27/04/2026
Congratulations RPh 2026
Share ko lang.
It's never too late to succeed.
CONGRATS Sir!
WARNING: Long post ahead...
My journey as a Registered Pharmacist (RPh) start at 45.
If you follow your dreams and aspirations, age is irrelevant.
I thought of myself as the oldest pharmacy board examinee or taker, the oldest pharmacy student enrolled in a pharmacy course, the oldest undergraduate student at Dipolog Medical Center College Foundation Inc. (except sa Master Degree), and most likely the oldest pharmacy student in the whole country (pwede na i-KMJS na nga pang episode old school student life story haha). I began studying pharmacy at the age of forty. As for me, "life starts at 40" hahah..
Five years ago, a lot of my friends told me that my decision to return to school for an undergraduate degree was a "suicuide" as I had to give up my six years as a district sales manager and eleven years as a sales and medical representative. Some said, "It's okay if I go back to school if it's a master's program or any business program to boost my position as a manager, but I still take the risks to take pharmacy (as a new course from my previous first course, Business Administration major in Management, and my last time I stepped down on a university was in 2004)."
Being forty is not a barrier to returning to school.
Many of my acquaintances and former coworkers make fun of me by saying that because of my advanced age and my inability to retain technical and medical terminology, I am no longer able to take lengthy tests, read lengthy books, or participate in intellectual and scientific discussions in online or in-person classes. However, I set a goal for myself to "hawak ko ang beat" and unlearn and relearn things like a 20-year-old student. Unlearn because I have to take off the district manager's hat and swallow my pride, and relearn to refresh and recalibrate my brain so that I can read a lot of books and conduct research in the mini library. Instead of relying solely on the internet to learn by copying and pasting information, I prefer the laborious process of writing down everything I've learned in a notebook.
Being a manager or supervisor does not always ensure that you will succeed in life; sometimes you need to be an ordinary student in order to pursue your goals.
As a district sales manager, I taught that whatever is on your mind will always be a part of it. However, I was unable to fulfil my long-held dream of becoming a visual artist or a mechanical engineer or a agriculturist because I always believed that I would be happier if I had more money, a higher position, a car and other prestige property, the ability to travel across the country due to work privileges and other perks that I enjoyed in the pharmaceutical industry. Before I made the decision to pursue that course and return the promise to your mother, it took me seventeen years to decide.
I accepted the challenge to quit my job, return the automobile, and return to school in order to fulfil my mother's desire. It was really risky, and there is still uncertainty, anxiety, fear, and fear about what might happen if I don't pass the exams, meet academic standards in terms of grades, pass the pharmacy board exams, and be unable to return to work as a district sales manager because I have lost contact with the doctors, nurses, pharmacy owners, distributor owners, wholesalers, and other important people involved in my work as a medical representative and district sales manager. I had a lot of "what if" thoughts at the time. However, I still had the guts to enrol in DMC in June 2021 and submit my resignation to my employer. I mistakenly believed that the classes were in the same semester, but it was actually the summer semester, and my ID number was 2021-005.
Did I receive failing grades?
Yes, my Transcript of Records (TOR) will show that I received a final grade of "F or flat 5.0" in two subjects while studying Pharmacy and four in Business Administration from my first course. During midterms and preliminary exams, I repeatedly failed several important topics, but I was able to catch up during the final exam. Additionally, I failed numerous quizzes and lengthy exams due to my inability to commit crucial concepts, terminology, chemical formulas, and chemical skeletal or physical structures to memory. I like to follow my "sanggutot" instinct. If the quiz or main test involves identification, I am forced to either leave it blank or put in any relevant key phrases. However, I never give up because I'm accustomed to it. I even received "F" grades in my first semester, Business Administration major in Management at Silliman University. I will always strive to live up to my motto, "the more I know the more I love," regardless of whether I have failed numerous times. For me, failing grades are not indicative of my failure in life; rather, they stimulate me to work hard and work intelligently.
What are your preparation for the Pharmacy board exams?
In order to prepare for the board exams in advance, in the second semester of 2024, I began gathering old bold papers that had been used, thrown away, or trashed by students, departments, and even other schools. Instead of purchasing new notes, which would have been more expensive than recycling and reusing old bond papers, I used the blank or empty writing on the back portion of the used bond papers for my notes. It helps me avoid paying extra for the printing of handouts from the review centers and the exorbitant expense of new notebooks. Each module, I estimated the handouts which has an average of 100 pages, is multiplied by six modules, and printing in our location in Calamba, Misamis Occidental, costs five pesos (long bond) per pages, with a total estimated costs of P3,000. For me the P3,000 will serve as a costs of a meal for 2 weeks.
