Manila: His basic education was until Grade 3 only, but a 32-year-old Pangasinense persevered and obtained a diploma from the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education (DepEd). According to Philippines News Agency, Jaymark Fontanilla's achievement, despite poverty and other family circumstances, gained him confidence in dealing with clients as a choreographer, events coordinator, and now as content creator 'Mga Ka Ayuda' with 141,000 followers. The San Carlos City native said growing up, he improved his reading and writing skills through a tutor while he worked at a relative's household in Metro Manila. The youngest of eight children of a farmer and a house helper, he worked to help meet the needs of his family, resulting in unfinished studies. He later found out about the ALS program through friends but was hesitant at first because he felt he was way past school age at 30 years. Fontanilla shared in an interview that he was initially too shy to enroll, not knowing what ALS meant, b ut was encouraged by the fact that his classmates would be of similar age. Fontanilla admitted that he failed his first take of the accreditation and equivalency tests, but passed the second time around. He expressed gratitude towards the ALS teachers for their dedication to helping students pass. His graduation ceremony at Pangalangan Community Learning Center on July 29, 2022, was one of his proudest moments, especially after encountering bullying due to his educational attainment-or lack of it. Although he did not receive an award, he viewed the ALS diploma as a significant learning opportunity. Fontanilla mentioned that he became more confident in himself and in the things he could still achieve now with a diploma. He encouraged others who have not finished school to take advantage of the government program, emphasizing that age does not matter in education. DepEd San Carlos City Division education program supervisor Dr. Lerio Patayan explained that ALS can be either community-based or school-based, w ith the program being free of charge. Interested individuals can inquire at local schools and undergo assessment tests. Patayan highlighted that ALS is designed for out-of-school youth, adults, and marginalized learners who did not complete basic education due to factors like poverty, teenage pregnancy, and illness. In San Carlos City, 18 ALS teachers are dedicated to supporting learners until they finish their studies and obtain their diplomas.