Angela Lagunzad-Castro and Joyce Pring Earn Their Diplomas After Years of Perseverance
These inspiring moms prove it’s never too late to chase your academic dreams
Angela Lagunzad-Castro and Joyce Pring have built their names in the world of media and communication. Angela is a documentarist and news anchor for One News, a sister station of TV5, while Joyce has made her mark as a podcast host and inspirational speaker.
But beyond their success in the public eye, both women recently fulfilled a deep personal milestone: earning their long-awaited college degrees.
Angela Lagunzad-Castro: A Journey Full of Lessons and Acceptance
In early June, Angela shared that she had finally earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts, years after putting her studies on hold. Not only did she complete her degree, but she also graduated with honors.
Angela, who is married to fellow broadcaster Diego Castro and is Mio’s mom, opened up about her journey in a heartfelt Instagram post.
“Pang MMK ang atake ng life story ko,” she quipped.
She recounted starting as a working student before stopping school to support her family.
“I was a working student back then, but eventually I had to stop and continue working to help my family. So I worked, I hustled, and then I became a mom. Then I worked again, until I was able to carve out a space for myself in the broadcast industry.”
Angela says her desire to give back and share what she’s learned through her years in media led her back to school.
“I guess this is proof that you can still go after the things you once put on pause and that your timeline is valid even if it doesn’t look like anyone else’s. My mantra: own lane, own race, own pace,” Angela wrote.
Angela described the road to graduation as one filled with challenges, but also growth.
“I am very proud of this chapter because it came with a journey filled with pain, rejections, which turned out to be redirection. Full of lessons and acceptance.”
In the end, she left readers with a powerful reminder:
“Yes, we can start again, start late, start scared, just start. You can still win…. in God’s perfect timing!”
Joyce Pring: A Dream 15 Years in the Making
For podcast host and content creator Joyce Pring, the road back to college took 15 years. In a post titled “Diploma or Diskarte?”, Joyce shared how her academic journey began at the University of the Philippines after graduating from Philippine Science High School.
But life had other plans.
“A few semesters into what should have been my university years, financial and family instability made it apparent that I could no longer continue my schooling — I had to immediately start working.”
As a young adult, she was forced to grow up quickly.
Though her formal education paused, her media career blossomed. Years later, with the encouragement of her longtime manager Bechay Vidanes, Joyce enrolled at the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta. Now, after months of juggling family and studies, she’s finally set to receive her diploma.
She thanked the students and faculty of the school for the support. She also gave a special mention to her husband Juancho Triviño, who provided her with the support she needed.
“He has always been the one person who’s enabled me to do all the things that you see me do— he’s the current that drives me forward, the calm that I call home, and the steady strength that uplifts me when the waves of life become too overwhelming,” she said.
In another post featuring her graduation photo shoot, Joyce reflected on the messages she received from fellow dreamers.
“I’m truly humbled to read about similar stories of grit, perseverance, and hope— our own testimonies about God’s faithfulness shared through this experience,” she said.
The Value of Education, at Any Age
Angela and Joyce’s stories are proof that it’s never too late to go back to school, especially for those who once had to set aside their dreams to provide for their families.
By choosing to return to school, they not only invested in their personal growth but also modeled the value of education for their children. Their journeys are a reminder that no matter where life takes you, your goals are always worth pursuing.
May their perseverance inspire other parents who are waiting for the “right time” to start again, because sometimes, the right time is simply now.
Meet the other celebrities who finished or went back to school
Sunshine Cruz & Cesar Montano’s Daughter Angelina Graduates From College
The Class Of 2024: Celebrity Parents Who Graduated And Went Back To School
Celebrity Moms Who Returned to School and Got a Degree
