‘RISE AMID FAILURES’: Student fails to enter dream school but tops Med Tech exam

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

MEDICAL Technologist Licensure Examination topnotcher Reiven John Bernales of Barangay Calitan in Panay, Capiz had no fancy formula for his success except for one main principle: “Never give up on the challenges. Trust God.”

Before topping the licensure examination for medical technologists with an impressive score of 90.50 percent, the 21-year-old-graduate of University of San Agustin (USA) suffered a major heartbreak when he failed to enter his dream school.

“Indi gid med tech tani ang kuhaon ko but Chemical Engineering in University of the Philippines (UP) garing wala ko nakapasa, then sila mama nagdecide na makuha na lang ko nursing diri sa Capiz,” he shared.

His failure to take up Chemical Engineering in UP led him to pursue Medical Technology in USA upon the encouragement of his sister.

“Ang sister ko gid ang nag-encourage sa akon kay hambal niya nami diri ang education sa Iloilo and then nag-decide ako magkuha med tech sa San Ag,” he said.

During his college days, Bernales shared the challenges he met along the way.

He recalled moments where he would cry to his mother, a public-school teacher in Capiz, due to financial problems.

“Nadumduman ko ga-suffer financial problems because mahal tuition and gahibi ko kay mama, tapos si mama mangita naman siya diin mangutang ukon ma-loan,” Bernales said.

Despite this, Bernales said he is thankful for the countless exams and learning that USA taught him.

Along the way, Bernales learned to love his course and eventually his sadness of failing to enter his dream school disappeared.

“Along the way, daw wala naghinulsol, nadula naman ang sadness ko nga wala ko nakasulod sa dream school,” he shared.

The topnotcher urged the students and teenagers to do the same – to never give up, study hard, and trust God.

“Akon message dapat magsalig sa Ginoo, tapos indi mag-give up sa challenges, everyday tuon and ilove mo ang imo ginaubra,” he said.

Bernales said he plans to teach in his alma mater next semester but his long-term plan is to take up medicine.

Aside from Bernales, another Ilonggo, Ceasar Deza Carado of Central Philippine University (CPU), also clinched the ninth place in the med tech board exam with a rating of 89.20 percent.

Carado and Bernales were among the 4,743 who passed out of the 6,453 who took the licensure exam, according to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).