LAPU-LAPU City native Jochelle Tumulak proved to herself that not only can she conquer the race tracks but academics as well.
Tumulak, 22, was one of the 12 graduates from the University of Cebu who topped the recently concluded October 2017 Naval Architect and Marine Engineer Licensure Examination.
Tumulak ranked sixth in the licensure examinations, with an overall rating of 88.50 percent.
Aside from Tumulak, her fellow UC batchmates Jayvie Albrando, Randolph Tabernero, Reanne Mangubat, Lyndon Hanz Pernites, Vince Alex Villahermosa, Lendon Arcillas, Brylle Enad, KC Rare Emnace, Christakhis Niño Nodalo, Kit Boniefel Bontor and Charisse Ivy Talle held all top ranks in the exams, a first in the Cebu-based university’s 53-year history.
Tumulak told SunStar Cebu that in order to prepare for the exams, she had to temporarily quit her first love—triathlon.
Tumulak said that she wanted to join the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines this year and last year, but her studies had to be prioritized.
She initially joined the race in 2014 and 2015.
Tumulak’s sacrifice paid off.
Aside from being a triathlete, Tumulak was also a working scholar for UC.
Tumulak said that after passing the exams, she plans to apply for a scholarship for a master’s degree abroad. She also wants to go back to the track and join triathlons.
Meanwhile, Albarando, 21, said he still couldn’t believe that he topped the exams.
Albarando, a resident of Barangay Lipata in Minglanilla town, ranked first, with an overall rating of 89.80 percent.
Albarando told SunStar Cebu that it was his father who told him of the news last Monday night.
“Wala ko nituo at first, pero sa dihang nakita nako ang nawong akong amahan nga pirteng lipaya, ako dayun gicheck ang results,” Albarando said.
He was inspired to pursue naval architecture because of his father, who was a naval engineer. Albarando wanted to follow on his father’s footsteps, but the latter wanted him to pursue another degree.
Albarando admitted he was not an honor student when he was still in school.
When he started his review last June, Albarando admitted having a hard time adjusting to the regimen set by their school.
Focus
In order to focus on his studies, Albarando said he had to give up binge drinking with his friends and computer games for almost half a year.
But every now and then, Albarando relaxes his mind by casually drinking or play computer games.
While for Tabernero, 21, his efforts to review and teach as a part-time instructor have helped him pass and topped the board exams.
Tabernero ranked second in the exams, with a rating of 89.60 percent.
Tabernero, who lives in northern town of Liloan, Cebu, told SunStar Cebu that he almost lost hope of passing when he and his fellow UC graduates felt they failed to answer well enough during the first day of the exams.
“Nanghilak na gud akong mga classmates kay ang among na-review for five months wala nigawas sa exam. Pero ako determined ko nga mupasar ko. Dako kaayo ko ug gasto didto sa Manila mao nang dili ko gusto mahagbong,” said Tabernero.
While preparing for the exams, Tabernero taught as a part-time instructor in his alma mater.
He said that aside from his reviews, his job as a teacher helped him in remembering what he needed to know during the review.
In an interview yesterday, UC President Augusto Go said that he was still stunned of the news.
“I am very much surprised just like anybody else nga all the top 10 are from one school. I have been a president in this university for the last 53 years, this is the first time that it happened,” said Go.
However, contrary to their tradition of giving out cars to topnotchers, Go said they will only give cash incentives to the 12 topnotchers.
Go explained that majority of their naval architecture and marine engineering students are scholars of foreign shipping companies.
The same foreign shipping companies also facilitate the hiring of their students upon graduation, Go added.
Today, UC Chancellor Candice Gotianuy will recognize the 12 graduates for their feat.