Plan B works for wannabe cop

PATRICK Joseph Mabugat with his parents. NESTOR P. BURGOS JR.

BACOLOD CITY—He wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and be a policeman, but an eyesight problem forced Patrick Joseph Mabugat to change his plan and instead pursue a degree in medical technology.

But when he failed to graduate with honors from the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos in Bacolod City in March, he apologized to his father, Supt. Calixto Mabugat, and his mother, Arlene. In elementary and high school at La Consolacion College, he was salutatorian.

To make his parents proud, 20-year-old Patrick studied hard while reviewing for the medical technologist licensure examination. When the test results were announced six months later, he emerged No. 1 with a grade of 90.90 percent.

A total of 2,986 out of 3,615 examinees passed the board examination given in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cebu and Davao in September.

“When my friends told me, it all seemed so unreal to me at first. Then it all sank in when I saw my name on the top of the list. All those days and nights of hard work finally paid off,” Patrick said.

Patrick is the eldest of four brothers in the family.

His father was chief of the Philippine National Police human rights desk office in Western Visayas before he took a leave to study for an officer investigation course at Philippine Public Safety College regional training center in Bacolod. His mother works for Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

Patrick said his father’s sense of organization, time management and perseverance to achieve goals had influenced his attitude in his studies. “As a policeman, he taught me not to give up while pursuing a lead or goal,” he said.

Arlene also helped him, especially during the many times when Calixto was assigned to places far from home in Barangay Alijis in Bacolod.

Patrick’s ultimate dream is to become a doctor. He plans to work as a medical technologist until next year when he would enroll in medical school.

He does not intend to go abroad as many job seekers from the medical field do. “There might be better financial opportunities but what is important is that you are happy with your work,” he said.

Calixto said he and his wife were hoping that their son would achieve his dream.

“It was also a struggle for us to send four children to school so we are very happy with what he has achieved,” he said.

The parents did not mind that Patrick had not maintained his academic honors when he graduated from college.

“What’s important is that he graduated. Honors and awards are only bonuses,” Calixto said.