This uni student has taken a life-sized cut-out of his late mum to his graduation ceremony so that she could appear with him in his photos.
Paulo John Alinsog, who graduated with a degree in Business Administration at the Lyceum of the Philippines University in the northern Philippine capital Manila, shared the photos on social media.
He wrote: “To my most beautiful mother! Ma, your eldest has graduated. I hope you are happy in the presence of God.
“I finished school because this is what you wanted. I love you so much.”
The 20-year-old graduate said that he ordered the cut-out because he wanted his mother Carmen, who died in August 2016 of complications from pneumonia, to appear next to him at his ceremony.
Alinsog said: “I ordered the standee two weeks ago because I always wanted her with me on my graduation day.
“When it was delivered to me, I cried because I thought it was real. I thought it was beautiful and creepy at the same time.”
According to local media, he contacted Josiah’s Event Styling and Catering Services about the cut-out and instructed them to make it exactly 5’2” tall like his dear mum.
The life-sized cut-out reportedly cost 1,500 PHP (24 GBP) including delivery.
Speaking about his mother, Alinsog said: “She was a single parent [for a while]. She sent me to private schools and we were very close.
“All of the money [for his education] came from her and my aunts who also helped out.”
Netizen ‘Ruffadiones’ said: “You mum is really proud, for sure. Congratulations. God bless!”
‘DeanCadapan’ commented: “This is making me cry.”
‘Dynand12’ wrote: “May your mum always protect you from heaven.”
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Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report
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