Yolanda survivor from Tacloban graduates cum laude from UP Visayas

No tragedy could ever dampen this man's spirit.

Philip Christian Palabay and his family were among the victims of the 2013 super typhoon Yolanda, which dealt the most destruction in Tacloban in Eastern Visayas, Philip's hometown.

Now, Philip is graduating from the University of the Philippines Visayas — with flying colors!

And it's all thanks to the compassion of GMA News' Kara David and her sorority sister.

 

 

 

 

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In 2013, during the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, we met a bright young boy in Tacloban named Philip Christian Palabay whose family was one of the countless victims of supertyphoon Haiyan. Upon the prodding of my sorority sis Mike Portes, we immediately took in Philip as a scholar of Project Malasakit. He went on to pass the highly competitive UPCAT exam and enrolled in UP Visayas BS Accountancy. After more than 5 years, here he is now — graduating cum laude in BS Accountancy with an SGV Excellence Award! Truly, no typhoon can ever destroy this young man’s dreams! Hard work, passion and compassion really pays off! Congratulations Philip! We are very proud of you. Salamat sis Mike Portes, sa lahat ng donors at syempre sa Panginoong may likha ng lahat ?? www.projectmalasakit.ph #projectmalasakit #UPVisayas #Pagtatapos2019

A post shared by Kara David (@karapatria) on

Jun 25, 2019 at 4:44pm PDT

The news anchor shared the inspiring story of the bright young boy she met in the super typhoon's aftermath, whom she took in as a scholar under Project Malasakit.

"In 2013, during the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, we met a bright young boy in Tacloban named Philip Christian Palabay whose family was one of the countless victims of super typhoon Haiyan. Upon the prodding of my sorority sis Mike Portes, we immediately took in Philip as a scholar of Project Malasakit," she said in an Instagram post on Wednesday.

The post shows a photo of the two of them, as well as Philip's graduation picture.

David said that Philip will be graduating cum laude in his chosen course, B.S. Accountancy.

Not only that, he was given an SGV Excellence Award as well!

"He went on to pass the highly competitive UPCAT exam and enrolled in UP Visayas BS Accountancy. After more than 5 years, here he is now — graduating cum laude in BS Accountancy with an SGV Excellence Award!" David said.

"Truly, no typhoon can ever destroy this young man’s dreams! Hard work, passion and compassion really pays off! Congratulations Philip! We are very proud of you," she added. —Jessica Bartolome/KG, GMA News