WMSU Magna Cum Laude: 'Labandera Si Mamang, Magsasaka Si Papang'

A graduate of Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), Mark Lorence Bazan, goes viral for honoring his mother on stage during his graduation rites. The photos capturing the moment when Mark emotionally hung his medal on his Mamang, Teresita Faustino, touched the hearts of thousands of netizens.

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WMSU graduate Mark Lorence Bazan's story 

Mark, a native of Zamboanga City, earned a Bachelor of Special Needs Education degree and graduated Magna Cum Laude. He shared this achievement on Facebook, uploading a photo of his creative shoot for graduation and then expressing his deep gratitude to his adoptive parents. Smart Parenting was granted permission to publish his post.

He captioned, "I have always been grateful and blessed to have Mamang and Papang in my life even when I am not their biological son. [But] they never let me feel that I am different, that I do not belong. Since elementary, they already supported me with my education, and [now] it's time for me to pay back all their efforts and sacrifices."

The WMSU graduate also opened up about his struggles saying, "I always tend to find my own means and ways just to survive in college, little did my friends know that I was accepting different kinds of work, little did the people know that I am also providing to my family. Malayo sa personalidad ko sa social media ang social status ko."

Mark was only six months old when his parents took him into their care and raised him as their own. His father, Jose Bazan, worked as a farmer for many years, while his mother worked as a laundrywoman. Mark said his parents’ jobs never hindered him from pursuing his dreams. After graduating on May 17, he plans to pursue a career in teaching.

Netizens were delighted to learn that Mark is proud of his background, and thousands of congratulatory comments flooded his post.

Click here to read tips on how you can help your child achieve success after graduation.