DOUBLE SUCCESS: UPV magna cum laude tops two board exams

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

JEB REECE Grabato from Mandurriao, Iloilo City was waiting for his flight back from Manila to Iloilo when this reporter interviewed him on Tuesday.

Grabato said he was excited to go home to finally meet his mother and brother after topping two exams, the Chemical Technician (2^nd) and the Chemist Licensure (9^th) Examinations. He scored 92.50 and 87.70 percent, respectively in the two exams.

Interestingly, the flight that he booked months ago was the same day that the results of the two board exams came out.

According to Grabato, topping the two licensure examinations was never part of his goal.

“Wala ko gina­-expect, wala ko ga-aim, gusto ko lang gid makapasar, amo lang gid na tani,” he told Daily Guardian.

Grabato said he took the licensure exam for Chemical Technician as a back-up in case he fails to pass the Chemist Licensure Examination.

“Duha gid kay ang chem tech back-up plan in case indi ko maka-pass sa chemist. Honestly, mas confident ko sa chem tech kay ang mas budlay sa duwa ang chemist exam,” he said.

Grabato took the two-day Chemist Licensure Examination from October 8-9, 2019 and the Chemical Technician Licensure Examination on Oct 10.

It was three straight days of nerve-racking examinations for Grabato, but the lad was an achiever ever since.

He graduated magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) in Miagao campus with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.

Grabato was also an achiever in his secondary and elementary levels in UP High School in Iloilo City campus and Iloilo Central Elementary School.

He admitted that he felt pressured when he took the two board exams.

“Na-pressure ko kay siyempre kung indi ko mapasaran ang exam, ano ang hambalon sang tawo but ako nagtu-on lang gid ko. I believe everything madala mo sa perseverance,” Grabato said.

The youngest of two siblings, Grabato offered his success to his mother.

“Gina-dedicate ko ang akon success kay nanay kay all these years siya na lang bi isa ga-work para sa amon kay father ko deceased na. Gusto ko gid mabalik sa iya ang tanan nga sacrifices kag efforts so maayo man naubra ko na, wala ko siya na-disappoint,” he said.

Upon going home, Grabato said he will take the time to rest and sleep. He said he wants to teach at UPV.

“I would like to put my skills to good use, specifically in the field of research. I am hoping to conduct or be a part of studies that would be of great impact to the masses. After all, it is our mandate in UP to serve the people,” he said.

Aside from Grabato, two graduates of Central Philippine University also made it to the top ten in the licensure examination for Chemical Technician.

CPU graduates, Elmer Ermitaño, and Aimee Rose Cruz placed 8th and 10th in the chemical technician exam with ratings of 89.50 and 88.50 percent, respectively.