MANILA, Philippines – From washing dishes in a small canteen to graduating cum laude at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Ethan Hernandez is living proof that grit, determination, and faith can take you far.
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| Photo courtesy: Ethan Hernandez/Facebook |
In a heartfelt Facebook post on Sunday, July 13, the licensed forester and content creator revisited a turning point in his life—one that began with a letter he wrote to various universities in hopes of pursuing a college education back in 2011.
Ethan grew up in a family of farmers in Bicol, where life was far from easy. Even as a young boy, he knew that education wasn’t going to be handed to him.
“To finish 4th year high school, I worked as a dishwasher and cleaner at a small canteen in our province. Basically, yung tinatawag na ‘boy,’” he recalled. “I also packed bread in a local bakery, earning ₱0.10 per piece. It was backbreaking work, but I managed to graduate high school.”
Determined to continue his studies, Ethan moved to Naga City for greater opportunities. He found work as a janitor and household helper and was eventually able to enroll in a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy program. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to finish.
Ethan also reached one of the lowest points of his life. “One day, driven by intense hunger, I stole food. Gutom na gutom ako that time. I got caught and ended up in jail for 24 hours in Naga City.”
Clinging to hope and ambition, he wrote letters to some of the country’s top universities: the University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle University, and Ateneo de Manila University.
“Yes, I was aiming high that time. Libre naman mangarap, eh,” he said. “I even told myself, ‘I don’t mind being a servant as long as it’s in a prestigious school.’”
With barely enough money for fare, Ethan hitched a free ride from a kind-hearted bus driver. He didn’t go straight to Manila but got off at Turbina, Calamba, one of the few places he knew. From there, he made his way to Los Baños, Laguna, where some relatives lived—though he chose not to stay with them to avoid being a burden.
Instead, Ethan slept for two weeks in an abandoned train station near the Los Baños market.
“Napakabaho at napakaraming lamok. May mga aso pa na galisin,” he wrote. “I bathed from a public tap at night kapag wala nang tao.”
Despite these conditions, he wasted no time. The very next day, he began distributing printed copies of his letter to any school he could find—big or small.
“I submitted to Colegio de Los Baños, University of Perpetual Help in Calamba, Trace College, and Letran,” he recalled. “I realized maybe I had aimed too high with UST, La Salle, and Ateneo. Sabi ko, wag na don. Malayo at wala akong pera.”
Finally, he submitted one to the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). That same day, he also applied to Jollibee Olivarez—and by what he calls divine timing, the branch happened to be hiring.
“Oh diba, you see kung paano gumagalaw si Lord?” he said.
Ethan passed the UPLB exam and interview and was offered a slot in the BS Forestry program. Although it wasn’t his dream course, he took it.
“This is UP already. Aarte pa ba?”
To support his family back in Bicol, he juggled multiple jobs: working at a computer shop during Jollibee rest days and serving as a student assistant on campus. He also sent money home whenever he could.
Despite his early reluctance toward Forestry, Ethan thrived. He eventually graduated cum laude—a milestone that unlocked new doors.
He became an instructor at UPLB, pursued a master’s degree in Korea, and achieved financial stability.
“Napaayos na rin ang bahay namin sa Bicol. I fully paid off my own house in Los Baños, bought a car, and made other investments. Even better, my sibling also graduated in Forestry—nagtuturo na din siya.”
In September 2016, Ethan passed the Forestry board exam.
Today, he’s not only a licensed forester but also a digital content creator with nearly one million followers—something he never imagined during those days of sleeping in an abandoned station.
Through it all, Ethan has become an inspiration to many—a certified raketero who never gave up, no matter how hard the journey got.
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express