Paul Christian Ocampo

Jhong Hilario, Baron Geisler, and more male stars who finished college on their own time

Article (news)

Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<p>In an industry where time is often packed with schedules and demanding careers, finishing a college degree can take a backseat. But for some of the country’s most admired male celebrities, education remained a goal worth returning to, no matter how long it took. </p><p>This graduation season, fans are looking back at these inspiring stories of perseverance, as these stars proved that learning has no deadline. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Gloc-9</strong></div><p>Singer-rapper Gloc-9, whose real name is Aristotle Pollisco, earned his Nursing degree from STI College Fairview in 2010 at the age of 32. While he eventually chose to follow his passion for music, the award-winning lyricist has never forgotten his academic journey.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-7" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPDdC18ho-M/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A7%2C%22os%22%3A4970854.899999857%2C%22ls%22%3A156446.89999985695%2C%22le%22%3A157011%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="747" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-7" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Marking his graduation anniversary in 2021, he reflected on the path he took, sharing how his heart was once drawn to the medical field but ultimately led him back to rap.</p><p>“11 years ago today nag graduate ako sa kursong Nursing… mas pinili ko pa rin ang rap. Napatunayan ko din na kung mahal mo ang pipiliin mo hindi ka magkakamali,” he said.</p><p>Still, Gloc-9 remains open to the possibility of returning to his profession someday, expressing gratitude to fans who supported his music career. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Ejay Falcon</strong></div><p>The actor-turned-politician completed his degree in Political Science major in Local Governance from the University of Makati in 2024 at age 33. This was 17 years after he first stepped away from school.</p><p>Ejay’s journey began in 2007 when he took up Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Manila. Life soon took a dramatic turn after winning <em>Pinoy Big Brother, </em>leading him to a flourishing career in showbiz and eventually public service. With the help of a flexible academic program, he was finally able to finish what he started. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Dingdong Dantes </strong></div><p>For the Kapuso star, balancing fame and education meant taking a longer route. The Kapuso Primetime King earned his degree in Business Administration major in Marketing from West Negros University in 2014 at age 33, the same year he married Marian Rivera.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1775040649135trivia__the_incomparable_career_of_dingdong_dantes_education_1651563840.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><em>Photo courtesy: GMA Network  </em></div><div><br/></div><p>Before completing his degree, Dingdong was an irregular student at Ateneo de Manila University, juggling classes with a demanding taping schedule. Though he had to pause his studies, his eventual return to school in Bacolod became a testament to his commitment to personal growth beyond the spotlight. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Jhong Hilario  </strong></div><p>The<em> </em><a href="http://itsshowtime.abs-cbn.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em><strong>It’s Showtime</strong></em><strong> </strong></a>host graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Political Science degree from Arellano University in 2023 at the age of 46.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-8" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CtgDzGES2Q6/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A8%2C%22os%22%3A4970863.899999857%2C%22ls%22%3A156446.89999985695%2C%22le%22%3A157011%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-8" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Not stopping there, he went on to complete his Master’s Degree in Public Administration at World Citi College in 2024.</p><p>“Bonus na ’to. Maka-graduate lang ako,” he told ABS-CBN News, expressing his joy over the achievement.</p><p>Jhong credited discipline and support from those around him for making it all possible. Juggling his roles as a Makati councilor, TV host, father, and student, he emphasized the importance of determination.</p><p>“Kung talagang gusto, mero lang talagang paraan. Thankful lang ako na napaka-supportive ng mayora namin sa Makati, Mayor Abby Binay. Ang dami kong natutunan sa kanya lalo na sa public administration,” he said. “Siyempre ang ‘Showtime’ family na talagang sobrang suporta and my family, Hilario family. Kapag lahat ng tao sumusuporta sa yo, parang ang sarap gawin lahat kahit na mahirap.”  </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Baron Geisler  </strong></div><p>The <a href="https://incognito.abs-cbn.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em><strong>Incognito </strong></em></a>star also found renewed purpose in education, graduating with a degree in Theology from All Nations College in Antipolo in 2022 at 39 years old.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-9" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ccy6c0_vU9N/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A9%2C%22os%22%3A4970871.299999952%2C%22ls%22%3A156446.89999985695%2C%22le%22%3A157011%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="504" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-9" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Baron marked the milestone with gratitude, writing on his Instagram: “My journey has reached its goal, and opened a way before me. Thank you Lord!” </p><p>As graduation caps are tossed into the air this season, these celebrities remind fans that success is not defined by timelines.</p>

<p>These male celebrities showed that age is no barrier to education. Their inspiring journeys back to school serve as a reminder this graduation season that dreams can be achieved at any stage of life. </p>

These male celebrities showed that age is no barrier to education. Their inspiring journeys back to school serve as a reminder this graduation season that dreams can be achieved at any stage of life.