A 72-year-old man inspired Filipinos after finishing college and passing a board examination in his senior years.
A Redditor on Wednesday, December 24, shared a graphic from a publication featuring Diosdado Evangelista, or Tatay Ebang, who achieved two milestones later in life.
“Father of four finishes college at 69, passes the board exam at 72,” the Reddit user wrote in the “r/Philippines” community.
Father of four finishes college at 69, passes the board exam at 72
byu/Rare_Independent0310 inPhilippines
The post has earned 1,300 upvotes and nearly 40 comments from fellow Redditors, many of whom expressed admiration for Tatay Ebang’s achievements.
“Ang galing ni tatay. Respect,” a Reddit user wrote.
“Itong mga ganitong klaseng tao ang hinahangaan ko. Sumubok at nagtiyaga para makuha ang minimithi sa buhay,” another commented.
“Awww, congratulations, Tatay! May you be blessed and loved,” a different Redditor wrote with heart emojis.
“We all think na dapat merong specific age to achieve something, pero ‘yung ganitong stories made me feel comforting kasi iniisip ko palagi na huli na ang lahat after 30. Totoong hindi lahat nakakasunod sa timeline, run your own pace talaga,” another said.
“Congratulations [on] NEVER LOSING SIGHT OF YOUR DREAM!!!” another Redditor said.
According to the Philippine Entertainment Portal, Tatay Ebang took the Agriculturist Licensure Examination after earning his bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness at 69 years old in 2023.
He did not succeed in his initial attempt.
Tatay Ebang tried again in November 2025 and eventually passed, becoming a licensed agriculturist at the age of 72.
He said that age should not be a barrier to fulfilling one’s dreams, emphasizing that what matters is taking action and finding a way.
Tatay Ebang was unable to attend college in his youth, although he completed a two-year vocational course in 1972.
He later married in 1974 and was blessed with four children.
As the head of the family, Tatay Ebang sought ways to provide for his children and support his household.
He later underwent free licensing training for private security guards and worked as a security guard at a mining company.
By 1984, Tatay Ebang had resigned from his job and ventured into farming, which became his primary source of livelihood.
One of the reasons he decided to pursue a college degree was that he had been cheated in his wood delivery business.