By Tara Yap
Iloilo City—A graduate of the University of the Philippines (UP Visayas) has the distinction of being in the Top 10 of two separate licensure exams.
Jeb Reece Habulan Grabato (Facebook)
Jeb Reece Habulan Grabato ranked 9th in the October 2019 Chemist Licensure Examination and 2nd in the October 2019 Chemical Technician Licensure Examination.
“I was not aiming nor expecting to be in the Top 10. I simply wanted to pass both exams,” Grabato told Manila Bulletin Tuesday.
The 21-year-old from Mandurriao district of Iloilo City is overwhelmed and ecstatic after the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) released results for both licensure exams late Monday night.
Grabato dedicated his feat to his single mother, who raised him and his older brother after their father died.
“My mother toiled and raised me all by herself. My achievements are hers as well,” Grabato said.
With his double feat, Grabato wants to pursue teaching at his alma mater and conduct research.
“I am hoping to conduct or be a part of studies that would be of great impact to the masses. After all, it is our mandate in UP to serve the people,” Grabato explained.
Unlikely inspiration from TV show
Grabato posted on his Facebook wall a meme of Walter White, the protagonist character played by actor Bryan Cranston in the highly acclaimed TV show Breaking Bad.
Grabato admitted the TV show did convince him to pursue a degree in chemistry.
In the TV show, White was a chemistry teacher who eventually became a drug kingpin when he used his knowledge of science to cooking high-quality illegal drug shabu (crystal meth).
“In spite the angst and complexity of Walter White’s character, I have no intention of being a man like him,” Grabato clarified.
Grabato also earned his high school diploma from UP Visayas while attended grade school at Iloilo Central Elementary School.