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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yllana was last seen on television via the 2015 series “The Half Sister” and in the 2015 supernatural horror film “The Healing.
Yllana and Viduya tied the knot in Las Vegas in 2023. (Jessica Ann Evangelista © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
