Kevin Santos has finally achieved his dream of finishing college.
The 32-year-old star now has a degree in Political Science from Arellano University.
"Sa lahat ng pagod at hirap… SA WAKAS!!!," Kevin wrote in a now-deleted Instagram post.
The Kapuso comedian also wrote: "Ito na ang pinakamalaking maireregalo ko sa magulang ko hindi man ako nakasampa at nakasuot ng toga, okay lang importante hawak ko ang diploma.
"At as per registrar, pasok as cum laude ang grades ko! So waiting…"
CUM LAUDE STANDING
Kevin was told by the university registrar that he is a viable candidate for Latin honors because his General Weighted Average (GWA) is 1.75.
However, he has decided to delete his post and wait for the university's official confirmation.
The Kapuso actor told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) in an exclusive interview via phone call, on Sunday, August 23: "Ayaw ko munang umasa dun sa honors hanggat hindi nabibigay sa akin."
He added, "Based kasi sa registrar's office, sabi nila yung grade ko is pasok as cum laude.
"So ngayon, dahil nga sa pandemic, hindi natin alam kung mag-aaward sila o magkakaroon ng awarding ceremony.
"Hindi kami nagkaroon ng graduation rites so I'm still waiting kung anong mangyayari."
Kevin also mentioned that he and fellow Starstruck alumna Yasmien Kurdi—who graduated from the same university magna cum laude in April 2019—took up the same course.
WORKING STUDENt
Kevin initially wanted to become a regular student, but he had to put his education on hold when he joined StarStruck at the age of 16.
He recently finished his high-school education through ALS or the Alternative Learning System.
"Dumaan din ako ng high school bago ako nag-college. Kumbaga, nag-aral ako for nine months pero homeschooling.
"Hindi na ako pumunta sa school. Yung isang teacher na nagtuturo sa program na yun, pinupuntahan niya ako sa bahay kasi hindi ko na kayang pumunta pa ng school."
His fascination with politics and governance inspired him to choose Political Science.
Kevin said, "Kasi gusto kong maintindihan kung anong nangyayari sa atin sa Philippines. I mean, ayokong magkaroon ng zero knowledge.
"Kasi ako, mahilig ako magbasa ng about sa government. Gusto ko maintindihan kahit sa mga basic lang about sa government natin kaya gusto ko Political Science talaga."
KEEP YOUR FOCUS
In March 2018, Kevin achieved his dream of becoming a licensed private pilot.
After this, he juggled his college studies, his work as an actor, and his training to get the license as a commercial pilot.
Asked how managed the multiple, major tasks, he said, "Pinagsabay-sabay ko sila. Sa flying school kasi, hindi naman ganun ka-hectic yung schedule.
"Parang kinailangan ko lang mag-stay for two months sa school, and hindi ako puwedeng um-absent kasi ground school yun.
"After that, yung flying na, hawak ko na yung oras ko actually. Puwede na akong mag-set ng sarili kong oras pag lipad na.
"Habang ginagawa ko yun, dumidiretso ako sa Arellano, which is sa Manila, para naman sa school, para sa class ko sa college."
He has mastered how to keep his focus in a world of distractions, so his advice to fans is:
"Kung may goals sila na gusto abutin, kailangan nila ng one hundred percent na focus.
"Kailangan kahit anong mangyari, hindi sila magpapapigil sa mga trials na pagdadaanan nila.
"Kasi once na paghinaan sila ng loob, yun yung unang unang magpapabagsak o magkakaroon ng discouragement sa utak mo para hindi mo i-pursue kung ano yung gusto mong maabot.
"So kahit anong mangyari, never give up, huwag susuko at focus lang palagi sa goal or sa path na tatahikin mo."
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