Flonique Guimary

Mela Habijan earns two masters degrees in Spain

Article (news)

Clarence Roi Gillego

Push Team

<p><em></em>At 38, <em>Sparks Camp </em>host Mela Habijan, lovingly called as “Mother Sparker,” achieved two significant academic milestones in Spain, proving that nothing is impossible if you persevere.</p><div> </div><p>The LGBTQIA+ icon earned two master&#x27;s degrees: Master of Business Administration and Master in Creative Direction, Content, and Branding. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-14" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMaBdO0IEYx/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%3A14%2C%22os%22%3A27119160.900000006%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1979" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-14" 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><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>“TO GOD BE THE GLORY! AFTER 19 MONTHS, WE FINALLY EARNED TWO MASTER’S DEGREES: MBA AND MASTER IN CREATIVE DIRECTION, CONTENT, AND BRANDING,” she wrote with pride in an Instagram post.  </p><div> </div><p>Mela is grateful for her beloved alma mater, the IE University in Madrid, for fully embracing her as a proud trans woman.  </p><div> </div><p>“But what’s more meaningful: I, a trans woman from my beloved Philippines, was loved, embraced, and cheered on by my IE University community. They gave me a true sense of belonging that every trans and queer person in the world dreams of,” she said.  </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-15" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMaClyfo12X/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%3A15%2C%22os%22%3A27119202.200000003%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1467" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-15" 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><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>The <em>Sparks Camp </em>host highlighted in her Instagram post how inclusive the institution is by acknowledging her preferred name both in the diploma and during the actual graduation ceremony.  </p><div> </div><p>“They even called me by my name on stage thrice — MISS MELA FRANCO HABIJAN,” she wrote.    </p><div><br/></div><p>“And for the first time, I got to see the name that I wish, hope, and pray to see in my passport and legal documents: MELAIA ERICKA MARIA FRANCO HABIJAN,” she added.  </p><div> </div><p>Although she clarified that it was not an official diploma as the school still needs to follow her legal name, Mela said it is by far the “most rewarding award” that she has received. </p><div> </div><p>“In Spain, I am seen. In Spain, trans people are recognized. In Spain, we are celebrated,” she wrote. </p><div> </div><p>Mela dedicates her achievements to the entire queer community, leaving them an impactful message on her lengthy graduation post.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/people/celebrities/pride-passion-purpose-sparks-camp-2-mela-habijan/38385" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Mela Habijan on What Sparks Her Passion and Purpose</strong></a></div><div> </div><p>“While it is still a struggle for trans and queer people to come to school and finish a degree as we are, this huge honor holds one fact: IT IS POSSIBLE,” she said.</p><div><br/></div><p>She concluded her first post with a heartfelt statement: &quot;Beloved Philippines and my Queer Community, I hope I made you proud!&quot;</p><div><br/></div><p>In a separate post, she also honored her parents who have been her greatest source of inspiration, sharing a video of their emotional moment during the graduation ceremony.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-16" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMaB1SsoA7-/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%3A16%2C%22os%22%3A27119212.900000006%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1209" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-16" 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><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>&quot;Having parents who are educators made me value education and continuous learning. And having parents who are faithful helped me believed in the power of faith and prayers,&quot; she wrote. </p><div><br/></div><p>&quot;I can’t thank my Supreme Being enough for giving me parents who are truly loving and accepting. They have been the wind beneath my wings who have helped me soar higher towards every aspiration that I manifest,&quot; she added.</p>

<p>Mela Habijan offers her latest achievements to the LGBTQIA+ community.</p>

Mela Habijan offers her latest achievements to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Mela Habijan earns two masters degrees in Spain, dedicates achievement to the queer community

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Mela Habijan earns two masters degrees in Spain, dedicates achievement to the queer community

Clarence Gillego,

Push Team

Published July 22, 2025 11:27 PM PHT

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Mela Habijan

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