Bogart the Explorer goes back to college: ‘Freshman in my 40s’

Bogart the Explorer is back in university and aims to prove it is never too late to achieve one’s dreams.

The content creator and host shared his happy news in two Facebook posts.

He titled his first post, “Freshman in My Forties,” and opened up about dreaming of becoming a national scientist and inventing a "groundbreaking technology that will positively impact the lives of so many people."

"But life doesn't always go as planned," Bogart the Explorer said.

From being a "bright-eyed" Department of Science and Technology scholar at the University of the Philippines Diliman “eager to make my mark in the world of Engineering," Bogart's path lead him to show business, which "completely surprised" everyone, including himself.

"This was a far cry from my supposed scientific destiny," Bogart said.

“Now, 22 years later, with a heart full of hope and a mind ready and, now, willing to learn, I find myself a FRESHMAN with a scholarship at Caraga State University, this time studying Bachelor of Science in Agroforestry,” Bogart said.

For the vlogger, his schooling journey isn't so much about finishing what he started, “but of redefining what it means to pursue knowledge and purpose.”

“This journey isn’t about getting a job after graduation anymore—it’s about actually making a difference in the lives of those around me. Through learning how to build a life that’s sustainable, not only for us, but for the planet we live in as well. This is what inspired me to learn about Agroforestry,” Bogart said.

He added, “Some might see the age lines on my face and wonder why a man approaching his 50s is sitting in a classroom with students more than half his age. But I see those lines as proof that it’s never too late to chase after what you truly want in life.”

The vlogger generously shared wise pieces of advice for those who think they are too old or that it is too late to reach their dreams: “The only thing standing between you and your dreams is the fear of taking that first step. Don’t let that fear stop you. Life is too short to let your dreams pass you by."

“If you have a dream, no matter how long it’s been on the shelf, dust it off and give it the life it deserves. It's never too late,” Bogart added.

In another post on Tuesday, Bogart shared that he also had doubts about returning to school.

“There was a time when I wasn’t even sure I would take the plunge back into college. I told myself that if I ever encounter resistance, any barrier to my college application, then I would take it as the universe’s way of saying this isn’t the way forward,” he said.

“But the path remained clear.”

Bogart said he got a call from the school two days before the entrance exam to inform him of the date and time, “and suddenly, what seemed like a distant possibility was becoming real.”

He looked for his old entrance exam reviewers — the same ones he used in the UPCAT or UP entrance exam in 2002 — “and buried myself in them for two days.”

On exam day, Bogart was the second person to arrive in the classroom, "my nerves buzzing as I waited to start the test.” He finished the test in two hours and as he handed in his papers, he was told results will be out that every afternoon.

"My heart pounded as I saw my score: 118 out of 170. At first, I thought I had failed, but then I was told that was more than enough to pass," he narrated.

Sharing tips on how to keep calm and collected during exam day, Bogart encouraged his followers to “Take the step, even if you’re scared. You might find that the path is clearer than you imagined.”

He added, “Looking back, it’s amazing how close I came to giving up before I even started. But life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it. To anyone standing on the edge of a decision, unsure whether to leap—just go for it.”

Bogart ended his post with an apt reminder: “Success isn't always about perfection; sometimes, it’s just about showing up and giving it your all.”

Bogart the Explorer joins the growing list of showbiz personalities who returned to college to earn their degrees despite the odds. Most recently, Geneva Cruz went viral online for pursuing her education. 

— Nika Roque/LA, GMA Integrated News