Get inspired: Newly licensed physicians recount bittersweet stories of success

The road to success is often filled with struggles and uncertainties, as the country’s latest batch of physicians only know too well.

For the top notchers and passers of the recent Physician Licensure Exam (PLE), this milestone is a celebration worthy of recounting the path that led them to their dream, despite all odds. 

A total of 3,538 of the out of 4,704 examinees passed the November 2020 licensure exam for physicians. Twenty garnered the 10 highest scores. 

From reading piles of books, enduring long hours of sleepless nights, and surviving the grueling preparations and actual examinations, here are some inspiring stories from the passers of the medical board examination.

All worth it

Agnes Amor Taboclaon, a graduate of Southwestern University PHINMA, never planned on becoming a doctor until her third year studying BS Tourism. It was during that year when she and her Christian group encountered a shortage in physicians during a medical mission.

Since then, Taboclaon dreamt of becoming a doctor to help patients in dire need of medical assistance in far-flung areas.

Aside from taking extra courses, Taboclaon encountered a serious personal challenge in her second year of medical school, when her mother was diagnosed with stage 3 pancreatic cancer.

“Wala na po ‘yung dad ko so naisip ko, if mawala pa ‘yung mom ko, para kanino pa ako nagpapakahirap para mag-med? Aside sa pagod na, nawala po talaga ‘yung drive ko to study,” Taboclaon explained, adding that she had even failed one class. 

(I already lost my dad and I was thinking, if I’ll also lose my mom, who am I working so hard for at medical school? Aside from being exhausted, my motivation to study disappeared.)

Fortunately, her mother’s post-operation diagnosis unexpectedly revealed that the growing mass found in her was not a form of cancer. 

Taboclaon’s drive to study was rekindled and she persevered to finish medical school. She finally passed the November 2020 PLE. 

She said she will return to her hometown in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, as a COVID-19 doctor. She noted that the doctors in the area are severely overworked and that a number are resigning. 

Taboclaon said her non-medical pre-med background made many people doubt that she would make it, but she’s living testament that anyone can achieve their dream if they persevere.

“The great thing about having a non-medical pre-med is that when you pass the board exam, you’re not just a doctor, you are much more than that…. Madaming magda-doubt talaga. And first few months ko super nahirapan po ako mag-adjust. And siyempre may ibang maglo-look down talaga,” she said. 

(The great thing about having a non medical pre-med is that when you pass the board exam, you’re not just a doctor, you are much more than that. There are many who doubted and looked down on me.I really struggled in the first few months and I had a hard time coping up.)

“But if you really want something and you know na God planted that dream in you, kahit na gumagapang ka na (even if you’re struggling), you will have to grab it and hold on to it tightly because in the end, sobrang (it’s so) worth it. Nothing comes close to this feeling of accomplishment and finality,” she added.

Making my younger self proud

University of Santo Tomas graduate Mico Danganan has wanted to be a doctor since he was 5 years old.  

“Funny enough, as I furthered my education I found myself asking what do I really want and do I really want to be a doctor especially when the going gets tough,” Danganan said.

He said that he’d always go back to when he was 5 years old to remind himself that he wanted to be a doctor, even as he faced challenges reviewing for the licensure exam during a pandemic.

“[I] remind myself of something that I read that the only person worth impressing is your 5 and 85-year-old self…. I hope 5-year-old me is proud,” Danganan said.

From cancer patient to doctor

In 2010, Melvin Rey de Jesus won his battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Ten years later, he’s on his way to becoming a doctor after passing the medical board examinations. 

“To those aspiring to become doctors, three Ps: passion, perseverance and prayers. With those 3 Ps, you can never go wrong. And to those battling with cancer, keep the faith,” De Jesus told Rappler.

With hard work and perseverance

Chino Paolo Milan Samson from Bayambang, Pangasinan, racked up 5th place in the November 2020 PLE, with a score of 88.08%.

He was a consistent honor student in grade school and graduated salutatorian in high school. He was also a consistent dean’s lister in college and graduated with flying colors from the Lyceum-Northwestern University in Dagupan, Pangasinan.

Samson said he mostly self-studied in preparing for the exam and focused on rereading his books and notes.

He also emphasized the importance of hard work in competing against NCR-based medical schools.

“I would like to stress that kahit na sa province lang tayo galing (even if we’re from the province), we can achieve what the students from Manila can achieve, as long as we persevere,” he said.

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– Rappler.com