Influencer, businessman, and talent manager Wilbert Tolentino has proven that education has no age limit after finally completing his college degree at 50.
Tolentino graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Office Administration from Philippine Christian University as part of the Batch of 2026, fulfilling a dream he had carried for decades.
For Tolentino, finishing college was far from easy. He revealed that his life was filled with challenges from an early age, growing up in a broken family.
“The truth is, I come from a broken family. At 14 years old, I had to stop studying and start working just to survive,” he shared.
At a young age, he took on various jobs—from working as a printing press helper to being a cleaner—just to support himself and cover daily expenses.
Despite these hardships, he refused to give up.
“Life was never easy, but I refused to give up,” Tolentino said.
Eventually, he became an all-around employee at a small neighborhood grocery store. By the time he was 18 years old, he took a bold step and started his own business despite not having a college diploma.
“Being a young entrepreneur without a college degree and proper education was very challenging,” he recalled.
With limited funds and growing responsibilities—including providing for his infant daughter—Tolentino faced many obstacles such as operational costs, payroll, and rent.
“But those heavy responsibilities did not break me — they fueled me to work even harder,” he said.
Over the years, Tolentino built strong relationships with the people who worked with him.
“Through the years, they became more than my staff. They became my business partners, my travel companions, and my family,” he shared.
Despite achieving success in business and social media, Tolentino said one dream remained unfinished—earning his college diploma.
“Now that I have reached my golden years, I have checked almost everything off my bucket list. But one dream remained — to earn my diploma and wear my toga,” he said.
“I firmly believe that age is never a hindrance to learning. It is never too late to finish what you started.”
The milestone is especially meaningful for Tolentino as a single father to his 8-year-old son with special needs, Willard King Tolentino.
For him, earning a degree is not only a personal achievement but also an example for his child.
“It means showing my son that perseverance, education, and determination can open doors — no matter what obstacles you face,” he said.
Tolentino also shared words of encouragement for younger generations, particularly Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
“Success is not about how fast you finish, but how determined you are to keep going. Be diligent. Stay committed. Chase your dreams relentlessly,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to the people who supported him throughout his academic journey, including mentor Lilibet Amatong, home study instructor Melody Llona, and Professor Bong Escobedo of the PCU Escobedo Extension.
Tolentino also thanked Susan Rogacion of Nazareth Institute of Alfonso, as well as his siblings and extended family.
He dedicated his achievement to his 86-year-old mother and his late father, acknowledging the values and strength they instilled in him.
Tolentino also congratulated his fellow graduates, including Geneva Cruz, Rico Almonicar, and Sachzna Laparan, who were also part of the graduating class.
