Cebu grad places second in veterinary board exams

CEBU, Philippines – She prayed for a miracle and God answered her prayer.

A graduate of Southwestern University and a self-professed animal lover grabbed the second spot in this year’s licensure examination for veterinarians.

Krystal Gayle Basilla, 22, made it to the Top 10 in the September 2015 Veterinarian Licensure Examinations with a score of 86.04 percent.

Basilla followed next to Alvin John Oliveros of Central Luzon State University, who topped the exams with a score of 87.66 percent.

Joram Gautane and Marvin Bryan Salinas, both from Central Luzon State University, ranked third and fourth with scores of 85.40 percent and 85.20 percent, respectively.

Gladys Maria Pangga and Vincent Edward Reyes, who are both graduates of the University of the Philippines – Los Baños, placed fifth and sixth with scores of 85 percent and 84.50 percent, respectively.

Nash Rainier Matias of the De La Salle-Araneta University, Inc. scored 84.20 percent to claim the seventh spot.

Completing the top 10 are Allan Jeffrey Francia and Aldrei Siblag, both from Central Luzon State University, and Mark Kevin Badiola of Central Bicol State University of Agriculture - Pili.

Based on the results released by the Professional Regulations Commission, only 299 out of 719 examinees have passed the exams. The PRC has yet to announce the date and venue for the oath taking of the successful examinees.

Difficult Exam

Basilla said she did not expect to place second, adding the exam was very difficult. She said that she prayed hard and even asked God to help her pass the exams.

“Lisod gyud ang mga questions and nahadlok ko kay I made so many erasures pag first day sa exams. I heard man gud possibly ma-invalid akong answers so I was praying to God for a miracle na bisag makapasar lang tawn ko, good na kaayo na para nako,” she said.

Basilla heard about the news from her college professor who congratulated her thru text.

At that time, she came from a trip with her friends in Dahilayan, Bukidnon and was on her way back to their place in Cagayan de Oro.

She did not believe the news at first but more and more congratulatory text messages from her friends started coming in.

“So mao to. Tinuod gyud siguro ni and I felt immensely relieved and thanked the Lord for the good news,” she said.

Basilla had her review for the licensure exams at the UP-Los Baños Review Center for two months. She then went home to continue her self-review for the remaining two months before the exams.

She also visited churches, including the shrine of Our Lady of Lindogon, locally known as the “Birhen sa Simala”, in Sibonga town.

Now that she is a veterinarian, Basilla says, she wants to serve the public and enjoy doing her job at the same time.

While the option to work abroad had crossed her mind several times, Basilla said she prefers to practice her profession first in Cebu where she feels more comfortable.

“If a good opportunity comes, why not? But for now, I’m not yet seriously considering it,” she said.

Basilla is the first veterinarian in her family. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in March 2015.

Dr. Jocelyn Pingson, dean of SWU - Veterinary Medicine Department, commended Basilla and described her as the “best of her batch.”

“Basilla is an excellent student, polite, quiet and a good listener. When you asked her to profound her answer in class, she can really do it. She is very excellent, either in oral and written exams,” she said. — /FPL (FREEMAN)