Never Stop Learning
Jennibeth Dayao has been in the security industry for 15 years, and it is her 10th year of working at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde as a security guard and CCTV operator. She is also a proud Benilde alumna with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, major in Marketing Management.
She is not one to dismiss her line of work and posted “Proud Security Guard” as the first line in her now famous Facebook account. “This diploma is one of my greatest achievements at my age now. Isa ako sa mga nanay na, at isa rin sa mga security guards na nangarap makapag-aral muli at makapagtapos sa kolehiyo. (I am one of the many mothers and security guards who dreamed of studying again to graduate from college), Jennibeth writes.
Jennibeth did not plan to study when she started working in Benilde ten years ago. She planned to send her brother to college and help by paying for his tuition. She also learned that Benilde offers programs for working students. Only after her brother’s graduation did she realize she wanted the same for herself. “Dun sumagi sa mind ko na gusto ko din mag-aral, gusto ko din makapagtapos. When the right time came, nakapag-enroll ako, dahil din sa mga boss ko na pinayagan nila ko makapag-aral ulit.” (That’s when I realized that I also wanted to study and finish college. It was also because of my bosses because they allowed me to study and work at the same time), she acknowledged.
Working students have complicated schedules. Before the pandemic, she would clock out at 5 pm from a 12-hour shift and then attend her classes from 6-9 pm. This means Jennibeth had to make the most out of her time. She did appreciate the switch to online classes because of the flexibility. She could fulfill her duties as a CCTV operator and still complete her schoolwork.
She shares that the chance to go back to school and complete her degree is a “one-in-a-million opportunity” and credits her colleagues for this milestone, “malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa aking mga kapwa security, kasi tinutulungan nila ako. Naiintindihan nila ako. May mga times na sobrang hirap na pero pinipilit ko pa din siya tapusin.” (My gratitude goes to my co-security guards because they helped me. They understand me during hard times and I tried my best to finish).
Jennibeth believes that a college education is for everyone, regardless of age, “Para sa nangangarap na magtapos mag-aral, pwede pa naman po, wala namang pinipiling edad yung pag-aaral. Ano man ang katayuan mo sa buhay, basta mayroon kang sipag at tiyaga, pwede mo makamit yung ninanais mo sa buhay.” (For everyone who dreams of finishing their studies, it’s possible, age is not a limit. Whatever your status in life is, as long as you have dedication and perseverance, you can achieve what you want in life).
For more information on Benilde’s undergraduate programs, contact us at (63) 2 8230 5100 local 1801 or admissions@benilde.edu.ph. You may also visit our website at www.benilde.edu.ph.
