Mark Bulos is among the Fall 2020 graduates who are unable to celebrate physically with families and friends. Bulos said this would not stop him from counting his blessings, and he is excited for graduation.
Living in the Temple View Apartments with his wife, Rebecca Bulos, and their daughter, Mark Bulos, a senior from the Philippines studying supply chain, shared how grateful he is for his family. Despite the pandemic interfering with his schooling, he said he can find love and peace within his home.
“I appreciate the love of my wife, Rebecca, and daughter, Anela, for the sacrifices they made for me.” Mark Bulos stated his family would stay up late until he finished his assignments, and they love to spend time together.
He shared he is excited about graduation but also saddened that graduation will be virtual. “It is sad not to be able to walk the aisle to get my degree and not have my family here to celebrate that special moment. But this is the new normal, and it is okay,” he said.
It is sad not to be able to walk the aisle to get my degree and not have my family here to celebrate that special moment. But this is the new normal, and it is okay.
He shared COVID-19 negatively impacted his summer. “My plans were all ruined, and everything seemed not to work out, and it was depressing,” Bulos shared.
“I have been taking 18 credits each semester since last year, plus my online classes and loads of assignments. It was too much for me.” He also added his wife would be sick at times and having a one-year-old baby was not easy.
He shared his favorite quote, which helped encourage him through hard times: “Acceptance is the key to happiness.” He said, “In a place with so many different diversities and cultures, people have different points of view and personalities. If we accept them for who they are and their culture and beliefs, there will be peace and happiness among us.”
He stated COVID-19 affected him, but “life must go on. I accepted all the challenges I went through, and I am moving forward with faith. Even graduating is such a blessing.”
Bulos explained their plans after graduation are to move back to the Philippines and help with his family business. “I want to thank our friends, especially Roche, Jeff and Evelyn, and others who are always with us whenever we want to go out for a walk, bike or ride,” he said.
He added he wanted to thank his parents who supported him throughout his education. Bulos said, “Rose and Rey Bulos, thank you mama and papa.” He said having family support is very important.
He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to attend such a prestigious university, and he said he is grateful for such a loving community for the wonderful experiences he gained.
Rebecca Bulos shared, “Mark is a very hardworking person. He strives to keep up his good grades.” Though it was not easy for her husband to balance his school work and dating, she said he stayed on track.
“His journey as a student, husband and father wasn’t easy, but he loved every minute of it,” she said. She added he does anything to keep them happy and create peace at home.
His journey as a student, husband and father wasn’t easy, but he loved every minute of it.
“Mark’s greatest motivation is family support, and we supported him throughout his journey here,” she said.
Roche Donato, a senior from Qatar studying exercise and sport science and a close friend of Mark Bulos, said, “Mark is a very happy and optimistic person.”
He stated Bulos does not focus on problems but always looks on the brighter side of things.
“[Mark] is always willing to serve others,” Donato said. He shared Bulos is a very hospitable person and is willing to share whatever he has with others.
The Bulos family shared they are excited for the next chapter of their lives and hope to make a difference when they move back home to the Philippines. “We will bring with us the spirit of aloha,” Mark Bulos said.