John Paul Cabido, a fourth-year Bachelor of Physical Education (BPED) student at NU Manila, shares his inspiring journey as a Nationalian.

For John Paul, being part of National University holds a deep personal meaning. NU has become a family legacy—his older sister was the first to study at NU, followed by his brother, and eventually himself. One of his most unforgettable milestones was joining the NU Pep Squad in 2019, as well as joining culminating activities and cheering for his fellow athletes during UAAP competitions.

Before pursuing Physical Education, John Paul was originally an Architecture student—his first dream, which he continued until the passing of his father. During the post-pandemic transition, he joined the Cheerdance lineup, but balancing training sessions with the academic workload became increasingly difficult. Over time, he discovered that BPED aligned more with his passion for teaching and sharing his skills with others.

The phrase “Kaya ko, Kaya mo” became a powerful inspiration for him. He once doubted his own abilities, especially because of his disability, but he learned to trust himself and push forward, proving that he can achieve what others can—despite the challenges.

His message to the NU Community:

“Keep moving forward. Even when you’re tired, don’t give up. Every small step count when you’re passionate about what you do. Believe in yourself. Kung kaya ko, Kaya mo!”