Dannyka Manangan

LOOK: Gela Atayde graduates from college, shares journey balancing studies and career

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p><em>Time To Dance</em> host and <em>Senior High </em>actress Gela Atayde took to social media to share another milestone in her life as she graduated from college. </p><p>In an Instagram post, Gela shared her journey of balancing school with her commitments in the entertainment industry. She graduated with a degree in AB Communication Arts from the De La Salle University. </p><p>“Didn’t think I’d make it out alive, but…WE OUTTIE 🎓,” Gela began.</p><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLUr06gIdF4/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A523604.19999999995%2C%22ls%22%3A523094.6000000001%2C%22le%22%3A523099.19999999995%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="901" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><p>“Forever grateful to my family, friends, and loved ones who pushed me, supported me, and understood the crazy schedule, the stress, and the grind it took to balance school, dance, and work. ♡,” she continued.</p><p>Gela admitted that juggling a full course load while working in showbiz was no easy feat.</p><p>“Balancing college with showbiz wasn’t easy, especially as a regular student with no special passes for absences or being late. And since my course is directly tied to my job, there was always added pressure,” she admitted.</p><p>She reflected on her learning experience, saying, “I often caught myself thinking, ‘I learn so much more on the field (through experience) than in the classroom.‘ Hindi sa nagmamagaling ako but I’ve always learned best by doing, not just by listening.”</p><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLE9porSqEY/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A523623.69999999995%2C%22ls%22%3A523094.6000000001%2C%22le%22%3A523099.19999999995%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="901" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><p>Despite the challenges, Gela said she’s thankful for the journey.</p><p>“Still, I’m beyond grateful for this journey, an opportunity not everyone is blessed to have. I’m thankful for my professors who guided me, especially those who truly understood where I was coming from and the struggle of figuring it all out along the way,” Gela said.</p><p>She also dedicated her achievement to her parents, actress-producer Sylvia Sanchez and Art Atayde.</p><p>“There were so many moments I wanted to give up, but I kept going, not just for myself, but because I know it’s almost every parent’s dream to see their child graduate. So, to mom @sylviasanchez_a and dad @xaviiart, this one’s for you. Thank you, and congratulations to us. ♥️,” she wrote.</p><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DK6zLRLyMc0/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A523638.8999999999%2C%22ls%22%3A523094.6000000001%2C%22le%22%3A523099.19999999995%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="901" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><p>Gela also gave a heartfelt shoutout to her longtime friend, expressing, “Special shoutout to @renee.ballesteros, my day 1 ♡ Would not have survived all that without you for real. Grade School, High School, and College got nothing on us so hello real world, we’re coming for you. ✨.”</p><p>Although she missed her graduation ceremony due to a family trip, Gela still found joy in the moment.</p><p>“Didn’t get to walk with my toga ‘cause of a pre-booked family trip, but honestly… wouldn’t trade it for seeing Cbreezy 🙊,” she said.</p><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-3" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLCkEtSynWC/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A524988.6000000001%2C%22ls%22%3A523094.6000000001%2C%22le%22%3A523099.19999999995%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="901" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-3" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><p>Celebrities like Gary Valenciano, Iza Calzado, Erik Santos, Chie Filomeno, Darla Sauler, and Inka Magnaye sent their congratulations in the comment section.</p><p>“U did that! CONGRATULATIONS beautiful!!” actress and host Denise Laurel said.</p><p>Gela’s sister, actress Ria Atayde also commented, “So so proud of you!!!!”</p><p>Gela has recently celebrated her 23rd birthday alongside a dance cover.</p><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLHl_cZotKD/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A525153.8999999999%2C%22ls%22%3A523094.6000000001%2C%22le%22%3A523099.19999999995%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="487" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><p>In a previous “Stars on Stars” segment on Jeepney TV, Gela opened up about the pressures of being part of a showbiz family. The pressure came not from her loved ones, but from public expectations.</p><p>“Of course, there’s that thought na I have award-winning siblings and you. I think that&#x27;s something I was talking about with another ‘nepo baby’, na pagpasok there’s already a preconceived idea of who you are in showbiz. So, yes, it’s easy to get in because we have connections, but then staying in the industry is so much harder kasi you have to prove yourself from the moment you get in. Kilala ka na e, your last name’s already there, so parang everyone has the idea of who you are. You’re gonna be compared to this, you’re gonna be compared to that.” she shared.</p><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>READ: </strong><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/1/18/gela-atayde-coach-vimi-ken-san-jose-share-advice-for-contestants-on-time-to-dance-1649"><strong>Gela Atayde, Coach Vimi, Ken San Jose share advice for contestants on ‘Time To Dance’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong><strong>READ: </strong><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/articles-videos/gela-tells-mom-sylvia-im-just-glad-to-be-your-daughter-22352"><strong>Gela Atayde tells mom Sylvia: “I’m just glad to be your daughter”</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Gela also shared that she believes she inherited her dad Art’s calm demeanor, observant nature, and emotional sensitivity. From her mom Sylvia, she is proud to have gotten having a people-person attitude and &quot;koboy&quot; spirit, or someone who’s game to do everything. </p><div> </div><div><strong></strong><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABTYJObXNo8l2z3K"></script><strong></strong></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong></strong><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABTYIh0AV89ebgaH"></script><strong></strong></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong></strong><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABXGw_QwPvIFWKVj"></script><strong></strong></div>

<p><b>Gela Atayde dedicates new milestone to parents Sylvia Sanchez and Art Atayde.</b></p>