Father and daughter share graduation day
Diosdado Babar III and Felisha Danna Babar have achieved something few fathers and daughters have: They graduated together from the same school on the same day.
The two recently received their degrees from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
Felisha is a cum laude graduate of the Bachelor of Arts in Diplomacy and International Affairs program, while Diosdado got a degree in Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management through the Expanded Tertiary Education, Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP).
“Marching together symbolized not just our academic attainment, but also the culmination of our shared perseverance and dedication,” Diosdado said.
“It’s a core memory I’ll treasure forever,” his daughter Felisha added. “Seeing my entire family proud of not only my dad’s achievement but also of mine made the moment even more profound.”
Her father wanted to formalize his professional expertise in hospitality and fulfill his long-standing personal goal of getting a diploma. ETEEAP enabled him to pursue distance learning as an Overseas Filipino Worker in the United Kingdom. He is currently an assistant food and beverage manager at the Merton Hotel, the largest resort property in the island of Jersey, a finance industry favorite.
Felisha’s career choice was spurred by her passion for international relations, global politics, and diverse cultures. In 2023, the student-leader represented Benilde at the Harvard World Model United Nations in Paris.
The time zone difference did not hinder the duo from supporting each other’s endeavors.
“Despite being continents apart, we motivated each other by sharing experiences and challenges. Encouraging words during tough assignments or exams became a norm, and exchanging tips on time management, research, and study strategies helped us stay on track,” said Diosdado.
Learning methods
Though they had different methods of studying, Diosdado and Felisha preferred structured learning and set clear timelines for their assigned tasks.
“Felisha liked collaboration and frequently engaged with her peers, while I leaned on independent study due to my distance learning set-up. My professional experience also influenced my approach to problem-solving, making it more practical and results-driven compared to Felisha’s theoretical orientation,” he said.
The two Benildeans’ friendly competition drove them to do their best during their college years. “Whether it was comparing grades, the quality of projects, or even faculty members we knew, this healthy rivalry motivated both of us perform better,” Diosdado said.
“Whenever I felt overwhelmed by my studies, my dad was my source of positivity. His affirmations lifted my spirits, and I always mentioned to him my achievements, knowing he’d be proud. We became each other’s pillar of support,” Felisha shared.
In a role reversal of sorts, her father would sometimes ask for her help in completing a project, and they’d consult each other about their work.
From late-night video calls in Manila to early-morning chats in Jersey, regular virtual catch-ups kept Diosdado and Felisha connected despite the geographical distance. Their mutual sojourn in Benilde narrowed that gap, making them feel like they were together somehow.
“It gave us a deeper understanding of each other’s strengths and dreams. Benilde wasn’t just a school—it became a place where we grew closer, and our journey there made our family ties even stronger,” Felisha said.
