Cebu’s topnotchers share what worked for them
For Jessa Comar Bermudo, it was a strict eat-sleep-study routine. For Marie Clare Cortes, what helped was spending more time studying the subjects she found difficult. Wayne Lorenz Tandingan taught himself to bear six to eight hours a day “of sitting and answering” as part of his preparations.
Whatever these three chose, it worked. Bermudo placed sec- ond in the May 2017 board exam for certified public accountants. Cortes placed seventh. Tandingan placed first in the chemical engineering board exam.
Graduates from the University of San Carlos and the University of San Jose-Recoletos have had such an inspiring run in the latest licensure exams. In this story, they share some of their secrets.
The University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R) produced three topnotchers in the recent certified public accountant ( CPA) licensure exam.
Harold Panerio Pacaña (sixth, 91 percent) only dreamed of passing the board exam to help his parents who look up to him as their only hope.
He said he never expected to land in the top 10.
“I am the only hope of my parents. My father works as a family driver and my mother is a house caretaker, and they see me as their only hope who could take them out from poverty,” said Pacaña in Cebuano.
On the day that the examination result was released, Pacaña shared how he kept himself busy just to forget that he was nervous and scared of the idea that he might have failed.
But he was so surprised after he knew that he ranked sixth and even shouted while riding on a motorcycle with his father.
Marie Claire Rodis Cortes always dreamed to be one of the topnotchers in the CPA exam.
“Ever since, goal jud nako na ma top ko and during my preparation for the board exam I studied more on the subject na lisod para nako,” she said.
“During the exams, I was worried because it was so tiring and I wanted to cry but I told myself that I can do this,” she added.
Cortes cried while sharing that she had to skip the burial of her two grandparents just to focus on her review.
“My friend was the one who told me about the result and I immediately checked the PRC website to confirm the result and told my parents that I ranked seventh,” she said.
Cortes, who graduated magna cum laude, achieved her dream.
For the past five months, Jessele Ann Gingosa Echavez spent her nights and days reviewing for the board exam.
“During the day I went to the review center and at night I studied on my own. That’s how I prepared for the exam,” she said.
Echavez, who shared 7th place with Cortes, gave her best shot during the exam.
“I gave up my doubts and focused on the thought that I have to conquer the exam,” Echavez said.
The three topnotchers are scholars of Sycip Gorres and Velayo (SGV), where they are also set to work.
As a reward, USJ-R will give each topnotcher P75,000 cash and a laptop.