Cancer survivor tops LET examination

CEBU, Philippines — Despite waging a battle against cancer for 10 years, University of the Visayas (UV) graduate Jade Tagab did not let the "Big C" affect her, as she aced the March 2018 Licensure Exam for Teachers (LET).

Teaching was not the first choice of Tagab, who placed third in the recent board exam for teachers.

She described this profession as a calling.

Tagab said she took two different courses before she landed on her destined profession.

She took Bachelor of Nursing at the Cebu Technological University (CTU), Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of San Carlos (USC).  She stopped for three years before she took up Bachelor of Elementary Education at UV.

"We are a family of teachers.  Somewhat, they unconsciously influenced me to take up this course but this is not my first choice. I had Bachelor of Nursing but I stopped because my physician advised that I am not allowed to be stressed.  So, I transferred," said Tagab.

She was supposed to graduate last October 2017, but she had to stop going to school during her first semester in fourth year because she felt so weak and her body couldn't make it because of the disease.

"I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis wherein my muscles cannot function well last 2008 and it's been ten years," Tagab said.

Myasthenia gravis was an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that is characterized by fatigue and exhaustion of muscles.

She further stated that she was suffering from it for 10 years now and she was taking a medication which she said is a life-long medication that can help make her muscles move.

"Before, my speech was affected.  I wasn't able to talk but after I was diagnosed and have the treatment although dili na pareha sauna because nihinay ang akong tingog, but the medicines helped me," said Tagab.

Tagab was a consistent achiever ever since she was in elementary.  She graduated as a valedictorian at the Magsico Elementary School and salutatorian at the Magsico National High School in Bugho, San Fernando, Cebu.

"I was a working student back then and it was really hard to excel academically and work at the same time…It's hard to balance your time from study and work," Tagab said, when asked why she did not graduate as a cum laude.

In the recent board exam, Tagab detailed that it was her aunt who challenged and convinced her to take the exam because she didn't plan of taking the exam because she believed she couldn't make it on top.

"My auntie inspired and convinced me to take the exam because as what she said she almost made it on top ten maybe I can make it too," Tagab shared.

Tagab added that she was only able to attend two sessions in the review center because of her work and health problem. 

She also said that her auntie who also took the exam was the one who handed her the review materials which she used to review for the board exam.

"Everybody dreams of becoming a topnotcher," Tagab said.

Tagab said that she planned to become a nun, until she received the good news that she topped in the recent board exam for teachers.

"I'm waiting for God's sign because without Him dili man ko ni ma-achieve.  So, kung unsa iyang plano, mao akong buhaton," said Tagab.

"I dedicate this achievement first to God, to my family, grandmother Lily who passed away last year who told me it's okay if you are not young if you graduated, it is not a race you just have to reach your goal, also to the whole San Fernando and University of the Visayas faculty and staff as well," Tagab said.  — Cris Rheanne S. Sacay, UV Journalism Intern/GAN (FREEMAN)