44-year-old with cerebral palsy does High School

He answered correctly all but one of the 120 questions in the finals of the high school accreditation and equivalency examination given last December.

And so he was seen beaming at a graduation ceremony last Friday, at the President Fidel V Ramos gymnasium in the Philippine summer capital of Baguio City.

Arturo Ong Jr, 44, bested 421 other graduates, including 16 inmates, who received their high school diplomas after undertaking the alternative learning programme offered by the city government and the Department of Education (DepEd).

Ong has suffered from cerebral palsy since birth, making him unable to walk on his own due to a stunted physical development, although his mental faculties are intact, according to a report by Vincent Cabreza at the ‘Philippine Daily Inquirer’.

“As you can see, I am physically challenged but my disabilities did not hinder me from pursuing my dreams,” he said in a speech delivered for him by his nephew, Allen. “It may have taken this long because of previous constraints, but with the opening of available resources, like modern technology … [I was given] an opportunity to pursue education and be able to obtain a diploma.”

Ten of the 16 inmates of Baguio City jail were allowed to attend their graduation rites, as they have served out their jail terms; the six others who passed the test were not allowed to leave their cell.

Ong would like to study computer science next, as he likes to read and is fascinated with computers. He has a Facebook account, although he asks help from a cousin to punch the keyboard every time he uses the computer.

“Education is an unending process,” Joe Abawag, a 57-year-old artist who graduated with Ong, said. Having missed school when he was younger, Abawag said his high school diploma will now allow him to pursue his dream of studying fine arts at the University of the Philippines.

“ALS gives students a second chance,” said Arthur Tiongan, Baguio City’s education supervisor for DepEd ALS, or alternative learning system. “Disabilities and trials should never be a hindrance to achieve your dreams, such as pursuing your education.”

An orphan, Ong is the youngest of eight children and has been under the care of a relative since he was 24 years old.

Two of his siblings came all the way from the United States to attend his graduation day, although they failed to arrive on time to see their brother beaming as he was wheeled onstage wearing a toga.

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