Working student graduating Magna Cum Laude wows the internet

Published April 16, 2016 12:54pm

It took numerous odd jobs (and joining a pageant) for John Kebyn Villarino to get closer to his dream, but now that he's graduating, it's all worth it—especially since his story has inspired 231,000 people...and counting.

Villarino posted his graduation picture on April 12 (Tuesday), wearing the Far Eastern University's toga and sharing that he will be receiving Latin Honors. He signed his post, "John Kebyn M. Villarino, Bachelors of Science in Business Administration major in Internal Auditing, Magna Cum Laude."

At first, Villarino said, he was just like any other student. He described himself as "happy-go-lucky" and he wasn't able to maintain his scholarship, preferring to go out and join events.

However, a semester later, his family ran into financial problems and he found himself with no permanent address, living on the kindness of his friends who would let him sleep in their house or dorm.

He wrote, "Alam ko na sa una palang, hindi ko na maitutuloy ang pagaaral ko sa susunod na sem, unless makakuha ako ng full academic scholarship which is 1.25 ang maintaining GWA. Natapos ang sem, at ang nakuha kong GWA is 1.26. Oo, .01 nalang, makakapag aral pa sana ako. Noong oras na yon, para bang tumigil ang mundo ko na hindi ko na alam kung ano ang susunod. Napaka sakit sa pakiramdam yung magstop ka, habang ang kabatch mo ay nakakapagaral pa."

"Sa loob ng isang taon, pumasok ako as fast food crew, typing jobs, call center agent at pageants para makaipon at makabalik sa pagaaral. Nakaipon naman at nakabalik ako," he continued.

Villarino also shared his experience working abroad and how grateful he was when he was able to return to the Philippines to enroll again, despite discouraging remarks from other people.

"Ang dami ring nagsabi saking mali ang decision kong bumalik. Nag sayang ako ng oras, nag sayang ako ng pera. Pero hindi ako naniwala, dahil alam ko may rason kung bakit nangyari yun," Villarino wrote.

Villarino persevered and eventually, he reached the finish line on his own pace.

"Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng naniwala, sumoporta at sa lahat ng kaibigan ko. 6 years ko tong hinintay, at masasabi ko na sawakas, gagraduate na ko!" he said cheerfully, "Sa mga kapwa students ko, never give up. Wag na wag kayong susuko. Ituloy mo lang yan at alam kong kakayanin mo yan!"

Through his academic efforts, he was also able to travel to Korea and Vietnam to represent FEU and by sharing his story, he hopes to inspire other students to keep their head up and trust that all their hard work will pay off, too. — AT, GMA News

Tags: goodnews, workingstudent