A man who was devastated that his father would miss his college graduation cried tears of joy when his dad flew to the United States to surprise him after more than five years apart.
Jovencio Daguio Jr., 21, cried for days ahead of his big day, believing his father, Jovencio Sr., 55, would be remaining in the Philippines.
Jovencio Sr.’s kids were born and raised in the United States and he is a U.S. citizen living in Chicago, Illinois.
But after the 55-year-old suffered an injury when his children were younger, the family moved home to the Philippines – only for his kids to start making their way back to the U.S. to live and study.
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Jovencio Jr. had last seen his father more than five years ago, and ahead of his graduation from the University of Illinois, in Chicago, the 21-year-old had no reason to suspect his father might be there.
But his sister’s Sharley and Nicole, Alexus, from Markham, Illinois, had other plans.
They secretly bought their father a flight to the United States, and, the day before Jovencio Jr.’s graduation, snuck him into the house.
Alexus, 28, captured the moment on video, as the 55-year-old made his way into the family home.
As soon as Jovencio Jr. noticed the familiar face looking back at him, he immediately started sobbing, using a t-shirt to wipe away his tears.
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The pair then headed in for a long-awaited hug.
Alexus said: “There were all kinds of mixed emotions.
“But I was mostly happy that he was able to see my dad.
“All of us were happy as well.
“Everyone loved the video and the feedback has been all positive.”