LOOK: This adventurous fresh grad shows his mom how he could balance academics and trips

College is an amazing world. It gives you opportunities to discover more about yourself and as well as giving you the freedom to experience “the last hurrah” before the real world. For fresh graduate Justin Laserna, he had the time of his life maximizing his years in the university. Despite the many escapades and a good number times he’d hang out with his friends as a break from his academics, he always made sure to inform his mother about his where and what-about’s.

https://twitter.com/justinlaserna/status/962611692994576384

WHEN IN MANILA has reached out to Laserna for further details.

“Lumaki ako sa probinsya. Lumaki ako na may mga rules, strict parents, teachings, at pamilya na sumusporta sakin. Madalas akong pumarty lalo na nung lumipat ako sa Manila para mag-aral sa La Salle. Di din masyado akong pinapayagang lumabas tsaka di pwede yung malalayong lugar. Kung inuman naman pinag-uusapan, dapat before midnight nakauwi na ako. Kaya ginagawa ko pag sa Davao na inuman, sa labas na ng bahay namin yung venue para hindi bitin, hahaha. Ibang usapan naman sa Manila, todo iwas paalam ako kasi baka ma bokya pa at di pa payagan. Automatic basta sa Manila pag inuman, tulog na ako para kay Nanay. Pag outing, ayun tahimik lang minsan tapos sasabihin nasa mall lang pero roadtrip w friends na pala. Di naman sa lahat ng lakad di ako nagpapaalam, may mga oras din na nadadala si mama sa awa effect ko. Minsan din sinasabi ko na sa kanya pagkatapos na ng outing. Okay lang naman sa kanya, kasi mga ilang minutong lambing solve na hehehe.

Di ko naman inexpect na sisikat yung tweet tsaka nung una natakot pa nga akong ipost baka makita ng ibang tao tas gawin pa akong dahilan sa mga magulang nila na okay lang magsinungaling basta’t gagraduate. Siguro kaya sumikat kasi maraming nakakarelate. Basta yung parati ko iniisip, minsan lang naman tayo maging binata’t dalaga kaya dapat sulitin na lang natin kasi pag tanda mahihirapan na tayo lumabas kasama ang tropa kasi family first na dapat. Pero kahit ganon dapat may long term goals kasi happiness ng parents ay yung makita ang anak nila successful sa buhay.”

English translation:

“I grew up in the province. I grew up with rules, strict parents, teachings and a supportive family. I started going to parties especially when I moved to Mania to study in La Salle. I wasn’t allowed to go out of the house often, and usually, I’m not allowed to go to places far away. If it’s just a simple drinking session with friends, I should be home before midnight. That’s why, when we’d have these sessions in Davao (where I’m from), I usually host them so that I don’t have to miss out on the fun for leaving early. For Manila, it’s a different story. I’d usually refrain from asking permission because I might not be permitted. It’s automatic that when (I’m in Manila) when there’s a drinking sesh, what my mom knows is that I’m already “asleep”. For outings, I’m just quiet. Sometimes, I’d inform my mom that I’m only at the mall but I’m on a road trip with friends. It’s not that I don’t get to ask permission properly with all my trips and galas, there are times also that my mom allows me out of pity (“awa effect”). Sometimes, I tell her when the outing’s done. It’s okay with her, because it’s usually overcome with lambing, and it’s all good afterward, hehehe.

I did not expect my Tweet to reach a lot of likes and retweets. At first, I was hesitant about posting it because other people might see it and would make me a reason to their parents that it’s okay to lie to them as long as they graduate. Maybe the reason why it received a lot of engagement is because a lot could relate.I always keep in mind that I’m only young once, so I have to maximize that. Because when we get older, we’ll have difficulty going out with friends because we prioritize family first. Even if that was the case, you still need to have long-term goals because what will make our parents happy is to see their children succeed in life.”