Renz Valerio is currenty earning the praise of netizens for graduating with honors despite staying active in the entertainment scene.
The GMA Artist Center talent is graduating magna cum laude after taking up Marketing Management at Our Lady of Fatima University in Antipolo City.
In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) via Instagram today, March 17, Renz said he dedicates his latest milestone to his parents: his dad Rey Valerio, and his late mom Epifania Valerio.
The 20-year-old Kapuso actor recalled one touching moment with his mom before she passed away last January.
Renz told PEP.ph, "My mom passed away just this January, but months before she left, there was already a buzz of me being a candidate for being magna cum laude.
"Despite her being sick and weak, she said, 'Sure na 'yan, 'nak. Magna ka na n'yan.'
"I still get teary-eyed remembering her words of encouragement and support.
"I do hope she's proud and happy for me.
"I also do hope she can see me when I walk across that stage."
Like his mom, Renz said his dad is equally proud of his latest achievement.
Renz said, "He's a man of a few words, but I know he's proud of me because this is one of the few moments that he told me he was.
"It's one of the best words that a parent can say to his/her child.
"Also, same with my mom, he also expected a latin award from me during my early days in college.
"He said, 'I know your and your ate's standards and how you guys work. Expected na 'yan sa inyo at alam kong makukuha niyo talaga yan.'
"My heart was so full when I heard this from him."
Meanwhile, Renz is also grateful for his sister Mika for inspiring him to take up Marketing Management.
He narrated, "I've seen my sister do amazing work in her field after taking up the same course.
"After seeing her be amazing at her work, I said to myself that I know I can also do amazing work if I take up Marketing Management.
"This course is also in line with the goals I want to achieve in life."
After college, Renz will be focusing on bigger goals
He admitted, "I know i'm a bit of an overthinker, but hey, it never hurts to set healthy goals, right?
"As I said on my IG post, onto another chapter. I'm moving forward now. On to my next goal."
THE CHALLENGES
Like other students, Renz also experienced his own share of challenges before he finished college with flying colors.
The Inagaw Na Bituin star sacrificed a lot in order to achieve his goal.
He told PEP.ph, "There are times when I can't go to family events or hang out with friends, because I have to be somewhere else.
"Those are moments I can't bring back. But of course, I have goals.
"To achieve goals, one must make sacrifices, right?"
Renz admits there he's had moments when he just want to do be lazy and rest all day.
But he kept himself motivated and remained focused in all of his endeavors to overcome this challenge.
He continued, "One part I was always struggling with was the constant challenge of wanting to rest for a whole day, but you have to get up anyway because I have a commitment somewhere, or go to the gym, or do school stuff, or something else. It all paid off though.
"The constant struggle and constant challenges, all lead to me graduating on time with a Latin award, maintaining my career as an artista, and being a friend, boyfriend, a brother, and a son."
Asked how he was able to juggle his work and studies, Renz said it is all about setting priorities.
The Kapuso talent narrated, "I did a lot of sacrifices for my schedule to work.
"Of course, with my family's guidance, I was also able to set things into perspective and prioritize my workload.
"My usual schedule is MWF is for tapings, T-TH-S for school, then Sundays for family time.
"I did not get a lot of 'me time' days but I didn't care.
"When I'm with my family and my girlfriend, I usually get to relax and be my self anyway.
"However, if there are tapings or events set on my school days that I have to go to, I'd have to make an absent and make up for it the next week.
"I also get to hang out with my friends after school.
"I know it's crazy, but believe me, my schedule actually worked with me having sufficient rest to spend time with my family, friends, girlfriend, work, and go to the gym too!"