ARTIST manager and vlogger Ogie Diaz believes that any child who graduates from college is already a parent’s resounding achievement.
“’Yun pa kayang gumradweyt ang anak mo na cum laude?” he says. (How much more if your child graduates cum laude?)
The celebrity dad of five girls was referring to Godhie, his second child with Mommy Georgette, more fondly known as Sowl.
Twenty-two-year-old Godhie recently graduated with a degree in Medical Technology from the University of Santo Tomas. In addition to graduating cum laude, she received two other medals from the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Manuel L. Quezon Leadership Award.
Proudly, Ogie recalls what his “prophetic” daughter had promised him and Georgette: “I want you, Daddy and Mama, to go up the stage because mark my word, I’m going to be a cum laude! You both have to be on stage to pin the medal!”
Even when she was only three, Godhie’s parents already knew she would either end up as a lawyer or a doctor someday. It was all because of the precocious child’s prodigious memory and ability to remember things by heart.
So far, Ogie and Georgette already have two graduates among their five daughters. The first was this writer’s godchild Erin, who finished Culinary Arts.
On Erin’s graduation day, the proud dad recalls restaurant owners lining up in droves, ready to hire his daughter on the spot.
To date, though, Erin has chosen to work at a fine-dining restaurant of her choice.
Ogie considers himself blessed to have raised goal-driven daughters.
“’Yun din naman kasi ang bilin ko sa mga anak ko. Tuparin n’yo mga pangarap n’yo, mag-aral kayo,” he says. (That is also what I always tell my children. Reach for your dreams. Study.)
“Samantalahin n’yo habang malakas pa ang Daddy n’yo at kaya pang ibigay ang mga pangangailangan n’yo,” he adds. (Take advantage of the time while Daddy is still strong and able to provide for your needs.)
“Para sa kinabukasan n’yo ito,” Ogie reminds them. (All this is for your future.)
When it comes to his children burning the midnight oil, most especially Godhie, given the struggles and demands of a pre-med course, Ogie is way too open-minded.
“Basta ang lagi kong sinasabi kay Godhie, pag napapagod na siya, hindi masamang magpahinga. Pag nakapag-recharge na siya, go uli,” he says. (I always tell Godhie that if she gets tired, it is not wrong to rest. Once she has recharged, then she can go on again.)
Then comes Ogie’s most practical reminder to his daughter: “Anak, ang pangarap mo, eh, maging doctor... hindi pasyente!” (My child, your dream is to become a doctor, not a patient!)
For his daughter’s achievements, Ogie also acknowledges Godhie’s OB-Gyne godmother, Dr. Cecille Perez, as one of the driving forces behind her dogged academic drive for excellence.
Dr. Perez is the same kumare-doctor who witnessed the births of four of Ogie’s daughters, except for his youngest, Meerah, who was born prematurely.
For all of Godhie’s accolades, let’s not forget that Ogie and Georgette deserve as many plaudits for raising her incredibly well.
On real talk, there is one item on Ogie’s bucket list that he eagerly wants realized — to have a picture taken with Georgette, all five daughters and their respective families, including all his grandchildren.
About 10, 20 or 30 years from now?
By then, Ogie would be 66, 76 or 86.
Looking forward to seeing that family picture!