Flonique Guimary

BB Gandanghari reveals why she pursued a second degree

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>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.</p><div><br/></div><p>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. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DL_Q5akJYcf/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=630&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A250196.80000000005%2C%22ls%22%3A249865.30000000005%2C%22le%22%3A249877.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1041" 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><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>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 🙏”</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKa6j_1pcCN/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=630&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A250210.69999999995%2C%22ls%22%3A249865.30000000005%2C%22le%22%3A249877.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1023" 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><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2024/2/7/bb-gandanghari-is-now-a-student-at-la-film-school-1203" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: BB Gandanghari is now a student at LA Film School</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>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.</p><div><br/></div><p>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!”</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2022/5/4/fresh-scoops/bb-gandanghari-is-officially-an-american-citizen-199916" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: BB Gandanghari is now officially an American citizen: ‘Moving forward!’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DL866JoxzUF/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=630&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A250226.90000000002%2C%22ls%22%3A249865.30000000005%2C%22le%22%3A249877.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1041" 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><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>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. </p><div><br/></div><p>“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. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2022/2/26/fresh-scoops/bb-gandanghari-gets-her-first-ever-mammogram-in-th-198734" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: BB Gandanghari gets her first ever mammogram in the US: ‘I totally feel like a woman’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>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. </p><div><br/></div><p>Back then, the 57-year-old artist shared in her vlog the toll the treatment took on her, both emotionally and physically.</p><div><br/></div><p>“We have to deal with changes physiologically, too. We don&#x27;t only do the physical change, or the outer appearance change. The change is coming from within, especially if you&#x27;re doing hormone therapy. Physiologically, there are changes. What is unseen by the eye is what&#x27;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&#x27;s hard for hard for a transgender individual to go through transition by themselves. It&#x27;s very difficult kasi you are vulnerable emotionally. So reach out.”</p>

<p>BB Gandanghari proudly graduated from the Los Angeles Film School with the highest honors this month.</p>

BB Gandanghari proudly graduated from the Los Angeles Film School with the highest honors this month.

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

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Celebrities

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

Rhea Manila Santos,

Push Team

Published July 15, 2025 09:25 PM PHT

Read More:

Bb Gandanghari

Rustom Padilla

BB Gandanghari

US

BB

Los Angeles Film School

California

Honor Society of Los Angeles

Rommel Padilla

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.