Ejay Falcon proves that it's never too late to finish school.
On August 30, 2024, the former Pinoy Big Brother housemate and presently the vice governor of Oriental Mindoro proudly announced that he finally graduated from college.
Ejay attended the ceremony at the Plenary Hall of PICC in Pasay City and received his diploma in Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, major in Local Government Administration, from the University of Makati.
In an Instagram post, he shared his excitement, writing, "Finally [emoji] Bachelor of Arts in Political Science major in Local Government Administration mula sa University of Makati, Batch 2024."
In a Facebook post, Ejay dedicated his achievement to his fellow kababayan in Mindoro:
"Noong ako ay huminto sa pag-aaral para magtrabaho, hininto ko na rin ang pangarap na magsuot ng toga, umakyat ng entablado, at kunin ang aking diploma sa kolehiyo.
"Tinanggap ko na lang na may iba ng plano para sa akin ang Panginoon.
"Ngunit simula ng ako ay maglingkod sa bayan, muling napukaw ang pangarap na ito at ang hangarin na pagbutihin ang sarili hindi lang para sa akin kung hindi para na rin sa mga kapwa ko Mindoreno na nagtiwala sa akin.
"Utang ko sa kanila ito at ang magsilbing mabuting ehemplo lalo na sa mga kabataan sa aming probinsya na tulad ko ay nangangarap.
"Kaya handog ko ang diplomang ito sa inyo at sa lahat ng taong nagmamahal at bukal na naniniwala sa akin, Mga Kababayan KAYO PO ANG INSPIRASYON KO [emoji]."
Concluding his post, Ejay expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his wife, Jana Roxas, for her unwavering support and thanked his professors at the University of Makati for their guidance during his academic journey.
He wrote, "Salamat sa aking asawa na si Jana, at sa aking pamilya sa suporta.
"Salamat po Sir Ederson Tapia (Vice President for Academic Affairs), dean Sonia Pimentel (Dean of College of Governance and Public Policy) at sir Richard Villanueva ng UMak sa paggabay.
"Ngayon taas noo kong masasabi na ako po si Ejay Falcon, nakapagtapos ng Bachelor of Arts in Political Science major in Local Government Administration mula sa University of Makati, Batch 2024."
Read: WEDDING ALBUM: Ejay Falcon and Jana Roxas
EJAY FALCON'S DREAM: SEVEN YEARS IN tHE MAKING
During an interview with MJ Felipe of ABS-CBN News following the ceremony, Ejay couldn’t contain his excitement now that he has achieved one of his biggest dreams.
He said, "Para sa akin talaga itong course na ito. And finally, after ng mahabang panahon na nag-aral tayo, ngayon 'yung araw ng pagtatapos.
"And I can say na I am very proud na graduate na si Ejay Falcon!"
Ejay began college in 2007 at the University of Manila, pursuing a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management with the goal of securing a job abroad.
However, financial challenges forced him to stop. Soon after, he joined Pinoy Big Brother, which changed his life path.
Looking back, Ejay recalled, "Sabi ng tatay ko mag-HRM ka para makapag-abroad ka.
"Siguro mga four months pa lang noon, siyempre mahirap ang buhay, nag-stop ako sa pag-aaral. Umuwi ako ng province namin ng Mindoro.
"Pagka-uwi ko ng province namin, mga two weeks lang ako dun. Pagluwas ko ulit, ayun na PBB."
Becoming a politician motivated Ejay to finish his college studies. He also wanted to be a role model for the youth and set a positive example.
He said, "May expectations yung aking mga kababayan.
"Isama na rin natin yung kailangan kong maging role model sa mga kabataan.
"Ito ay isang inspirasyon na lahat ay posible."
He added, “Kung may na-sacrifice man dito sa ginawa kong pag-aral, siguro ito yung showbiz. May mga offers sa akin na hindi ko nagagawa."
Ejay, once again, expressed his gratitude to his alma mater for providing opportunities for working individuals to pursue their college degrees through specialized programs.
The University of Makati’s College of Continuing, Advanced, and Professional Studies (CCAPS) offers programs specifically designed for professionals, allowing workplace experience to be recognized as academic credit.
Ejay said, "Ito yung program na ginawa talaga for appointed or elected officials na yung parang sabihin natin naglilingkod sa ating mga kababayan na hindi mo kayang pumunta sa mga eskuwelahan.
"Ito yung mix ng online at face-to-face class."
Moving forward, Ejay plans to pursue a master’s degree and run in the 2025 midterm elections, though he did not specify which position.
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