Smart, determined, hardworking, and passionate about his craft? That’s Sir Rocky for you.
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For the chronically online among us, you’re probably familiar with the niche but notable genre of online tutors and instructors who have that bonus of having A-tier face cards. Not to objectify or what, but you’ve probably come across the hot teacher archetype at least once in your life. It’s a genre of online personality that Ian Rocky Aguirre, referred to as Sir Rocky by his students, can comfortably fall under.
Over the past year, the 23-year-old registered nurse has been making waves online thanks to clips posted by his students of his lecturing sessions that showcase his oppa-level visuals. But beyond the online fervor, there’s much more to this hardworking, gifted, and passionate Gen Z who dedicates his time to a greater cause in health and education.
A NURSE’S JOURNEY
For a man who is just approaching his mid-20s, Rocky Aguirre is a man of many hats. He’s a registered nurse by profession, but also a first-year med student while also working as a college professor and national board lecturer for nursing at Toprank Review Academy. And on top of it all, he also creates educational content on social media to, as he puts it, “inspire and guide aspiring healthcare professionals.” Okay king. This journey into medicine was born out of a life that feels made for such a profession.
He was called a “miracle baby’ because he was born without any signs of life. Miraculously, he survived. “I realized the significance of this story as my mom shared it with me time and time again while I was growing up,” he tells NYLON Manila in an interview. “Hearing how doctors and nurses fought for my life sparked a deep admiration for the medical profession at a young age. Their courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment planted a dream in me: to become like them.”
Soon enough, Rocky made that dream a reality, even graduating with academic honors in the process, and he’s not yet done. “Becoming a nurse and now pursuing medicine has always been about more than a career for me—it’s a calling. I want to use the knowledge and skills I gain to inspire, serve, and help others.”
But aside from focusing on his career as a medical professional, Rocky is also an educator, and it’s a move that Rocky says was not on his radar. Growing up in a family that struggled to make ends meet, Rocky understood and appreciated the sacrifices his parents made to help as much as they could for him to get an education. It motivated him to maintain his scholarships through college. But med school proved to be different.
“While I was fortunate to secure a scholarship again in med school, there are still many expenses for my education and daily needs. At first, I really wanted to practice as a nurse but balancing hospital shifts with med school was nearly impossible. So, I looked for another way to support myself and that’s when I turned to the field of education.”
Rocky comes from a family of teachers, and he says that if he didn’t pursue medicine, he would have gone into education. But what really sparked that passion in him was his former lecturers at Toprank Review Academy (TRA). “Their teaching style was so unique and inspiring that, after passing the board exam, I immediately applied to TRA. Not as a lecturer but as part of the research team creating practice exams and rationales for students.”
An encounter with Dr. Roland Villegas, the CEO of TRA, supercharged Rocky’s educator era as it was through him that Rocky became the lecturer we know today. It’s an experience that has seen him lecture hundreds of students and travel to multiple provinces around the country to teach nursing concepts such as Emergency & Disaster Nursing, Medical-Surgical Nursing, and Geriatric Nursing.
FOR THE LOVE OF TEACHING
So, with all that, what does a day in the life of Rocky Aguirre look like? As expected, it’s a sunrise-to-sundown kind of affair. On a typical weekday, Rocky wakes up at 6 AM to prepare for med school, which usually lasts until 4 PM. Then, by 6, he shifts gears to teaching online until 10 PM. After, he prepares for his next day’s classes and gets in bed by 12 MN.
And if you thought Rocky had weekends to himself, think again. This is when he travels to different provinces to teach his lectures, which usually runs from 8 AM to 5 PM. Assignments and readings for med school follow before he does the whole process again. “It’s definitely a hectic schedule but I’ve learned to manage my time well and stay disciplined.”
It’s a lot to handle, but given the reaction Rocky has received from his students and online admirers, it’s worth it, especially with how he finds ways to make medicine a digestible topic for med students. “When preparing my lectures, I consider two things: first, how can I simplify complex topics so they are easier to understand and remember? And second, how can I keep my students engaged during long hours of lecture?” explains Rocky.
For him, he’s found dividing the content into smaller, more digestible parts, and using visual aids effective. “Keeping students engaged for long hours requires creativity and interaction. I include discussion and practice questions, so they’re not just passively listening but actively participating in the learning process.” Like any great teacher, Rocky also knows how to read the room, so when it’s time for a vibe shift, it’s time for a vibe shift. “I also make an effort to adjust my teaching style to match the energy of the class—whether that’s through humor, storytelling, or simply encouraging them to ask questions and share their thoughts.”
As someone who is no stranger to academic excellence, Rocky shares that it isn’t all about being the smartest, but putting in the hard work and dedication into what you do. For him, slaying your studies comes best when there’s a concentrated effort to get the job done. “Even when I feel like I’m not the best or the smartest, I know I can reach my goals through perseverance. There are no shortcuts in school or life. If you want to succeed, you really need to put in the hours, stay consistent, and continuously improve yourself.”
