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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Youth devider VIRAL: Cum laude student gets a surprise from OFW Dad

VIRAL: Cum laude student gets a surprise from OFW Dad

And on his graduation day, too!

Published Jul 4, 2023 03:11 pm
College graduation day is one of the most significant moments in every student's life. And it is shared with their loved ones, especially their parents. Twenty-three-year-old BS Architecture graduate named Christian Jerome Cortez from the University of the Assumption, City of San Fernando Pampanga, couldn't contain his tears when his father, Ray Anthony Cortez, surprised him on his graduation day last June 21, 2023. His father is working as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in the Middle East and flew back unannounced to attend this ceremony. Christian Jerome Cortez (Images from Jerome)
In his trending post, Jerome shared that he thought his mother, Maridel, was walking with him up to the stage. He was so surprised that when he turned, it was his father with him on the scene. "I was so surprised, because he would usually come home once a year, during the holiday period," Jerome tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle in an exclusive interview. "I was hoping for him to come home, but I know how expensive plane tickets are. That's why I was so overwhelmed when I saw my dad on stage, I never imagined I was up for this kind of a treat." The surprise and sacrifices are worth it for him and his family since Jerome graduated cum laude. Christian lives a simply but happy life with his family.
"Since I was young I wanted to take up architecture. My dad is my inspiration, that's why I took up this course," he shares. "He taught me a lot of lessons in life. He taught me how to be independent, adventurous, and how to become a better person." Moving forward, Jerome is now working as an apprentice in a firm, ready to take on new learnings and experiences before this licensure exam. "I’ll be focusing now on my career as a junior architect," he says. "I want to thank my parents for everything they've sacrificed for me and for ate and Kyle [His siblings. Jerome is a middle child]. This milestone will not be possible without your support and guidance. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. I promise soon, *ako naman babawi sa inyo*. *Mahal na mahal ko kayo,* mom and dad!"
@jeromecortxz so this happened during my Graduation👨🏻‍🎓#fyp #arki ♬ original sound - christian - jeromecortxz

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