farming father and a homemaker mother. As the first degree holder in their family, he is now a licensed professional teacher (LPT). He expressed immense joy, not only for graduating with honors but also for his surprise achievement of making it to the top ranks of the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).
Photo courtesy: Jonathan Bartolome Agullana (Facebook)
“Hindi nakapag-aral ng kolehiyo ang mga kapatid kong nauna sa akin dahil sa kahirapan. Sapat lamang ang kinikita ng magulang upang tustusan ang pangangailangan sa araw-araw. Despite that, pinalaki ako ng parents ko appreciating the value of having good education. I’m a ‘top of the class wanna be’ since elementary,” he said.
Jonathan also shared that when he began college, he focused on doing his best to achieve his goal of graduating. He was able to complete his degree with the help of scholarships, his mother borrowing from relatives and neighbors, and the support of family members.
His stellar academic performance gave him the opportunity to attend a review center in preparation for the LET. However, his path to taking the LET was not without its challenges, particularly due to the impact of the pandemic.
“I was supposed to take the LET in March 2020 but was rescheduled thrice due to the pandemic. It was never a piece of cake given the pressure I was carrying on my shoulders at that time – my family was rooting for me na iaahon ang pamilya sa kahirapan. I thought I wouldn’t make it on the topnotchers’ list, but I managed to rank 10th in the September 2021 LET,” he proudly said.
Photo courtesy: Jonathan Bartolome Agullana (Facebook)
Currently, Jonathan is happily practicing his teaching profession at his alma mater.
Congratulations, Jonathan!