An Ateneo graduate paid tribute to her father, a cotton candy vendor whose hard work helped put her through college.
Andriana Nepacina, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Legal Management from Ateneo de Manila University, honored her father, Amorlito “Lito” Nepacina, after completing her studies.
In a post shared on June 22, Andriana said every bag of cotton candy her father sold on the streets of Antipolo City and around a nearby seminary helped make her dream of graduating from Ateneo a reality.
She also shared that she first developed an admiration for the university through the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) during her teenage years.
The UAAP is a collegiate sports league featuring eight universities in Metro Manila.
Andriana credited her father’s hard work and sacrificed for giving her a comfortable life and the opportunity to complete her education.
“Habang lumalaki ako, mas naiintindihan ko kung gaano kabigat ang mga sakripisyong dala ng bawat supot ng cotton candy na naibebenta niya. Hindi lang pala ito simpleng paninda, ito ang naging daan para mapakain kami, mapag-aral ako, at maipagpatuloy ko ang mga pangarap ko,” she wrote on Facebook.
Andriana said she had never heard her father complain about life’s hardships despite the exhaustion he endured, whether under the scorching heat of the sun or amid heavy rain.
“Siguro kaya rin ako natutong mangarap nang malaki. Dahil paano ako susuko sa pag-aaral kung ang taong nagpapaaral sa akin ay hindi sumusuko sa paghahanapbuhay? Paano ko sasabihing hindi ko kaya kung araw-araw kong nakikita ang tatay ko na lumalaban nang marangal para sa aming pamilya?” she wrote.
“At dahil dito, mas nagsumikap ako dahil gusto kong patunayan na hindi hadlang ang kahirapan sa taong may mataas na pangarap at lumalaban [nang] patas,” the Atenean graduate said.
“Papa, itong diploma ay hindi lang para sa akin. Para rin ito sa lahat ng taon ng pagod, sakripisyo, at pagmamahal na ibinigay mo nang walang hinihinging kapalit. Hindi lahat ng bayani may kapa. Ang sa akin, may kariton ng cotton candy at may sipag bilang puhunan,” Andriana added.
She also thanked Ateneo’s Office of Admission and Aid for giving her the opportunity to pursue her studies through a scholarship.
In another post, Andriana shared that she is the first college graduate in her family and the first member of their clan to graduate from Ateneo.
“Thank you, Ateneo, for four unforgettable years and for allowing me to live a dream that once felt impossible,” she wrote.
Andriana’s story was also featured by “Team AMDG” on the X (formerly Twitter), where it has garnered over 9,500 likes from users.
The account noted that the university’s graduation ceremonies were held last weekend.
