Part V - Study hard but PRAY harder

My Journey to RPh

Part V - Study hard but PRAY harder

I will share to you the churches and prayer sanctuaries I have been to and offered prayer petitions in preparation for the board exams. 😇

Me and my family went back to Bohol during the Christmas break. We took the chance to visit some shrines.

Our Lady of Fatima

Fatima Shrine

Fatima, Carmen, Bohol

60ft. Statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Gun-ob, Loboc, Bohol

I completed the nine days Misa de Gallo (7 dawns at Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and 2 dawns at Parish of St. Anthony de Abbot in Carmen, Bohol).

Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

 I also completed the nine days mass novena for Sto.Niño.

Basilica Minore del Sto.Niño

Me and my family went to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church - Carmelite at Mabolo, Cebu to offer our prayer petition. I went back there to offer raw eggs.

I visited more places with my ever supportive mother.

Adoration Convent of Divine Peace

A.S. Fortuna, Mandaue City, Cebu

Poor Clare Monastery

Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu

Virigin de la Regla Parish

Opon, Lapu-lapu City, Cebu

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish

Guadalupe, Cebu City

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Langob Shrine, Villalon Shrine Park

Guadalupe, Cebu City

Our Lady of Manaoag

St. Benedict's Monastery

Corte, Carmen, Cebu

Me and my fellow pharmates went to the South of Cebu to visit some churhes.

Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod

SRP, Cebu City

Sta. Teresa de Avila Parish

Poblacion, Talisay City, Cebu

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish

Minglanilla, Cebu

Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi

Naga City, Cebu

San Vicente Ferrer Pitalo Parish

San Fernando, Cebu

Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria

Carcar, Cebu

Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church

Sibonga, Cebu

Miraculous Mama Mary

Lindogon Simala

Sibonga, Cebu

St. Michael Archangel Church

Argao, Cebu

San Guillermo de Aquitania Parish

Dalaguete, Cebu

St. Joseph Parish

Mandaue City, Cebu

Days before the exam our department offered a mass. After that, me and my classmates decided to continue visiting some churches.

St. Rita of Cascia

Saint of the Impossible

Tabor Hills

Talamban, Cebu City

Sto. Rosario Parish

P. del Rosario St., Cebu City

Redemptorist Church

Queen's Road, Cebu City

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Yes, you should study, study and study. It won't be raining answers during the exam.

But never forget to pray. No one ever know what questions will come out on the exam. Pray that whatever you have studied was all enough, that the questions will be under the scope of what you have studied, and that you'll stay calm and will not forget whatever you have studied.

Just PRAY. Whatever your religion is just pray to your God. You're prayers and faith in the Lord are powerful more than you think of.

PS. I know a lot of takers didn't make it, some of my friends too. It doesn't mean they're not smart or they have a weaker faith than those who passed. Maybe it's not yet their time but I don't know really. I don't know.

We don't why it happened. We may not understand God's ways now. But hoping someday that it will all make sense and that God has better plans. 

To my friends, I don't know what to do and say. But I just want you, my friends, to know that I am always here for you. I will continue to pray for you. Don't lose hope.

Part IV - Signs and Results

My Journey to RPh

Part IV - Signs and Results

I was worried after the board exam. I was not totally confident with my answers. All that comes to mind are my wrong answers, and I can't even think if I got one question right. I really don't know if I'll pass. I was hoping for a miracle then.

Makakasagot ka naman talaga sa exam. Kasi multiple choice naman. Ang tanong, "Tama ba?" Hahaha 😂

To stop worrying and stressing myself, I wasn't thinking that much about the exam. I restrained myself and anyone from talking about it. I turned my phone off for days. Got myself busy about something else.

After the exam, every day I went to church - attend masses and spend time at the prayer room talking to God. I know God's will be done. I hope that it is in His will that me and my classmates will pass.

On the night that the exam results were released, I was at the church. By then, I prayed to Him that whatever came out - good or bad, I will be able to accept it.

I lighted candles and wished for a sign, I said if the candles' light will go low, I failed. And then the light went low. I was worried then. I asked again for a sign, I tried again, how about the opposite of what I said - if the light will go low, I passed. But the light didn't went low, it went even stronger. I said it again but the answer was still a 'no'.

Now I think about it, I want to laugh at myself. Hahaha.

A lot of other different signs made me paranoid too like things always fell (hagbong) and my mother said don't let the things I will used for the board exam fell. When I was walking home, my pencils fell out of my envelop. They also said that after taking the exam don't ever turn your head around. I have a habit of before leaving, I always look behind me, looking if I left something, I still did that on the exam days.

I even had a dream months before the exam. I dreamed that I wasn't able to finish answering the exam and Iwas crying and another dream of I didn't passed.

I walked home slowly that night. I was afraid to know the results. I turned my phone on, as well as the wifi once I got home. Unfortunately, the wifi connection wasn't cooperating. I was really nervous. I didn't told my family that I heard the results are out already.

