Aiko Melendez Gets Candid in Her Graduation Message
After graduating from Philippine Women’s University, single mom Aiko Melendez had some wise things to say.
Single mom and Quezon City councilor Aiko Melendez has recently joined the Class of 2023, graduating from Philippine Women’s University with a degree in Journalism! She happily thanks several people, including her two kids Marthena and Andrei. “@andreyllana @jickainmarthena, this is it! Mama made it again. As I always promised you both, I will continue to make you proud!” she writes.
But in her little graduation snippet, she also shares how graduation is a family effort, not a solo one.
The demands of the dedication to education
While they were her support, the academic life often physiologically feels like a lonely one. As a single mom, a celebrity, and a politician, Aiko Melendez finds herself switching hats on the fly to accommodate everyone’s requests, even wondering herself how she manages to do so.
“Mukhang madali ang lahat pero sa totoo lang, naiisip ko ngayon paano ko napag-sabay-sabay lahat? Paano nga ba? Kasi natuto akong pahalagahan ang mga bagay na dapat noon ko pa nabigyan ng pansin pero bakit nga ba ngayon lang?”
However, she, like most moms who returned to school, placed her academic goals on the backburner to make sure her family fulfilled their dreams first. “Kasi inuna ko muna tuparin ang mga pangarap ko para sa pamilya ko. Ang mabigyan sila ng kumportableng buhay.”
But once their dreams were complete and things settled down, she went for the next item on her bucket list: to graduate. Her motivation to do so comes from the wish of making sure her kids, Andrei and Marthena, have something to be proud of, too.
“Dahil ayaw ko dumating ang araw na balikan ako ng mga anak ko na bakit ginagapang ko ang pag-aaral nila sa magandang eskwelahan habang ako ay di tapos. Ngayon, eto na po. Legit na to.”
Everyone in the family had a role to play!
Life in school was tailored to prepare us for the real world. But it doesn’t always happen that way, especially for Aiko Melendez who entered the showbiz world. With entertainment contracts and shows to do, her education needed to take a bit of a backseat. Now scheduled to march this 2023, she jokes this with her mom and her late stepdad by declaring, “Salamat din sa aking nanay na halos maluha kanina sa tuwa dahil pangarap nila ng Daddy Dan Castaneda na makatapos ako. Eto na Mama @elsiecastaneda, kumpleto na ang blankong frame sa bahay ng diploma ko. Malalagyan mo na, Mama!”
Even her partner, Congressman Jay Khonghun, had a special mention in her graduation message. “Sa aking partner @cong_jaykhonghun, salamat kasi minsan nawawalan ako ng oras sayo tapos nasusungitan kita. Tapos ang ending, ikaw pinapag-practisan ko sa mga term papers at thesis ko. Thank you, baby!” she adds.
She also thanks her handler, Ogie Diaz, for being patient with her as she pursues her goals. “Pinaghirapan, pinagpuyatan at madami ding proyekto bilang artista ang natanggihan namen ni mader @ogie_diaz. Ngayon handa na ako muli sumabak sa pag aarte.”
Learning is a lifelong journey
As parents, some of us feel that our age makes it too shameful to return to school to learn. But a lot of us had to forego school in order to support our families. Some of us turned down events and many opportunities because our families needed us. But that sacrifice doesn’t go unnoticed. Because with the right support, even a celebrity, politician, and single mom like Aiko Melendez can return to school and graduate at the age of 47. She even teases the possibility of taking her Master’s degree, “Handa na ako muli sumabak sa pag-aarte bago po ako mag-masteral muli at mag-aral!”
Congratulations and looking forward to watch you march, Aiko!
More about moms returning to school?
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