MANILA — Former model Deniece Cornejo, who was involved in the 2014 controversy surrounding the mauling of actor-host Vhong Navarro, appears to be turning a new leaf with her recent educational achievement.

On Facebook, Cornejo shared a photo of her holding a certificate after passing an online program — Child Protection: Children’s Rights in Theory and Practice — from HarvardX, an arm of Harvard University that offers online courses.

“I finally did it! And received a cute gift. Yes I passed! Got the perfect 100 in the finals!” she wrote.

“What they say is true, hard work never betrays. It all pays off in the end. Almost 8 months of sleepless nights and a lot of reading, it finally led to this,” she added.

According to Cornejo, her “work continues” to contribute to the protection of children’s rights. She mentioned discussing with counterparts from Nigeria, Nepal, Africa, Japan, US, India, and Russia.

“I am honored to lobby for international human rights specifically in children rights theory and practice,” Cornejo said, without giving further details.

Cornejo made headlines in 2014 when she accused Navarro of rape. The Department of Justice, in 2017, dismissed Cornejo’s complaints, citing “serious credibility issues.”

In 2018, Cornejo, as well as two other companions, were found guilty of grave coercion in connection with the charges filed by Navarro.