Photo: Facebook Post
TV host and actress earns degree in Office Administration from Philippine Christian University
MANILA — Actress and television host Karla Estrada has reached a new milestone—this time, not on stage or screen, but in the classroom. At 48, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Office Administration from the Philippine Christian University (PCU) through the Commission on Higher Education’s Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP).
Designed for working professionals, ETEEAP allows individuals to earn academic degrees by validating their work experience, training, and competencies. For Estrada—who has spent more than three decades in the entertainment industry—it offered a long-awaited opportunity to formalize her skills and complete her college education.
On Instagram, Estrada shared her graduation photo wearing a traditional gown and cap. In her caption, she emphasized the importance of learning and personal growth, writing: “Develop a passion in learning, you will never cease to grow.” She also expressed gratitude to PCU and the ETEEAP program for giving her a second chance at academic achievement.
Estrada, who gained prominence both as a dramatic actress and as a host of the morning talk show Magandang Buhay, has publicly emphasized the value of education. Her graduation has since become a personal triumph and a broader symbol of encouragement for adult learners across the country.
She noted that completing her degree was a dream long delayed by life circumstances, including her early entry into show business and her role as a single mother. Estrada shared that her achievement is not just for herself but for others who may feel that time has passed them by. In her Instagram Stories, she encouraged others by saying: “If I can do it, you can do it! It’s possible. It’s never too late to learn and become what you always wanted to be.”
Estrada’s accomplishment comes as more Filipinos turn to non-traditional educational pathways. ETEEAP, developed under Republic Act No. 7722 and administered by CHED, offers a flexible academic track for professionals, overseas Filipino workers, and adult learners who wish to earn a degree without starting from scratch.
Her story quickly went viral, drawing admiration from fans, fellow celebrities, and education advocates. Many commended her resilience and drive, particularly her ability to balance academic requirements with the responsibilities of motherhood and public life.
As the mother of actor and singer Daniel Padilla, Estrada has said she hopes to inspire others to return to school and continue learning, regardless of where they are in life. She acknowledged that many people, particularly women, set aside personal goals for the sake of family or work. Her success, she added, is proof that those goals can still be reclaimed.
As she marked her graduation, Estrada became more than a screen icon—she became a figure of persistence and possibility. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that the door to education never truly closes, and that every chapter, even the ones we think are over, can still be rewritten.
