Arguably, one of the most important chapters in a person’s life is his/her graduation, as it serves as the culmination of all the efforts and hardwork that we and our families have exerted in order for us to finish our education and achieve our dreams.
Sadly, many weren’t able to traditionally celebrate that milestone in the past two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which made us feel like we’re on standstill. But although going out of our homes and the conduct of our gatherings were not allowed due to lockdowns and restrictions strictly implemented by the government, there were schools who still pushed through with their commencement exercises, which they held via online livestreaming.
Just like these celebrities in this Kapamilya Snaps feature who were able to graduate and receive the diploma they’ve been yearning for amid the crisis.
First on this list is Angelina Cruz, who completed high school at De La Salle-Santiago Zobel in April 2020. Her mom Sunshine Cruz shared her stunning graduation picture on Instagram and proudly expressed “May kolehiyala na ako!” After launching her singing career a few years ago, the 20-year-old up-and-coming artist has also ventured in acting, too, and played a supporting role in the movie “Love Is Color Blind.”
Ina Raymundo is also a proud mom to her firstborn Erika Poturnak when she graduated in high school in May 2020, which their family celebrated at home. A year later, she announced that Erika was accepted to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and has been sharing some remarkable moments of her daughter’s college journey.
Vivoree Esclito has already accomplished her secondary education in May 2020 at the Catholic Filipino Academy. As she had to juggle her studies with her showbiz commitments, the 21-year-old actress couldn’t help but be emotional during their virtual graduation and in chronicling her journey through an IG post.
Xyriel Manabat has been a household name ever since she was a child star. However, she opted to shy away from the limelight in the previous years to focus on her studies – and she successfully finished high school in June 2020. She posted her graduation glam shot from Golden Faith Academy and captioned it “All for You!”
2 Good 2 Be True leading man Daniel Padilla is also a proud kuya to his younger sister Magui Ford, who completed her high school education in June 2020 at the British School Manila. Since graduation rites were held online due to the pandemic, Magui and the rest of her family held their own ceremony and celebration at home, with the “Supreme Idol of This Generation” being the one to hand her dummy diploma.
Despite her busyness at work, Michelle Vito was still able to balance it with her studies and succeeded in finishing her Human Resources Management degree from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in March 2021. A few months later, she shared on social media that she finally received her diploma in June 2021.
Ruffa Gutierrez was indeed another proud parent when her eldest daughter Lorin finished high school at the British School Manila in June 2021. A few months later, the It's Showtime "Sexy Babe" judge and youngest daughter Venice accompanied her to California, where she's currently a freshman student at Pepperdine University.
Award-winning actress Jodi Sta. Maria has truly inspired many with how she's able to balance her responsibilities as the "Silent Superstar" and a single mother to her son Thirdy.
Despite her busy schedule, the The Broken Marriage Vow lead star still found time to study and even complete her college degree in Psychology from Southville International School and Colleges. She officially graduated in June 2021 with honors.
Alexa Ilacad may have been in showbiz ever since she was a kid, but she continued to work on her education behind the scenes. The “Run To Me” actress had been sharing her school journey on social media, and in August 2021, she proudly announced that she was graduating college at Treston International College with a degree in Marketing. But what's more astounding was that she graduated with honors, after finishing with a flat uno or 1.0 GWA.
Heaven Peralejo revealed in December 2021 that she had officially finished her college degree in Business Management from Southville International School affiliated with Foreign Universities. In an Instagram post, the Bagong Umaga actress wrote, “Ang pag-aartista pwedeng mawala anytime. Pero kung nakatapos ka pwede mong magamit ito to change career.”
Being a full-time homemaker and entrepreneur didn't hinder Neri Naig from fulfilling her dream of finishing college. In November 2020, the Star Magic Circle Quest alumna shared that she enrolled in the online program Entrepreneurship Essentials at Harvard Business School. Now, she is an official college graduate with a degree in Business Administration from University of Baguio, which she shared by posting her toga pictorial in April 2022.
Indeed, these stars are proofs that nothing is impossible as long as you work hard and persevere for your dreams. May they be able to inspire to dream on and keep striving!