A routine train ride turned into a life-changing moment for Ron Angelo Cierva when he learned he passed the Criminology Licensure Exam (CLE) while commuting on the LRT-1.
On March 7, Cierva was heading home from Quiapo Church with friends when he received word that the CLE results were out. He didn’t have mobile data at the time, so he asked a friend to share a hotspot. When another classmate jokingly told him he failed, his heart dropped — until a screenshot confirmed the good news.
“I couldn’t help but shout out loud on the train,” he recalled. “Pasado ako!”
The spontaneous moment was caught on video by his friend Jhon Anthony Merida, who shared it online. The video has since gone viral with over 400,000 views.
“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,” said Merida.
Cierva, who graduated in 2024, said his dream of becoming a law enforcer began in childhood. He prepared for six months, sacrificing social media, outings, and even working part-time to support himself while reviewing.
“Balancing work and studies was tough, pero kinaya ko kasi committed talaga ako sa dream ko,” he said.
Though he doubted himself at times, Cierva kept going with faith and determination.
“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.
He credited his success to the support of his family, friends, and girlfriend, who respected his focus and sacrifices during the review season.
“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,” Cierva said.
What started as just another train ride ended up becoming the most unforgettable one — a moment of triumph witnessed by commuters and now, thousands online.