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Student with cleft palate graduates from senior high school

A student with a cleft palate went viral on Sunday after sharing his senior high school graduation photo on Facebook.

The student, Rizal Gutierrez, graduated from La Consolacion University Philippines in a virtual ceremony on June 13.

He was previously featured in an "I-Witness" documentary entitled "Batang Rizal."

"Thank You God! Sa mga challenges na binigay mo sakin para patatagin ako sa mga failures and inability to achieve something," he said. "Pero proven na kung ano ang pinag dasal mo at kung ano ang deserve mo yun ang makukuha mo."

Rizal, who graduated with high honors and received the Eagle Scout award, thanked everyone who believed him and encouraged him in his studies.

He said he used to be shy in school and experienced bullying, but he refused to give up despite his speech impairment.

"You Can't Win at Everything but You can Try," he wrote in the caption of his post, quoting a line from the Eraserheads song "With a Smile." 

Rizal, who previously dreamed of simply finishing elementary school, plans to study architecture in college. —MGP, GMA News