Yasmien Kurdi credits ‘1st teacher’ for magna cum laude honor

Yasmien Kurdi (left) with daughter Ayesha and husband Rey

To all working students like her, actress Yasmien Kurdi has some words of encouragement: “Never stop reaching for your goals and dreams in life—and do your best all the time.”

The Kapuso star, who had been juggling her studies and acting career the past couple of years, recently graduated magna cum laude from Arellano University with a degree in political science.

This achievement, she pointed out, wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for the people who have supported and believed in her, especially her mother—her “first teacher.”

“Thank you for raising me and for the all the sacrifices you have made in your life. This one’s for you!” said Yasmien, who’s a mother herself to 7-year-old Ayesha.

“I’m beyond grateful and humbled. All the hard work … has paid off,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “When I pray to the Lord, I simply ask [Him to help] me finish college. What He has given me is more than I was hoping for. I love you, God!”

The road to graduation was long and filled with uncertainty. Yasmien previously took up foreign service at New Era University, then shifted to nursing at Global City Innovative College.  She had to stop both times because she had difficulty managing her schedule.

But this time, the 30-year-old actress soldiered on—even if it meant doing her assignments and thesis on the set and spending less time with her pilot husband Rey Soldevilla Jr., she said in a previous interview with the Inquirer.

Yasmien hopes to serve as an inspiration to those doubting themselves and thinking that it might be too late to go back to school and earn a degree.

“Life is hard, but you have to keep pushing forward. Feed your mind with positivity—like ideas of success, not failure. Let life be a learning experience and always believe in yourself!” she said. “Kapit lang. Laban!” —ALLAN POLICARPIO