Remember Bekimon, the self-proclaimed ‘beki’ (gay) president of the Philippines? He is among the first internet sensations in the Philippines, going viral over videos that make use of the beki language in everyday conversation. He recently passed the Licensure Exam for Teachers (LET) but revealed that he had to struggle with depression and his mom’s death before finally coming to terms with his life.
Struggles as a Kid
Bekimon’s real name is Bern Josep Persia; he hails from Oriental Mindoro. While he claims he isn’t a smart kid, he graduated from both elementary and high school as valedictorian because he was always inspired by his mother who had only finished Grade 6.
At 12 years old, he began to develop white spots on his skin. Because it started on his face, it was more difficult to hide. He was subjected to bullying because of the condition which was later diagnosed to be vitiligo. This greatly affected his self-esteem.
He would later overcome these difficulties, excelling in college and becoming popular as the vice president of the theater guild of Centro Escolar University (CEU). He graduated Cum Laude, got a job, and later became Bekimon.
Struggles as an Adult
His rise to fame as Bekimon gave him a break in showbiz, yet this did not last. He later fell into clinical depression but could not even go back home to seek help from his mother as he thought he could do it alone. Living in Sta. Rosa, Laguna by himself, he tried to take his own life three times, before finally realizing he needed his mother.
Back home, he finally bonded with his mother again, but his depression took a turn for the worse when his mother died. At first, he felt that there was nothing left for him in this world, because he lived for his mother. But he would later realize that if he was able to survive his mom’s death, then he could survive anything.
Remembering that his mother once shared her dream of becoming a teacher, Bekimon promised to become the living extension of his mother’s old dream. Even though she’s gone, he took education units at a university in Oriental Mindoro.
After graduation, he was given the given full scholarship by the Carl E. Balita Review Center – and he would become of the recent passers of LET. Now a licensed professional teacher, Bekimon shares his story to inspire others to never stop reaching for their dreams, no matter how the situation they might be in at the moment.
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express
Struggles as a Kid
Bekimon’s real name is Bern Josep Persia; he hails from Oriental Mindoro. While he claims he isn’t a smart kid, he graduated from both elementary and high school as valedictorian because he was always inspired by his mother who had only finished Grade 6.
 |
| Photo credit: GMA Public Affairs / YouTube |
At 12 years old, he began to develop white spots on his skin. Because it started on his face, it was more difficult to hide. He was subjected to bullying because of the condition which was later diagnosed to be vitiligo. This greatly affected his self-esteem.
 |
| Photo credit: GMA Public Affairs / YouTube |
He would later overcome these difficulties, excelling in college and becoming popular as the vice president of the theater guild of Centro Escolar University (CEU). He graduated Cum Laude, got a job, and later became Bekimon.
Struggles as an Adult
His rise to fame as Bekimon gave him a break in showbiz, yet this did not last. He later fell into clinical depression but could not even go back home to seek help from his mother as he thought he could do it alone. Living in Sta. Rosa, Laguna by himself, he tried to take his own life three times, before finally realizing he needed his mother.
Back home, he finally bonded with his mother again, but his depression took a turn for the worse when his mother died. At first, he felt that there was nothing left for him in this world, because he lived for his mother. But he would later realize that if he was able to survive his mom’s death, then he could survive anything.
 |
| Photo credit: Carl E. Balita Review Center / Facebook |
Remembering that his mother once shared her dream of becoming a teacher, Bekimon promised to become the living extension of his mother’s old dream. Even though she’s gone, he took education units at a university in Oriental Mindoro.
After graduation, he was given the given full scholarship by the Carl E. Balita Review Center – and he would become of the recent passers of LET. Now a licensed professional teacher, Bekimon shares his story to inspire others to never stop reaching for their dreams, no matter how the situation they might be in at the moment.
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express
