08/06/2026
๐๐๐๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐ | ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฆ๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ
Given that you had already plotted your coordinates 244 miles from home to discover a wider world and stroll along Taft Avenue, what are the chances that eating Ate Ricaโs Bacsilog would be replaced by eating Batac Mikiโฆ๐๐๐๐๐ฃ?
After calculating a future in accounting in San Ildefonso, 34 miles away from home, would anyone have predicted that youโd return to your hometown to pursue a degree so different from the one you had imagined?
In probability, even events with the smallest chances still have a nonzero probability of occurring.
But what do we always say? ๐๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ ๐๐ก๐ฌ๐๐ฎ๐จ ๐๐ฃ๐ค๐ฉ๐๐๐ง ๐จ๐ค๐ก๐ช๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐๐๐ฃ๐.
For whenever life recalculated her path, she moved forward, come what may, come rain or shine.
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฆ๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ.
The 8th-ranked graduate, ๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ฃ. ๐ฉ๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ, will earn a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics degree with Magna Cum Laude honors.
This distinction exceeded even her own expectations. She never knew she was qualified to stand among the top graduates of MMSU, let alone bearing the flag of Mathematics.
Achieving has always come naturally to her. Reine began her pursuit of education at Catalino Acosta Memorial Elementary School, where she first distinguished herself and graduated as First Honorable Mention.
Leaving home at a young age was life-changing for Reine. Continuing her studies at the Philippine Science High School - Ilocos Region Campus, she was surrounded by gifted students from across and even beyond the region. Despite learning phases, she occasionally made it to the Directorโs List and later on graduated with High Honors, accumulated from Grades 7 to 12.
Having spent years in the sciences, Reine came to consider accounting as the field that would anchor her life. Her plan was to study at De La Salle University Manila while continuing to adjust to the distance from her family that she had grown used to in high school.
Mathematics was a second choice, and so was MMSU, but both eventually shaped Reineโs academic journey. For her, the redirection proved to be a blessing in disguise. As a DOST RA 7867 scholar, Reine received not only financial support but also a renewed sense of purpose to serve and give back to her community. As it happens, she completed her on-the-job training at DOST Ilocos Norte and aspires to return as a professional in the years to come.
One of the keys to being a good student is listening attentively during discussions. For Reine, listening is an essential skill, especially in mathematics, where problems gradually become complex after beginning with the basics.
At home, however, Reine is more at leisure. You might hear the tapping of her screen behind closed doors as she plays Call of Duty or the soft strumming of a musical instrument. Right on cue, her motherโs voice would often follow, reminding her to study.
๐๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ข๐๐ฉ๐๐๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐จ ๐ฃ๐๐ซ๐๐ง ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ; in fact, it is often considered one of the most challenging fields, one that many tend to avoid. Yet Reine rose to the challenge. Graduating with such honors in a demanding program is remarkably admirable. Still, like many others, she experienced moments of self-doubt along the way. However, since high school, sheโs learned not to let these thoughts consume her. She developed the ability to set boundaries and protect her well-beingโan important lesson she carries with her and shares with those who aspire to achieve the same, alongside her faith and surrender to the Lord.
Being the youngest, Reine grew up surrounded by the unconditional support of her family, especially her parents and cousins, who never failed to uplift her and made sure she never felt discouraged. From offering prayers to making sacrifices of their own, they stayed by her side through it all.
She offers this achievement to themโmost especially to her Nana Maria, who passed on last September with grace and beauty, and whose life continues to be a source of strength and wisdom for her. To her Daddy Glez, who has always ensured she has everything she needs despite being seas away. To her Mama Lorna, whose patience and care have been constant throughout her journey. For her Kuya Reniel, her cousins, and everyone who stepped in to and become like a mother to her, Reine remains deeply grateful.
Reine is a testament that opportunities do not always lie a couple of hundred miles away. They may be waiting right at your doorstep, even within the very same barangay you call home.
Distance is not always a requirement for growth, nor does being far guarantee fulfillment. One can still find warmth, belonging, and courage without giving in to homesickness.
๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒโ๐ ๐ด๐ผ๐ฎ๐น๐ ๐ถ๐, ๐ถ๐ป ๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐น๐ณ, ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐.
Because life does not always follow the formula we expect. It has a way of rewriting equations and introducing trials and errors we never accounted for.
But life must go onโฆ
๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐บ๐ฎ๐โฆ
๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ฒโฆ
๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ค๐ง ๐จ๐๐๐ฃ๐.
Come out into the world, Reine. Weโve always known you would shine. | ๐ฃ๐บ ๐๐ข๐ช๐ณ๐ข ๐๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป
๐๐ข๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ๐ช๐ข๐ญ ๐ฃ๐บ ๐๐ป๐ข๐ณ๐ช๐ฏ๐ข ๐๐ข๐ค๐ข๐ฐ
