Ogie Diaz to daughters: ‘It’s OK if you don’t want to go to college’

Image: Facebook/Ogie Diaz

For most Filipino parents, nothing makes them happier than seeing their children march during university graduation ceremonies. For comedian Ogie Diaz, however, ensuring his daughters’ happiness remains a priority over graduating with a college diploma.

Diaz imparted how he talks to his daughters whenever they complain about the number of projects they have or their low grades, via Facebook on Saturday, Nov. 24. Instead of pressuring his children to get higher grades, Diaz is content with them simply not failing.

https://www.facebook.com/ogie.diaz.5/posts/2167645403287488

“Hindi ko sila pine-pressure na kailangan, top one sila o nasa top 10 sila,” Diaz wrote. “Basta kung ano lang ang kaya ng utak nila.”

(I do not pressure them to be the top one [in their class] or be in the top ten. [I am good with] just what they are capable of understanding.)

When he asked his two daughters, ages 14 and 17, if they want to go to college, his daughters were puzzled that he would ask such a question.

“Kasi gusto ko, happy kayo,” Diaz would say. “Kung ayaw n’yo nang mag-college at tatapusin n’yo lang ang senior high school ninyo, it’s fine with daddy.”

(Because I want you to be happy. If you don’t want to go to college, opting to only finish your senior high school, it’s fine with daddy.)

Diaz, who is upfront about him being “only a high school grad,” explained that in the event his daughters will not go to college, he will ask them to take at least five crash courses. Whether be it culinary, baking, vulcanizing, welding, haircutting or makeup tutorial, Diaz wants to give his children the chance to discover what they really want.

“Ang importante sa akin, ‘yung gusto n’yo, hindi ‘yung gusto ko,” Diaz said. “Pag gusto n’yo, happy kayo. And ‘yung happiness n’yo ang importante sa amin ng mama n’yo.”

(What is important for me is what you want, not what I want. If you want something, you’ll be happy with it. And your happiness is what is important for your mother and I.)

Diaz then divulged his support for both his daughters’ wishes to pursue a college education. His 14-year-old daughter dreams of being an obstetrician-gynecologist, while his 17-year-old wants to be a flight attendant.

“Alam mo, daddy, ‘yung teacher ko, akala niya, graduate ka po ng college,” one of his children said, which appears to have made a mark on Diaz. “Sabi ko, tapos ka lang ng high school.”

(Do you know, daddy, my teacher thought you were a college graduate. I told my teacher you are only a high school graduate.) JB

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