The Graduate’s Family Couldn’t Afford a Buffet, So They Held a Picnic on the School Lawn
And the Wealthy Felt Envious When They Saw Them
Graduation day. The atmosphere outside the university was lively and celebratory.
Joy, a Magna Cum Laude, held her diploma and medal tightly in her arms. Beside her stood her father, Mang Narding (a tricycle driver), and her mother, Aling Pacing (a laundry worker).
Around them, Joy’s classmates climbed into luxurious cars one by one.
“See you at Vikings!” one classmate shouted.
“We’re celebrating at Spiral!” another called out.
Joy’s family remained in the parking lot. Mang Narding looked slightly embarrassed. He reached into his pocket—only 500 pesos. Far from enough for a decent restaurant for three people.
“My child…” Mang Narding said sadly.
“I’m sorry. We can’t join your classmates. We don’t have the budget for a buffet.”
Joy smiled and held her father’s hand.
“Dad, it’s okay! As long as I’m with you and Mom, I’m already happy.”
“But I have a surprise for you,” Mang Narding said, his eyes sparkling.
He walked over to his tricycle parked in the corner of the lot and took out a woven mat and a large plastic container.
The family looked for a shady tree on the grassy lawn across the school grounds. There, Mang Narding spread out the mat.
He opened the container. Inside was freshly cooked pancit bihon, still warm and fragrant, filled with liver and vegetables. There was also Tasty bread and a pitcher of cold gulaman drink.
“Wow! It smells so good!” Joy clapped her hands.
“You cooked this, Dad, didn’t you? Just the smell alone is amazing!”
They sat down on the grass.
No table.
No waiter.
No air-conditioning.
Yet their laughter echoed all the way to the street.
Joy fed her parents. They talked about Joy’s dreams for the future. They hugged one another. The happiness in their eyes was genuine—without the slightest hint of pretense.
In the distance, a black luxury SUV came to a stop.
Inside was the family of Brian, a wealthy graduate. They were on their way to a five-star hotel.
But inside the car, the mood was tense.
Brian’s father was busy on his phone, speaking angrily to a client.
“What?! Cancel it! It’s my son’s graduation today! You’re such a nuisance!”
Brian’s mother complained about her makeup.
“It’s so hot! I look exhausted already!”
And Brian sat frowning at the window, not even receiving a simple “Congratulations” from his parents.
The wealthy father happened to glance outside.
He saw Mang Narding’s family sitting under the tree.
He saw Joy laughing as she ate bread.
He saw Mang Narding wiping sweat from his daughter’s face with proud, loving eyes.
He saw the simple plate of pancit being shared as if it were the most delicious meal in the world.
The wealthy father let out a quiet sigh.
“Why are you staring like that?” his wife asked.
“Nothing,” he replied sadly.
“I’m just looking at them. We’re very rich… but it seems they’re richer than we are.”
He felt envy.
Because he could buy the most expensive steak,
but he could not buy the closeness and happiness that Mang Narding’s family shared.
On the lawn, Joy hugged her father tightly.
“Dad, Mom… thank you. This is the best graduation party I could ever have.”
Mang Narding’s eyes filled with tears.
“For you, my child, we are willing to do anything.”
In the end, they proved that chandeliers and expensive menus are not needed to make an occasion special.
The true taste of success becomes even sweeter when it is shared with a family willing to spread a mat on the grass—just to make you feel loved and valued.