Ched Rick Gatchalian

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Social work student becomes CapSU's first trans summa cum laude

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751069448766Screenshot 2025-06-28 080751.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Khaz-JP Padilla&#x27;s graduation photo. Facebook/Khaz Zy "/>Khaz-JP Padilla&#x27;s graduation photo. Facebook/Khaz Zy </div><div> </div>MANILA — A transgender woman has made university history after graduating summa cum laude and delivering the valedictory address at Capiz State University–Pilar Satellite College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work.Khaz-JP Padilla is the first openly transgender woman to attain this distinction at her campus. But, for her, the milestone is not merely academic—it’s deeply personal and political.“Entering college kasi, I don’t have that goal of reaching the highest academic distinction,” Padilla revealed. “All I want[ed] is to prove something, to represent my community, and to end the stigma that hinders my community from accessing education.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/6/1/beyond-mamser-what-is-mx-and-why-are-some-people-advocating-its-use-1010">Beyond &#x27;mamser&#x27;: What is &#x27;Mx.&#x27; and why are some people advocating its use? </a></div>She found out she was on track for summa cum laude in April 2025, just weeks before graduation. Rather than view it as a personal trophy, she saw the honor as a platform “to give my community a chance to finally be seen, to finally be heard, [and] to finally prove something to our society that we can achieve heights regardless of gender expression.”Filipinos&#x27; attitudes towards LGBTQIA people have improved over the past decade, <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/07/05/23/sws-majority-of-filipinos-see-gays-lesbians-trustworthy">a 2023 Social Weather Stations poll suggests</a>, but discrimination still exists.Bills to penalize discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity have faced stiff resistance, with opponents saying these are unnecessary, should penalize discrimination in general, or encroach on freedom of religion.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/4/12/study-lgbtqi-filipinos-twice-more-likely-to-be-underemployed-1722">Study: LGBTQI+ Filipinos twice more likely to be underemployed </a></div><div>ACCEPTANCE AT HOME, SCHOOL</div>Padilla identifies as a pre-operative transgender woman and said she began questioning her identity in junior high school. A recurring discomfort with enforced short haircuts sparked a journey of introspection and self-discovery.“I felt that I have lost my self-confidence [and] my self-identity…  I did my research… and there I found out… [the word] transgender, and when… I have discovered… my truth, automatically I’ve embraced it, and when I did — ang gaan.”Her clarity and confidence, she said, were made possible by her family’s consistent support.“Since Day One, my family wholeheartedly accepted me… From me being gay, me being confused, me slowly transitioning into [the] woman that I am,” she affirmed. She said that helped her establish herself in the community. The foundation helped her withstand societal misconceptions, including assumptions around transgender identity and appearance.Padilla emphasized that her college experience at CapSU-Pilar was marked by openness and inclusivity.“Everyone was so supportive….It was humbling. It was empowering,” she said.While some questioned that she was allowed to express her gender identity in a traditionally binary academic structure, she responded through respectful dialogue.Padilla’s passion for public service led her to social work — a path suggested by her high school guidance counselor and that she felt resonated with her as a person.“And habang pinag-aaralan ko yung social work, I’ve learned that one of our many roles is to be an advocate,” she said.She later came to see her chosen field as an extension of her advocacy.“We are not seeking any special treatment… any special consideration, we just want equal opportunity that everybody have and that is education,” Padilla said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/27/chr-probes-recent-killings-of-transgender-women-as-it-flags-pattern-of-transfemicide-1435">CHR probes recent killings of trans women as it flags &#x27;pattern of transfemicide&#x27;</a></div>To fellow trans and queer youth, Padilla offered this advice:“Be patient… Bilang isang miyembro ng marginalized sector ng ating society, I know na mahirap. But what we are aiming for is systematic change, and… it&#x27;s not that instant, it&#x27;s not that quick… So matagal na laban pa ito… Be courageous enough to speak up to contribute to our community… Kahit mabagal, basta umuusad tayo,” she urged.To parents of queer children, she spoke as a future social worker:“[Do] not give children trauma in finding their sense of self… Genuine love doesn&#x27;t come with conditions… If you love your child, then you must love your child for who and what they are… Bakla lang naman po sila, di naman sila kriminal.”Padilla will soon prepare for the Social Work Licensure Exam, with a long-term goal of bringing systemic support to marginalized communities.For Padilla, graduating at the top of her class is not the end — it’s just the beginning of amplifying her voice and platform for others still silenced.“I believe that we all need one another... let&#x27;s continue to establish an inclusive society… where everyone embrace[s] everyone regardless of who and what they are.”

A transgender woman has made university history after graduating summa cum laude and delivering the valedictory address at Capiz State University–Pilar Satellite College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work.

A transgender woman has made university history after graduating summa cum laude and delivering the valedictory address at Capiz State University–Pilar Satellite College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work.

Social work student is CapSU's first trans summa cum laude

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Social work student is CapSU's first trans summa cum laude

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern,

Klare Basilia

Published Jun 28, 2025 09:20 AM PHT

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