Life is full of unexpected surprises, twists that continues to marvel us – such the story of how a former Tom’s World addict who spent days for two years at the popular arcade games facility and emerged as class valedictorian at MMSU.

Godo Syndrome

He could be seen at Tom’s World – no books, no pens, or any other school materials; rather, he is inserting coin tokens as he entertains himself with the machines. Such was the life of Godofredo D. Bumanglag IV, five years ago.

Commonly called by friends as Godo, he would consider himself as an average student. He frequently skipped classes in high school – being nicknamed Godo syndrome. “I was never number one,” he said.

His high school education is at a downward trend, topping his class at the start but slipping away as months passed.

A Tragedy

Godo’s life was struck by a devastating event in 2019 with the loss of his mother. He recalled his mother as having special affection for him and respect his personal choices.

This was the case when, after senior high school, he struggled to decide what college course to take and dropped his college plans altogether. The mother respected his choice: “My mother would say, ‘Do not force him to go to college if he doesn’t want to,” he recalled his mother saying.

This event was too painful for young Godo, adding that it happened just a year when his father passed away.

“Things became miserable, and everything didn’t make sense when my mother passed away. After losing my mother, it felt like I lost all my sense of existence and all interest in what the future holds. It was my only goal to make her proud, a goal that vanished when she died.”

To find comfort and ease the pain, he went to playing arcade games – to have fun and find meaning.

The Echoing Voice

His life soon found a new direction; thanks to the echoing voice of his mother which guided him. Persistent and decided, he enrolled at Mariano Marcos State University in 2020 with BA Communication as course.

Gado’s return to study was warmly supported by his siblings and friends; he found new direction and discovering passion for visual arts and theater communication.

Life is not a Race

Amidst what he had been through – the painful death of loved ones and two-year hiatus in school – he emerged as the class valedictorian of the Class of 2024, achieving a remarkable general weighted average of 1.2824, magna cum laude. “I just did my best. I did not aim to be top 1.”

Reflecting on his newfound purpose and resilience, he acknowledges the invaluable life lesson shared by his mother that “life is not a race.” He said his academic success is a tribute to the support of his family who inspired and uplifted him despite their absence in the occasion.

Now a freelance photographer popularly known as “Shot by Four”, Gado continues his journey as an example of hope, perseverance, and resilience.

Indeed, for Godo, who was addicted to arcade games a few years back, the real game has just begun.

Source: Mariano Marcos State University