Actor-director Xian Lim finally earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music Production degree from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde through the school's Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP).
The 36-year-old actor proudly shared the achievement on Instagram, where he posted photos from his graduation ceremony held at the Philippine International Convention Center. Dressed in a green suit underneath his black graduation toga, Xian posed with his diploma alongside his family as they celebrated the milestone.
"never in a million years did I imagine this day would come," he wrote.
He went on to share that completing his degree meant much more than receiving a diploma, saying the experience reminded him that everyone has their own timeline in life.
"Today isn’t just about earning a diploma. It’s a reminder that life doesn’t always follow the timeline we imagine...and that’s okay. Sometimes the detours become the very roads that lead us where we’re meant to be,” he said.
READ: Xian Lim earns commercial pilot license: ‘I still can’t believe it’
The actor also expressed his gratitude to the mentors, professors, classmates, and everyone at Benilde who became part of his educational journey and helped make the milestone possible.
During the ceremony, Xian recalled being inspired by a quote from former United States President Barack Obama that stayed with him throughout the day: "Be useful. Be kind."
Expanding on that thought, Xian reflected on how his perspective on success has evolved over the years.
"The older I get, the more I realize that success isn’t measured only by what we achieve, but by how we make other people feel and the impact we leave behind. Skills, titles, and accomplishments may open doors, but kindness builds relationships, and being useful gives purpose to everything we do. If we can wake up each day asking how we can make someone else’s life a little better, I think we’re already living a meaningful life."
He continued his message by encouraging others to continue believing in their own journeys, regardless of where they currently are in life.
"Wherever you are in your journey...whether you’re just starting, rebuilding, chasing a dream, or celebrating a milestone, know that you’re exactly where you need to be. Trust the process. Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep pushing. Keep smiling. And above all, be kind, and be useful. 🎓❤️💚,” he ended.
Following his post, Xian received congratulatory messages from fans and fellow celebrities, including Janno Gibbs, Rocco Nacino, director Mae Cruz-Alviar, and many others.
Back in May, Xian first revealed that he was preparing to complete his degree. At the time, he opened about putting his education on hold after entering the entertainment industry.
"I started working at an early age. At 15, my first job was in a restaurant and right after school, I’d head straight into my shift, excited to earn and learn. Not long after, I spent about a year working at Costco, juggling work and studies just to make ends meet, before eventually moving to the Philippines. Then an unexpected opportunity in the entertainment industry came my way. I took the leap and that path led me to become a full-time actor."
He continued: "Fifteen years flew by grinding, and giving everything I had to my craft but deep inside, I knew something was missing. There was a quiet insecurity I carried about not finishing school, about not having a degree. It was a gap I couldn’t ignore."
Xian also acknowledged that despite returning to school later in life came with its own challenges and fears, he still pursued his dream.
"Going back to school at this stage in my life wasn’t easy. I had doubts. I felt shy, even embarrassed thinking maybe it was too late. More than anything, I was afraid of failing. But here we are," he wrote.
Last year, Xian also earned his commercial pilot license.