Photos courtesy of Ron Angelo Cierva

The beeping of fare cards, the relentless ticking of time, the last-minute dash of passengers squeezing in, and the struggle to keep balance in the crowded space — everything inside a train moves as fast as it does. 

And for the daily Filipino commuters, a train ride is a routine of stops and starts; it is their everyday rhythm, a journey that rarely holds surprises — just another ride.  

But what if the 'just another ride' shifts everything? What if it takes you not just between stations but closer to your dreams?

For aspiring criminologist Ron Angelo Cierva, the LRT 1 Libertad Station became more than just another stop. It witnessed how his hard work had paid off. What he thought was an ordinary day from Quiapo took an unexpected turn when the results of the Criminology Licensure Exam (CLE) was released.

As he stood inside the train, surrounded by the usual rush of commuters, Cierva took a peak on his phone. Then, there it was —n his name on the list of passers. 

“Actually, papunta ako ng Quiapo church noong March 7. I invited my friends to attend (the) mass. They had no idea that the results were about to be released. While we were on the train heading home, I suddenly received a message saying the board exam results were out. Kinabahan pa ako lalo nung nag-message ‘yung girlfriend ko, saying she couldn’t open the link sa PRC website kaya nag-overthink ako noon na baka sign ‘yun na hindi ako pumasa. I asked one of my classmates to check my name on the list, but he jokingly told me, ‘sorry pre, bagsak ka’. I felt my heart drop. But then he immediately sent me a screenshot and told me to check it myself. Nakakakaba pa lalo dahil wala akong mobile data noong time na ‘yun, so I asked my friend John to share his hotspot. When I finally saw the picture, my name was there! I couldn’t help but shout out loud on the train,” recalled Cierva.

With shock and excitement overtaking him, Cierva shouted, “Pasado ako!” — momentarily forgetting he was inside a public transport.

“At that moment, nothing else mattered except the fact that I had achieved my dream,” he said.

His friends, initially unaware that he had taken the CLE, seized the moment to celebrate with him by capturing his reaction and sharing it online. So what Cierva thought was a milestone witnessed only by fellow LRT passengers has now become a moment celebrated by over 400,000 viewers on social media.

@dumbbbbxzxz #rcrim #rcrim2025 #fyp #follower ♬ original sound - 1 - dumbbbbxzxz

“I decided to take a video because I wanted to capture those precious moments of our friend and also to show how proud I am that his hard work and the sacrifices he made were paid off,” uploader and Cierva’s friend Jhon Anthony Merida told ABS-CBN News.

“I decided to share this precious moment of our friend online, not to brag, but to inspire others to keep dreaming until they achieve their goals,” Merida added.

Cierva, who graduated in 2024, shared that serving in the field of law enforcement has always been his dream since he was a kid.

“Initially, I thought Criminology was all about firearms and action, but as I progressed, I realized it was much more than that. The course required both intellectual and physical effort — understanding laws, criminal justice systems, and undergoing intense physical training. Despite the challenges, I enjoyed my journey because I gained not only knowledge and skills but also lifelong friends and buddies in the field,” Cierva explained.

But behind his inspiring moment was a journey longer than train rides in between stations; it was a journey of sacrifices, hardships, and determination.

The CLE passer dedicated six months of his undivided attention to prepare for the licensure examination. According to Cierva, he avoided distractions and focused solely on reviewing for the boards.

“I distanced myself from social media, stopped going out with friends, and focused solely on my studies. At the review center, we were even advised to limit social interactions to avoid distractions. The preparation was exhausting, with sleepless nights spent reading, writing, and repeatedly watching lecture videos,” he shared.

But the sacrifices did not end there, because beyond attending reviews and non-stop studying for the board exam, Cierva also faced financial struggles as he had to work part-time to support himself while studying. And while his older sisters helped cover his tuition fees, he relied on his salary from working at a fast-food chain to provide for his daily expenses and personal needs.

“Balancing work and studies was tough, pero kinaya ko kasi committed talaga ako sa dream ko,” he shared.

Beyond the financial struggles and the six-month-long board preparations, deeper internal conflicts loomed over Cierva. This time, the struggle was within him, weighing him down with doubt as if it was trying to halt a chugging train just before it could reach its last stop.

“Doubt is inevitable, especially in class when I compare myself to others — some of my classmates grasped concepts quickly and answered questions with ease, while I struggled. I often asked myself, “Can I still do this? Should I just give up?” Cierva shared.

And even though there were instances where self-doubt creeped in along his journey to becoming a licensed criminologist, the board passer reminded himself that perseverance and faith must outweigh doubt and fear.

“Every time I felt that way, I reminded myself: ‘If they can do it, I can do it even better’. I doubled my efforts, remained focused, and stayed consistent with my studies. Alongside hard work, I relied on prayer to keep me strong,” he added.

Grateful to his loved ones who supported him all throughout, the people who were his “greatest support system” became one of Cierva’s pillars to continue reaching for his aspirations.

“My mother made sure I had everything I needed — she would even buy me a snack to keep me awake while studying.  My parents took care of household responsibilities so I could focus on my studies. Mga ate at kuya ko, despite having families of their own, never hesitated to help me financially. They never pressured me to succeed, which made me even more determined to prove myself. My friends, although they were confused kung bakit hindi ako (n)agpaparamdam, pero still, they respected my decision when I told them I was busy with work (even when I wasn’t).  And, of course, my girlfriend. Even though we rarely saw each other — sometimes only once a month — she never complained and always understood my priorities. She never made me feel guilty for focusing on my review. Most importantly, I know that God was with me since day one. Whenever I felt lost during the board exam, I prayed, and I know He guided me through it.”

Achieving one’s dreams is a victory in itself, but an even greater victory is being able to celebrate it with people who supported you and believed in you along the way.

Perhaps, what makes a journey bearable is having someone to walk — or ‘ride’ — it with, like friends, or even strangers aboard a train.

For Cierva, who went through the narrowest roadblocks and alleys, having his friends with him, not only during the time when he passed the CLE, but also before he had achieved everything, was a precious moment.

“It made the moment even more special. Since they didn’t know I was waiting for the results, they were genuinely surprised and happy for me. Their excitement and support made the victory even sweeter,” he said.

And as for his friend, Merida, who witnessed his breakthrough, the feeling was mutual.

“I’m very proud because Ron is my best friend, and I know his dreams since we first met. He has always shared his goals with us every time we gather(ed),” said Cierva’s friend of five years.

One builds their dreams in school, yet fulfills them wherever life takes them. Cierva’s journey is a reminder that success isn’t confined to a single place — it can unfold anywhere, even in the most unexpected moments, like a train ride at LRT 1 Libertad station.

And while the railroads may be bumpy, dreamers persevere no matter what; just like trains that push forward despite the twists and turns of the tracks.

“It’s heartwarming to know that my journey has inspired others. I hope my story serves as motivation for aspiring criminologists and anyone who is chasing their dreams. Hard work, faith, and perseverance truly pay off.”