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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Special! Bam Aquino moved by a college graduate's touching letter, medal

Special! Bam Aquino moved by a college graduate's touching letter, medal

Published May 6, 2025 11:04 am
One of the beneficiaries of the free college law authored by former senator and senatorial candidate Bam Aquino gave him a medal and letter when he passed by their house during a campaign motorcade over the weekend.
Bam Aquino receives a letter and medal from a beneficiary of his free education bill during a motorcade in Metro Manila on May 4, 2025. (Photo from Iza Calzado's Facebook post)
The letter simply read, “Salamat po sa (Thank you for the) inspiration, Senator Bam Aquino — Roy.” The next line read, “Padayon (Carry on), Senator Bam.”
On the gate of the house was a makeshift tarpaulin made of Manila paper and printed block letters in big, black fonts: “Salamat, Sen. Bam! Napagtapos ng (Graduated because of) RA 10931.”
Actress Iza Calzado posted the video, wherein she turned her camera to Aquino to ask him how it felt to receive the medal and letter.
“Di pangkaraniwan ‘yon kaya nakakatuwa talaga (It’s extraordinary and really heartening). Special,” he answered, while putting his hand on his left chest.
To this, the actress responded, “You know that you’re doing great work. So we need you back!”
The former senator gave a thumbs-up sign and high-fived Calzado, who was present with him on the motorcade along with other artists, such as Piolo Pascual and Bea Binene.
Aquino was the principal author of Republic Act 10931, or better known as the “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.”
The law provides for free higher education in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) as long as they comply with the requirements, such as passing the entrance exams and other admission and retention requirements of the school.
On the campaign trail, the former senator usually received expressions of gratitudes from the beneficiaries of his law.
Running again on the platform of free education and guaranteed employment, Aquino hopes to expand his free college law if he wins another term in the Senate.

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