A delivery rider who went viral for juggling work and online classes has graduated with flying colors.
Grab rider Ax Valerio went viral in 2020 when his fellow rider took a photo of him when he noticed that Ax suddenly parked his motorcycle to attend an online class.
This month, Ax did not only earn his Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree, he also finished as Magna Cum Laude.
In an emotional Facebook post, Ax shared that he already learned the value of hard work at a young age because he did not come from a well-off family.
“High school ako noong mamulat ako sa hirap ng buhay. Nagtinda ako noon ng suman at graham balls sa school. Gumawa rin ako ng assignments at activities ng mga kaklase ko kapalit ng konting halaga para lang may pang-baon sa ekswela,” the rider said.
He later took on more challenging jobs in order to sustain his studies.
“Hanggang sa naging service crew, call center agent, delivery rider, VA, at iba’t-ibang klase ng raket ang pinasok ko para lang kumita ng pera. Hindi naging madali ang lahat. Magdeliver umaraw man o umulan, mapuyat sa gabi para pumasok sa isa pang trabaho, sabay na din dun ‘yung pag-gawa ng mga school works,” he recounted.
This is why he became emotional when he found out that he will be graduating with latin honors.
“Nung nalaman kong ga-graduate ako nang may latin honor eh hindi ko talaga napigilang umiyak dahil alam kong naging sulit lahat. Sulit ang pagbibilad sa ilalim ng tirik na araw, sulit lahat ng luha kasabay ng pagbyahe sa gitna ng malalakas na ulan, sulit lahat ng puyat maipasa lang ang mga kailangan ipasa sa eskwela.”
Ax also thanked his loved ones who supported him along the way.
“Maraming maraming salamat sa aking pamilya sa suporta na ibinigay nila sa akin. At higit sa lahat, maraming salamat sa Panginoon sa pagbibigay sa akin ng malakas na pangangatawan, lakas ng loob para suungin lahat ng problema upang makamit itong tagumpay, at sa pag gabay sa akin sa araw-araw hindi lang sa byahe sa kalsada kundi pati na rin sa byahe ng buhay.”
In a Facebook post he shared a video clip of his journeyy. He sahred, “Itong mga trabahong ‘to ang kumumpleto ng college life ko. “TO GOD BE THE GLORY”
His inspiring story reeached the Kapamilya Network and he was featured!
Greetings and admiration poured for him.
“Kainggit naman talaga ng mga anak na responsable sana ol na lang talaga.”
“Grabe tong bata na to galing naman!”