Top Notchers

If you’re someone who has experienced so many failures in life or is too afraid of failing, then the inspiring story of this Filipina teacher might just change the way you see failures. Despite facing several challenges back in college, Aimee Chavez Octaviano didn’t allow these to get the best of her. In a viral post on Facebook, the University of the Philippines (UP) alumna detailed how she was able to overcome failures. Just like many college students, Octaviano, who took up BS Mathematics and Science Training at the UP- Los Baños, also had a hard time passing some of her subjects. During her first year at the university, Octaviano experienced failing an exam for the first time. “When I first failed an exam, I called my mom crying and she said "Ano ba 'yan Aimee, iniiyakan mo yan? Exam lang 'yan. I know you can do better" and those words kept me going for three more years. I passed all my subjects in the first year.” But come her second year in college, Octaviano failed to pass two difficult subjects: Biology 30 and Chemistry 40. The following semester, she managed to pass Biology 30 but still failed to get a passing mark in Chemistry 40. Determined to graduate on time, Octaviano decided to take the path less taken and “overload” for the next semesters. She also took midyear classes and waived subjects which had prerequisite courses she hasn’t taken up. Several students tried to discourage Octaviano from taking too much subjects but failed to prevent her unwavering spirit. “There were actually people who told me ‘Overload? Hindi mo kakayanin yan’, ‘Ang hihirap ng subjects na kukunin mo’,‘Ay nako natry ko na yan believe me susuko ka rin, babagsak ka.’” Through hard work and determination, Octaviano managed to pass Chemistry 40 on her third take and was even included among the topnotchers of the exams. Even if many expressed their doubts, Octaviano earned her diploma and sablay just in time. Today, she teaches Mathematics and Science and had successfully passed the September 2016 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LET). “Never let your failure define you. Cliché but true. Never let your failure make you lose track of your dreams and aspirations. You're on the right track. FAILURES ARE PART OF YOUR JOURNEY. USE THEM TO MAKE YOURSELF STRONGER. FAILURES ONLY MEAN YOU HAVE ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT!” Read her full story below.

--Mini, The Summit Express

Don't miss our regular updates and awesome stories. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe via E-mail or check out our Instagram feed. Justine Lei Ramos topped the January 2019 Architecture licensure examinations (ALE) with a score of 83.80%. A graduate of Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) in Cebu City, she bested 1,120 passers in the board exams held last January 25 and 27. The young lady admitted that she did not expect to top the licensure exams as she was only hoping to pass and get a license so she can build her dream house for her family in Alegria, their hometown in southern Cebu.

Photo credit: Delta Dyrecka Letigio / Cebu Daily News

But it was her dad who pushed her to aim higher, telling her to try making it to the Top 10 so that if she failed that part, at least she would still pass. Determined to Pass Ramos had set her eyes on that dream house for her family and to also make her father proud. According to Ramos, she was determined to pass the exams to give back to her father who used to be an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) to send them to school and provide a better life for their family. However, her dad was recently retrenched from his job.

“My greatest inspiration was my father who worked as an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) in Saudi Arabia and who was recently retrenched from his job. When he lost his job, I knew I had to pass that exam,” Ramos shared. With a goal to pass and make her father happy, Ramos deactivated her Facebook account to focus more on preparing for the Architecture licensure exams. She also spent as much as 14 hours at the 24/7 Cebu City Library, studying her lessons and truly making sure she would come prepared for the tests.

Photo credit: Cebu Daily News

Her hard work and dedication paid off. She exceeded everyone’s expectations; not only did she pass the board exams, she’s the topnotcher! Her secret to success?

“Try to dream big and don’t be afraid to take risks,” Ramos said. SEE ALSO: Architecture licensure exam topnotcher's notes-filled room impresses netizens From MedTech to Architecture But Ramos surprised everyone by sharing that Architecture had not been her first choice in college. She started out as a MedTech student; however, though she passed the course, she didn’t enjoy the subjects and didn’t find pleasure in conquering the challenges being offered by the course. With a passion for drawing and making designs, she shifted to Architecture and found her true calling. “When I started taking up architecture, I realized this is where I was meant to be,”Ramos shared. For making the school, the topnotcher will receive a cash prize from CIT-U; though the amount was still undisclosed as of press time. The school has also offered her a teaching job; though Ramos said she’ll think about the offer first as she just wants to relax for a couple of months at her hometown before seeing what direction her life would go according to God’s plan. — Joy Adalia, The Summit Express

Don't miss our regular updates and awesome stories. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe via E-mail or check out our Instagram feed. Engr. Mark Daniel Ibañez, RMP, LPT ranked top 10 in the 2018 September Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers. He graduated with a BS degree in Civil Engineering, took up a Certificate in Professional Education, and is currently a student in MA Urban and Regional Planning, all in the University of the Philippines Diliman. He’s also currently coaching MindGym LET reviewees with his specialized knowledge in Math in their 18-Day LET coaching program. Multi-hypenated coach Mark’s story below is a fine example of pushing yourself to the best that you always can! Read on to find out why.

