Masasabing isang full circle moment ang pagiging topnotcher ni Jose Paolo Galangga Villas sa February 2025 Respiratory Therapists Licensure Examination.
Honor student kasi si Paolo mula elementary hanggang high school, pero nagbago ang sitwasyon nang magkolehiyo na siya.
Pagbabahagi niya, “I would say I’m an average student just to survive college life.”
Gayunpaman, nangarap na maging topnotcher ang average college student na si Paolo.
Nakapanayam siya ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) ngayong March 6, 2025 via Facebook Messenger.
Tubong Malabon City, si Paolo ang bunso sa apat na magkakapatid.
Isang retired seaman ang kanyang ama, at full-time housewife ang ina.
Ang panganay niyang ate ay isang nurse, habang ang isa naman ay graduate ng Tourism. Ang nag-iisa niyang kuya ay nasa Information Technology sector.
Nagtapos naman si Paolo ng Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy sa Our Lady of Fatima University-Valenzuela noong July 7, 2024.
At kung sinasabi niyang average student lang siya noong college, Top 4 siya sa February 2025 Respiratory Therapists Licensure Examination.
Nakakuha siya ng ratings na 92 percent.
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PAOLO VILLAS NAGING MASALIMUOT ANG COLLEGE LIFE
Noong magsisimula na siyang magkolehiyo, undecided si Paolo kung anong program ang gusto niyang kunin.
Dahil panahon iyon ng COVID-19 pandemic, nag-suggest sa kanya ang kanyang sister na nurse na kumuha siya ng Respiratory Therapy program.
“I accepted it and just go with the flow.”
At dahil nga consistent honor student mula elementary hanggang high school, nanibago si Paolo sa buhay-kolehiyo.
“Living up to the expectations of other people is probably one of the hardest challenges that happened in my college life.”
Pagtatapat niya, “The reality of college is just too much for me.”
Pakiramdam niya noon ay surviving lang siya maging sa medical world.
“During my internship, I encountered many patients with different kinds of life.
“There were some who were at the verge of dying; there were some who did not want the treatment, etc.”
Sa tingin ni Paolo, dahil sa ganitong environment, “I guess I learned how life works, and how hard it is to be a normal individual in society.”
Na-survive niya ang buhay-college sa tulong ng kanyang mga kaibigan at professors.
“They were good influence on me. I can't be here without them.
“I can truly say that in college, you don't need competition, but rather, working together is a better choice.”
Aniya, napakagandang tingnan kung ang magkakaklase ay nagtutulungan para sa iisang layunin na makapagtapos ng kolehiyo at maging degree holder.
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PAOLO VILLAS’ MANTRA DURING THE BOARD EXAM: “EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED”
Gaya ng ibang kumuha ng board exam, marami ring challenges na kinaharap si Paolo.
Mas pinili kasi niyang mag-survive sa pagkakataong ito nang mag-isa lang.
“I separated myself from my friends on what review center we should attend.
“At that point, I said to myself that in the end, I’m the one who will answer the exam and I’m not taking any help from other people.”
Nakaramdam din siya ng burnout sa panahon ng review.
Ang dahilan, “I wanted to be a topnotcher. I pushed myself to the limits.”
Inamin niyang nahirapan siya noong mismong araw na ng pagsusulit.
“Even though I did my best consuming knowledge for the board exam, still there were questions that were out of my range.
“While answering those questions, I just trusted my instincts.”
Buong pagpapakumbaba rin umano niyang sinabi sa sarili na: “This is the board exam. Always expect the unexpected.”
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PAOLO VILLAS’ REASON WHY HE AIMed TO BE A TOPNOTCHER
Tulad ng kanyang nabanggit, nangarap si Paolo na maging topnotcher.
“There's a story behind that.
"At first, I didn't consider myself to be a topnotcher because I was just an average student who just wanted to pass the exam and earn the license.
“But life was full of twists and turns.”
Pagdedetalye niya, “I joined the National Competition for Respiratory Therapy which is called the ‘Pautakang Baga,’ and we won the champion award.
“After winning, I asked myself: ‘Why not continue this moment up until the board exam? What if I try to be a topnotcher?’”
Ang kanyang naging kontemplasyon, “I guess there's nothing to lose if I try.”
At iyon na ang naging driving force ni Paolo para magpursige siyang maging topnotcher.
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HARD WORK PAYS OFF
Kuwento ni Paolo, halu-halo ang kanyang naramdamang emosyon nang makita niya ang kanyang pangalan sa listahan ng mga topnotchers.
“I didn't expect to be included in the list because I knew to myself that I had a hard time answering the board exam.”
Hindi agad nag-sink in iyon sa kanya.
Pero nang magdatingan na ang mga mensahe at tawag sa kanya ng pagbati, hindi na niya napigilan ang mapangiti.
“My hard work paid off.”
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"YOUR OWN HEALTH ALWAYS MATTERS"
Inihandog ni Paolo ang kanyang tagumpay, una, sa Almighty Lord God, at sa mga angels and saints na nakatulong sa kanya na maka-survive sa board exam.
“I also offer this win to my family, especially my sister who worked hard for me since I was in college.”
Pinasalamatan din niya ang kanyang mga naging lecturers na sina Sir Benz, Ma’am EK, Sir Gab, Sir AJ, Sir Ronan, Ma’am Emy, at Sir Mark.
“I wouldn’t be able to get into the topnotchers' list and wouldn't make it this far without them.
“They trusted me that I can be a topnotcher. I’m very grateful for them being my mentors.”
Malinaw rin agad para kay Paolo ang career path na gusto niyang tahakin.
“As a licensed respiratory therapist, I am focusing myself on the clinical setting, helping the patients with regards to their condition and showing empathy as a normal individual.”
Payo niya sa mga kabataang gusto ring maging respiratory therapist: “It is such a fulfilling job.
“If you really want it, then go for it.”
Dagdag pa niya, “Lessen the overthinking and just be yourself.
“Be in a community that has a good environment and less stress. In the end, your own health always matters.”
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