By Richa Noriega A graduating accountancy student from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) surprised his parents by showing his graduation photo with a written note that he will graduate with latin honors. In a Facebook post on May 25, Monday, Ron Jacob Abaday surprised his parents by giving his graduation picture with a written note on the back that says, “Mommy, daddy, cum laude po ako (I’m graduating cum laude).” His mother, Helen Abaday, due to overwhelming happiness jumped and embraced his son as seen in the video. The post garnered 2,300 likes and 249 shares, as of writing. “Hindi pa po nila nakikita yung grad pic ko kaya plano ko po talaga, kapag pinakita ko po grad pic ko dun ko din po sasabihin sa kanila na gagraduate po ako ng cum laude,” Abaday told DZMM Teleradyo on May 27, Wednesday. (Since, they have not yet seen my graduation picture, I planned that when I give it to them I will also tell them that I will graduate as a cum laude.) Abaday underscored that his parents are his inspiration to strive more on his studies, “para po maibalik ko man lang sa kanila sa ganitong paraan para sa aming magkakapatid (in order to give back the sacrifices they have made to raise me and my siblings).” Meanwhile, his mother Helen said she was very happy to see her son’s graduation picture. “Alam mo isa talagang malaking kasiyahan sa isang magulang ang mapagtapos natin ang ating anak at nung makita ko talaga yung graduation picture ay sobra akong natuwa,” she said. (One of the greatest happiness as a parent is to be able to provide their children an education. And when I saw the graduation picture, it made me so happy.) The UST graduating student advised other students to always make time for studies and always have faith with the Lord. Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, mass gatherings such as graduation ceremonies are suspended, however, Abaday said the tentative date of their graduation is in December.