Roslyn Vea Domingo Damasco
September 2021 Licensure Examination for Teachers
Rank 1 (Secondary Level)
THIS IS MY STORY:
4th year high school: when I learned that I got into UP Diliman with a course of Bachelor of Secondary Education, that was when my goal started: I WANT TO TOP THE LET. I WILL TOP THE LET.
1st year college: I started collecting reviewers and asking topnotchers of UPD for tips
4th year college: as a graduating student, I have A LOT of dreams. I want to work, earn money, contribute to my family financially, take master’s degree, and top the LET. They say, work and opportunities will come to me as a magna cum laude graduate, but to tell you the truth, NO. The real world was hard for me as for everyone else. I never got into terms with my applications.
First job application heartbreak: I applied to a famous school in NCR. I badly want to get in. I prepared and did my best, but I WAS REJECTED because of my REGIONAL ACCENT. I was devastated because I studied for 4 years to improve my content and pedagogy but I got rejected for my accent— something that is innate of me; something that I can’t just change. But I am grateful for this failure because I was able to talk to my adviser/professor. I ranted to her and she advised that if I want to top, I should not work otherwise my review might be compromised.
I chose to review and pursue my dream to be a topnotcher because I believe that when I top, opportunities will follow.
September 2019: I was not able to take the LET. My grandmother suffered and died of cancer. I saw my family suffer. I got depressed. There were plenty of days and nights that I am alone inside my room hugging myself. I don’t want to go out. I want to scream but I felt like no one would hear me. I almost gave up. But GOD NEVER FORSAKED me. He used my family and friends to give me light once more; to ignite my dream. So I got up and continued with life. Little did I know that GOD HAS A BIGGER PLAN FOR ME.
March 2020: I told myself, I will take the March LET, but CoViD came and the exam got postponed.
September 2020: the LET got postponed again. I started to doubt my decision to review and pursue my dream. I saw my former classmates being successful and contributing to their families while me, I’m just a jobless graduate who is still reviewing and waiting for something that is uncertain. I felt like a burden to my family. BUT I AM GRATEFUL THAT MY FAMILY NEVER PRESSURED ME TO WORK. They are actually the ones reminding me of my goals. They supported me.
March 2021: the LET got postponed AGAIN. The doubts, anxiety, and worries came again, but I stood up and continued with life. God has a plan for me. I just have to trust His timing.
September 2021: finally, thank God, the LET finally pushed through.
During the LET:ย I was smiling while answering Gened and Profed. Finally, my review paid off, BUT WHEN IT’S MAJOR TIME (Mathematics) that was when I realized that I cannot achieve my dream based on my own strength, preparation and reviews. He, and only He alone can make it happen. The exam was very hard. I felt weak, but I know that when I am at my weakest, I am also at my strongest for God is at work on me. I prayed “Lord, Kayo na po ang bahala. Sana mashadean ko po ang tamang sagot”. I was hopeless that time. I felt like my dream suddenly crashed. I thought I am not going to pass because of the Major Exam. [ (รข, y, ^, <<) <— math majors can relate haha]
From my testing center to our house up until I slept, I was crying heavily. I felt like my years of waiting and sacrifices are worthless. I prayed to God for Him to give me peace, comfort and strength. And you know what, He gave them to me.ย 
ย He once again, did not forsake me.
November 8-December 10:ย PRC announced that they are going to release the result within these days. I was hoping that it won’t get released on November 29 because it is my birthday, but GOD HAS A BETTER TIME. HE RELEASED THE RESULT ON MY BIRTHDAYย 
ย haha. I rehearsed plenty of times as to what my first words should be when I see the result. My first sentence should be “thank You, God”. So as I am checking for the result, I keep on saying “thank You, God” :’) and there it is, my name on the number one spot. THANK YOU, GOD.
I went out of my room and told my family and relatives that I ranked 1 in LET. I burst into tears because all the sacrifices, failures and hard works finally bear fruit. My family and relatives are all happy with me. NOTE: YOUR DREAM IS ALSO YOUR FAMILY’S DREAM. YOUR SUCCESS IS ALSO THEIR SUCCESS. YOUR HAPPINESS IS ALSO THEIR HAPPINESS :’)
TO GOD BE THE HIGHEST GLORY!
-Thank You, God. Thank you papa, mama, Mia and Ron. Thank you to all my relatives and friends. Thank you to all my teachers. Thank you to my review center, CBRC. Agyamannak!
Here I am right now, writing and sharing my story to tell everyone who reads this:
1. Even the best and successful ones experienced depression, felt like a burden, and failed in achieving their dreams
2. but know that GOD’S TIMING IS PERFECT: if something is meant to be yours, it will be yours. NO PANDEMIC NOR FAILURES can snatch that from you. You just have to TRUST GOD.
How to get a silver: the silver’s ore should be exposed to INTENSE heat and pressure before the silver comes out. Just like this process, God exposed me to trials, but after all these, I will come out as a shining beautiful worthy silver.
