With the current rainy season and other life incidents, the main source of news is the television reporters. Anything on TV also reaches social media, and someone caught netizens’ attention for her “storm-proof makeup” and “from GMA Gala to sunog real quick” moments. It is no other than: GMA News Reporter EJ Gomez.

But before these situations occurred, she was once a dedicated scholar and very active student leader from National University. She is an alumna and Magna Cum Laude of Bachelor in Secondary Education (BSEd) Major in English. Additionally, she held significant roles such as NU The National Editor-in-Chief, NU Supreme Student Council Public Relations Officer, NU Cheersquadron President, NU Mountaineers Vice President for Outreach Program, NU and Philippine delegate for World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow, Poland, and host for various events.

She described her Nationalian journey as “Wonderful adventure that shaped my maturity and future life as an adult.” Although her goal was to take journalism or mass communication, she decided to finish one of the closest programs, BSEd, as offered by SM Foundation, Inc. for her scholarship.

Yet, she was passionate about becoming a well-known, and respected reporter or journalist. She also graduated Summa Cum Laude of Manila Times College’s Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. At a young age, she already figured out that it was her dream. Telling herself, “One day, it’s going to be your story. One day it’s you who’s on TV bringing worthy news, helping people, changing lives, in the best way you know how. One day, the people will see and hear you. One day, it’s going to be EJ Gomez.”

Then it happened, she became a reporter for The Manila Times and CNN Philippines, and now for GMA Integrated News. Nothing special about her “storm-proof makeup” since for her, “I always aim to just look good on and off cam whenever in the field as I talk to different kinds of people from different backgrounds and status.” Nevertheless, netizens praised her, “serving face card while serving the country.”

Indeed she does. Another time, she went from GMA Gala to sunog coverage in an instant. Apparently, she decided to go to the event in full glam first as her duty starts at 10 p.m. However, a fire suddenly broke in Caloocan City, so she did not have time, rushed to the scene and reported with only changing her clothes. By her action, netizens once again complimented her in which she feels “kilig” and considers it something she will be forever grateful of.

Respecting her alma mater, she has all the core values of NU and believes that “NU has provided me that shaped me to who I am today.” The institution not only helped her to become a passionate and goal oriented professional, but also a responsible Filipino and a partner in nation-building—evidently seen in her work.

To aspiring journalists and communication students, she left a message: “Chasing and telling stories are about making the interest be relevant. When given the opportunity, choose to make a difference. If not, create that opportunity yourself, because you absolutely can and why not! You are so much greater than you can imagine. Don’t you dare forget that.”

“Don’t overthink it. Take it day by day. Savor every moment of your college life as a Nationalian. We don’t know life and where it’ll take us,” she added for her fellow Nationalians.

From NU student to GMA News Reporter EJ Gomez, her journey is truly an epitome of Nationalian pride and a story to be inspired by. Even beyond college, she is still carrying the five core values of the university—integrity, compassion, innovation, resilience, and patriotism—while serving face and the country.

By: Chriscel Mhae Beatrice Lorenzo