Graduation is one of the most amazing life-changing moments, isn’t it?
It’s like the universe’s way of saying, “Hey, look at what you’ve achieved!”
Families gather, joy fills the air, and there’s an enormous sense of pride.
You can see it in the eyes of every parent, waiting with bated breath, camera in hand, for their child’s name to echo in the hall.
And for the one in the cap and gown?
Oh, it’s more than just a ceremony.
It’s a hug from the universe, a pat on the back, a whispered “well done” that resonates deep within.
It’s a memory, a keepsake of all the love and encouragement they’ve soaked in over the years.
But life, with its unpredictable twists, sometimes writes different stories.
Take Jeric R. Rivas, for instance.
The bright lad from Sibuyan Island, Romblon incredibly earned his Bachelor’s degree in Criminology from the renowned La Concepcion College in San Jose Del Monte City, Philippines.
But instead of jubilation, Jeric’s big day was tinged with melancholy.
As he looked around, the empty seats that should’ve been occupied by his family stared back.
The weight of their absence pressed down on him, and tears, unbidden, spilled.
Pouring his heart out on Facebook, Jeric shared the following (which was translated).
“I just felt my tears falling, I just sat beside them. I feel jealous.”
The sting was sharper because this wasn’t the first time.
Back in elementary school, when he stood out as the top student, his parents were nowhere to be seen.
“I was in elementary when I achieved high honors, I was 6th honor before but unexpectedly none of my relatives and parents climbed me on the stage to hang my medal and because of that I didn’t go up and I didn’t get the medal.”
But Jeric isn’t one to be bogged down.
He’s made of sterner stuff.
Knowing he couldn’t lean on his parents, he rolled up his sleeves and dived headfirst into life.
To chase his dreams and pay his bills, he juggled jobs – from factory floors to fast-food counters, even working as a housemaid.
And through the rollercoaster of life, he found his anchors – his professors.
They saw the fire in him, took him under their wing, and became the family he missed.
Their homes became his refuge, their encouragement his strength.
So, on the day he was to get his degree, emotions overwhelmed him.
As he stepped up to the stage, tears blurred his vision.
But just then, in a heartwarming gesture, one of his professors was right there, waiting to give him a comforting embrace.
“…at least, there are still professors who accompanied me to climb. As I was walking, I really couldn’t help myself from shouting to everyone in the venue, I hugged one by one the professors who are on the top of the stage, to at least reduce the weight I was feeling. “
Later, in a heartfelt post, Jeric thanked every soul that stood by him.
As for his parents, he wrote,
“To my parents, that until now they still don’t accept me in their life this is what I am now, thank you because of that I’m a graduate now….”
We can’t help but admire Jeric’s spirit and grit. The world better watch out; this young man is going places!
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