BB Gandanghari reveals why she pursued a second degree: ‘And now, I feel brand new!’

Last July 13, BB Gandanghari proudly shared that she had just graduated from the Los Angeles Film School. She was awarded  summa cum laude after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Business.

t was early last year when BB first posted about her return to academics when she enrolled as a student at the Los Angeles Film School in California and also subsequently received a Student of the Month award. 

In her post last July 13, BB wrote, “Being Summa Cum Laude…. 🎥 … is not without hard work, discipline, perseverance, and determination. As much as I am proud of this achievement, I am also proud as a working student of having a perfect attendance and never late in my classes during the entire course. 🇺🇸I am also awarded as Student of the Month and a member of the Honor Society of Los Angeles 🙏”

READ: BB Gandanghari is now a student at LA Film School

Before her graduation ceremony began, BB shared a quick reel to show what she would be wearing that day, which included the prestigious yellow cord which indicates that she is graduating with the highest distinction of summa cum laude.

She shared in the video post, “It’s graduation day today and this is my outfit for today. I will be a proud wearer of this toga so I will put this on. I am a proud wearer of a summa cum laude cord. This is my medal. Thank you very much sa lahat ng nag-co-congratulate. I hope this will also serve as an inspiration. This is already my second degree. The reason I took another course is because I felt like my first degree was taken 40 years ago and I felt obsolete after. And now, I feel brand new!”

READ: BB Gandanghari is now officially an American citizen: ‘Moving forward!’

The day before receiving her degree, BB excitedly shared an unboxing video where she presented her graduation toga to her followers. She also informed her followers that her graduation ceremony with the Los Angeles Film School would be livestreamed. 

“Hello guys, long time no see. And ngayon ay, mag-u-unbox tayo. Hindi siya actually unboxing, but unwrapping (laughs). And guess what kung ano ang aking i-a-unwrap? I decided to do this kasi this is really a very special thing for me. Especially in my journey. What do you think this is?  It’s a toga. Alam niyo naman that I’m studying di ba? Ito ang aking tassel and this will be my cap for tomorrow. Bukas niyo na makikita ito sa aking graduation. But I’m very, very excited, that’s why I’m sharing it with you. And also don’t forget that you can go to YouTube for the livestream… I will see you there and thank you sa lahat ng nag-co-congratulate,” she shared in the reel. 

READ: BB Gandanghari gets her first ever mammogram in the US: ‘I totally feel like a woman’

In 2022, while she was working as a bookkeeper and accountant, BB first shared the fulfillment of one of her dreams by officially becoming an American citizen after residing in the US for more than a decade. Prior to this, BB (formerly known as actor Rustom Padilla, younger brother of Robin and Rommel Padilla) had herself declared as a transgender and requested a Los Angeles court to legally recognize her gender as female. She officially had her name changed to Binibini Gandanghari in 2016. She also went through hormone replacement therapy as part of her transition to becoming a woman in 2019. 

Back then, the 57-year-old artist shared in her vlog the toll the treatment took on her, both emotionally and physically.

“We have to deal with changes physiologically, too. We don't only do the physical change, or the outer appearance change. The change is coming from within, especially if you're doing hormone therapy. Physiologically, there are changes. What is unseen by the eye is what's really the harder part. That is why it is always encouraged that when you have a transgender relatives or friends, you give emotional support. it's hard for hard for a transgender individual to go through transition by themselves. It's very difficult kasi you are vulnerable emotionally. So reach out.”