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College Graduate Shares Experience about Being Valedictorian to ‘Sakto Lang’

When you are an achiever, people often expect you to excel in your studies all the time and even top the board exams to later succeed in life. But there are many times when so-called ‘over-achievers’ in their younger years become ‘just ordinary’ or ‘sakto lang’ students as they reach college.

Earl Joshua Alcantara shared on his Facebook account how he went from a high school valedictorian with lots of medals on graduation day to a ‘sakto lang’ college student who was only able to collect lanyards in college.

Instead of feeling bitter as others might, however, this young man shared how his college journey gave him a lot of lessons in life that are different from medals but were just as precious.

Photo credit: Twitter / @alcantaraearl

I was really active in high school both in academics and extra-curricular. I was the president of the student council when I was in fourth year. I maintained my grades since I really enjoyed studying then. Sipag at aral lang (hard work and studies only). I really didn’t think about grades noon basta I enjoyed studying and doing service to other organizations,” the inspiring young man shared on Facebook.

He excelled in his studies as high school student at La Trinidad Academy in Imus, Cavite, and would graduate as valedictorian.

He received academic scholarship the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and was grouped among the students from science high schools and other valedictorians, yet college life had a different plan for Earl Joshua.

Pumasok ng UST na Valedictorian, magtatapos na sakto lang. Hanggang lanyard na lang mga medal ko ngayon HAHAHA. Pero marami akong natutunan sa mga taong nakilala ko. Forever grateful for the 5 years’ worth of life lessons. Maraming salamat, UST!” he wrote in a tweet, sharing side-by-side photos of his high school medals versus his college lanyards.

Photo credit: Twitter / @alcantaraearl

He failed in tests and enjoyed other non-academic curricular activities and conferences. He earned a lot of lanyards from attending many events where he met a lot of people and experienced a lot of things. Thus, while he eventually end up graduating in college without medals, the life lessons he learned from his experiences in college were still valuable to him.

It’s okay to fail sometimes. It’s part of the learning process. Without having to experience failure, I wouldn’t be able to have the courage to stand up again and fix myself,” the young man shared as he graduated with a degree of Chemical Engineering from UST.

Congratulations, Earl Joshua!

Inspiring

SHS Student Brings Photos of Late Parents on Graduation Day

A senior high school (SHS) student brought framed photos of her late parents on her graduation day, touching many hearts and making netizens cry.

Her story has gone viral, with many netizens cheering her on and praying for her success in life…

SHS Student Brings Photos of Late Parents on Graduation Day

Graduation day is one of the best days in a student’s life, but it’s not always the happiest for all.

Some also experience a bittersweet moment because their loved ones aren’t with them. While many are due to having OFW parents who can’t be home for the special, others are because the parents have already passed on.

SHS student Juvelyn Dela Torre Eugenio, 18, of North Cotabato made netizens cry after she carried her parents’ framed photos as she marched and posed on stage to receive her diploma.

Photo credit: Juvelyn Dela Torre Eugenio

She explained that during recognition days and other special events when she was younger, it was always her mother who would accompany her on stage.

She wants to share her success and milestones with her parents, but they’re no longer around.

They lost their father to heart failure in July 2020.

In 2022, the siblings decided to let their mother enjoy a vacation with her older children in Manila, only to discover that she was sick and already in the terminal stages of a stage 4 battle with the Big C. They lost her shortly thereafter.

Photo credit: Juvelyn Dela Torre Eugenio

Juvelyn shared that losing their parents took a toll on her mental health, especially because she had to stand as a parent to her younger brother.

On graduation day, she vowed that she wouldn’t cry despite seeing all the other students with their parents.

But she broke down on stage when a concerned teacher asked her about her parents and offered words of consolation after she showed her their photos.

Despite the challenges, Juvelyn plans on continuing her journey as she dreams of becoming a lawyer someday.

