This father from Batangas couldn’t help but become emotional upon learning on the day of the ceremony that his daughter was set to graduate as cum laude.
Daughter Rizalyn Cabanig Colipano said that she decided to surprise her father to show her appreciation for his hard work for their family.
“Nalaman ko po na cum laude po ako nung kukuha po ako ng togaDi pa rin po siya nagsisink-in sa utak ko kasi di po talaga ako makapaniwala. Di ko po kaagad sinasabi sa kahit kanino po family members ko, wala po akong pinagsabihan,” Rizalyn told The Philippine STAR.
“Nung graduation po di ko pa rin po sinasabi sa aking ama na gragraduate po ako as cum laude. Nung nasa stage na doon niya po nalaman tapos nagulat na lang po ako nung naiyak po siya sa akin,” she added.
During the ceremony last August 8, 2022, her father had no idea about her achievement. “Nasenyas po siya kung aakyat po siya. Sabi ko po, ‘hindi.’ Tapos nauna po kami nagpunta po doon sa pinaka stage, tapos saka ko pa po siya tinawag.”
Rizalyn said that she did not expect that her father would be emotional about her milestone. It was also Daddy Rizaldo’s first time attending a college graduation.
“Umiyak lang po siya ng umiyak, hanggang nagpicture po kami, umiiyak pa rin po siya. Lagi niya pong sinasabi na di daw po siya nakatapos ng elementary kaya sobrang iyak niya po talaga nung nakatapos po ako tas cum laude pa,” she shared.
After her mother died a few years ago, Daddy Rizaldo worked in Metro Manila as a tricycle driver, while Rizalyn and her other siblings stayed in Batangas.
“Single parent po siya for 11 years po, lahat po ng hardworks atsaka po pagtitiis niya para po malayo po sa amin para po makapagtrabaho magdamag, umulan’t umaraw. Kaya sobrang natutuwa po ako, parang number 1 priority niya po talaga, na makatapos po kami lahat ng pag-aaral,” she said.
Rizalyn graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Technology and Livelihood Education Major in Home Economics at the Batangas State University. She is currently reviewing for the LET exam next year.
