Viegelmann twin sisters top pharmacy exams

MANGALDAN, Pangasinan, Philippines – It’s a double victory for these twin sisters from Pangasinan, both topnotchers in the 2008 Pharmacy Licensure exam.

Christina Victoria Viegelmann and her twin sister Guadalupe Cara from Barangay Banaoang of this town placed third and ninth, respectively, in the board exam whose results were released late last month.

The twins are classmates and seatmates from elementary to high school in the Mother Goose Special Science High School in Dagupan City, and even up to college at the University of the Philippines-Manila where they both took up Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy.

A lot of people have a hard time distinguishing between the two siblings, except for two small moles Guadalupe has on her forehead.

They are also almost the same height and have similar likes, including in clothes.

“We are inseparable,” Christina and Guadalupe said.

Asked by The STAR for the secret of their good academic record, the two said: “A lot of hard work, prayers and a bit of luck.”

They said much is expected from them, especially since Guadalupe graduated cum laude and salutatorian from UP, and they were motivated to do their best in the exam.

While Guadalupe or Pippa has a better academic record than Christina or Chiara, it was the latter who scored higher in the board exam.

Guadalupe garnered 90.65 percent while Christina got 91.7 percent.

“It was really surprising,” Christina said.

Of the top 10, eight came from UP and they all reviewed in Manor Review Center in Sampaloc, Manila, according to Christina.

Right now, the twins are still enjoying their vacation and are looking forward to their 21st birthday on April 10 because this will be the time when they could get their licenses as stipulated under the law.

The sisters, who were born in England but grew up in the Philippines, said they are very Filipino because their parents grew up here and only met each other later in England.

Their dad, Mark August Viegelmann is a Filipino-German who was born in the Philippines while their mom, Maria Gracia Ana Viegelmann, is from Pangasinan. The Viegelmanns have a thriving business venture.

Guadalupe plans to take up medicine after her vacation. She said she will practice in the Philippines, particularly in this town, so she could give back to her countrymen, being an “Iskolar ng Bayan” at UP.