Clarence Nayve: The Blind Magna Cum Laude Who Proved That Disability Is Not Inability

You don’t need sight to have a clear vision in life — this is the powerful message of Clarence Nayve, a visually impaired student from Bicol University, who graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Literature degree on June 25, 2025.

Clarence was born with congenital glaucoma, a rare eye condition that gradually took away his vision until he became completely blind at the age of 16. Yet, despite the darkness, Clarence chose to live with light — a light powered by determination, hope, and faith.

From elementary to high school, Clarence was a consistent honor student. Even with his visual impairment, he actively joined extracurricular activities such as basketball and chess, proving that his blindness could never define or limit him. When he entered college in 2021, Clarence faced even greater challenges — learning to use assistive technologies for online classes, preparing visual presentations he couldn’t see, and studying thick literary texts through audio readers. But with perseverance, creativity, and the support of his teachers and peers, he conquered every obstacle.

A beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) since Grade 5, Clarence credits the government’s education support and Bicol University’s free tuition for allowing him to continue his studies despite financial hardship. “Without those opportunities, I wouldn’t be where I am now,” he said with gratitude.

Clarence Nayve wearing eyeglasses. Photo from his Facebook account.

But more than his academic success, Clarence carries a deeper message. He believes that people with disabilities should not always be described as achievers “despite their disability.” Instead, their excellence should be recognized equally — without the need for qualifiers. “Don’t say ‘he’s great even though he’s blind’. Say ‘he’s great’. Period,” Clarence emphasized.

Now that he has achieved one of his biggest dreams, Clarence plans to use his voice to advocate for inclusivity and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs). He hopes to see a society where PWDs are not merely praised as “inspirational exceptions,” but are given real chances to thrive in school, work, and life.

His story goes beyond personal triumph — it is a reminder to the entire nation that disability does not mean inability. With support, accessibility, and empathy, everyone can reach their potential regardless of physical limitations.

In the end, Clarence’s journey reflects the resilience of the Filipino spirit — one that keeps moving forward even in darkness. “You don’t need eyes to see your dreams,” he said. “All you need is faith, perseverance, and the courage to keep going — even when the road ahead seems invisible.”