Jhong Hilario. Image from Instagram
When Jhong Hilario recently graduated from his Political Science course at the Arellano University, he certain did it with style: he went onstage and did a little jig as he accepted his college diploma as magna cum laude, much to the delight of his batchmates.
But what made this feat more special was how he was able to manage being on top of his class while juggling his time as a politician, an “It’s Showtime” host, a son, and as a father.
In a short video shown on Ogie Diaz’s YouTube channel, Hilario said that he was beset by many challenges before he was able to accomplish his goal, and he had to make some sacrifices along the way, but he made it possible through time management.
Among these sacrifices were some career advances such as another teleserye and even a movie, but he had to choose what he felt was more important to him.
“Kung gusto mo naman talaga ay merong paraan. Hindi lang naman nagtatapos doon sa nakahanap ako ng paraan. Meron din akong mga isinakripisyong mga trabaho tulad na lng ng teleserye. May mga offer sa aking teleserye, may offer sa aking pelikula, may offer sa aking ibang shows din. Naetsa-puwera ko ‘yun dahil gusto kong makatutok sa aking pag-aaral,” he said.
(If you really want something, there’s really a way to do it. I didn’t stop at finding a way. I also made some sacrifices, like having to turn down work in a soap opera. Aside from soaps, there were also movie offers, and offers of different shows. I didn’t get to do them because I want to focus on my studies).
Hilario said he drew inspiration from his two-year-old daughter Sarina.
“Kaya naman, para walang masabi si Sarina sa akin, para maging proud siya sa akin paglaki niya, at wala na siyang rason para hindi mag-aral, so eto na ‘yon. Kailangan ko talaga ipakita sa kanya na ginawa ko ‘yung best ko na tapusin ang pag-aaral at siyempre, wala na siyang masasabi dahil naka-graduate na ako at naka-graduate na rin ang kanyang mommy. So, Sarina, study hard,” he said, referring to his partner Maia Leviste Azores.
(This also for Sarina so that he would be proud of me when she grows up, and so she won’t have an excuse to not study hard. I really wanted to show to her that I did my best to finish my studies and to graduate, as well as her mom.)
Earlier, Hilario said that he was offering his graduation to his parents as a repayment for his interrupted education after he prioritized his showbiz career over his studies.
“Kaya ko po naisipang mag-aral kasi meron akong utang sa mga magulang ko. Ito ‘yung makatapos ng pag-aaral. Hindi ko nagawa ‘yun, nahinto dahil sa pagsali ko sa Streetboys hanggang tumuloy sa pagiging actor ko, sa pagiging host ko at ngayon ay isa rin akong public servant,” he said.
(The reason I wante to study is because I owe it to my parents. That is to finish my studies. I wans’t able to finish because I stopped when I joined Streetboys, until i became an actor and host, and now as a public servant.) EDV