Being a celebrity definitely comes with its perks, and one of them is having the means to provide the best education for their child.
Some invest in sending their child to a school overseas.
While it is difficult to be away from their kids, the celebrity parents acknowledge that this experience is worthwhile.
Not only will their children earn their degrees, but also gain independence by living in a foreign land.
Sharon Cuneta, for example, has openly expressed her sadness each time her kids choose to study abroad.
But in the end, she would give them her one-hundred percent support.
At press time, her eldest KC Concepcion graduated from The American University of Paris, while her second daughter Kakie Pangilinan is presently studying in the U.S. Her youngest daughter Miel has plans of pursuing college abroad, too.
Now here’s a list of Filipino celebrities who have children still studying abroad.
Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzalez
Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzalez’s 22-year-old twins Atasha and Andres are both studying abroad.
Andres is taking up an Arts degree at a university in Spain.
Atasha is in her last year of her business program at Nottingham, England.
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While Andres is the one pursuing a degree in Arts, his twin sister Atasha is interested in it as well. In fact, she is a self-taught painter. She also knows how to play several musical instruments, such as ukulele, guitar, and piano.
READ Have you seen Atasha Muhlach’s paintings?
Because of the travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Aga and Charlene were not able to go with their kids when they set off for school abroad.
The family had the chance to be together when Atasha was invited to Le Bal Debutantes in Paris, France last November 2022.
Aga told PEP.ph in a previous interview, “I’m just happy to have visited them and happy to experience it with Tasha and Andres…
“‘Cause we were never able to bring them to college, so that was the first time we visited them.
“It was nice, masaya. It’s always nice to see her, your children.”
Kim Atienza
Kim Atienza and his wife Felicia are missing two of their kids who are both studying in the United States.
Their eldest child Jose is part of the 2024 class of Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts.
Meanwhile, their second child Eliana is taking a business course at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. It is one of the private Ivy league universities in the USA.
The Kapuso talent is proud of his children, and is living vicariously through them in a way.
Kuya Kim told PEP.ph last year, “I get so fulfilled. As a young boy, I’ve always wanted to study in the States, but I couldn’t afford it kasi hindi naman ganun kayaman ang parents ko.
“But now we can afford it and the kids are in beautiful schools in the States.
“Their success is my success. I feel good. Kumbaga, parang ako na yung grumaduate sa Wharton kahit na hindi ako naka-aral sa Wharton.”
Kuya Kim and Felicia’s youngest daughter Emmanuelle still lives with them here in the Philippines.
Sam Verzosa
One of Sam Verzosa’s sons, Siv, is also among the celebrity children getting an education overseas.
The Frontrow CEO & President went to the United Kingdom last year to accompany Siv to Worth School, a private Roman Catholic boarding school in West Sussex, England.
In an Instagram post last September 5, the Tutok To Win Party List Representative told Siv, “Its [sic] a new chapter of your life Son, I know youre gonna make Dad proud. Goodluck to you and always remember that Dad Loves you and will always be there for you.”
Ariel Rivera and Gelli de Belen
Gelli de Belen and Ariel Rivera are empty nesters with both their sons currently based in Canada.
Their youngest, Julio, graduated in June 2022 with a degree in Kinesiology from York University. Their eldest, Joaqui—according to his Instagram biois taking Applied Physics also at York. Before this, he took up Aviation at Seneca College.
Gelli told PEP.ph back in 2018 how living in Canada was good for their kids.
“Kung meron man akong pinagpapasalamat, ang laki ng pinagbago nilang dalawa simula nang tumira sila dun.
“Siyempre, hindi mo naman masisisi dahil nandiyan ako, may pagka-spoiled. Pero ngayon, independent na sila, may pagka-responsible. Lalo na yung panganay.”
READ 10 things to know about Joaquin and Julio, sons of Gelli de Belen and Ariel Rivera
The Rivera brothers are now also in charge of their own business selling biko, a popular Pinoy kakanin. They called it Lolo Ben’s Biko, after their paternal grandfather Ben Rivera, from whom they learned the recipe.
The young men start making biko as early as 5:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
When Ariel and Gelli visit their sons in Missisauga in Ontario City, they help them take and make orders.
Mark Anthony Fernandez
Mark Anthony Fernandez’s son Grae left the Philippines in September 2022.
Grae headed to New York City, USA to study Film. And even before his freshman year is up, he has already gained new insights that has shifted his career insights.
