Hey there Hivers! It's me again, Jera back again with another blog. Today I'm excited to share to you one of the very special day of my life. Are you ready? Without further ado, let's start....
Graduation season is always a time of celebration, and this year was extra special for me and for my family. Last April 4, 2025, as I put on my black toga for my graduation pictorial, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions, pride and little nervousness. This journey was not just a milestone in my academic journey, but also a moment where I could share my joy with my family, special someone and friends.
I can still vividly remember how I dreamed of wearing a black toga. “One day, that’ll be me.” The moment finally arrived and wearing the toga felt surreal. I really can’t believe I made it this far! It was a symbol of all the hard work, late nights, sweat and tears I made along the way.
The highlight of my pictorial was not really about me. It was about all the people I love the most and it’s none other than, my family. After my make up session, we gathered for a family photo, and that’s when the happiness truly filled the air. My parents, sibling and grandmother joined me in this momentous event, I can say that their faces glowed with pride and joy. Seeing their smiles made my heart swell with gratitude.
Adding to the joy of the day was including my partner in the shoot. We take the chance to capture our relationship during this special moment in my life. Posing together, I felt a sense of support and encouragement. Every photo reflects how these people tell me that I am not alone in this journey.
Next up was the shoot with my high school best friends, my barkada . We spent countless hours together, sharing laughter, tears, and unforgettable memories. We posed in various silly ways, trying to outdo each other with funny expressions. We also study in the same University in which three of us were pursuing Education and one Engineer. We were just once a high school student, dreaming of wearing a black toga one day, and now here we are! It felt surreal!
As I looked back at the day in the monitor during the editing process, I was filled with a sense of accomplishment and warmth. Every captured photo depicts a story of resilience, love, hardship and joy. My heart was full. I am blessed and forever grateful for the family, for the endless love, encouragement and support they showed especially on the days I thought I couldn’t make it, as well as the experiences that shaped and help me into who I am today. LAYO PA, PERO LAYO NA. PADAYUN!