TUTOR OPPA
It goes without saying that Rocky has a lot on his plate. Most med students can barely make it through school alone, but add what Rocky does? It’s enough to give many a panic attack trying to keep it together. So, what’s Rocky’s secret? For him, it’s all about priorities. “I plan my day carefully, making sure to allocate time for both studying and teaching. Second, I stay disciplined with my routine. It can be tempting to procrastinate, especially when I’m tired, but I remind myself that every task I complete brings me closer to my goals. Lastly, I stay motivated by remembering my purpose.”
There’s a lot of self-discipline involved with what Rocky does, but it helps when you’re so passionate about what you do. “Both med school and teaching are deeply meaningful to me,” he explains. “Med school is my dream, and teaching allows me to inspire and help other students. Instead of feeling like I’m splitting my attention, I see both as opportunities to grow and give back.”
While Rocky admits that the job has its challenges, the process is worth it, especially with how he’s been able to connect with and make an impact on his students. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see them achieve their goals, passing the board exam and becoming a registered nurse,” gushes Rocky on the best part of the job. “There are moments when it gets really exhausting—traveling back and forth, long hours of teaching, and sometimes even losing my voice—but a simple thank you message from a student, telling me that I helped and inspired them, makes everything worth it. Those moments remind me why I do what I do and motivate me to keep pushing forward, even when things get tough. For me, it’s not just about a job that I need to do, it’s about making a lasting impact on someone’s life and career.”
Speaking of making an impact, that’s exactly what Rocky has done, though maybe in ways he never intended. Rocky has become somewhat of an online personality thanks to videos of him going viral on social media platforms, such as TikTok. You could say Rocky is an internet crush with the way his students and netizens have taken a liking to him.
“My experience of going viral online has been both surprising and humbling,” says the content creator and unexpected online personality on his social media fame, adding that he’s a naturally private person and only learned about his virality from one of his students. “This level of attention is entirely new to me and it’s been a big adjustment to share parts of my life with so many people.” Yet, even now that he’s unintentionally built an online following, he’s using it as motivation to get better at what he does.
“I know people have high expectations of me now. It pushes me to deliver my best in every lecture and interaction. On a personal note, this experience has also been a journey of growth for me. I was bullied when I was younger which really affected my confidence in speaking in front of others. But this unexpected visibility has helped me regain that confidence. It has taught me to believe in myself and realize that I can inspire and help others.” We love to see it.
KNOW YOUR “WHY”
As someone who has taught hundreds of students and counting, and currently going through school himself, Rocky has seen the changes in how students approach their studies, such as the increasing use of AI and similar tools. While he feels that ChatGPT can be useful for students in certain situations, he also reminds us that AI should not be used as a replacement for learning. “[S]tudents need to remember that AI is just a tool to supplement studying, not a replacement for their own effort. True learning takes time, discipline, and a willingness to dive deep into books and other reliable resources. There are no shortcuts to real knowledge.”
He points to how in a professional setting, you will rely on the knowledge and skills you built during your studies, so don’t turn to AI prompts for all your assignments because that won’t get you far. “The effort you put into learning today will shape your ability to do your job in the future, so always do your best to learn.”
Yes, school, especially medical school, is not easy. With all the complicated terms and concepts to learn on top of the hours you have to put in, it can be a lot. Motivation can be fleeting during these moments. But to that, Rocky implores students to look back on the “why” of why they entered medicine in the first place. “Your why is your anchor—it’s what will keep you grounded when the challenges feel overwhelming. Hold on to that purpose because it will guide you through even the hardest days. Remember that you lose your way when you lose your whys.”
He emphasizes that it’s ok to not know everything on day one. The greatest nurses and doctors had to start somewhere, after all, and that also applies to you. “Progress takes time and persistence, so don’t be too hard on yourself. What matters is that you keep learning, growing, and showing up, even when it’s difficult.” He ends with a phrase many K-pop stans may be familiar with. “I always tell my students, ‘Aja Aja Fighting!’ It’s my way of reminding you to stay strong, keep going, and never give up. This path isn’t easy but the best and most rewarding things in life never are.”
As for students who want to or are thinking of taking a pre-med course to pursue a career in medicine and health, Rocky keeps it simple and brings it back to your “why”. “Be clear about your purpose and motivations because this path requires a lifelong commitment. Becoming a doctor is also not easy—it demands time, effort, and sacrifice—but if it’s your dream, you’ll find a way to make it happen. Along the way, you might even face doubts. People may tell you that you’re not ‘smart enough’ to be a doctor or that it’s too difficult for someone from your background. I’ve been there—I came from humble beginnings and I’ve faced challenges that could’ve easily stopped me from pursuing this dream. But I held onto my ‘why’ and that kept me moving forward.”
Ask anyone in med school, and they’ll tell you that it’s a real slog. The path isn’t easy, but as long as you root yourself in your passion and dedication, you’ll get there. Rocky Aguirre is a walking manifestation of that, a young man who knew what he wanted, put in the work, kept the faith, and is giving back his blessings through teaching. The social media fame just so happens to be a bonus for the content creator.
The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Photos courtesy of Rocky Aguirre
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