Jomari Yllana notches up another win as he obtains his master's degree in management, majoring in public administration, from the Philippine Christian University (PCU).
Held on November 29, 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, the graduation ceremony saw Jomari leading his fellow graduates as they recited the pledge of honor.
In a post-ceremony interview with select members of the press, the 48-year-old politician talks about the pandemic as a turning point behind his most recent accomplishment.
"There was a time na mayroon akong gustong mga ma-achieve at tapusin. Siyempre lumipas ang panahon, half a century na tayo, almost half a century, so nagkaroon tayo ng decision-making.
"Everything changed during the pandemic.
"Sabi ko sa asawa ko magugunaw na ang mundo. Nagising ako isang umaga, walang-wala na ako. Parang everything that I had, binigay ko na," he explained.
"Yung outlook sa buhay iba na, kailangan matapos ko yung mga dapat. The best feeling is giving back to people na nag-support samin."
With his father's legacy as a neuropsychiatrist and military officer lighting the way, he revealed the likelihood of him aiming for a doctorate in the future.
For Jomari, perseverance and faith are the keys to unlocking any goal.
"Walang imposible sa Diyos basta gustuhin mo kayang kaya mo yan.
"Kahit ano walang imposible sa mundo. Kung ano yung gusto mong ma-achieve may kasamang sakripisyo, pero kayang-kaya kahit anong lifestyle mo," he said.
Jomari's political career
Jomari ventured into politics in 2016, winning a councilor seat in Parañaque's 1st District. He was re-elected in 2019 and 2022, serving three terms.
While he is not running in the 2025 elections, the former actor remains open to returning to politics in the future.
"Everything is so challenging, nagbago na lahat," he remarked.
"Nandito tayo to prepare a better future for everyone. Bilang public servant, ito ang pinasok ko, so kailangan well-equipped ka rin talaga sa makabagong panahon."
He added: "I'm proud to say with most humility, na mas masarap sa pakiramdam na kahit anong posisyon kaya mo ng tanggapin."
Meanwhile, Jomari's wife, former actress Abby Viduya, is also actively working in politics, having filed her certificate of candidacy for a councilor seat in Parañaque’s 1st District.
Read: Why did Jomari Yllana propose to Abby Viduya in Hong Kong even after wedding plans, pamamanhikan?
Speaking of the councilor's accomplishment, Abby expressed, "I'm so proud of my husband.
"It doesn't matter how old you are, if you want to achieve something and you reach for your dreams.
"Not all people know, but my husband has a brilliant mind, and it's a shame if he's not going to use it to serve. I push him the way he pushes me every day."
She also took a step further in celebrating his success by posting photos of him in his graduation toga and cap, with the caption: "Congratulations my husband! I'm so proud of you baby [kiss emoji]
"I love how you turn dreams into reality. Keep dreaming and never forget that anything is possible."
Read: Jomari Yllana, idolo sina Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres, Isko Moreno sa hanay ng actor-politicians
POSSIBILITY OF A SHOWBIZ COMEBACK
A political return may not be the only thing Jomari's followers can look forward to, as he also teased his possible showbiz comeback.
"Isa sa pinaka-exciting, yung nagbakasyon ka," he described.
"I stopped showbiz, late thirties, so kapag bumalik ako mag-fifty na. Sakto, 10 years ako nawala. Pinaka-exciting sa artista yung re-packaging."
On the possibility of doing acting projects soon, he said, "Ako, sakin ha, hindi ako kinakabahan.
"Kahit nung araw, my very first audition for Hihintayin Kita sa Langit. Kahit nung umpisa walang kaba. More like excitement."
Jomari's most recent on-screen roles include the 2015 Kapuso drama The Half Sister and the 2012 supernatural thriller The Healing.
READ MORE:
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- Jomari Yllana on ex-partner Joy Reyes: "Mag-i-invite siya ng mga tao sa bahay, magkukulong sila dun sa kuwarto."
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