Sunshine and Smiles, Hivers! I'm back again with another blog post! In this blog, I'm excited to share to you all how we attend and celebrated my sister’s graduation. Let’s get started!
In July 2023, my sister completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and their graduation held at Waterfront Hotel. It was a day filled with joy and emotions, especially since she’s the first daughter in our family to graduate and first nurse who will graduate to our family tree. I’m grateful that my sister made it through the challenging four years of college because nursing is not a easy degree to achieve. We were all so happy to attend her graduation, even though we were not complete since our father passed away before my sister could graduate. I believe our father is looking down here, very proud of my sister's achievements. The hard work and sacrifices both of my parents for my sister to achieve her nursing degree was totally worth it.
Before my sister’s graduation, my mother and I prepared everything we need for the graduation tomorrow. I also made a crochet flower bouquet as a special gift for her. As you can see in the picture, I made a white and red calla lilies with other flowers. I chose calla lilies because they symbolize achievements and success that represent my sister. I choose red and white color since their department color was red and white.
Also, I made her a money garland because she deserves it! I took a boomerang video of the money before turning it into a garland because I wanted to prank my friends and brother also take a picture with the money to prank his best friends and make them think he had cash to treat them haha.
When the graduation ceremony began, we were in the lobby waiting for my sister since she had our tickets. After my sister gave the tickets, we entered the venue. One of the students at the entrance stamped my wrist to keep track of who can go inside since those with a stamp could only enter the graduation event.
As you can see in the picture, this was my sister’s graduation looked like. It was beautiful and I feel like I'm in cinema because the venue is dim. We waited patiently until the ceremony starts. The venue was crowded and many students were both happy and emotional. All the professors from the Medical department are also present in the graduation. Aside from graduation day of Bachelor of Science in Nursing, it has pinning ceremony for Bachelor of Science in Midwifery.
Here's a photo of my mother with my sister’s boyfriend. His name is Jared and he traveled to Cebu just to attend and celebrate my sister's graduation. This was our first time meeting him in person since they're in a long-distance relationship and they usually talk through video chats.
The whole event lasted five hours, and we just sat there waiting for it to end. As you can see in the GIF, you can see my sister's blockmates taking videos and photos together since this was their last time to have a group picture wearing their uniforms. This is also their last time will have a complete group picture before they pursue their own journey. Some of them were emotional and cried while bidding each other farewell. I believe graduation is one of the saddest yet happiest moments for a student. The emotions and bittersweet realizing it's the last time you'll see your friends and classmates. Also, it’s also joyous because it marks the beginning of the next chapter in your journey.
As you can see on the picture, my mother took a picture in me with the money garland and bouquet that I intended to give my sister. I am very excited to give this to her.
After the event, my sister came over to our area, and I gave her the bouquet and money garland. I took some photos with her and congratulated her for completing her four-year degree.
When the event was finally over, we took pictures with my sister and her boyfriend inside the venue. As you can see on the photo, I was the first one to take a picture with her. My sister handed me her graduation cap and diploma while we posed for the photo. We took many pictures because we were very happy yet emotional at that moment.
My mother also took pictures with my sister. She's quite emotional while congratulating her, reminiscing about all the sacrifices she made to help my sister achieve her dream degree. She cried a bit because she told us that it suppose to be she and my father should attended my sister's graduation, but this time it was just her because my father passed away during my sister's internship months before to her graduation.
As you can see in the pictures, you can see my sister holding a photo of my father. Even though my father wasn’t there in person, he was present and remained in our hearts forever.
These are our pictures together. My brother didn't attend my sister's graduation and he told our mother that he will just stay at home and wait for us. One of my sister's classmates take this photo since we really wanted to have a complete family picture.
After taking photos, we chose to eat outside and celebrate my sister's graduation. My father's sister informed us that we will eat at the Wingers because they were waiting for us there with my cousins. As you can see in the picture, this was the food we ate at Wingers. This restaurant serves unlimited chicken, drinks, fries, and ice cream. We decided to have our mini celebration outside because in weekend, we will fully celebrate my sister's graduation which I will write it in my blog next week!
After finishing our meal, we stroll around the mall and afterwards decided to head home since it was getting late, and my mother had work tomorrow while my aunt and cousin having errands to run.
And that's the end of my blog, Hivers! My sister's graduation day was very emotional yet joyous experience. All the negative comments from toxic people and people who are insecure to our family, motivate us to work harder and become the best versions of ourselves. We are thankful to those people who supported my sister and stood by us during our toughest times. These people are the reason why we work hard and achieve our goals.
To my sister 
We are very proud of you! Padayon, our RN!
Thank you for reading my blog and see you in my next blog! Ciao!