Photo credit: Juvelyn Dela Torre Eugenio

How to Become a Lawyer in the Philippines

  1. Complete a 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Arts or Sciences.
  2. Pass the PhiLSAT (Philippine Law School Admission Test)
  3. Complete law school.
  4. Complete the law internship.
  5. Pass the bar exams.

Did you know that lawyers in PAO (Public Attorney’s Office) with an entry-level position (Public Attorney I) earn a basic salary of Php95,000 (salary grade 25)?

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Elementary Students Praised for Playing “One Day” Using Ukuleles

Elementary students at a school in Mindanao earned praise online after playing “One Day” using their ukuleles for a presentation.

Many netizens were impressed about their skills, with some commenting that it’s a difficult piece to play on a ukulele, yet most of them nailed it! Wow.

Elementary Students Play “One Day” Using Their Ukuleles

A lot of people these days have this mistaken notion that kids are only fond of using cellphones and no longer enjoy playing with traditional toys or learning how to use a traditional musical instrument – because you can find lots of options for those online or with their phones.

But a group of students from Dipolog Pilot Demonstration School impressed netizens with their skills in playing the ukulele as they presented “One Day” for the school’s 100-year celebration.

Seated on the steps of their school, the kids played the musical instruments seamlessly, except for a few issues.

Photo credit: Kung Taga-Oroquieta City Ka

And while some netizens pointed out that one of the kids appear to be struggling with the proper chords and kept shifting around during the entire performance, the overall presentation is still quite impressive!

Many netizens even commented on the post of the Facebook page “Kung Taga-Oroquieta City Ka” that they were deeply touched by the kids’ presentation and were crying while watching. Awww.

A lot also praised the coaches who made this possible – and others felt proud of the children even if they had no idea who these little ones are.

It’s also quite impressive to see that the class had so many ukuleles. It is unknown whether the kids own the musical instruments or if the school provided them, but what’s clear is that their presentation is truly admirable.

What’s a Ukulele?

A ukulele is a type of string musical instrument that’s smaller than a guitar. It usually has nylon strings as opposed to the metal used in standard guitars.

The instrument also has four strings but isn’t considered a “kid’s instrument” only. Instead, it can be played by kids and adults alike.

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Proud Vendor Dad Offers Free Taho after Daughter Passes Board Exams for Teachers

One proud vendor dad offered free taho for everyone when his daughter passed the LET (Licensure Examination for Teachers).

Netizens were even more impressed to learn that the young lady passed after doing a self-review.

Truly amazing, right?

Vendor Offers Free Taho after Daughter Passes Teacher’s Board

Passing the board exams is truly a milestone that everyone can be proud of – and most of the time, the parents are their children’s proudest cheerleaders!

Of course, spouses and kids also feel the same thing. For example, a taxi driver offered free rides after his wife passed the LET.

Photo credit: Rose Torallo

The proud parents of a student who passed that same LET are also offering free taho to their customers.

Bobby and Rose Torallo happily got a tarpaulin up to celebrate the success of their daughter, Rosebel Cielo Torallo. The young woman had graduated cum laude from Baao Community College in Baao, Camarines Sur.

Photo credit: Rose Torallo
Photo credit: Rose Torallo

Apparently, based on her mom’s post on Facebook, she had also self-reviewed for the licensure exams – and this made her success even sweeter for the family.

In the post of her mom, Rose, it showed that the family’s main source of income is from selling taho. It was through this that the parents were able to send their kids to school.

Photo credit: Rose Torallo

Rose lamented that there were times when people looked down on their because they are “just” taho vendors.

Thankfully, the family didn’t mind what these people are saying. Instead, they persevered and put their faith in God.

She thanked all her kids for cooperating and striving hard to succeed in their studies even if their parents are only supporting them by selling taho.

Photo credit: Rose Torallo

How to Celebrate Passing the Board Exams

There are many ways to celebrate passing the board the exams. Some of these are:

  • Throwing a party
  • Buying cake
  • Going on a trip
  • Treating your family, friends, or even strangers to something (such as a free rides from taxi drivers or free taho from vendors)
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