‘Just for me’: TV host Joyce Pring shares 15-year journey to a college degree

Television personality and video jockey Joyce Pring is set to achieve a significant milestone: earning her communications degree from the University of Perpetual Help. This accomplishment marks the culmination of a 15-year journey that saw her balance a thriving career with her academic aspirations.

Joyce recently shared her personal story in a heartfelt social media post, reflecting on the challenges she faced. At just 17, she had to put her studies on hold and begin working to help support herself due to financial difficulties. She described this necessity as crushing, especially given her big dreams and desire to finish school, feeling tired of having to grow up so quickly to navigate the chaos in her life.

For years, Joyce carried feelings of pain and shame, contemplating "wasted potential" and what she might have achieved had she followed a more traditional path. However, by her mid-twenties, she gained perspective, realizing that despite not taking the conventional route, her life had still unfolded successfully.

Indeed, Joyce built a name for herself, winning the Myx VJ Search in 2011 and later becoming a host on GMA's popular noontime show, Eat Bulaga!. Despite her professional success, the desire for her college degree remained.

It wasn't until 2023, encouraged by her manager, "Mama Betchay" Vidanes, that Joyce finally made the commitment to return to school. She dedicated herself to completing the remaining two years of her communications program.

Joyce emphasized that this pursuit was deeply personal, explaining she didn't publicize her return to studies initially. She wanted to ensure she was doing it for the right reasons – to close a chapter left open for 15 years – not for external validation, but "just for me." She believes the idea of choosing between a diploma and relying on personal drive ("diskarte") is a false choice, asserting that one can strive for both, even if the path is long and challenging.

Graduating, for Joyce, is a way to connect with and affirm her younger self, who felt dejected and forced to mature rapidly. She sees it as proof that despite the difficulties, she persevered and that her journey has been guided positively. An acknowledged avid learner and Quezon City Science High School alumna, she extended her gratitude to her professors, the college dean, her thesis adviser, friends, and her family, including her husband, actor Juancho Triviño, and their two children, Eliam and Aggie.

While there are suggestions for her to pursue postgraduate studies, Joyce noted that is a future conversation. For now, her focus is on the overflowing joy and gratitude for this achievement, which she views not just as a personal success but as a testament to the support she received and, ultimately, a reflection of grace and faithfulness.