Never too late

MANILA, Philippines - Perhaps privy that learning is the secret of youth, entertainment royalties are taking to graduate studies to strike a difference and stretch individuality.

As wife to Mar Roxas with an active broadcasting career, overachiever Korina Sanchez-Roxas (Korina Maria Sanchez-Roxas), 51, pursued academic excellence by taking higher studies despite her heavy schedule.

This puts her in the class of Jackie Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Reagan and even our own Luz Banzon- Magsaysay, who, when they married a politician put them well-prepared into the limelight. Korina is the reverse. She hogged renown even before she was a politician’s wife.

A two-time Thomas Jefferson scholar of the United States Embassy, her study grant for Investigative Journalism brought her to take post-graduate short courses across the mainland. At Alliance Francaise de Manille in Makati City, she completed a third-level French language course.

Korina took her MA Journalism under the the Konrad Adenauer Program at the Ateneo de Manila University. Although she had received her Latin-worded diploma, she will attend the graduation rites in July.

Claire dela Fuente (Clarita Crisostomo dela Fuente-de Guzman), 57, completed her fast-forwarded one-year Doctorate Degree for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine this March at the University of Makati (UM). This fulfills her parents’ ambition for her to be a medical doctor. She plans to put up a clinic to service the public and conduct medical missions in marginalized locations.

Joyce Pilarsky (Jocelyn Penas-Pilarsky), 61, also graduated in the same batch. She holds a doctorate degree honoris causa before taking her Master’s degree at UM. 

A graduate of Education major in English from St. Paul’s College Quezon City with Charo Santos-Concio as batchmate, Joyce took tutorials in painting and singing before turning award-winning fashion designer, book author and beauty queen.

“My goal is to be a sought-after inspirational speaker and servant of God like Bo Sanchez, Joyce Meyer, Joel Osteen and Oprah Winfrey who change and inspire lives,” Joyce shared her goal for non-stop learning.

But some senior stars have more basic needs — to finish an undergraduate degree. Entertainment stars are particularly exposed as the industry loves young people.

Although Gary Valenciano (Edgardo Jose Santiago Valenciano), 51, attended primary and secondary school in La Salle Greenhills, he failed to finish a degree as the kickoff entertainment career at 18 stalled his university education but he projects breeding, intelligence and love of humanities.

But his accomplishments as singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, dancer and as UNICEF first National Ambassador more than exceed his educational qualifications.

The Baptist Bible College Asia bestowed him a well-deserved honorary doctorate degree for his contribution to the Christian Community during the Bible school’s graduation ceremonies held at the Ynares Gym in Pasig on March 19.

Marissa Delgado (Efipania Boyle), 65, earned her Business Administration major in Human Resource Management from the University of Visayas in Cebu on March 18.

No one is ever late to be a graduate of a doctorate or even a bachelor’s degree.