Fast-Food Crew Graduates as Cum Laude in Batangas

Fast-Food Crew Earns Praises Online for Graduating as Cum Laude in Batangas

A fast-food crew goes viral and earned praises from the online community graduated as a cum laude in Batangas.

A Facebook user named Barry de Castro has shared his inspiring story from being a fast-food chain employee into a cum laude. The post immediately circulates online and elicits comments from the netizens.

The working student narrated that he decided to work as a Jollibee crew to support his college education. However, juggling both work and study is not easy and ended up cramming each night to finish his academic requirements after a long day at work.

The latter revealed that he merely survive his studies because of his situation he was able to do so with the help of the Lord. The hardworking guy said that prayers give him peace and strength despite his situation.

Castro has also expressed his gratitude towards God, his parents, relatives, friends, teachers and other people who supported him from the start.

Barry graduated as cum laude from Batangas State University – The National Engineering University taking Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Studies.

Here is the full post:

“Hindi ko alam kung papaano ko uumpisahan ang pagbabahagi nang aking naging karanasan sa kolehiyo. Ganoon nga pala talaga na kapag nasa momentum ka na ng realization ng goals mo, unti- unting natutumbasan nang hindi magpasidlang- tuwa ang lahat ng iyong naging pagod, puyat at sakripisyo makarating lamang sa puntong ito. The following lessons are my takeaways that would somehow sum up all what I have gotten after four-long years of burning the midnight oil: 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐭𝐢𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐚. 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐩. 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐲 𝐧𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐩.

𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐭𝐢𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐚. There were times when I feel like giving up. As a working student juggling into two worlds, carrying the weight of both academics and work is something that isn’t as easy as piece of cake. I’ve been a midnight owl cramming each night just to finish reading tiresome lengthy passages after getting my morning/night shift work done. Depende kasi sa schedule ko sa school ang oras ng aking duty. Kaya palaging may pros and cons to each side of a coin. Palaging may nasasakripisyo. Pero thankfully, I have been able to manage both with finesse. Aside from this, I have gone through a lot just to merely survive my academics while having side duties and hustles to earn for a living. Suong kung suong sa butas ng karayom, ‘ika nga ng mga matatanda. But here’s one thing I learned at the end of it all: Magtiwala. Magtiwala lalo’t higit sa Diyos na ang lahat ng bagay ay nakaayon sa plano Niya. Meaning to say, let His plans prevail, not ours. Kasi Siya lang naman ang may kontrol ng lahat at alam nating lagi itong para sa higit na ikabubuti natin. This is manifested in Jeremiah 29:11 saying: “𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝐼 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢,” 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑂𝑅𝐷, “𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑚 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎 𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒.” Kaya ang lagi ko na lamang dasal tuwing papasok ako ng maalin sa 5am o 4am shift ko sa opening o 2pm sa closing shift, “Lord, kayo na po ang bahala. Ipinauubaya ko na po sa Inyo ang lahat.” Through these lines I commonly utter whenever I pray to Him, it gives me comfort and peace for I know God will always be by my side no matter what happen. Truly, if we will only ever learn to put our trust to Him, we will remain at ease knowing that He has good plans for all of us and that He is in control, no matter how uncertain the future will look like. All things will eventually fall onto its right places according to His plans.

𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐩. To get all my goals accomplished, obviously I must persevere harder and give all my best in order to realize these goals. Sabi nga ni Sir Heczel sa aming research noong Grade 12 habang minomotivate kaming mga HUMSS, “If you have set your goals, do whatever it takes just to achieve it.” Indeed, we have to work harder, exert the right amount of effort, go extra mile if necessary, utilize the available means and become genuinely passionate and determined about our goals because there’s no such thing that can be attained over night. Lahat pinaghihirapan. Lahat pinagsusumikapan. Iba rin naman kasi ang satisfaction na naibibigay once na nariyan na ang resulta lalo’t alam mong pinagsumikapan mo talaga. Truth be told, all the hard work will apparently pay off in the end. Nagsumikap ako at nagpursigeng makatapos. Kaya naman I have learned to remain resilient and steadfast amid the trying times for these are manifestations of a person who has persevering and goal- driven personality that I should likewise possess in order to brave all life’s hurdles. Ito rin naman ang mga katangiang dapat mayroon tayo para magtagumpay sa buhay.

