Bikay: After graduation, what?

Bikay is, of course, Rebecca Lusterio, the sea-shell vendor from Panglao, Bohol, who rose to prominence (well, almost!) a few years ago when she won a Best Child Actress award for her first movie, Muro-Ami (directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya and starring Cesar Montano, Bikay’s fellow Boholano), a feat she duplicated two years ago when she bagged a Best Supporting Actress award for her performance in Panaghoy sa Suba (produced, directed and starred in by Cesar) at the 2004 Metro Filmfest.

Bikay could have done more movies (and TV shows) hadn’t she opted to devote full time to her studies, supporting herself and helping augment the meager family income by selling seashells (mostly) to tourists at the Tropical Alona Beach in Panglao.

"Bikay never put on any airs," said Funfare contributor Leo Udtohan, Bikay’s good friend. "She was never blinded by the showbiz spotlight. Even after she won the awards, Bikay acted like a typical teenager determined to finish school."

And that’s the good news: Bikay finally realized her fond dream of wearing a toga two weeks ago at the high-school graduation rites at the Saint Agustin Academy in Panglao, doing her parents, Verano and Helen Lusterio (and uncle Virgilio Estoquia), and her townmates proud. She got two medals from the Office of the President (of the) National Youth Commission and the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation (headed by Frances Bobbith Cajes-Auza) in recognition of her acting talent. She didn’t get any award from her school.

"Bikay should serve as role model to people her age," said Leo. "She didn’t allow poverty to stop her from pursuing her dream to finish school."

After graduation, what?

According to Leo, Bikay wants to pursue a college course in Manila, even if she’ll be, as usual, a self-supporting student (unless a good Samaritan out there makes her a scholar).

"Bikay is a big fan of Angel Locsin and her wish is to join the cast of Majika (the GMA teleserye topbilled by Angel with Dennis Trillo)," said Leo. "Or the upcoming Captain Barbell."

Will GMA 7 act as a "good Samaritan?"

More graduate — from my family

Speaking of graduates, we have our own batch in the family – four of them, actually: Jeffrey Stephen Jepollo (from a kindergarten school in Catubig, Northern Samar), Nastassja Kay Lo (from the Las Navas, Northern Samar, Primary School), Kimberly Lee (from the Philippine Institute of Quezon City) and Grace Lovely Lo (from the Holy Cross Academy in Digos, Davao del Sur).

Seeing them march up the stage, their white graduation dress fluttering in the summer breeze and their togas precariously perched on their hands, I was hit by a feeling a deja vu. Was it only yesterday when I myself graduated from primary school (also at Las Navas) and from high school (Tabaco Pei Ching School in now Tabaco City, Albay)? That was ages ago, in nineteen-forgotten.

But I felt the same lump in my throat and the same teardrop threatening to run down my cheek when I listened to the orphan Grace Lovely deliver her valedictory address which she herself wrote with such emotion that it made the audience shed quiet tears. The event was particularly touching because the girl, whose father (my brother Netoy) died 10 years ago, also lost her mother only last February, so I flew to Digos and "proxied" for her parents who must have been turning with pride in their graves as their daughter, turning 18 in November yet, received 12 medals (count ‘em!) topped by her being a valedictorian (since first year; and first honor from grades one to six).

Anyway, I say "good luck!" to Bikay, the four graduates in our family and all the graduates out there. May they smoothly and successfully hitch their wagons to their respective stars!

Briefly noted

• Ginger Conejero, 22, who once reigned as queen at a Filipino festival in San Francisco, California, arrived the other day to represent the West Coast in the 2006 Miss Philippines-Earth pageant slated on May 14. The winner will represent the country in the Miss Earth 2006 contest to be held outside of the Philippines – in Chile – for the first time, sometime in November this year. The daughter of Antonio Conejero and Azela Conejero, Ginger graduated with a B.A. Political Science degree from the University of Southern California. She’s a voracious reader (favorite books: The Alchemist and Le Petit Prince), dabbles in "competitive sports." She is a good singer and dancer.

Henceforth, the West Coast bet in the Miss Philippines-Earth pageant will be chosen by ADKINS Multi-Media Concepts (LCC) which owns the West Coast franchise agreement with the Philippine-based Carousel Productions, Inc. (which is behind the Miss Philippines-Earth and worldwide Miss Earth search).

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