When one summa cum laude in the family is already extraordinary, having two is nothing short of monumental. Identical twins Hans Joshua Farinas and Lance Farinas, both from Ilocos Norte and both taking up BS Biology at UP Diliman, doubled the achievement by graduating summa cum laude in 2025.
Beyond this shared honor, the twins also received top individual recognitions. Lance earned the Best Thesis Award, while Hans was named Most Outstanding BS Biology Graduate and received the Academic Excellence Award from the Institute of Biology.
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And Then There Were Two
Raised in Ilocos Norte, the brothers never expected their achievements to resonate so deeply. Their grandparents’ presence on stage during the recognition ceremony made an emotional moment even more meaningful. As Lance recalled, “Sa grandparents namin 'yung mas nakita namin na emosyon nung nagma-martsa... paakyat sa pag?receive ng award, maluha?luha na silang dalawa” (their grandparents cried even before they reached the stage)
The twins were in sync from birth. They not only studied together, but also joined the same student organizations within the Institute of Biology, though they avoided executive positions to keep academics their priority. When studying, they’d quiz each other, share notes, and review in cafés with friends.
Brotherly Love
Part of their success, Hans reflected, was the unique advantage of being twins—seeing each other’s efforts lit a competitive spark and pushed them further. “Advantage po ang kambal… kasi kapag nag-aaral ka, may nakikita kang ka-compete mo…”
Outside of studies, they relaxed together: gym sessions, jogs on campus, hanging out with friends, and even mobile gaming between classes.
Looking ahead, both twins will continue in research and education. Hans plans to stay at UP Diliman for a master’s in Biology while working as an instructor and research assistant. Lance will also teach at UP Diliman and seek scholarships abroad for his postgraduate studies.
In his valedictory speech, Hans shared a philosophical takeaway: “You are not enough. And that’s the point.” Emphasizing collaboration and community, he noted that personal achievement is inseparable from collective effort.
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