Zarate Emerges at the Top

CONGRATULATIONS to all PhLE April 2021 Board Passers! Your hard work finally paid off. Imagine, parang kailan lang binabasa niyo ung 'Board Exam Tips' ko na article tapos now ya'll are finally reading this as a licensed Pharmacist. Feel free to add that ",RPh" to your last name because YOU DESERVE IT and YOU HAVE EARNED IT.

This post is not just an ordinary congratulatory post for all those who have passed but it's also a special post congratulating our very close friend Angelo Zarate for being the No. 1 PhLE Topnotcher. Also, being close friends with him, we have taken the opportunity to interview him. His words will also serve as an encouragement to PhLE Board Exam takers that were a part of the regions that were forced to postpone the exams to June 29-30.

To give a little background about us, Nina, Angelo, and I were classmates at Mother Goose Special Science High School from 2nd year to 4th year. We became close friends (along with our other close friends) because of our common weirdness LOL. 🤣 I will not divulge any of our shenanigans here since we have to maintain our professional front. 😁 But I will share some pics though.

After completing his other interviews, Gelo was nice enough to let me interview him. Our interview was not formal since I wanted him to pour his personal feelings into this so that this interview would feel special compared to his formal interviews.

How does it feel that your results were the basis for 'the curve'?

Angelo: Wow, it actually feels nerve-racking. Seeing my scores for each module though, I believe it was a really hard exam this time around. Based on previous board exams, all of the Top 10 usually garner averages of 90+, 91, and above in a lot of them even, whereas mine didn't even make 91. I believe that everyone really did their very best as well for this exam and I commend all of them for that.

How did the quarantine impact your preparation for the board exams?

Angelo: Like other takers who reviewed before the pandemic, I was frustrated because it was postponed. I was also eager to support my family at that time. But, despite all that, I understood the situation. So, I focused my energy on using the time advantage of it instead. Along with housework and other things that needed to be done in the house, I used my free time to make reviewers, scanning my notes as I go along, and it really helped me when I went back to those topics I made reviewers of.

Did you really aim for the top? Or was it unexpected?

Angelo: I aimed high, as per the advice of all my instructors from school and from review because I knew if I did, I would surely pass it. But, I did not expect to be at the top, neither did I expect to be a topnotcher at all. My biggest wish at that time was that all of us would pass.

(Awwww... This is really the Gelo I know. Always thinking of others.)

What or who inspired you to not just pass the boards but be a topnotcher?

Angelo: One of them would be my mother who always showed me and taught me that you can do and be your best in any adversity as long as you have God by your side. Included here as well are my review instructors (most of whom are topnotchers) and Abraham J. Resuello, one of our university's topnotchers (ranked 10th in the March 2019 PhLE) and a really good friend of mine. They all became my role models and idols, and they all pushed me to always do my best.

Among your professors or teachers, who stood out the most? What's the most memorable lesson that you've learned from him/her?

Angelo: Ma'am Maelady Joan Yap-Chua is one who was always supportive of not just me, but all of our batchmates. Though she was our instructor for only one semester (and that was the time we were graduating), she always looked out for the best in us and even went out of her way numerous times just to make sure we bring it out. She taught me that in every challenge I face, I should not have any complaints and that I should always have conviction in all of my answers and actions. Another would be our late instructor, Ma'am Almar Caluag, who taught us to see the light in every darkness, to always be positive in the face of adversity, and that no one fights alone. May God bless her soul in heaven.

If you went back in time, what message would you give your high school self?

Angelo: "Hey, self, you're doing just great. No matter what people say, keep being yourself. I promise you, you won't regret it. You will meet some of the most amazing people you'll ever meet in your life. There will be hardships, even greater than what you're facing right now, but, with them, it will all be worth it. Keep forging on with your goal. You may be discovering yourself right now and believe me, you still are even in the present, but please, never lose sight of your goals and never ever lose your light. Don't rush or pressure yourself too much too. Just enjoy the ride. Always trust in Him because, with Him, anything is possible. All for Him always."

What are your words of wisdom for future PhLE takers?

Angelo: Always believe in yourself. You got here and you got this. Whenever I felt overwhelmed with the amount of stuff I needed to review, I always reminded myself that I may not learn everything but I learn what I can. "Do your best, and let God do the rest."

Speaking for all of Gelo's HS close friends, we are so very proud of you Gelo and we cannot wait for you to grab your career by the reins and dominate the industry. And with that, once again, let me congratulate Angelo Proceso F. Zarate for being the No. 1 PhLE Topnothcer of the April 2021 PhLE.

(c) Angelo Proceso F. Zarate

To all future PhLE takers for the month of June, do not lose hope. Take the postponement as an opportunity to further prepare for the fight that is coming ahead. Do not let your spirits falter for God is with you guys every step of the way. The RPh title is within your reach so be prepared to grab it.

Your Fellow Colleague,

- Anne D, RPh