Slow but steady wins the race.

After 13 years in college, a barber was able to pursue his degree in Education; and though he flunked three times in previous licensure examinations, the barber is now a full-fledged teacher. 

Fifty-year-old Eduardo Laserna of Barangay Tanza-Esperanza in Iloilo City has finally made it to the roster of passers in the March 2024 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers. 

In 2018, he graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education major in English. Eduardo said he was determined to finish his studies for the future of his four children.

Despite a conviction as sharp as his scissors, clipper and razor, it did not take off without people quibbling over his age, his audacity, his spunk as he has had enrolled in a number of courses and is a truant. 

“Sinabihan ako na maraming kurso, palaboy-laboy. Okay lang yung masasakit na sinasabi nila ngunit hindi nila naiintindihan deep inside, gusto mong makatapos ng pag-aaral,” Eduardo expressed in an interview.

His wife, Marybeth, witnessed his resoluteness and sheer will. 

“Hindi kami nakatulog. Tapos yung panganay ko ang nakakita na nakapasa sya. Sobra daw yung excitement nya,” Marybeth expressed on how they received the good news. 

Eduardo’s friends, who are fellow barbers, share in his achievement. They said Eduardo deserves to succeed because he is a hardworking man, a nice person, and one imbued with a generous heart. 

“Isa syang masipag na tao. Sa amin, mabait sya at mapagbigay,” Jayson Gunsatao, his barber-friend, said.

Eduardo said that his students will learn tons from him because he will serve as an example of “perseverance in the flesh.” 

He will weave into his lessons the best qualities of a barber - careful, precise, and thorough styled by streaks of creativity and technical competence.

“Alam mo naman kung ano ang sakripisyo pag nasa field na. Lesson plan, pagpupuyat, lecture, pagka-inis. Imagine? Ngunit dahil happiness at vocation mo, dahil gusto mo, makakaya mo,” Eduardo accentuated.