Trike driver’s daughter is Summa Cum Laude

MABALACAT CITY, PAMPANGA -- A daughter of a tricycle driver has completed a bachelor’s degree as Summa Cum Laude at the Mabalacat City College (MCC).

With an average grade of 95.05, Abigail Gramonte of Barangay San Francisco here topped this school year’s batch, finishing Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education at the nineyear-old city college.

Gramonte, 25, a resident of Barangay San Francisco, has acquired a bachelor’s degree on Secondary Education Major in English.

Gramonte, in her speech, said that “faith in God, dedication, determination, hard work and thankfulness” are the keys behind her success.

She thanked her father, Noel, a tricycle driver for 12 years, for supporting her studies.

“To the kindest and coolest father, Noel Gramonte, thank you for you never giving up on sending us (her sister Angelica who also finished BSED Major in English) to college. Congratulations Pa, for this is also your graduation day. I know if Mama were still alive, she will be very proud of you,” said Gramonte. Gramonte said she stopped studying for five years and decided to work to help her family.

“For those years, I tried saving money for my education. I experienced working as a food attendant, secretary and a call center agent but these were never enough. Until Mabalacat City College offered a 100 percent scholarship to all Mabalacat residents, without a single thought, I grabbed it and my sister did the same,” Gramonte said.

“There were countless times when I and my sister would go to school without taking our breakfast or lunch because our priority was to accomplish our classroom tasks on time,” she added.

Gramonte challenged the graduates to “make Mabalacat City College, our Alma Mater, proud of you!”

MCC President Carmelita P. Sotto said that this year’s graduates are the “best and brightest.”

Among the 709 graduates, 30 completed their respective courses as Summa Cum Laudes, 24 as Magna Cum Laudes and six as Cum Laudes.