Jacgil Antoni Banda Oculam, who hails from Albuquerque town in Bohol province, finished 8th in the Electronics Engineering (ECE) licensure examination held in October 2021. (Contributed Photo)
TAGBILARAN CITY — A son of a domestic helper from Albuquerque town in Bohol province ranked eighth in the Electronics Engineering (ECE) licensure examination held last October 2021.
Jacgil Antoni Banda Oculam of the University of San Carlos had a rating of 88 percent, the eight highest score in the exams. He shared the spot with Johaimen Omar of the Mindanao State University-Marawi.
David XYZ Temple Callena of University of Southern Philippines-Davao City topped the board exam with a rating of 92.80.
“It feels surreal. Even now it hasn’t sunk in yet that I’m a topnotcher. I can never measure the joy I feel now,” said Oculam, who dedicated his success to his parents Gil and Hilaria.
His father, Gil, died in a motorcycle accident in November 2015. His mother, Hilaria, supported his studies while working as a domestic helper in the United Kingdom.
Oculam graduated high school at Holy Name University (HUN). He graduated cum laude at the University of San Carlos last December 2019.
He said the board exam was postponed thrice due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making him difficult to focus.
“There were times when I just didn’t like to study because of the uncertainties. (But now), it’s worth the long wait and sleepless nights,” Oculam shared.
Oculam, 23, shared that he had no secret in topping the exam.
“There’s really no secret because anyone can be a topnotcher. As long as you focus on your goal and always do your very best, proper mindset can lead to success,” he said.
He said he didn’t pray to become a topnotcher but for guidance.
“To be honest, I didn’t pray that I would be a topnotcher but I always pray just to pass only. But God is so good,” he said.