MANILA— Jerome Santiago, 28, made history on Saturday as the first blind graduate from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) College of Commerce and Business Administration.

Santiago has had trouble seeing since birth, and his sight began to deteriorate gradually during his pre-teen years.

Despite his visual impairment, he proved that his disability was not a hindrance to completing his studies alongside his peers at a big university.

“Kahit na nagfi-feel down ka na and you really want to give up, ‘yun ang nagmo-motivate sa’kin. Ang daming tao na nagdi-dream to study at UST pero nandito na, I just want to give my best,” Santiago said.

(Even when you feel down and you really want to give up... what really kept me motivated was knowing so many people want to study at UST. I was already here and I just wanted to give my best.)

Amid discrimination, he is determined to raise awareness that visually impared individuals are equally capable of achieving more.

“Kahit naman may disability ‘yung tao, meron pa rin siyang worth. Meron pa rin siyang abilities. Meron pa rin siyang mga kayang gawin,” he said.

(Even if a person has a disability, they have worth. They have abilities and there are things that they can do)

“Kailangan lang nila ma-educate about awareness kung paano ba nagco-cope and nagtutuloy sa buhay ‘yung taong may kapansanan,” he added.

(They just need to learn how to cope and how to go on with life with a disability.)

His mother, Elena Santiago, acknowledged that it is sometimes painful to hear the criticisms directed at her blind son, yet she takes pride in witnessing her son overcome them.

“Meron din kasing mga tao na hindi makaintindi kung ano ‘yung kalagayan nila pero hayaan mo lang sila, basta go on,” Elena said.

(There are some who could not understand his situation, but I told him not to mind them and to just go on.)

“Maligayang-maligaya ako kasi kahit na may kapansanan, nag-struggle pa rin siya,” she added.

(I am very happy that he stuck to the struggle.)

The university further believes that this momentous occasion for Santiago would serve as a great inspiration to those who have been facing similar challenges on their journey.

“Ito ay isang patunay na ang university ay inclusive so sa lahat ng klase ng bata ay dapat tanggapin kasi karapatan nila na pumasok sa isang ganitong pamantasan,” according to Associate Professor Elizabeth Magbata, PhD, chair of the Department of Financial Management at the College of Commerce.

(This shows that the university is inclusive and that we should accept all people because they have the right to be here)