Jomari Yllana during his master’s graduation at PICC on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 | Image: INQUIRER.net/Jessica Ann Evangelista
Actor-politician Jomari Yllana achieved yet another milestone in academia after he graduated with a master’s degree in management major in public administration from the Philippine Christian University (PCU).
During the graduation ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay on Friday, Nov. 29, Yllana led his fellow graduates in reciting the pledge of honor.
In an interview with select members of the press, Yllana shared that it took him about two years to finish the degree, and that it was the pandemic that pushed him to venture into further studies.
“There was a time na mayroon akong gustong mga ma-achieve at tapusin. Syempre 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. ‘Yung outlook sa buhay iba na, kailangan matapos ko ‘yung mga dapat. The best feeling is giving back to people na nag-support samin,” he said.
(There was a time when I had things that I wanted to achieve and finish. Of course, time had passed, we’ve been here for half a century, almost half a century, so we had decision-making. Everything changed during the pandemic. I told my wife that the world is going to end. I woke up one morning, and I was left with nothing. It’s like everything that I had, I had given away. The outlook on life is different, I had to finish what I had to do. The best feeling is giving back to people who supported us.)
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Yllana is an outgoing councilor of the 1st district of Parañaque, and he is not running for another term this coming 2025 midterm elections. The 50-year-old actor-politician, however, said that he could run in the future again and it’s better that he’s well-equipped.
“Everything is so challenging. Nagbago na lahat. Nandito tayo to prepare a better future for everyone. Bilang public servant ito ang pinasok ko. Kailangan well-equipped ka rin talaga sa makabagong panahon. I’m proud to say with most humility, na mas masarap sa pakiramdam na kahit anong posisyon kaya mo ng tanggapin,” he stated.
(Everything is so challenging. Everything has changed. We are here to prepare a better future for everyone. This is what I entered as a public servant. You really need to be well-equipped in the modern era. I’m proud to say with most humility that it feels better that you can accept any position.)
Given that his father is a neuropsychiatrist who served in the military, Yllana said that he’s open as well to pursue a doctorate degree.
“Walang impossible sa Diyos basta gustuhin mo kayang kaya mo ‘yan. Kahit ano walang imposible sa mundo. Kung ano ‘yung gusto mo mag-achieve may kasamang sakripisyo pero kayang kaya kahit anong lifestyle mo,” he expressed.
(Nothing is impossible with God, as long as you want it and you can do it. Nothing is impossible in the world. What you want to achieve involves sacrifice, but you can do it no matter what your lifestyle is.)
Jomari Yllana and Abby Viduya | Image: INQUIRER.net/Jessica Ann Evangelista
The “Gwapings” actor, who put his showbiz career on hold after he assumed public service, shared that he also considers going back to show biz, after 10 years.
“Isa sa pinaka exciting, ‘yung nagbakasyon ka. I stopped show biz, late thirties, so kapag bumalik ako mag fifty na. Eksakto 10 years ako na nawala. Pinaka exciting sa artista ‘yung re-packaging,” he said, adding that he wonders what kind of roles he might now fit in.
(One of the most exciting is when you go on vacation. I stopped show biz in my late thirties, so when I come back I will be fifty. I was absent for exactly 10 years. Re-packaging is most exciting for an artist.)
There are preparations he has to undergo, such as getting back in shape when he returns to acting. Yllana said he’s more excited than nervous to come back.
“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,” the actor expressed.
(As for me, I’m not nervous. Even back then, during my very first audition for “Hihintain Kita sa Langit.” Even at the beginning there was no nervousness. More like excitement.)
Yllana was last seen on television via the 2015 series “The Half Sister” and in the 2015 supernatural horror film “The Healing.”
Meanwhile, his wife, former actress Abby Viduya, who has filed her certificate of candidacy for councilor of the 1st district of Parañaque, expressed how proud she is of her husband.
“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 said.
Yllana and Viduya tied the knot in Las Vegas in 2023.