Passers before said if you passed for sure someone will call you. I waited for minutes. And no one did. So I said to myself, if I didn't passed, that's fine. I can try again next time. If this is really meant for me, it will be.

I was preparing myself on how to tell my family that maybe I didn't passed when someone called my mother. Then my mother shouted with glee, I didn't know the caller told her that I passed. I actually can't believe it.

So I called my cousin and told her if I can use her internet connection, I want to see if I really did passed. And then, I saw my name. I made the sign of cross and utter "Thank You Lord!"

You are really amazing Lord God!! 😇👼

Lesson learned: Don't believe in signs and dreams. Hahaha.

Kidding aside, really, believe in yourself and trust God above all. 😊

Part III - Road to Board Exam #StruggleIsReal

My Journey to RPh

Part III - Road to Board Exam #StruggleIsReal

After getting our diploma, it doesn't end just there. The struggle continues. The struggle is real. 😢

You'll say to yourself, "Why? Why did I took a course that has a board exam?" I should be working already like what the other graduates are doing.

But I know everything happens for a reason. And that everything will be worth it! *positive thinking*


A few weeks after our graduation, our class at the review center started. The board exam was set on June 2016. But I decided not to take it just yet. I decided even before I graduated that I will take it some time. I feel I wasn't ready yet. And I wasn't serious in attending classes. I sometimes don't go to classes if I feel I just don't want to go or if I woke up late. (My instructors will kill me if they'll read this. Haha. 😂)


Weeks before the 1st batch of our review classes (for January 2017 baord exam) started, I started to get serious with studying. I memorized the periodic table of elements, some important pointers for Module 1, and studied other subjects that has few coverage than other subjects. But after a few weeks, I got tired and stopped studying. I still go to classes but a little the same way I do back in batch 1. I also wrote down some notes and pointers to remember on a manila paper. I posted it on our wall where I can see it always. I only finished 3 subjects for this though. Haha. Yeah I always see it but I don't really read it. Ssssh! Hahaha 😂


On the second batch of our review classes, I attended only a few classes, just those subjects I really had a hard time. (Wait! I find ALL of the subjects hard! Hmmm.. Scratch that! "subjects I really had a HARDEST time" That's better. Haha.). I decided to do some self-studying and read PACOP questionnaires. Then procrastination happened again. 😭😭😭


On the last batch of our review, I decided I should take this seriously. I only had two months left. The board exam was set on January 2017. BUT! It was moved to March 2017! And because of that here goes my mind saying again, "Nah! It's fine you still have four months to study!" I am definitely lazy! I'm sorry! 😢

A month left before the board exam that's when I finally started reading again - at least 1 subject a day. But I was just reading not studying. Reading and studying are two different things. Haha. Though at least it helped.
I was actually reading it faster than I should. Because I was thinking if I finish this one subject already I can get to sleep at last. Hahaha.


I know that most of the students can relate that notes, reviewers, and subject books are the most effective way to make you sleep. Hahaha.


A few days before the exam, others will be definitely relaxing their minds, but it wasn't for me. I read 2 whole PACOP questionnaires (except for calculations, and for Module 1 which I finished already before) for the 5-6 days (I think?) left. 

I don't know, my mind functioned better when it's stressed and when I cram. Skills I developed back in college days. Hahahaha. 😂
And I am a fast reader because I am used to of reading (not subject books but novels, hahaha).


But... Please! PLEASE! PLEASE! Don't be like me! Haha!
I am not a good example. Haha. This may work for me but maybe not for everyone. People are different in some ways.
You should find the best and effective studying technique for you like using highlighters - it's effective for others but not for me though.

The cramming and reading of notes from review classes, different reviewers and PACOP questionnaires actually did helped me.

I know and I admit that I was not that ready and fully-equipped to take the board exam. But I feel I should. I don't want to wait anymore.

People around me don't want to wait anymore. The pressure is clouding my mind. People saying (demanding?), "You should pass", "For sure you will pass, you're smart", "I expected for you to pass", "You should ace the exam" and many more pressuring lines. I'm thinking "What if I can't ace the exam?", "Is passing enough for them?", "What if I can't ace the exam and I didn't pass as well?"
I was definitely under a lot of pressure back then. Almost made it to the point that I don't want to see those persons back then. I was hurt. Really hurt. They know that everything was not easy. The only things I want to hear from them was "Good luck!" and "God bless", nothing more. 


But what is done is done. Haha. 😂


So, I took the board exam. I know I should give it a try. I will never know what will happen unless I try. If I fail, I know in myself that I have a lot of shortcomings, that I have no one to blame but myself.


But I'm glad I grabbed the chance.



My greatest weapon for that battle was my faith in the Lord. Prayers definitely helped. (I will share to you the churches and prayers sanctuaries I have been in the next part of my blog. 😇)

I prayed that God will guide and help me, and that he will keep me calm all throughout so that I will not panic and forgot everything I have studied. I did feel nervous but not the way I expected it to be. My mother said that it didn't showed that I was nervous that I was calm and she's even more nervous than I am.

