Working two shifts as a delivery rider by day and virtual assistant at night has not stopped working student Francis Jan Ax Valerio from graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors, the second top academic distinction from a university.
Valerio finally reaped the fruits of his labor when he finished with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Adamson University in Manila after taking on various jobs to support his studies.
Valerio has held several part-time jobs while he was still in school, including working as a service crew member, a call center agent, a delivery rider, and a virtual assistant. He also used to sell food items such as ‘suman’ or rice cakes to his peers in school to earn money for his school allowance.
The young achiever celebrated his recent milestone by posting on social media photos of his medal and university certificate.
“VIRTUAL ASSISTANT SA GABI, DELIVERY RIDER AT ESTUDYANTE SA UMAGA,” Ax Valerio wrote in a Facebook post on July 13, 2022.
The honor graduate captioned his post with a reflection on his journey of hard work and perseverance as a working student in college.
The new graduate’s inspiring story first went viral back in 2020 after he was spotted taking a break from his job as a delivery service driver to attend online classes.
The viral post touched the hearts of netizens who praised Valerio’s hard work and determination to study while still earning a living to support his family and education.
Valerio said his struggles and hardships to complete his education were worth it.
“Hindi naging madali ang lahat. Magdeliver umaraw man o umulan, mapuyat sa gabi para pumasok sa isa pang trabaho, sabay na din dun ‘yung pag-gawa ng mga school works. Kaya ‘nung nalaman kong ga-graduate ako ng may latin honor eh hindi ko talaga napigilang umiyak dahil alam kong naging sulit lahat,” Valerio added.
“Sulit ang pagbibilad sa ilalim ng tirik na araw, sulit lahat ng luha kasabay ng pagbyahe sa gitna ng malalakas na ulan, sulit lahat ng puyat maipasa lang ang mga kailangan ipasa sa eskwela.”
READ MORE inspiring stories about Filipinos overcoming adversity to graduate from school such as Xyza Cruz Bacani, a domestic helper turned famed photographer who graduated from New York University, and Rey Matthew James Volante who persevered to graduate summa cum laude with a degree in biology from Far Eastern University (FEU) despite losing his parents during the Covid-19 pandemic.
WATCH this video and SEND CHEERS in the comments below to Francis Jan Ax Valerio, a working student who has graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Adamson University!
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