“I am proud that my father is a pedicab driver. And indeed, he’s the true MAGNA CUM LAUDE.”

Thus said Sandra Estefani Ramos of Magarao, Camarines Sur, in her Facebook post that has gone viral.

Last April 2, Ramos graduated magna cum laude from the Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology in Naga City with the degree of Bachelor in Secondary Education (BSEd) major in TLE (Technology and Livelihood Education).

On her graduation day, she posted photos of her in toga riding in her father’s pedicab.

“Pa, ihatod mo na po ang Magna Cum Laude mong aki gamit ang satong padyak!”

(Pa, take your Magna Cum Laude daughter [to her graduation] using our pedicab!)

Ramos told INQUIRER.net that she considers her father as the true magna cum laude because he was her inspiration. She said he works hard from morning till night just so he can provide for his family.

“My father is kind, strikto pero masayahin, masipag si papa kasi maaga magpapadyak yan hanggang gabi or hanggang makakuha ng kailangan naming pera,” she said.

(My father is kind, strict but cheerful; papa is industrious because he works early in the morning till night to earn the money we need.)

Ramos said that ever since she was young, she has never felt embarrassed because of her father.

“Never akong nahiya na pedicab driver papa ko, since bata ako proud ako na papa ko is pedicab driver kapag nakikita ko c papa sa terminal sasakay ako at ihuhug ko sya.” 

(I have never been ashamed that my father is a pedicab driver; since I was young I have been proud of him, and whenever I see him at the terminal, I would ride his pedicab and give him a hug.)  /ra