MANILA, Philippines – While Graduation Day is considered by many as one of the most important milestones in a student’s life and certainly among the proudest for parents, one student never felt happy in any of his because his parents skipped every one of his graduations since elementary.
Jeric R. Rivas lamented about his sad plight on Facebook, sharing how he cried hard during his Graduation Day from college this April because his parents did not care to arrive at the venue to watch him receive his diploma.
A lot of parents take a leave of absence from work just to attend their children’s graduation, yet Jeric’s parents never did.
He sadly recalled how he didn’t accept his medal as 6th Honor in Elementary because his parents were not there. Not one of his relatives attended his Graduation Day. Feeling unloved and rather jealous of the other kids whose parents were around, he refused to go on stage to receive the award.
In high school, Jeric was awarded as “Best in TLE” yet his parents once again skipped his Recognition Day as well as the Graduation Ceremony held just a day later.
With no one else in the family graduating from college, Jeric held on to his dream of getting a college education and providing a better life for himself as well as his family. Thus, he sought his luck in Metro Manila.
He found a job at a factory in Quezon City to fund his education but was saddened at how his relatives rejected him from their homes. No one wanted him in their homes; instead, he was asked to leave. He had to struggle with various jobs to support himself, even becoming a ‘kasambahay’, janitor, and fast food service crew.
After learning about his situation, a number of his professors helped Jeric. They offered him food, provided him extra cash for fare and school supplies, and even welcomed him into their homes. While his parents and relatives rejected him, he was welcome in his professors’ homes and they treated him like family.
Thanks to several people who helped him throughout his college days, Jeric was finally able to graduate from his course of Bachelor of Science in Criminology as Criminology Service Awardee at La Concepcion College San Jose Del Monte Bulacan.
Feeling that his parents might already be proud of him this time, Jeric was hopeful they would attend his Graduation Day; however, they never arrived. Once again, the young man felt deeply hurt by the rejection.
As he looked around the venue at his batchmates with their proud parents, he could not help but take pity on himself. Not caring what others would think, he cried as he watched everyone feeling happy around him.
When his name was called on stage, his tears flowed heavily and he cried harder. Each step up the stage was difficult to make, but his professors hurried to his side and proudly acted like the second parents they were throughout his studies. On stage, he continued to cry even as he hugged all his teachers, feeling a bit better.
His classmates would later shake his hand and offer consoling words. Though feeling deeply hurt that they had once again skipped his Graduation Day, Jeric continues to hope that his parents would one day feel proud of him…
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express
Jeric R. Rivas lamented about his sad plight on Facebook, sharing how he cried hard during his Graduation Day from college this April because his parents did not care to arrive at the venue to watch him receive his diploma.
 |
| Photo credit: Jeric R. Rivas / Facebook |
A lot of parents take a leave of absence from work just to attend their children’s graduation, yet Jeric’s parents never did.
He sadly recalled how he didn’t accept his medal as 6th Honor in Elementary because his parents were not there. Not one of his relatives attended his Graduation Day. Feeling unloved and rather jealous of the other kids whose parents were around, he refused to go on stage to receive the award.
 |
| Photo credit: Jeric R. Rivas / Facebook |
In high school, Jeric was awarded as “Best in TLE” yet his parents once again skipped his Recognition Day as well as the Graduation Ceremony held just a day later.
With no one else in the family graduating from college, Jeric held on to his dream of getting a college education and providing a better life for himself as well as his family. Thus, he sought his luck in Metro Manila.
 |
| Photo credit: Jeric R. Rivas / Facebook |
He found a job at a factory in Quezon City to fund his education but was saddened at how his relatives rejected him from their homes. No one wanted him in their homes; instead, he was asked to leave. He had to struggle with various jobs to support himself, even becoming a ‘kasambahay’, janitor, and fast food service crew.
After learning about his situation, a number of his professors helped Jeric. They offered him food, provided him extra cash for fare and school supplies, and even welcomed him into their homes. While his parents and relatives rejected him, he was welcome in his professors’ homes and they treated him like family.
 |
| Photo credit: Jeric R. Rivas / Facebook |
Thanks to several people who helped him throughout his college days, Jeric was finally able to graduate from his course of Bachelor of Science in Criminology as Criminology Service Awardee at La Concepcion College San Jose Del Monte Bulacan.
Feeling that his parents might already be proud of him this time, Jeric was hopeful they would attend his Graduation Day; however, they never arrived. Once again, the young man felt deeply hurt by the rejection.
As he looked around the venue at his batchmates with their proud parents, he could not help but take pity on himself. Not caring what others would think, he cried as he watched everyone feeling happy around him.
When his name was called on stage, his tears flowed heavily and he cried harder. Each step up the stage was difficult to make, but his professors hurried to his side and proudly acted like the second parents they were throughout his studies. On stage, he continued to cry even as he hugged all his teachers, feeling a bit better.
His classmates would later shake his hand and offer consoling words. Though feeling deeply hurt that they had once again skipped his Graduation Day, Jeric continues to hope that his parents would one day feel proud of him…
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express
