THE THOMASIAN journey varies for everyone, and for actress Mikee Quintos, it took 10 years. But on June 21, she finally closed that chapter as one of the 318 graduates from the UST College of Architecture.
Quintos, known for her roles in “Encantadia,” “Onanay,” and “Voltes V: Legacy,” first entered the UST College of Architecture in 2014, just two years before she went into acting.
Although architecture is a five-year program, Quintos’s road doubled in length as she managed deadlines both in the classroom and on set.
“Medyo pinagsabay ko ‘yong pagpasok ng college at pagpasok ng real world. So, the experience was really different for me,” she told the Varsitarian.
“I was balancing studying with real life, with work. Hindi naman sa hindi real life ang studying, but we have this notion na kapag nag-aaral pa tayo, we’re still preparing for the real world.”
Still, Quintos never let go of her goal to graduate.
“Before I got in showbiz, ni-rule ko sa sarili ko at pinromise ko sa parents ko. Deal nila na hindi nila pipirmahan ‘yong kontrata ko kung hindi ako ga-graduate,” she said.
“Unti-unti kong tinake ‘yong subjects ko. Gano’n ‘yong naging diskarte ko. May mga semester na wala akong ma-enroll kasi tapos ko na ‘yong available subjects, pero hindi ko pa pwedeng kunin ‘yong mga next kasi pre-requisite pa.”
There were also semesters when she needed to retake classes, which pushed her graduation back even more. Despite that, Quintos stayed connected to campus life, fondly remembering marathon painting sessions and group work powered by caffeine as some of her favorite memories.
The Kapuso star also still cherished her time on campus, from having first friendships, first crushes, and spending quiet afternoons along P. Noval.
On April 22, Quintos defended her thesis — the final requirement before walking at the Quadricentennial Pavilion — and a month later, on June 21, she marched as part of the College of Architecture’s Class of 2025, hoping to pursue a career in the field.
Despite the long road, Quintos stayed focused.
“Never compare your journey to others. Your journey is yours,” she said.
“It’s natural to feel the pressure. Pero, it’s a human thing to feel envy. But if you catch that you’re just comparing yourself to other people and remove that habit, then mas dere-deretso ‘yong journey mo. Mas masaya rin.”