My LET Story by Mark Daniel Ibañez It was May 2017 that time, five months after successfully achieving the required 18 units of Professional Education by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). I was debating with myself whether to study on my own or to enroll myself in a review center as I was planning to take the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) by September of the same year. At that time, I’ve been engaged with a lot of commitments – a full time work, gym training sessions, Church activities, master’s degree classes, and quality time with my family and friends. Having said this, it appears that I actually have little to no time to review for the LET. Hence, I was firm on just accepting the fact that I had to do buy myself some review books from the bookstore and those being sold outside PRC, then study on my own. I thought that maybe, I will still do well since I also passed the Master Plumber Licensure Examination in 2016 without enrolling in a review center. But that was not the case. I don’t want to just pass the LET. I wanted to TOP the LET. One evening, I tried looking for LET related review books online and the first result Google gave me was about MindGym Warm-Ups book. I decided to get one so that I’ll have an idea on what items to expect on the LET. When I opened the book, I found really helpful articles, not to mention the success stories of LET topnotchers which are very inspiring. What frustrated me is the fact that I can’t answer the sample test items given in the book most especially those concerning Professional Education. I realized that it would be difficult for me to digest all these education concepts since I was not an Education graduate. MindGym came as a savior. What caught my attention in the MindGym website was the MyReviewCoach. This online LET Review platform was very suitable to my situation with a very busy schedule. There, they uploaded review notes and provided timed drills that reviewees can answer after reading the notes. I studied hard during my break time in the office, while traveling on my way to the office and back home, and even while resting after a tiring site visit in a province. I disciplined myself and utilized my time very well keeping an eye on my goal. In addition, I became a member of their Facebook group which allowed me to interact with the Coaches and with my co-reviewees. Coaches actively responded to my questions most especially to those items which are not very clear to me. I found myself fulfilled by helping

my co-reviewees answer their questions and providing solutions to Math Problems they post in the group. I saw my progress, and it was really satisfying. To ensure my success in the LET, I also attended MindGym’s Specialization coaching. Being a Math major, I had to brush up my skills in the subject since there are topics that I may have forgotten already.

Mark at MindGym’s Math Specialization small group, with coach Emjoy in white and coach Alice in black

True enough, there are Math concepts which appeared new to me as they were never taught during high school and in my undergraduate subjects. The specialization workbook was really helpful as it provided me with a summary of what I need to learn and re-learn, and lots of drills that I can work on. These made me more confident in taking the specialization exam. Moreover, the sessions were filled with activities and fun games which allowed me to meet new friends. After the specialization class, Coach Alice, MindGym’s very kindhearted and hands-on mom, approached me and mentioned the Mock LET and Power Coaching which will boost my confidence more in taking the LET. I was hesitant at first since I had to take another leave of absence from work, but I did it anyway since Coach Alice asked me to attend and said, “Minsan ka lang naman magtatake ng LET, i-maximize mo na.” One of the best things that MindGym offers are these Power Coaching Sessions. I took their Mock LET during this course and ranked 7 among other reviewees. That’s great news for me since I was really aiming to be on top. The mock exam also gave me an idea on which topics I must focus more on and set more time to study for the remaining weeks. Here, the mock LET answers were discussed, and we were given more drills to answer. Apart from these, I realized how awesome MindGym is as compared to the review center I enrolled in when I took the Civil Engineering Licensure Examination. MindGym prepared me physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. In fact, during one of the sessions where the whole community prayed, I found myself in tears. I realized how I wanted this so badly, that after everything I’ve been through, here I am, just a few steps away from my dream. MindGym made sure that their reviewees are comfortable and are well taken care of. They made sure that all questions are answered, and all worries and anxieties are reduced. Most importantly, they gave me a gift of a new family – something I can call “my MindGym Family”.

Mark with his MindGym Math majors group (interestingly where 2 other groupmates in this photo also topped the LET)

Also in MindGym, I never thought that I will meet very inspiring and motivating Coaches. In fact, I wanted to become one of them. I also wanted to be a Coach to help future teachers pass and top the LET. I am also honored to have met some of my co-Math majors I had a chance to review with days before the LET. Funny as it may sound, we were called the ‘Clingy Batch’ among all top bets. Even after the LET, we still see each other to bond and spend time together! I am proud to say that MindGym gave me everything I needed to pass and top the LET. With the help of MindGym, I topped the LET, and it has opened a lot of opportunities for me. Now, I am honored to be called “Coach Mark” by new MindGym LET reviewees, and I am now a full pledged teacher – yes, dreams really do come true. I am very grateful to MindGym and its staff and Coaches, to those who believed in me and prayed for me, and of course, to the Almighty God, the Source of everything. I testify that indeed:

“Everything is possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23)

Coach Mark, now on the same educators’ stage as with MindGym’s coaches Albert and Alice

Mark at the PRC Oath-taking for the 2017 September LET, with Math major groupmate RM Operanio (Top 6). Check out more pictures at our Facebook page photo album.

Mark with MindGym LET coaches in a 2018 May review session