Erika Poturnak Just Got Her College Degree—And Ina Raymundo Says It's The Best Mother's Day Gift Ever

It's officially graduation season, and Erika Rae Poturnak is joining the ranks of this year's fresh grads. Erika attended Berklee College of Music to receive her Bachelor of Music degree in Professional Music.

ICYDK, the Boston-based college is known as one of the world's leading institutions for contemporary music. Erika completed a four-year program that covered everything from songwriting, performing, and producing to the business side of the music industry. The course runs for eight semesters and currently costs around $55,620 or approximately P3.3 million.

While Erika has yet to post about the milestone herself—and is probably still soaking it all in—her mom and biggest cheerleader, Ina Raymundo, couldn't help but share her proud-mom moment online for her firstborn.

In an Instagram post, Ina wrote, "Congratulations, Erika! You made us very proud, and Dad couldn't stop crying. Best Mother's Day gift ever! Woohoo! 💜♥️"

As a 2001 baby (yes, do the math!), Erika is one of the college freshmen who didn't get the chance to have a proper, in-person high school graduation before going to university. That's why this college commencement felt even more emotional for their family. Ina shared, "[Erika] didn't get to experience a proper high school graduation because of the pandemic, so this commencement felt extra meaningful and special for all of us."

Ina attended the event and witnessed this very special moment with her Ukrainian-Canadian husband, who proudly shed tears of joy. 🥹

And with the graduation happening on Mother's Day, the timing made the celebration feel even sweeter. In another post, Ina shared a short video of her and Erika strolling through the streets of Boston. She wrote, "Celebrating post-graduation bliss and Mother's Day with my firstborn. Can't help but feel nostalgic. I had her at 25 and look at her now."

This is one of the moments that Ina, as a mom, would never miss. "May we never take these beautiful moments for granted because time really flies," she added.   

Ina also shared the big news of Erika's college acceptance into Berklee College of Music back in 2021. She never forgets to say how proud she is of her daughter—and we're just a little soft for supportive mom content like this!

Music has clearly always been Erika's passion. On Instagram, she regularly shares song covers—sometimes solo, sometimes in duets, and sometimes while playing the piano herself. She's been posting music content since 2021, mixing both foreign and local songs. She even covered JK Labajo's "Buwan," with her foreign musician peer playing the guitar for her.

Even before starting college, she had already signed with Cornerstone Entertainment Inc. in 2020. Since then, she has continued pursuing music by training with music coach Jade Riccio of RMA Studio Academy. In 2021, Erika also released her debut single, "Stand Up," which she co-wrote with Jade.

We're so happy for you, Erika! ❤️