By Rheena Suerte Mangaoil, Intern

While all other graduates of the Mariano Marcos State University marched at the sunken garden on July 15, another graduate, who is miles away, participated inside his room – with his laptop and stable internet connection, not on his academic regalia, but with a comfortable attire. Unable to attend the in-person ceremony, Mark Gil Adorna nonetheless felt the same awe and jubilation as his fellow members of MMSU Class of 2022.    

The 31-year-old Overseas Filipino Worker in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, completed a bachelor’s degree in economics at the College of Business Economics and Accountancy through the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP). 

Adorna, who hails from Brgy. Tapao Tigue in Currimao, Ilocos Norte, pursued his studies while working abroad. “I am deeply grateful for ETEEAP for enabling me to obtain a college diploma. Indeed, no time and distance can ever hinder one to realize a dream,” he beamed while recounting how he had to juggle his responsibilities as manager of the Al Tazaj Fakieh Barbeque Chicken in Riyadh, as an MMSU student, and as husband and father. 

Before availing the program, Adorna pursued Bachelor of Secondary Education at the Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST) in Manila in 2009. However, he stopped schooling two years after due to financial difficulties. 

In 2017, Adorna decided to go back to college. Thanks to Prof. Elma Santos, the then ETEEAP chief, who offered and recommended him to take BS Economics based on the assessment on his records. 

With discipline and perseverance, he survived the modular mode of learning for four years. He expressed gratitude to his professors and family for their unfailing support throughout his academic journey. 

After graduation, Adorna intends to continue working abroad for his wife Filame, and his children Mark Gil Jr. and Mikaela Mae.

Adorna will not be able to hold his diploma now, but he said, “my family is very much excited to receive the physical copy, as I have fully dedicated this journey to them. Now, they may keep a piece of me and my achievement while I am away.”

Together with Adorna are seven other ETEEAP graduates from Ilocos Norte: Mary S. Cariaga, 29, a fast food service crew from Laoag; Wilson S. Coloma, 31, and Mark Enrico Ramiscal, 33, freelance make-up artists from San Nicolas; Ariel Domingo, 28, a tourist aide of the local government of Adams; Jennifer P. Fernandez, 44, an employee of the local government of Pinili; Mariann P. Quibin, 41, an industrial-commercial sewer from Batac City; and Maria Cristeta Villegas, 28, encoder at the Department of Social Welfare and Development Provincial Office from Laoag City. They all obtained a BS in Industrial Technology diploma from the MMSU College of Industrial Technology. 

By far, MMSU ETEEAP has produced 47 graduates since 2005.

The ETEEAP is a comprehensive educational assessment program at the tertiary level that recognizes, accredits and gives equivalencies to competencies gained by individuals from relevant work. It is implemented through deputized higher education institutions that shall award the appropriate college degree. 

Dr. Robert Salvador, the current ETEEAP chief, expressed hopes that the program will be able to cater to more students who, like Adorna, are just waiting for a golden opportunity to realize their dreams. (HLY/JVBT/DPTJ, StratCom)