In addition, I collected the bank's POS (Point of Sale) receipts, my credit card receipts, and receipts from groceries and other purchases I made. Rather than purchasing brand-new, pricey flash cards, I used the blank or empty portions of these receipts as my flash cards. By gathering these receipts that were meant to be thrown away, I was able to save money and protect Mother Earth from waste and rubbish. I do this because I don't have a job, my budget is already tight, and I need a another way to cut costs - in short sa binisaya pa gamiton nato atung pag ka kuripot ani nga time kay nag kulang na sa panudlanan. hehe..gamiton nato atong pag ka resourceful, creative, artist kay mag drawing2 ug sulat2 sa mga ginamitan na nga mga papel, pero naka save pako sa environment or na ka tipid pa ahaha kuripot lang gyud. haha
What is your study plan for the Pharmacy board exams?
After graduating, I resolved to develop a strategic plan for preparing for the Pharmacy board examinations. I gather feedback from key individuals about the review centers and examine the statistics of board passers in those specific centers. Then, I survey which program would fit my schedule and conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether to choose an online or face-to-face review program. I outlined the potential costs, advantages, and disadvantages of both programs. Additionally, I estimated the possible expenses if I opted for the in-person review.
After a week of research and analysis, I opted for the online class review program from Metamorph Review Specialist. It's reasonably priced and reduces my operational costs compared to a face-to-face program. For me, it aligns well with my pace as a reviewee.
It began to create a schedule on a bond paper for the period from June 2025 to April 2026. However, beginning in December 01, 2025 until April 15, 2026, I completed approximately 100 to 300 mock board tests daily from Monday to Friday, after each day’s lectures, scheduling them from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. During the sessions, I will ask questions or seek clarification from the lecturers regarding the rationale behind each mock board practice and the topics I find confusing. I challenge myself to develop mock board quizzes EVERY DAY atleast 100 to 300 items (I choose 3 modules with 100 items each).
From April 16 to April 17, I reviewed essential points from modules 1 to 6 and created summary notes for each module, incorporating mnemonics and key terms.
My success in the pharmacy board exams is not something I can take credit for; it truly comes from God alone.
God is the primary reason for my success in the board exams. During my mock board exams, I received scores of only 39/100, 46/100, 48/105, 59/100, 61/100, 68/190, 59/206, and 53/110. In short, I consistently fell short of the passing grade of 75/100 or atleast 75% of the total scores. However, I persevered and continued to retake the tests the following day. For me, seeing my scores gradually increase was a significant source of encouragement. Eventually, my average scores reached 60/100, 68/100, and my highest score so far was 71/100. I always pray to God not for higher scores, but for a stronger faith.
What emotions do you experience during the Pharmacy board exams?
On April 17, I traveled to Pagadian City by motorcycle from Calamba, Misamis Occidental (approximately 140 kilometers). I took a break but couldn't sleep because I kept thinking about the board exams. My heart raced faster than before I arrived at the place. Instead of resting, I preferred to review my notes on my phone and discuss them aloud, my voice echoing in the small room. I began preparing around 4 a.m. and left for the PRC building around 6 a.m.
On the first day of the board exams (April 18, 2026), I felt internal pressure (kay birthday pa nimu tapos board examinations pa), but I held silent prayers in my mind, hoping I could succeed. From 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., I always pray that God will sustain my brain cells on each module. After every test, I take a deep breath, take a 30-minute nap, close my eyes, mumble to God, and express my brazen gratitude that I was able to complete all 100 questions and survive every module. I offer up a few prayers in hopes of receiving at least 75% of each module or passing grades.
The same routine was followed on the second day of the board exams, starting at 4 a.m. for preparation and arriving at the PRC office at 6 a.m. the same way that, upon completion of each module, I shall offer a silent prayer of gratitude after each modules. Last but not least, I completed the final exam on April 19 at 3:26 p.m., and before turning it in to the proctor of my test questions, I offered once more a silent prayer of gratitude for His ability to support me during the two days of the pharmacy board examinations, regardless of the outcome. After passing my first attempt at the board tests (and undoubtedly the final pharmacy board exams), I felt lighter and less burdened. After I turn in my test questions, the proctors and PRC staff grin at me and tell me to come to the PRC building to complete my oath-taking. I simply return the smile with thanks (at the back of my mind yes Lord pls help me na mahitabo na).
