A touching act by a college graduate from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines for his father went viral on TikTok just before his graduation.
Keanne Roeh Isurda graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies from PUP on October 3.
Photo courtesy: TikTok/@keanneroeh
Before the graduation ceremony, Keanne had his father, Tatay Rodolfo, wear his toga—the one Keanne would use for the event. This heartfelt gesture moved Tatay Rodolfo to tears, as Keanne was the first in their family to graduate. Keanne dedicated his success to his family.
“Mahal na mahal ko kayong lahat, daddy!! Lahat ng ito ay para sa inyo!!” he captioned.
In the TikTok video, Keanne’s father, visibly emotional, shares that he never had the opportunity to wear a toga because he didn’t complete his studies. However, he expresses his joy in experiencing it through his son.
“Hindi ako naka-graduate. Frustration ni tatay ‘nak. Kahit ganito, nakuha ko. ‘Di ko naranasan ‘yan. Hindi ko naranasan ‘yan, ‘yong maka-graduate,” Tatay Rodolfo said.
Because of this, the father asked his son if he could wear the graduation gown and have a video taken of him.
Photo courtesy: TikTok/@keanneroeh
Netizens were deeply touched, saying that it resonates more when a father shows emotion. The heartfelt moment stirred their emotions.
Based on the video, it can be said that the student experienced “beating” from his father, which might have been part of his disciplinary approach.
“I don’t know why but when it talks about father, it hurts a lot. maybe because I’m longing for my father’s love. actually I’m a daddy’s girl.”
“This really hurts for us who didn’t have good relationship with their father.”
“’Kahit binibugbog kita, nagtapos ka’ Anubaaa Keanne, kakagising ko lang nagpapa-iyak naman e. My father used to abuse us also physically, that’s the reason why we left him ++”
“‘Kahit binubogbog kita nagtapos ka.'”
“bilang isang batang 90’s ang salitang ‘binubogbog’ ay parte ng pagmamahal ng ating magulang dahil sa pamamagitan non lumaki tayong may takot sa diyos at sa ating mga magulang. proud batang 90’s here.”
In an interview, Keanne revealed that his father had been an undergraduate in the Mass Communication program. He knew that it had always been a source of frustration for Tatay Rodrigo not to complete his studies. His father’s joy was even greater because Keanne graduated with Latin honors.