So yeah...

Thank You so much Lord! You're the best as always! 😇👼

Part II - Pharmacy Student Days

My Journey to RPh

Part II - Pharmacy Student Days

My first year as a Pharmacy student was fine. I don't remember much of it now, but I think it was really fine.

Everything was new to me -- new environment (though I came from the same university, I have been a Visayanian since Kindergarten, College of Pharmacy was situated on a different campus) and new faces. I was surprised when I saw a classmate in high school, I didn't know she took the same course as me. It was not that hard adjusting since I know at least one person and my blockmates were accomodating and friendly too.

The subjects were fine too (I think?), like in General Chemistry and Math. The lessons were almost the same we had back in high school. Thanks to my high school teachers back then. 😉


I was thinking it was a good start and good decision. But as one semester ends and another one starts, it got harder and harder - spending more time at school than at home, more lessons to study and less time to sleep. The other part that's hard for me was waking up EARLY! I am not a morning person. It's easier for me not to sleep than waking up early. Haha. So, I have always been a latecomer (even when I was in Elementary and High School). Sorry. Hahaha. 😂


College days were like a rollercoaster ride. Thinking it was all fine and fun, and then suddenly it goes downhill.
More lessons to study, more projects, THESIS, case study, presentations and defend, arguments with friends and classmates due to a lot of misunderstandings and overstressed, exams, exams, exams, and more exams!! I even experienced almost a week that I didn't went home and with no proper sleep. I have internship at the hospital at night then classes in the morning and afternoon. It was also in time for our thesis oral defense and other presentations from different subjects.

It is in college where you'll learn to cram. You'll study for an exam only a night before or just hour/s or minutes before an exam. If it's a morning exam, I will use my travel time (almost an hour ride) from home to school and if it's an afternoon exam, study during lunch time. You'll eat not food but notes. Hahaha. 😂

It was physically, emotionally and mentally tiring. Here you'll start asking yourself, "Why I took this course?"

If every part of you is tired, don't get your spiritual self tired. Just pray. It helps.

[Photos] credits to Joie Verity Almerez (on Facebook)

Being a student - a Pharmacy student specifically - is not easy. (Plays Coldplay's Fix You in the background 😢😭 "Nobody said it was easy~" 🎵🎶)

Well, I think nothing is easy. Every course has its own kind of hardship. So giving up is never an option. You'll never reach the end if you give up now. Starting all over again is more tiring, you know.


Rest if you're tired but don't ever give up. Motivate yourself despite of almost losing hope. Think: If others can, why can't you?




Because we didn't give up, finally we marched our way in getting what we worked hard for - our diploma.

Part I - Decision

My Journey to RPh

Part I - Decision

Hi! 🙋🙌
K. A. R., 21, Philippines! Hahaha 😂😂😂
Kidding aside, this blog is about my journey in achieving the most awaited, wished and longed-for three-letter word title - RPh. 😊

Note: You may or may not learn something from this. You're maybe wasting your time. Haha. I just want to share my story and thoughts. This is purely for fun. And pardon for the mistakes -- wrong spelling, grammar and etc.



Why did I took Pharmacy?
I actually don't know. Haha. Really. I don't know.

First, let's go back in time (char! haha), back when I was in high school. It is in high school where you get a lot of questions like "What are you going to take in College?", "What are your plans?", and the like. 
Some will quickly laid out their plans but here I am, lost and don't know what to do. 

When I was first or second year high school, I was thinking of taking up a course related to travel. Though I am not a traveler. My family is not much into traveling and most days (and I prefer) I stay at home. I am a homebody. But I want to try and venture into something new. I want to experience traveling and exploring new places. But it didn't happened. I'm not qualified first and foremost the height and beauty requirement. Hahaha. 😂 (But really there was this one advice that my teacher back in high school said, unfortunately I can't and shouldn't share. It's a secret. Haha.)

My classmate and bestfriend back then told me to take up this medical course (different from what I actually took). Because I have no plans then, I said "Okay!"

I actually didn't want to take up a medical course. Because of an absurd reason. Haha. I don't want to wear an all-white uniform. I was worried on what to do if ever it got stained because of girl's monthly visitor. Hahaha.
Ironically, I ended up taking a medical course. Haha.



When did I decided to take up Pharmacy?
It was when we had a Campus Tour. We, graduating students were brought to our university's other campus to introduce to us some possible college courses we could take.

(I'm not in the photos. I was their photographer. Haha.)

There, I heard about Pharmacy. I just don't know why and how it happened. When I got home, I suddenly said to myself, "Okay! Pharmacy it is!"

My parents was hesitant at first though. They keep on asking me if I am sure with my decision. But right then and there, they said that whatever my decision is, they're fine with it.


So, I took BS Pharmacy. 😊