By Karren Jay G. Asgar

John 3:16 Aguasa Puerto, with his mother Noemi Aguasa, looks forward to his studies in Packaging Engineering.

Every unique name has a story behind it, and universities are the perfect place to uncover these narratives.

A few weeks ago, a public post went viral on the official Facebook page of the CPU-College of Engineering about the lists of examinees for the engineering entrance examination (E3) SY 2024-2025. Garnering 8.3k reactions, 173 comments, and 6.2k shares, this post has become an internet sensation simply because of one of the examinees’ names, John 3:16 Aguasa Puerto.

In an online interview with John 3:16’s mother, Noemi Aguasa, she shared that her son’s name was supposed to be his late father’s suggestion of naming him as John 3:16 Puerto III. But then, upon knowing that his son was named John 3:16, he loved it and even tattooed his son’s name on his arm.

“However, when I mentioned the same [name] to my former employer, the late Atty. Conlu told me that my father might feel bad because John is the first grandson on my side. My employer told me that he would give me John’s name if he thought of a nice name. Weeks before I delivered John, he suggested that I name him John 3:16. And the rest is history,” she added.

John 3:16 graduated from kindergarten at St. Elizabeth School of Hungary. He finished his elementary years at Iloilo Central School and his high school years at Mandurriao National High School. He became part of the Centralian community when he decided to pursue his senior high school years at CPU-Senior High School. Currently, he is an incoming student of the Bachelor of Science in Packaging Engineering at CPU.

“[John 3:16] is 18 years old and has a younger special brother named Rev, who is 7 years old,” Aguasa stated.

Upon asking John’s mother what she felt after knowing that her son was trending online, she said that she was anxious. His son was supposedly going to take an entrance examination, yet his name was posted on some local media outlets. Netizens were quick to notice the distinctive nature of his name, which quickly became a trending topic on various platforms.

“I just shrugged it off when I saw that my son is thrilled and excited reading some funny comments like “Indi basta-basta ma fail kay si Lord ang backer, budlay akigan,” she shared.

While some might find such sudden fame overwhelming, John 3:16’s name has taken it all in stride. “Friends were tagging me in posts, and suddenly my name was everywhere,” he admits. “I’ve always thought my name was just a part of who I am.”

Far from shying away from attention, he embraced his newfound internet persona, even engaging with fans and followers who reach out to him online.

“I wanted to thank everyone for the time they spent encouraging my son, and to the media and social media platforms who interviewed us, thank you for your time in taking an interest in my son’s name,” Noemi Aguasa emphasized.