August 30, 2025
by Jon Lorence Panelo
by Jon Lorence Panelo
Pursuing graduate studies is a form of lifelong learning. Lifelong learning is important in the personal, educational, and professional lives of citizens, as it offers various advantages such as adapting to change, tackling complex problems, keeping the mind active, exploring new ideas, and making informed decisions, among others (Garcia-Tolentino et al., 2023). In AISAT, most admin, faculty, and staff are lifelong learners pursuing their master’s and doctoral degrees. In the following sections, we will be featuring faculty and staff from different departments who will be sharing their experiences, coping mechanisms, and insights that can be shared with others who are planning to pursue, or are also currently pursuing, graduate studies.
Starting with Mr. Marlon Carag, MBA, Aviation Management faculty, pursuing his Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration at the University of Southeastern Philippines, he shared that pursuing graduate studies is both a privilege and a challenge. He highlighted how AISAT is gracious in allowing the time to pursue further study, which is of immense help in terms of time management. Sir Marlon also mentioned beginning with the end in mind, encouraging all faculty to pursue graduate studies that would fit in with their plans for the future. In addition, he shared how he rarely copes as he rarely gets frustrated over something. He also emphasized not blaming oneself, not blaming others, and the need to reset and refresh. In terms of his insights, Sir Marlon said that the best thing to do is to manage one’s time and to keep the drive and the hope that good things will come after. As Mr. Carag concluded,
“One will no longer go down from there as the only way is up, thus, look forward to better things”.
Moving to the General Education Faculty, Ms. Christine Joy Gloria, MAED, recently finished her Master of Arts in Education major in English Language Teaching at the Holy Cross of Davao College. She stated that her Master’s journey was one of her life’s most challenging yet fulfilling chapters. Ma’am Joy shared that balancing three jobs while pursuing graduate studies tested her time management, patience, and resilience, and despite such difficulties, her experience was enriching. She emphasized that her journey was not just about earning a degree; it was about building character, perseverance, and self-belief. It taught her that true success comes from dedication and the courage to keep going even when the path is hard. To cope, Ma’am Joy found strength in meaningful yet straightforward routines such as prayer and reflection, which kept her grounded, especially during moments of exhaustion and doubt. She added that if there was one thing her Master’s journey has taught her, it is that growth begins the moment one steps outside his/her comfort zone. She then highlighted the importance of believing in oneself even when things get difficult, and never comparing one’s progress to others. To conclude, Ms. Gloria said,
“above all, do not forget to celebrate how far you have come; you are living proof that perseverance, courage, and hope can turn challenges into triumphs”.
This time, from our admin/staff, Mr. Jbn Jules L. Garay is currently pursuing his Master in Management at the University of the Philippines Mindanao, where he shared that the first session was draining, considering it has already been seven years since the last time he was in a classroom setting. He then mentioned that later on, he was able to adjust, get more excited, and grow professionally. Regarding his coping mechanism, Sir Jules is into sports, especially basketball, and even considers running. During his sharing, Sir Jules emphasized Colossians 3:23-24, saying, “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving”.
Mr. Garay concluded by stating that “there will always be conflict, but always remember that it is for God and not for people”.
As educators, we are expected to be lifelong learners as part of our ongoing professional development. AISAT investing in its people through lifelong learning equips its admin, faculty, and staff with the knowledge and strategies to effectively teach the current and future generations of aviators and animators. It is important to note that lifelong learning does not just apply to teachers but also to you, students as well. To the AISAT community, pursue further studies, attend that training, or simply learn from the experts of your respective fields, and through it all, let your dreams take flight!
References
García-Toledano, E., Gracia-Zomeño, A., Farinho, P., & Picado, L. M. C. M. (2023).
Analyzing teachers’ perception of the development of lifelong learning as
personal, social and learning to learn competence in university
students. Education Sciences, 13(11), 1086. Retrieved from
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/11/1086