Hail to the graduates!

Stardom is temporary (here today, gone tomorrow) while education is forever. That’s why showbiz denizens aware of this reality take effort in putting their heart to their studies, some of them even taking a leave or dividing equal time between work and school.

Funfare congratulates this year’s batch of graduates, including Cavite Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla, Valerie Concepcion, Gerald Madrid, and Jake Ejercito.

Jolo (full name as written on his diploma: Ramon Jolo Bautista Revilla III) managed to combine his duties as a government official and as a student of Lyceum of the Philippines where he finished Bachelor of Arts Major in Legal Studies under ETEEAP (Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency & Accredited Program). Fourteen Cavite councilors (some of them taking master’s degree, the oldest was 67) graduated with Jolo.

Valerie Concepcion: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Arellano University

In September, Jolo will take a crash course on Leaders of the 21st Century at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard (where then Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno also a similar course a few years ago). The degree is useful to Jolo who is running for reelection (for his third and last term) in next year’s elections.

On the lighter side, Funfare asked Jolo what the real score is between him and Jodi Sta. Maria. You see, there was speculation that they have broken up after Jolo posted a birthday greeting for Jodi without their usual term of endearment and thanking Jodi for the “eight years” they were going steady. Jodi has a son by her ex-husband Pampi Lacson (now with Iwa Moto with whom he has a child) and Jolo a love son with ex-girlfriend Grace (daughter of Rosanna Roces).

Initially, Jolo begged off from answering, saying, “No comment.” Then he texted this message to Funfare: She brings out the best in me. We may be in a difficult situation now but I’m thankful kasi madami akong natutunan sa relasyon namin. Anuman ang kinakaharap namin ngayon, I believe that God has a plan for us.

There. Read between the lines and you know what the real score is.

Jake Ejercito (with parents Manila Mayor Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada and Laarni Enriquez): Master’s Degree in Marketing, Northumbria University (Singapore) – Photo from Jerika Ejercito’s Instagram

Her fans must have wondered why Valerie Concepcion was not visible these past few months. It turned out that she was preoccupied with her studies. Valerie recently graduated from Arellano University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology under ETEEAP (Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency & Accredited Program).

Now 30, Valerie graduated high school when she was 16. She’s in the cast of the forthcoming GMA soap Ika-5 Utos with Jean Garcia, Gelli de Belen, Tonton Gutierrez, Antonio Aquitania, Inah de Belen, Jake Vargas, Jeric Gonzales, Klea Pineda and Migo Adecer, directed by Lore Reyes and Laurice Guillen (who megged the hit soap Ika-6 Na Utos).

In Singapore, Jake Ejercito graduated from Northumbria University with M.A. in Marketing. The university is affiliated with the one in London. Jake started his studies in another school in London. It was a happy family event with Jake’s parents, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada and Laarni Enriquez present, including Jake’s sister Jerika and Jake’s daughter Ellie whose mom, Andi Eigenmann, very kindly “lent” Ellie to her dad.

On her social-media post, Andi’s mom Jaclyn Jose thanked Jake for taking good care of Ellie even if the girl missed the birthday celebration of her mom. As the cliche goes, all’s well that ends well…but not before the exchange of unpleasant words on national television and social media. Jaclyn, Jake and Andi should set a good example to couples/families still separated by bitterness and (false?) pride.

Gerald Madrid: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Major in Customs Administration), Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC)

Another new degree-holder is Gerald Madrid (full name: Gerald Martin Saludares Madrid) who graduated with Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Major in Customs Administration) from Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC).

“I’m happy because it’s a dream come true but also because my parents really wanted me to finish college,” said Gerald. “I chose the course so that I can use it in my plan to put up a brokerage business.” 

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)