• A.V. DEL CARMEN
The triumph continues to sink in a week after the result of the December 2024 Physical Therapy Licensure Examination was announced on Dec. 10.
“It’s an overwhelming feeling. I was shocked and I shed tears,” Raymund Carlo Alcobillas Masbaño told Bombo Radyo Bacolod in an interview on Sunday morning.
“I am thankful to the Lord as I couldn’t have done it without His guidance,” he continued.
Raymund, in ranking No. 1, registered 90.55 to score for Riverside College, Inc. its third first-place performance since 2018.
The Barangay Granada resident is the son of Carlos Masbaño, a seaman, and the former Sheila Arcobillas, an employee of the Philippine National Bank.
He has a younger brother, Carl Lucky, a junior Operations Management student and a taekwondo varsity player at the University of St. La Salle.
Raymund is one of the 47 new physical therapists from Riverside College, which posted 65.63 and 54.65 first-taker and overall passing rates, respectively. He took the exam in Cebu City, where he also had his review at Gold Rank. He graduated magna cum laude and was a recipient of the Best Intern and Loyalty Awards.
He told Negros Weekly that the No. 1 ranking of Riverside graduates Krishna Maria Badillo (2018) and Angelica Faye Dela Victoria (2023) challenged and inspired him to do his best in the licensure exam.
The academic success of Raymund started at St. John’s Institute, where he was on top of his classes since grade school until junior high. He moved to Riverside Senior High School, where he was among the high honors awardees.
A multi-faceted student, Raymund was president of the Riverside Senior High Student Council, won in the Mr. Senior High competition and was regional champion in the Philippines Sudoko Challenge and the Battle of the Brains.
The PTLE topnotcher, who had served as altar boy at the then Queen of Peace Church on SJI campus, has a long list of awards since his basic education days at Hua Ming, as his Math and Science wizardry took him to various national competitions and eventually to continental contests – in, among others, India, Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong.
The Bacolod government tendered a ‘Pasidungog’ program for Raymund and other top performers in licensure exams on Friday, Dec. 13, at SM City. He received P50,000 from the LGU.
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NEGROS WEEKLY shares this Q&A interview with the most recent PTLE topnotcher produced by Riverside:
Among many career choices, why physical therapy? What inspired or encouraged you to pursue PT education?
I initially wanted to become an engineer because I also enjoyed mathematics and numbers and had experiences participating in international mathematics competitions.
However, during my senior high school years at Riverside College, I learned about our PT Licensure Exam topnotchers in 2018 and 2019. This piqued my curiosity about Physical Therapy, and I started exploring more about the field. I found it intriguing and also thought it could serve as a good pre-med course if I decided to pursue medicine.
What was most challenging about college life and PT studies?
We were the first batch to start our studies online due to the pandemic in 2020. Adapting to this setup and eventually transitioning to face-to-face classes were a big challenge.
Physical Therapy is a demanding course, but it’s also highly rewarding and enjoyable. Balancing academics with internship responsibilities meant many sleepless nights and tough moments, but I persevered and learned a lot along the way.
Please briefly summarize your board review experiences. Where did you have your review? Any low or discouraging moments? How did you cope with these?
I started reviewing two months before our formal review season began. Our review center, Gold Rank Review Center, held a four-month review program in Cebu.
During this time, I created a lot of unforgettable memories with my dormmates. We shared rants, tears, and laughter, and we supported each other as we faced the challenges of preparing for the board exam.
Although the review process involved a massive amount of material to study, the structure and timeline set by our review center made the experience manageable.
Faith and prayers were also an integral part of my journey. Apart from attending Sunday masses, I visited the Mama Mary Shrine in Simala three times to pray for guidance and blessings.
Did you expect to land in the Top 10? What do you think made you No. 1?
I found the exam challenging, with several questions that were new and required deeper thinking and understanding. Because of this, I was genuinely surprised and extremely grateful when I found out I placed first.
I think what helped me secure the top spot was starting my review early, establishing a study routine, and staying consistent from day one.
To whom do you attribute (and also share) your success?
I attribute my success to my family, relatives, friends, school, and review center – and most importantly, to the Lord. They were my constant source of guidance, encouragement, and support throughout this journey, lifting me up during challenges and celebrating each milestone with me.
What does the achievement mean to you personally?
This achievement is a tremendous blessing, and I see it as just the beginning of my journey. It serves as a reminder that with hard work and discipline, I can accomplish anything.
What incentives is RC giving you? Any testimonial program lined up?
The last time I spoke with my school, they informed me that they would be giving me a cash incentive, as is the City of Bacolod.
What are your career options now that you passed the board with flying colors? Any plan for further studies?
I’m currently planning to take a break after the six months of intensive review. While I keep my options open, I’m debating whether to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy or a Doctor of Medicine degree.
In the meantime, I hope to apply for a part-time teaching position at my alma mater to give back and share the knowledge I’ve gained during the review process.
Please share your word of advice to future PT board takers.
No board exam is easy; challenges are inevitable. Set a clear goal, develop good habits, and stay consistent in your efforts. Believe in yourself, even on tough days when you feel discouraged.
Remember that ups and downs are normal, but what matters is that you keep going. Lastly, never forget to seek guidance from the Lord – for wisdom, strength, and endurance as you prepare and take the exam.
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In his Facebook page, Raymund reiterated his gratitude to those who contributed to the success of his academic journey. He wrote:
“Non Nisi Te, Domine — Nothing but You, Lord.
“I still find it surreal after hearing the news that I placed first in the board exams. Preparing for it was definitely not easy, and I found the exam itself to be challenging. I had to overcome a lot of obstacles since my college days, but I want this post to focus on my grateful heart.
“To Riverside College, thank you for molding us. From our instructors since our first year to the school’s administration, your guidance has been invaluable – from beginning, this course in an online setting to being there for us for the board exams, you never failed to make your presence felt.
“To Gold Rank Review Center, thank you for making my review season such an enjoyable and enriching experience. The well-structured lectures and high-yield discussions truly embodied the Gold Standard. The quality of your program played a pivotal role in this success.
“To my family and relatives, your constant support kept me going throughout this journey. I owe this milestone to the love, encouragement, and sacrifices you poured into me. You were there cheering me on from the very beginning. This success is also your victory!
“To my friends and Schweizer dormmates, we made it, guys!! Thank you so much for four months of being together. We made a lot of core memories being happy and sad together including days of sickness.
“Thank you for being each other’s anchors. These are moments we’ll definitely look back on as we grow older.
“To everyone who congratulated me, and to those I haven’t yet been able to respond to because I have been overwhelmed by messages – thank you. Your kind words and support mean so much to me.
“And to my girlfriend, Jizelle, who knows me better than anyone else – you’ve seen every struggle and celebrated every little victory with me. Your unwavering belief in me, your patience, and your love kept me grounded through it all. I am so blessed to have you by my side.
“Finally, to the Lord, I give back all the glory. None of this would have been possible without Your grace, guidance, and presence. You were with me every step of the way, and I am deeply grateful.
“I humbly promise to do my best as a faithful vessel of Your will moving forward, trusting wholeheartedly in whatever plans You have for me. Thank you gd so much Lord, and to Mama Mary of Simala. Glory to God in the highest!” | AVDC