𝗣𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗼𝘆 𝗻𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗽. Let me cite the question being asked by one of my classmates who gave her message of gratitude addressed to all graduating students— “What’s next?” and this question has indeed intrigued me. It made me contemplate on the idea that after graduating college, what’s really next? Anong sunod kong gagawin? And this question has led me to an answer: Patuloy na mangarap, patuloy na mangarap para sa mas magandang kinabukasan. Kaya naman patuloy akong mangagarap hindi lamang para sa aking sarili, kung hindi pati na rin sa mga taong patuloy na naniniwala at sumusuporta sa akin. Wala naman kasi talagang imposible, lalo na’t kung pursigido at determinado ka talaga. And I guess now is payback time. Ngayon ang panahon to return the favor. Not because it’s needed, but because it’s genuinely wanted. For at the end, they are my family and they will always be the reasons behind my hustles and grinding. Laging para sa kanila ang lahat- lahat nang sakripisyong ginagawa ko.

Mentioning them, I will grab this opportunity to thank all people who became the pillar of my strength when things go upside down:

To the man above, for giving me the opportunity to live this beautiful life. This journey might appear to be a roller coaster one but through His guidance and provision, everything worked out well according to His plans.

To my parents, Mame Rhea De Castro at Dade Nicolas de Castro. Alam ko po lahat ng isinakripisyo ninyo para sa aming magkakapatid. Sana ay napasaya ko po kayo sa achievement kong ito. Kuya Bill Edward, Kuya Brian at Bhea, salamat din sa inyong lahat. Para sa inyo ito!

Sa aking pamilya, Lola, Tito, Tita, Mama at mga pinsan, kulang ang salitang pasasalamat para sa inyong lahat! You know the rest. Masaya akong mayroon akong kayo.

Sa aking Jabe Ibaan Pamilii! Thank you for almost 4 years of being with you! Maraming salamat po pamula sa mga managers hanggang sa aking mga ka- crew! Solid kayong lahat! Isa kayo sa naging parte ng aking tagumpay na kailanma’y hinding- hindi ko makakalimutan!

Sa BatState- U NEU, lalo’t higit sa bumubuo ng CTE – ang aking mga naging professors. Maraming salamat po sa apat na taong pagpanday sa aming mga susunod sa hanay ng mga kaguruan! Mabuhay po kayong lahat!

To ISJAI, thank you for bringing out the best in me! As one of the pioneering batch of SHS graduates, I will remain indebted for the quality education I got from this institution. Now, it’s my time to return the favor.

To CARD SME Bank, CHED- TDP, BPEAP- Governor DODO Mandanas, Mayor Joy Salvame at Congresswoman Lianda “Siling Labuyo” Bolilia, maraming salamat po sa lahat ng mga natanggap kong scholarships at financial assistance galing sa inyo. Lahat po ng iyon ay naging napakalaking- tulong sa aking pag- aaral!

To all my friends and acquiantances, alam niyo na kung sino- sino kayo. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat! Sa Team Likod at SocStud Fam, high school friends, mga kababata ko, mga tropapips, salamat sa nag- uumapaw ninyong suporta! For without the presence of you all, I will not be able to reach this pinnacle of success!

To end, there’s no way I could say no, for God has blessed me with answers through significant people who helped me overcome life’s greatest challenges.

Nagsisimula pa lamang ang laban, future LPT! May all of your outpouring love and support never die as I continue to traverse along the road of uncertainties while still chasing for my dreams. Malayo pa, pero malayo na! Para po ito sa inyong lahat!

This has been your SODA, BACK- UP, PC, GRILL, PANTRY, COUNTER W1, W2, JEDS, AC! Once a service crew, now a private school teacher!

𝗗𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢, 𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗬 𝗥.

𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑬𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

𝑴𝒂𝒋𝒐𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝑺𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑺𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔

18- 56***

Batangas State University – The National Engineering University

𝐂𝐔𝐌 𝐋𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐄

Consistent Dean’s Lister (2018- 2022)

Outstanding Social Studies Student Nominee, 2nd Eduk Parangal

Section Editor, The Magister (2020-2021)

CARD SME Bank Scholar (2020-2022)

CHED- TDP Scholar

• BPEAP- HIM Scholar (2016-2022)”

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