A 25-year-old Tarlaqueño has raised the Philippine flag after graduating from the prestigious "Harvard of the Skies."
In a TikTok video, Joshua Daniel Asiaten shared his graduation momentum at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a graduation cap with a design of the Philippine flag.
@joshasiaten Pinoy pride! 🇵🇭✈️🎓 #aviation #pilotlife #studentpilot #pinoyaviator #pinoypride ♬ original sound - STREAMLEADS INC
"POV: you're the only Filipino graduating from the harvard of the skies," he captioned his Tiktok video, which garnered over 2.5 million likes.
Asiaten is now the only Filipino student and the first-ever Tarlaqueño to graduate from the said aeronautical university in the United States.
In an interview, Asiaten said that his passion for aviation took off at a young age as he experienced Microsoft’s 2004 Flight Simulator. His drive fluttered even more when he immersed himself in aviation videos and observed overhead planes from the ground.
The aeronautical university, according to Asiaten, went beyond his expectations.
“From the moment I set foot on campus, I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging. Being surrounded by people from all corners of the globe who share the same passion for aviation made my transition to life in the US remarkably smooth,” he said.
On May 9, 2022, the Tarlaqueño pride received his BS in Aeronautical Science degree from the university. He expresses his deepest gratitude to God and his family, especially his parents, for giving him the fortitude to endure difficult circumstances.
"One of the most significant takeaways from my time at Embry-Riddle was learning how to be independent at a young age. Being thousands of miles away from home pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me discover the extent of my capabilities," Asiaten remarked.
The Tarlaqueño pride just finished converting his international Federal Aviation Administration license to the local Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) license, as he promised to serve the country before all else.
Currently, Asiaten is waiting for his job application at the country’s flag carrier, the Philippine Airlines.