The young actor had his breakout role in the 2021 Kapamilya soap Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin, where he played one of the supporting roles and was paired opposite Kira Balinger.
He had strong chemistry with Kira, and displayed acting chops worthy of his family name (aside from his actor father, his grandparents Alma Moreno and the late Rudy “Daboy” Fernandez and are industry heavyweights as well).
However, In an email interview with PEP.ph last month, Grae expressed interest in going behind the scenes when asked if he still wants to come back to Philippine showbiz.
“I have learned so much about the art form of storytelling during my stay that I have developed a voice and vision for any work that I am interested in.
“I have gained the knowledge to operate a Creative endeavor.”
Sharon Cuneta
Sharon Cuneta and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan’s daughter Frankie is also in New York City, taking up literature and anthropology at The New School.
The Megastar’s second daughter, who is also known by her nickname “Kakie,” left the Philippines in 2019 to start university. She said she chose to study abroad for the different life experience.
Kakie explained in her mom’s vlog: “While studying in New York kind of exudes a kind of privilege, there’s also a certain privilege that would have come with me studying here.”
Her family showed their full support for the young musician and writer, who shares some of her work on Instagram under the username @kakiewrites. Sharon, Kiko, their younger daughter Miel, and their youngest Miguel all came to the U.S. and helped Kakie move into her dormitory.
Sharon also made a surprise visit to Kakie in 2021.
Ina Raymundo
Two of Ina Raymundo’s five children are also studying abroad.
Her eldest, Erika Rae, is enrolled at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts in the States. According to their website, Berklee is “the premier institute of music and the performance arts.” The college counts singers Charlie Puth and Meghan Trainors among its alumni.
Meanwhile, Ina’s only son Jakob is a freshman at the Xavier University in Ohio, also in the States. Jakob, who just graduated from high school at the International School Manila, is also a member of the university’s varsity baseball team.
Last year, Ina flew from Manila to Cincinatti, Ohio to surprise Jakob at school. Ina uploaded a video of her and Jakob in a tight hug. Part of her caption said: “The past few weeks have been tough ‘coz I’ve been missing my older kids.”
Ina also visited Erika in Boston. In another Instagram post, Ina said, “Reunited with my beautiful Angel, my baby no. 1 @erikarae.p. Thanks for showing us around. I love you ate.”
Ruffa Gutierrez
Ruffa Gutierrez is also apart from her eldest daughter Lorin Bektas, who is a sophomore at Pepperdine University. The Christian school is located in Los Angeles, California.
The beauty queen-actress and her youngest daughter Venice went with Lorin to L.A., and toured the Pepperdine campus before classes started.
In Ruffa’s September 2021 post on Instagram, she said it was an emotional day sending off Lorin to college.
She also told Lorin: “You’ve made us so proud as we’ve watched you grow up to be the beautiful, smart, hardworking young lady you are now. Continue to persevere and live a life of purpose, service, and leadership. Focus on your studies. We love you so much and we will be missing you every single day.”
Dimples Romana
Callie Ahmee, Dimples Romana’s eldest child, is earning her wings as a future pilot at Southern Cross University in Gold Coast, Australia.
She left the Philippines in 2022 to start her aviation studies, which would take three years to finish.
READ Dimples Romana excited her daughter Callie will get to fly airplanes soon
Callie got her love for flying from her dad, Boyet Ahmee, and her paternal grandfather Romeo, who was a pilot for the Philippine Air Force.
Dimples visited her unica hija last July to witness Callie’s first flying session as a student pilot. The actress couldn’t hold back her tears as she surprised her firstborn.
Karla Estrada
It has been more than a year since Face to Face host Karla Estrada said goodbye to Magui Ford Planas, her daughter with former partner Mike Planas.
Magui is currently enrolled at the University of Melbourne in Australia.
In March 2022, Karla dropped Magui off at the airport for her flight to the Land Down Under.
In an Instagram post, part of her message to Magui read: “Soar high and Show the world how brave you are. We will always be here Praying, supporting and cheering for you. We love you ate.”
Small Laude
Meanwhile, socialite-turned-vlogger Small Laude will soon be missing her bunso and unica hija at home.
That is because her daughter Allison is off to California, USA, to study at Claremont McKenna College. It is a prestigious liberal arts college and Allison’s first choice.
Just last month, Allison graduated high school from International School Manila in Taguig City.
READ Small Laude’s daughter, Allison, graduates from high school