A LIFE WELL-LIVED...

MY 40-YEAR WAIT On The Way To My Redemption

Sometime in 2015, I heard about "Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency & Accreditation Program" (ETEEAP). CHED, the Commission on Higher Education started this Program in 1995 to give those in the workforce who dropped out of college, for any reason, to earn their Diploma. The list of criteria that I obtained gave me the confidence that I am qualified for the Program. From online forum, I found the following schools in Cebu City that offer the Program: Cebu Doctors Hospital - University (CDH-U); Cebu Institute of Technology - University (CIT-U); South Western University (SWU); University of San Jose - Recoletos (USJ-R); and University of the Visayas (UV). My first inquiry was at UV, where I had my BS Electrical Engineering (BSEE) continued after leaving CIT-U (the then CIT). They suggested that I take a couple of "new-curriculum subjects" for six monthe, then I can take the Board Exam for EE. They quoted me Php 93,000.00 for the whole course. I went shopping for the right school. Next was CIT-U, where I ran into accomodating staff at the Registrar's Office. One lady told me, "Why not finish here what you started"? She directed me to the ETEEAP office where I was received and guided what to do. I signed an application form and made photocopies of the Pre-requisites and submitted them all in that same week. Then they told me to wait for an e-mail. Months passed, nothing from them was in my e-mail box. Next stop was USJ-R, then SWU, then CDH-U, for the same purpose. It was at USJ-R that I was given an audience, and looking at the paperworks I submitted, they scheduled me for an interview. Just like the feedbacks I read from online forum, my interviewers were throwing roadblocks, and just a handful were made in subtle way. Sensing I was not welcome, I dropped my application. At SWU, I was told that they are not ready yet to get into the Program, and at CDH-U, that they are only going to offer medical courses. It was time to go back to the States. Then came September of the following year. Still no response from CIT-U. I was already booked for a flight back home to attend our hometown fiesta celebration. A week later, I flew to Cebu City and went straight to CIT-U's ETEEAP office for follow-up. One of the working students walked me to the College of Computer Studies (CCS) building. There, were the offices of Dr. Cherry Lyn Sta Romana, the CCS Dean and Dr. Larmie Feliscuzo, the Dean of Information Technology (IT). The latter pulled my folder out and asked me questions pertaining to my application. Why did I wait for forty years? Though I didn't see it coming, I must have responded eloquently that I noticed her sobbing while editing and reformatting my papers during the entire interview. When done, she gave me a list of additional things to submit, and asked me if I want to graduate coming October. Looking at the List, I find it impossible to complete it in time, so I politely said no. How about in March (2017)?, without second thought, I said yes. She set me up for a Revalida (That's when I must convince the Panel composed of Dean Sta Romana, Dean Feliscuzo, one instructor from CCS/CIT-U and an independent IT industry expert, the week after Sinulog. Again, it was time to go back to the States. And there, I was having time of my life with my grandchildren while burning candles at night to complete the requirements. Prestige!!! The longest four months of my life finally came. I wanted to get this over with ASAP. But hey, if I was able to wait forty years, four months would just be a blink of an eye. An IT student helped me setup my Laptop in the room reserved for the purpose. A little later, came Dean Sta Romana, Dean Feliscuzo, an IT Instructor, and an independent Industry Expert. Young, I thought to myself, they must be of the same age with, or even younger than my son or daughter who were thirty-seven and thity-six respectively. After some formalities, I started the Demo. We had a chat. Dean Sta Romana asked me bluntly if it is Pristige that pulled me back to CIT-U. What I felt was akin to biting raw mango when your salivary gland is switched-on, only that time, it was my tear gland. Congratulations!! You get the degree!! "Sweeter than the honeycomb", The BeeGees has that line in their "Cherry Red". Are you going to attend the Graduation Ceremony? Ma'am, I waited forty years for this. I noticed, it wasn't only me smiling ear-to-ear. Finally, I'm a Technologian, too. Suddenly, "All Hail Maroon and Gold" rang through my ears, and it got louder and louder as March 25th was approaching!.