Whether you just completed a degree, high school, middle school, or even kindergarten, graduation is an important time to celebrate with family, friends, and those who are proud of your achievements. Unfortunately, there are times when the people we want to share our happiness with the most, don’t show up to the party.
For one college grad , the sting of his parents failing to show up to his convocation was more than he wanted to let on. Thankfully, he had the support of the educators who helped him get to where he was. And he shared his touching story on Facebook.
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In 2019, Jeric Rivas Hoped To Accept His Bachelor’s Diploma In Front Of His Parents
Rivas was at the top of his class, graduating with a bachelor of science in criminology from La Concepcion College in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan in the Phillippines. When he took to the stage, he realized his parents had not shown up.
Rivas shares all of this in his Facebook post , and The Mirror provided translations for what he had written, which was originally in Filipino.
Rivas Tried To Remain Happy, But Ended Up Breaking Down In Tears
“I felt a mixture of happiness and sadness again. I looked to the right, looked to the left, and at the back and in front, all I saw were happy faces that are smiling,” he wrote, as translated by The Mirror . “I’m trying to hold back from crying, but I just can’t. I just felt my tears falling, I just sat beside. I felt envy.”
Rivas Shared How His Relationship With His Parents Had Always Been Rocky.
This graduation was in fact the third ceremony that his parents did not show up for. Despite getting top marks as a kid, his parents were absent from his grade school celebrations. He also had a friend’s parents walk with him during his high school graduation.
Rivas also stated that he had been kicked out by his parents, and resorted to working odd jobs to get himself through school.
Thankfully, His Teachers Were There To Celebrate With Him
In the post, Rivas shared that one of his professors gave him a hug while on stage. He ended up crying, despite the fact that he didn’t want to. But he was also grateful for all the people who helped him get to that point, including his professors and his fellow classmates. “I didn’t think of being ashamed in front of people because of my crying,” he continued. “When I came down, I shook hands, one by one, with my fellow graduates, and it felt good that they were saying they were proud of me.”
h/t Goalcast
