Stars earn degrees through scholarship and ETEEAP program, marking long-awaited milestones at PWU commencement rites.
Dreams years in the making finally became reality for Aljon Mendoza and Young JV as they proudly walked across the stage to receive their college diplomas during the 103rd Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Exercises of Philippine Women’s University (PWU) on Tuesday, July 28, at its Taft Avenue campus in Manila.
For Aljon, a former “Pinoy Big Brother: Otso” housemate, the milestone marked the fulfillment of a goal he had long pursued while balancing life in the entertainment industry. The 25-year-old earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Marketing through a scholarship granted by veteran TV host Boy Abunda.
Young JV, whose real name is Eduardo Kapunan III, also celebrated a significant academic achievement after completing his Bachelor of Music major in Popular Music through the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP). At 36, the singer-actor proved that learning has no age limit, adding another milestone to his career.
Also among the graduates was fellow “Pinoy Big Brother: Otso” alumna Kaori Oinuma, who finished her Bachelor of Arts major in Psychology through the same scholarship program.
Their graduation served as a reminder that perseverance, hard work, and the opportunity to pursue education can make even long-held dreams come true, regardless of where life leads.
PWU has previously figured in public conversations surrounding celebrity graduations, particularly those completed under the Commission on Higher Education’s ETEEAP framework, which allows working professionals to convert industry experience into academic credits. While the program is legally recognized and designed for non-traditional learners, it has at times drawn scrutiny online, with critics questioning the perceived speed and flexibility of such degrees.
The university, along with past celebrity graduates, has maintained that the program requires proper assessments, portfolio work, and academic evaluation, emphasizing that it offers an alternative path to formal education rather than a shortcut.
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