All set to graduate from the University of the East this year, former child star Awra Briguela shared her graduation photo on her Instagram account last July 14, along with a lengthy message of gratitude to everyone who had helped her return to school and finish her studies in senior high school this year.
The 21-year-old actress, who started out in showbiz as part of Coco Martin’s show, FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, in 2016, revealed her initial doubts about going back to school after working in showbiz.
“simula pa lang ito ng mas malalaking pangarap. 🎓🙏🏽🤍👩🏽🎓 Gusto ko lang magpasalamat sa lahat ng taong naniwala at nagtiwala sa akin, lalo na sa sarili kong minsang inakala na hindi ko kaya,” she posted on her social media page.
“Ang hirap ng pagbabalik ko sa pag-aaral,“ she admitted. “Halos limang taon akong nahinto simula noong pandemya. Akala ko, napag-iwanan na ako. Nahuli pa ako ng halos dalawang buwan sa pasukan. Ang dami kong kailangang habulin, pero pinili kong lumaban. Pinatunayan ko sa sarili ko na kaya ko at ang pagdududa lang talaga ang kalaban.”
READ: Awra Briguela thanks Vice Ganda for the love: ‘You extended my life’
In her post, Awra described how uncertain she felt joining the class two months after the semester had already started. She also opened up about how much she worried about not being accepted as part of the class.
“Akala ko rin mahihirapan akong makisana sa mga kaklase at guro ko kasi siyempre, ilang buwan na silang magkakasama, samantalang ako ay kakapasok lang. Noong una, may hiyaan pa, pero hindi rin nagtagal, unti-unti akong naging kumportable sa kanila,” she recalled.
Awra continued: “At ngayon, ang mga taong ‘yon, maituturing ko nang tunay na mga kaibigan na kasama kong nagsumikap, lumaban, at ngayon, kasama ko ring magtatapos. Gusto ko pang magpasalamat kina Principal Venturina at Assistant Principal Almeyda, dahil hindi nila ako pinabayaan at binigyan nila ako ng pagkakataong makahabol. Isa sila sa mga unang naniwala na kaya ko.”
Earlier this month, Awra proudly shared that she had been given a certificate of recognition. She was given the Principal’s Choice Award from the University of the East Basic Education Department for her invaluable contribution towards promoting her alma mater on social media.
In a previous post, Awra revealed that a big factor in her going back to school was her manager and mentor, Vice Ganda, who is also the one who took on the responsibility of sending her to school.
She wrote, “At siyempre, kay Meme Vice, salamat po sa patuloy na suporta at pagtulong para makabalik ako sa pag-aaral. Isa po kayo sa mga dahilan kung bakit ko narating ang lahat ng ito. Kung hindi niyo po siguro sinabi na naniniwala kayo sa akin, baka hindi rin ako naniwala sa sarili ko na kaya ko. Pangako, hindi ko po kayo bibiguin.”
In her Instagram post last July 11, she proudly showed her grades to Vice and wrote, “There’s a different kind of fulfillment when you get to show your grades to the person who sent you to school the one who never stopped believing in you, even in moments you doubted yourself. I’m so proud of how far I’ve come, and even prouder knowing that I made her proud. This is all for you. 🥹🤍❤️”
During Vice’s 49th birthday last March, Awra penned a message showing how grateful she was for Meme’s presence in her life. She wrote, “Happy Birthday to my lovely muder, I don’t even know where to start, but I will never get tired of saying this, I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for you. You extended my life. You saw something in me that I couldn’t see in myself. You believed in me when no one else did. And most importantly, you helped me get back on my feet after I fell.”
Before ending her latest post, Awra shared a message of advice and encouragement, not just for her followers, but more to herself, as she faces her college years.
“Isa sa mga natutunan ko na gusto ko ring ipabaon sa iba ay kahit gaano pa karaming tao ang gustong tumulong sa’yo, kung hindi mo tutulungan ang sarili mo, wala ring mangyayari,” she said. “Alam kong hindi ako perpekto. Nagkakamali rin ako. Pero hindi ko hahayaang ang mga pagkakamali ko ang magpakilala kung sino ako. Hangga’t may pagkakataong bumangon, babangon ako at pipiling itama ang mali.”
As she faces more challenges ahead, Awra gave a promise to all who out their faith in her.
“Malayo pa ang lalakbayin ko sa kolehiyo, pero mabilis lang ang panahon. Nangangako ako, sa sarili ko at sa mga taong naniniwala sa akin, na lalo ko pang paghuhusayan ang pag-aaral. Ang dating mindset na ‘okay na basta makakapasa,’ hindi na pwede ngayon. Sipag at tiwala sa sarili lang ulit at alam kong magagawa ko ulit ‘to,“ she vowed.
Lastly, Awra also gave thanks to her family for sticking by her, even during challenging times. In 2023, she made headlines after being involved in a brawl outside a bar in Makati City where she was arrested and subsequently released a few days later after posting bail.
“Hindi rin magiing posible ang lahat ng ito kung wala ang aking pamilya,” she said, giving tribute to her family who stayed with her through everything.
“Salamat sa inyo sa walang sawang suporta, sa pag-unawa, at sa pagdamay sa lahat ng hirap na pinagdaanan ko. Hindi niyo ako iniwan, kahit sa mga panahong ako na mismo ang gustong sumuko. Lagi kayong nandiyan sa tabi ko, at lagi rin kayong pinanghuhugutan ko ng lakas kapag ako’y pagod na. Salamat sa inyo. Alam niyo naman na lahat ng ginagawa ko, para sa inyo. Mahal na mahal ko kayo, at pangako babawi ulit ako sa inyo,” Awra promised.