A student from the Lyceum of the Philippines University made sure his late mom Carmen was present—and visible—during his graduation day on Tuesday, July 16, in Manila.
Paulo John Alinsog, who hails from Cavite, earned his undergraduate degree in business administration while coping with the loss of his mom who died in 2016.
Her passing meant she would miss important moments in his life, but he found a way around that by creating a life-sized standee of her for his graduation day.
“I just really wanted to feel my mom’s presence during graduation day. Gusto kong makapagpapicture sa kanya gaya ng iba na proud na proud kasama ang parents nila sa kanilang graduation,” he told INQUIRER.net.
(I wanted to take pictures with her like other graduates who are proud to be with their parents during their graduation.)
https://twitter.com/paudaexplorer/status/1151022360192925697
Alinsog posted on Twitter the pictures taken outside the Philippine International Convention Center, and the touching tribute has over 47,000 likes as of this writing.
Carmen was working on a business in Culion, Palawan, when she contracted penumonia and hyperthyroidism. She came home for a week for treatment, but within a month she passed away at 37.
Alinsog, the eldest of three, said he has stayed close to family and friends after her death, but is still struggling being without her. “Hindi ko pa rin tanggap kaya inaaliw ko yung sarili ko sa mga ibang bagay. Nagdadasal din ako and have fun with my friends talaga kasi wala na talaga ako makaramdaman,” he said.
(I haven’t been able to accept it, which is why I have fun with other things. I also pray and have fun with my friends because I do not feel anything anymore.)
Family members such as aunts and his stepdad have been able to support him and his siblings financially and emotionally as they pursue their studies. He said the business that his mom left is also able to shoulder expenses.
With graduation over, Alinsog said he plans to look for work right away because he wants to help in sending his siblings to school.
As to what he would want to tell his mom, he said, “Miss nakita, andaya mo, ba’t ka nangiwan sabay naten ‘to pinlano. Mahal na mahal kita. Ako na bahala sa mga kapatid ko (I miss you. It’s not fair, why did you leave when we planned this together? I love you. I’ll take care of my siblings).” /ra
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