Dreams in life do not become reality in an instant. It takes immense determination, hard work, and perseverance to get hold of yearnings that often seem elusive. A testament to this is Lezandro L. Nonesco, a Magna Cum laude Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Mathematics graduate from Brgy. Balud, Tanauan, Leyte.
Nonesco finished his degree today, July 8 at the Tanauan Civic Center, as the Eastern Visayas State University—Tanauan Campus’ (EVSU—TC) class of 2022 valedictorian once again proving that the economic status quo is not an impediment to a person’s feat.
Let us draw inspiration as we read the testimony of his academic success.
“Like everyone else, my journey has been a roller-coaster ride, but it was clear to me, and I am certain that God’s grace sustained me to have reached this far. Even with Free Higher Education, which I am so grateful for, getting through college had still been financially challenging for me and my family.
My mother would go around our place searching for guava fruits, and taro leaves, and she would bring those to her sister in exchange for toiletries most of the time. My father, who is a tenant farmer, works hard for our supply of rice even if sometimes, it’s saddening when weather disturbances lead to little to no harvest. It would mean borrowing money for the next days or months.
There always comes a time in a year when we only have salt as our viand and also even as our toothpaste. This has been our struggle since I was little and I knew that the only way for us to have a life better than what we used to have is through education.
Inspired by the various kinds of teachers I had been with since elementary, I always dreamed to become one in the future, and I am happy to be close to achieving it by being on this stepping stone, finally getting my education degree. Prayers have become my best weapon.
Adding extra challenge is the pandemic that has truly brought changes in our ways of learning. I climbed to the top of the mountain at the back of our house, hoping for a stable internet connection for our online classes, but it was even more intermittent there. I ended up renting a bed space in the town proper for a semester, that was when we were working on our thesis. Time went by and I was able to cope. The allowances I was able to receive from scholarships and grants have been a great help in financing my needs, especially for my studies.
I kept faithful to God, submitting my plans and trusting His will, I made sure to always do my best in everything I do. God blessed me with amazing people and great opportunities that helped me along the way.
I will forever be grateful to God Almighty, to my hardworking parents, family, teachers, our taxpayers, generous private individuals, and the people behind DOST-SEI Junior Level Science Scholarship, Tertiary Education Subsidy, CHED Students Financial Assistance Program, and LGU Tanauan Municipal Scholarship. I am honored and humbled to share this achievement with them.
Life is indeed full of uncertainties, like how unexpected the coming of the pandemic is. Before entering college, none of us were sure about what we are going to go through, but we were able to cope and this day is a testament that we finally made it. Now, as we face the real world and its challenges, with the competencies and the right character instilled in us by the university through the years, it is sure that we can succeed in our respective fields.
All praises and glory to God.”
Photo by Zandro Gerilla
Layout by Victor Alvarez
