While the years may have weighed down on her every step, Victoria A. Palomar still made each footfall up the stairs to the stage with iron-clad conviction. Collecting her Outstanding Alumni Award in front of multiple generations of Taga-West (most of whom she outranked in seniority), she carried herself with the grace and strength known only by those who have never backed down in life. She remained smiling—one bright enough to see from across the hall—as she was assisted off the stage, back to her wheelchair, then back to her table with her fellow awardees. In that moment, there was no doubt as to whom this article would be written for.

This was during the 2025 Grand Jubilarian Alumni Homecoming of the West Visayas State University in the evening of Jan. 28, 2025, at the Iloilo Convention Center organized by the WVSU Federated Alumni Association, Inc. and the WVSU Office of Alumni Affairs as part of the 2025 University Days celebration that ran from Jan. 27 to 31, 2025.

An unexpected recognition

There was much hesitation in approaching Victoria for an interview, cautious to enter the aura of reverence surrounding her. But much of that hesitance was for naught as the question was met with an enthusiastic “yes,” coupled with that same bright smile which, upon seeing up close, brought to mind the thought of the countless people it must have blessed across the decades. There is much gratitude for the unseen machinations that delivered that smile all the way from Houston, Texas, to the Iloilo Convention Center, thus making this story possible.

Victoria arrived in the Philippines on Jan. 16, the same day she turned 79, not with the intention of attending the Grand Jubilarian Alumni Homecoming (as she had not even been informed about it) but for a vacation. She states that she only answered the call confirming her as one of 41 Outstanding Alumni when her phone rang the second time around. She was told that her submission as one of the awardees received a score of almost 100% (95, to be precise), which makes complete sense considering such a storied career—one she was able to chronicle for awards consideration thanks to her “being a hoarder,” as Victoria says her daughter had jokingly noted, because she has kept every important document of hers since high school.

A lifetime of dedication

After graduating in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science in Education, majoring in Elementary Education, her first assignment as a regular teacher was in Bayuyan Elementary School in President Roxas, Capiz. This was in a mountainous barrio without public transport except motor cycles or cargo trucks used for hauling sugar cane. She went on to teach there as a Grade 1 teacher for a year before she was transferred to San Nicolas Elementary School in Pilar, Capiz until 1972. By virtue of earning her Master of Arts in Education from the now-defunct Ortañez University in 1981, she attained the status of Master Teacher II long before ending her tenure teaching in Manila, where she served in Lakan Dula Elementary School until 1993.

During this period, she was awarded numerous accolades, such as the 1989 NCR Mathematics Teacher Award from the Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines (regional), the KAMAGUPAT Teacher of the Year and the Outstanding City Employee Award in 1990 (local), and even the Metrobank Teacher of the Nation Award in 1992, just to name a few.

Unfortunately, she opted for early retirement in 1994 at the age of 48 after her principal denied her request for a sabbatical to pursue a doctoral degree. This led her to shift gears toward the City College of Manila (now Universidad de Manila), where she became the chairman of its Social and Behavioral Sciences Department and the coordinator of the Psychology Department. She later migrated to the United States and taught for 11 years at the K. Smith Elementary School under the largest school district in Houston, Houston Independent School District (HISD), where she served as the Math Specialist, Ancillary and Lead Teacher. When the Math Ancillary was dissolved, she was tasked to organize the Science Lab and was assigned as Science Ancillary and Lab teacher until her retirement on June 3, 2011.

A journey of perseverance

From the barrio to the city, from the city to the U.S., Victoria never backed down. She spoke about proving wrong the stereotypes Manileños held about the intelligence of people from the provinces. The moment she felt that her professional growth was hindered, she pursued another venture.

This conviction did not apply only to fighting to prove herself, but also in her practice of giving a chance to all her students who needed the most guidance, love, support, and care. On that note, Victoria also gushed about the support she has received in all her victories from her husband, whom she met in university and has been with ever since.

Gratitude for her alma mater

“I feel I owe much to my alma mater. I could not have led this life that I have now if not for West Visayas State College [WVSU’s former name]. I owe so much to this university. It shaped me into this well-balanced personality. It shaped me to be strong, to be assertive, and to not give up easily… It helped me in my profession, in my family life, even in rearing my five children, and even in dealing with people.”

A celebration of time well spent

Speaking with Victoria has perished the thought that college reunions are for pondering over time that you’ve lost. In truth, they are for celebrating the life that you have lived so far. She mentioned that she loved seeing retirees being happy and content. Speaking with her gives you that exact sentiment. Speaking with her, you could see how aging is truly one of the most beautiful gifts you could ever receive.

Time will render your bones weary, but that is merely proof of the things you’ve done and the places you’ve gone. Time will trace lines across your face, but that is merely how your cheeks keep count of how many times you have smiled. Time will paint your hair like summer clouds, but that is only proof of the wisdom you carry with you. Time is nothing against a determined soul—because as Victoria has shown, it only makes your soul shine brighter.

Story by Ryde Rendell Ponsaran and Trixie Aurelia Ningas/Specialized Beat Reporting Class under Dr. Hazel P. Villa

Photos by Dwiniane Keith Escoltor/Specialized Beat Reporting Class under Dr. Hazel P. Villa