Hi everyone! It took me a while to post about my graduation because I got busy at work. In this blog, I will share with you my before, during, and after the graduation ceremony. Let's start!

THE PICTORIAL

On April 10, 2024, we had our pictorial for graduation. I had to ride a bus, while my parents and baby brother were on the motorcycle.

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While waiting, we took a picture first, with some of my classmates and friends, with my baby brother, and a groufie with my family.

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The makeup artist of No Crop did our makeup. That makeup artist took a picture of me, I even received compliments from him and he even posted my pictures on Facebook without my permission.

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Together with my mother, father, and baby brother, we took a family picture. It should be with my Lola too but it's hard for her to walk on stairs so she said it's okay. But soon, I really would love to have my family a huge picture frame in our house.

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Had the solo pictures of mine with the toga and Filipiniana.

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THE PRACTICE

We had received a schedule for the practice of how the program will be.

📍May 20: The afternoon session starts at 1 PM at CNU Covered Court.

📍May 21: The morning session starts at 8 AM at CNU Covered Court, followed by an AFTERNOON session at 1 PM at Medellin Sports Complex.

📍May 22: The afternoon session begins at 1 PM at Medellin Sports Complex.

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THIS IS IT

The day of our graduation has finally come! We woke up early in the morning as early as 2 am. Because the Baccalaureate Mass starts at 6 in the morning. I had to do my make-up because the make-up artist that is a bit near to our house can't guarantee she can wake up at that time. After all, it's too early! It was already expected that's why I tried to practice some basic steps for the make-up and I had to do my mother's make-up as well.

We eat breakfast first before doing the make-up.

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We head out of the house at 4 am.

We hit the road when we reached the highway. My father is the driver, and my mother and brother are the passengers.

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The sun is about to rise and we are still on our way to Medellin, where our graduation takes place.

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I had to retouch because I was sweating even though Papa hit the gas a bit faster that my hair was messed up and I had to comb my hair too.

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BACCALAUREATE MASS

This was the time when the medals and certificates would be blessed as well as the graduating students. Our mass was held in the church of Medellin. We enter the church by line with our parents on our side, my mother is on the left side and my father is on the right side.

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THE HOODING CEREMONY

After the mass is the hooding ceremony so the seating arrangement is changed. During the mass, all the graduates sat in the middle while the parents were on the right side. During the hooding ceremony, it's an alternate seating arrangement. The graduates sit first and on the back are the parents, and so on. Both my parents and I became very emotional when I turned around and faced them because they would be the ones to put our hoods and caps on. I was trying to hold my tears back but it couldn't be fathom because of the happiness, and excitement I felt seeing my proud parents with tears in their eyes and smiles on their lips.

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RECEIVING OF OUR MEDAL, TOR AND DIPLOMA

One of the best feelings is receiving proof of your hard work. It's also a good thing because we're able to receive our TOR on the day of our graduation.

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GIVING OF TOKENS TO PARENTS

This was one of the most memorable parts of our graduation because we, the graduates will give tokens to our parents.

At first, I was thinking of giving my parents a crochet made by me. Because I want to give them something that is made through my efforts. So, I was thinking of a scarf for my mother and a pair of gloves for my father. But, because I don't know how to do it, I have to practice it. But then time flew so fast and we got so busy so I only had limited time. So, I decided not to do the crochet because I can't guarantee I'll be able to finish it since I haven't started learning it. I thought so hard about what tokens I would give to my parents and an idea crept into my mind. I will give my parents a token that can be used and a token that can only be kept.

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I decided to give my baby brother andLolaa too not just my parents a customized medal and a tumbler because water is very important so they have to have a tumbler with their names on it. I inquired multiple stores about the price but then it was so expensive if it is made of metal it's like 1,000 plus for only 1 medal. I couldn't afford it because I had to make 4 medals. I found a cheaper one and it's an acrylic medal. I was so nervous, because what if it will be an expectation vs. reality? But thanks to "Printique Charms Services by Chara" it wasn't perfect but still,l it's good.

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The white on the stars should be removed but I think it's difficult and I also forgot to remind Miss Chara to remove it.

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I ordered the tumbler in Shopee. It was so epic because the parcel was so big that my parents would notice it if I brought it home. So, I had to stop at my neighbor's house on the side of the street and I removed the bubble wrap and the cartoon. It was so difficult to open it that my Tatay Baloy helped me to unbox my parcel and grab a scissor to cut the plastic and scotch tape and lent me an eco bag as well for me to be able to put the tumbler.

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The moment I gave it to them they didn't expect it. It was so funny because my father was the one holding my stapled paper bag. After all, we can't bring stuff to our chairs. He then said, "I thought it was for your teacher or classmates" HAHAHA. He was holding the paper bag without knowing it was for them.

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When I gave them my tokens I received mixed emotions. My mom and I both cried but I have to control my crying face because it's so ugly. While my baby brother had a wide smile on his face. Papa can't look us straight because he said he had tears dropped from his eyes. When we arrived home, I gave Lola her tokens and she was smiling from ear to ear with teary eyes.

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My parents didn't know when the garland be pinned and it wasn't announced. My mother pinned it to me after she received her tokens with a smile on her lips and teary eyes. I was so happy because I was able to give tokens to my parents from my earnings and not from the allowance they gave me.

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Before we left the complex we claimed the photos and paid for them even if it was a bit costly. These will add up to our photo album.

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THE CELEBRATION

We have a small gathering in the afternoon together with my family, relatives, and neighbors. I told my parents it was okay if we had no food to prepare for my graduation because I felt so guilty seeing the pig and the goat. But my family didn't agree to my plead.

They are so happy that I graduated, they only wish for me to graduate. But, I was able to give them more because I graduated as a Cum Laude.

The night before our graduation I got out of our house and cried while talking to the pig and goat I was asking for forgiveness, because of me they would die.

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Here's some of what I received during my graduation, but the best gift I have received is the proudest smile of my family, their tears of joy, their warmest hug, and their sweetest congratulations.

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Yey! You're at the end of my blog. Thank you and Shalom ka-Hivers🤗✨

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