Hailing from Ilocos Norte, Hans and Lance, who both took up Biology, also received additional recognitions. Lance got the Best Thesis award, while Hans received the Most Outstanding BS Biology Graduate Award and the Academic Excellence Award.

The duo couldn’t be more grateful to make their family proud—both of their grandmothers were even able to join them onstage to receive their awards.

“Sa grandparents namin ‘yung mas nakita namin na emosyon nung nagma-martsa. Kasi nakapila pa lang kami paakyat sa pag-receive ng award, maluha-luha na silang dalawa,” Lance told PhilSTAR L!fe.

It was also a fulfilled dream for their late granddad, who helped their parents with their studies.

In sync since birth

Hans and Lance Farinas, BS Biology summa cum laude graduates from UP Diliman. Courtesy of Lance and Hans Farinas

Apart from the looks, Hans and Lance are cut from the same cloth when it comes to academic achievements. Since high school, they’ve taken an interest in biology.

Being always on top, Hans shared that they initially studied separately, but would randomly ask each other questions throughout the day after reviewing.

“Nung nag face-to-face na, apparently hindi namin kaya mag-solo, nag-tulungan kami with notes,” he shared. This time, they would also study with friends at cafés.
Lance and Hans with their BS Bio friends. Courtesy of Lance and Hans Farinas

The twins also joined the same student organizations in UP Diliman. “Part kami ng tatlong org ng Institute of Biology, pero hindi kami nag take executive roles. Personally, ayokong mag-commit masiyado sa mga org, kasi priority ko pa rin naman ‘yung [academics],” Lance said.

When they’re not studying, they unwind similarly—hanging out with friends, going on dates with their girlfriends, and hitting the gym or going for a jog around campus. Hans and Lance also blow off steam by playing mobile games in between all the things they have to memorize for class.

Bringing out the best in each other

While they said their parents don’t pressure them with their studies, Lance and Hans have this innate instinct to do well, and being twins ultimately helped them thrive.

“Advantage po ang kambal. Kasi kapag nag-aaral ka, may nakikita kang ka-compete mo, alam mo na, ‘Hala kaya niya yun?’ same naman kami ng genes, edi kaya ko rin,” Hans said. “Gayahin mo lang din ‘yung effort niya.”

“Medyo parehas kami ng attention span, so pinagsasabay namin ‘yung break namin para maglaro,” he added.
Hans and Lance with their family. Courtesy of Lance and Hans Farinas

For his part, Lance said, “Madaling i-synchronize ‘yung schedule namin kasi palagi naman kaming magkasama, and ‘yung pacing namin halos same lang din, and ‘yung study habit namin na nabuo same din kasi ever since naman, magkasama na kami.”

Growing up as siblings with the same grit, the twins admitted to having some kind of sibling rivalry, especially in their younger years. Still, they’re happy when one of them achieves something.

“Na learn naman namin na maging masaya sa kung anong na-achieve ng isa,” Lance said, adding that it motivates the other to strive for more. “Parang naghihilaan lang kami pataas.”

“Feeling ko standard ko si Hans, feel ko standard din niya ako,” he added.

And while they are very much alike, their friends can easily differentiate them through their personalities.

“Mas mabait si Hans,” Shyla and Charlize quipped, who spontaneously joined the interview. “Si Hans mas onti ‘yung taray niya,” Shyla said, to which Charlize added, “Mas palaging siyang nakangiti.”

Nonetheless, they said the twins tend to warm up to a person they’ve just met before showing their talkative side.

After they finished their undergraduate programs, Hans and Lance will focus on research. They initially wanted to become doctors, but years of studying in their program changed their perspectives.

“Usually, Biology is considered ng nakararami as a [Pre-Medical] course. Parang most ng population sa batch namin will usually apply sa med school. Konti lang ‘yung natitira sa research side,” Lance told L!fe. He added that they sought advice from their professors, who encouraged them to pursue research.

“Na-realize namin na we can contribute as well to the country, hindi lang sa pagme-med,” Lance said.

Hans plans to return to UP Diliman to take up his master’s degree in the Institute of Biology while working as an instructor and a research assistant.

Meanwhile, Lance will also teach at the same institute while working as a research assistant. He’s somewhat branching off from his brother, too, as he plans to seek scholarships for a master’s degree abroad.

Through the years, Hans and Lance’s camaraderie carried them to great heights, showing that they thrive best through each other’s support.

As Hans said in his valedictory speech for the Institute of Biology, “You are not enough. And that’s the point.”

“Because if you want to serve others, if you want to change the world, if you want to become someone who brings light, relief, or hope—you cannot do it by relying only on yourself,” he said.

“You are meant to grow with people, lead with people, and lean on people.”