Graduating together from the same school on the same day is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for a parent and a child.

This rare feat was recently accomplished by Diosdado Babar III and his daughter Felisha Danna Babar, who both completed their degrees from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB).

Felisha is a cum laude of the Bachelor of Arts in Diplomacy and International Affairs (AB-DIA) program. Diosdado obtained a degree in Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (BS-HRIM) through the Expanded Tertiary Education, Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP).

“Marching together symbolized not just our academic attainment but the culmination of our shared perseverance and dedication,” Diosdado reminisced. “Celebrating this milestone highlighted the strength of our bond and commitment to lifelong learning.”

“It’s a core memory I’ll treasure forever,” Felisha added. “Seeing my entire family proud of not only my dad’s achievement, but also 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 (OFW) 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, France. Even the time zone difference did not hinder the duo from supporting one another’s endeavors.

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 setup. My professional experience also influenced my approach to problem-solving, making it more practical and results-driven compared to Felisha’s theoretical orientation,” he stated.

The two Benildeans’ friendly competition drove them to be at their best element 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 noted.

“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,” the daughter noted. “He also recounted his successes and struggles to me, especially when he passed final validations or needed guidance with subjects. We became each other’s pillar of support.”

“Despite being continents apart, we motivated each other by sharing experiences and challenges,” the father claimed. “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.”

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. Their professors often asked if they were related and told the class stories about their accomplishments.

“There’s a special pride in seeing your family thrive in the same community,” Felisha said.

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 between them. Their mutual sojourn in Benilde was instrumental in narrowing that gap and making them feel at home.

“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.