With a passing percentage of 89.22%, Centro Escolar University Manila —School of Pharmacy graduate Janella Jalal placed 4th in the April 2021 Pharmacist Licensure Examination given by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

“Being an irregular student for four years didn’t leave that much room for me to dream of becoming one of the topnotchers. The thought of it crossed my mind, of course, but I don’t believe that much in myself. All I wanted was to pass the board exam. But I guess, my God, Allah, has seen the sacrifices I made, and He gave me more than what I asked for. I’m beyond grateful” said the 22-year old native from Tawi-Tawi.

Janella also shared how she and her entire family were surprised after receiving a congratulatory message from one of her former professors for being on the list of topnotchers.

But before receiving the reward of her hard work, it was never an easy journey for Janella. She experienced multiple breakdowns and anxieties during her review.

“I cried two times during my review days. One reason was the long 'waiting game,' if the board exam would still proceed. I didn't know it was exhausting to wait. And I was thinking they'd postpone it again, so I was slowly losing my motivation to continue with my review. I remember when they announced that the board exam in Zamboanga would push through, I was at the hospital watching over my Lola. I immediately whipped out the reviewer I brought and cried as I tried to continue solving the calculations in Module 3,” recalled Janella.

“The other reason happened a few days before the exam day. I started doubting myself and if my knowledge was already enough. And when yourself becomes your own enemy, it's hard to fight back, because it's the part of you that's talking. So, I turned to God, and with His guidance and my strong will, I overcame the hardest part of my journey to becoming a board passer,” she added.

Janella is the eldest among her three siblings and is currently residing in Zamboanga, where they transferred when she got into high school. According to her, she might consider pursuing medicine, since it is like a childhood dream of hers, but she is still open to new opportunities.

With this kind of achievement, Janella hopes to inspire other aspiring Pharmacists especially during this challenging time of the pandemic.

“I hope they'll enjoy and love pharmacy as much as I did during my college years. Pharmacists play a vital role in our healthcare system. They might find it hard, but it's going to be worth it. And in these trying times, I want them to know that their struggles are valid. It's challenging to keep up with these major changes; attending online classes from home which is a completely a different set up from what they were used to, and trying to make things work with the best that they can while coping with the effects brought upon by the pandemic on their personal lives and well-being. I hope they rise in these hard times to make their dreams come true. Believe in yourself. You will succeed”, she humbly expressed.

The CEU School of Pharmacy led by its Dean, Dr. Cecilia Santiago also performed well in the recent board exam by having a 100 percent passing percentage for Manila campus.

For more information, please visit the official website of the University at www.ceu.edu.ph. You may also follow CEU on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theCEUofficial and on Twitter at @CEUmanila, @CEU_makati05, and @CEUMalolos.