“For the future.”

This was what It’s Showtime host Jhong Hilario repeatedly uttered throughout his latest vlog, in which he chronicled his journey in accomplishing his AB Political Science degree as Magna Cum Laude from the Arellano University on Wednesday, June 14.

In the almost 50-minute video uploaded in his YouTube channel, he gave his “ka-tumblings," as what he fondly calls his subscribers, a peek into what his life had been in the past year as he finished his college degree. It commenced with the clips of him marching onstage as he received his diploma and of him enrolling himself at the said university and being accompanied by his partner Maia Azores and their daughter Sarina.

Their classes, which were online all throughout, started in August 2022 and went on until May 2023. Most of their classes were apparently held during weekends, which compelled Jhong to skip some episodes of It’s Showtime in order for him to not be absent in school. Since his classes were online, it allowed him to spend more time with his daughter Sarina at home and to attend the Philippine Councilors’ League held in Ilocos Norte in October 2022.

He also imparted the challenges and remarkable experiences he encountered as a student – from memorizing the preamble, presenting to class, studying despite distractions, and lacking sleep, to attending class while on vacation and preparing and defending his thesis alongside his thesis partner Caloocan City District 1 Councilor Leah Bacolod.

And exactly a month ago, on May 15, he shared the great news that he finally made it as he swung by the university for his toga fitting prior to heading to It’s Showtime that day. He conveyed how excited he was to be finally graduating, not to mention that the ceremony would be held in person at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

“Of course, masaya dahil pangarap ng parents ko dati sa akin na makatapos ng pag-aaral. After ilang years bago ko nagawa, pero at least, napapakita ko pa sa kanila na tayo’y nagtiyaga at tayo’y nag-aral para matupad ang mga pangarap nila sa akin dati na makapagtapos,” he stated, adding that apart from his parents, he’s also dedicating this milestone to his daughter Sarina.

The Sample King then had his graduation pictorial last May 24 and attended their graduation practice last June 10. On the D-Day, he went first to the Makati City Hall to preside their council session for that day since he’s the acting vice mayor, before he proceeded to PICC with his family.

Jhong was interviewed by ABS-CBN News a few minutes before the event, in which Sarina got to exhibit her charming kakulitan and irresistible cuteness on-cam, too! Staying true to his “Sample King” title, he willingly heeded to the requests of his batchmates for short dance samples in the two instances that he went up the stage. He even did a backflip on his second time, after his father put his magna cum laude medal on him.

He capped off the vlog by showing his lambingan and kulitan moments with Maia and Sarina when they arrived home after his graduation and reiterated, “Para sa future ni Sarina.”

May his story serve as inspiration to us to not give up on or dreams and to always trust the timeline of our lives.

Congratulations, Jhong!