How does it feel to take the pharmacy board exams for the first time?
As a first-time, the pressure is extremely high and time-consuming because you are too old, your neurones are slower than those of your younger classmates, and I don't really enjoy memorising the material. Instead, I learn more by watching the audio-video recording from the review center, comprehending the concept on my own, and using basic illustrations to define it. In my opinion, the key to passing board exams is having a deeper comprehension of the majority of the common themes covered in modules and the foundation; mnemonics will only be used as a tool, not as the fundamental base (kay para nako lisud mag memorize ug something na wala pa nimu na sabtan in a deeper context kay pag rephrase sa questions ma paldo na dayun ka paingun sa waley and dili na dayun nimu hawak ang beat hehe).
Support for those taking the pharmacy board in November 2026 and April 2027.
In my opinion, if you wanted to become a certified and registered pharmacist on that day this year, you should start learning from your teachers (both in review center and in school) starting today and nurture the time you can devote to studying.
First, Make a strategic plan for managing your time. For example, I would rather study and take a personal mock board quiz from 3 to 6 a.m. because I used 8am-5pm for lectures and listening to audio-video recordings from review centers or school classes during the day.
Second, Try to revisit the modules in which you are weak, and this is the point where you should go back to the fundamentals of the subject and fully comprehend it.
Third, You should probably limit your use of social media because, in my experience, the more you check your Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter accounts, the more pressure you feel from others. The news, politics, FB reels, memes, and posts from people who have already passed the board exams, among other things, burden your brain and make it harder for you to concentrate on your study plan. I only used social media for updates at that time, and I only checked it around lunch, dinner, and snack time. Please never use social media right before bed; instead, let your sleep be a sacred period for your body to recoup more vigour.
Fourth, Celebrate tiny victories and develop an appetite for small accomplishments, such as a slight rise in your mock board results when compared to prior exams. In my own experience, I save all of the papers from my mock board exams and add up the results for future use as well as to monitor my progress and accomplishments.
Fifth, Learn to express gratitude and say "thank you" to everyone in your immediate vicinity, including your loved ones, relatives, and even stray animals like dogs or cats. Treat these tiny animals with compassion and love. Being friendly to small animals is very essential because it teaches responsibility, creates empathy, and LOWERS STRESS. Whether they are pets, strays, or wildlife, treating animals with respect enhances my wellbeing and fosters the growth of a more compassionate and understanding personality.
And most importantly, don't forget to make a plan to fuel your brain with positive outlooks on life and positive thoughts from the Bible. In my personal practice every day between six and eight in the morning, I listen to the lessons from Rise-Up Challenge (RUC). A group of ICOC disciples in the Philippines organized it with the intention of reading and contemplating one Bible chapter each day as part of a daily quiet time with God. Instead of spending more time on social media, which contributes to mental toxicity, spending time with God every day has truly motivated me to work hard and nourish my life from God's word.
To the Future RPh, God will fulfil your dreams in His ideal time, so don't give up if you don't succeed today. If you don't try using God's counsel, you will fail. I'll borrow Dory's most famous remark from Finding Nemo (2003), "Just keep swimming," which she shares with Marlin, the clownfish, to inspire perseverance. God will push us to the limit after we convince ourselves that we can succeed via His perfect timing.
I always remember this Bible verse,
“ꜰᴏʀ ɪ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʟᴀɴꜱ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ,” ᴅᴇᴄʟᴀʀᴇꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴏʀᴅ, “ᴘʟᴀɴꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴘʀᴏꜱᴘᴇʀ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ʜᴀʀᴍ ʏᴏᴜ, ᴘʟᴀɴꜱ ᴛᴏ ɢɪᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀ ꜰᴜᴛᴜʀᴇ.” — ᴊᴇʀᴇᴍɪᴀʜ 29:11
Thank you, LORD, and may the Lord continue to bless those around me who have helped me with their prayers, words of support and encouragement, the touches of affection and unwavering empathy, the generosity in lending their pockets to support this pharmacy legacy crusade, the whispers of love and consolation during difficult times, hardships and the struggles of studying, and sleepless nights of reading and comprehending each module.
There are too many names to mention, but I will always be grateful for them because their names are already deeply ingrained in my heart. I will always dedicate all of my accomplishments and merit to you alone, LORD.
To God Be All The Glory!
Junny Marcial, 𝙍𝙋𝙝 (RPh at the age of 45)
𝘼𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙡 2026 PHLE 𝙋𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙧
Dipolog Medical Center College Foundation, Inc.
Class of 2025
First and Final take.
