TACLOBAN CITY—The eldest of three children, Alyssa Claire Anguren Almo plans to look for work immediately so she can support her siblings in finishing their education and help her family.
“But if I pass scholarships for medical school, I would grab it. It is my dream to be doctor someday,” she said.
Almo, 20, of Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical Foundation (RTRMF) in Tacloban City, topped the 2015 nursing board licensure exams, besting 18,500 examinees from different testing centers all over the country.
RTRMF was also named one of the top performing schools in the nursing board exam for posting perfect first-time passing rate.
The result was released by the Philippines Regulatory Commission on Friday night. A total of 9,114 examinees passed the licensure test.
READ: 9,114 out of 18,500 pass nursing board exam
“I am still overwhelmed by the enormity of this. I am still dreaming,” said Almo, of Quinapondan, Eastern Samar.
“I feel so grateful for this grace of God. I really didn’t expect this. Though I was praying for a spot in the top 10, I felt that ranking first is just unbelievable,” she added.
She believes in the long-known secret of visualization and claiming what one seeks from the universe. Like those who excelled in sports, academics and the arts, visualization during competition and examination helped, she said.
“You visualize your name on the roster of passers. It will help. Ascertain your goals and ask yourself what you want to achieve. Aiming high will inspire you to do your best and push yourself to the maximum potential. I claimed it,” said Almo, who has a strong faith in God.
READ: Nursing board top-notcher believes in law of attraction: I claimed it
“But don’t exhaust yourself. Go out and have fun, reward yourself. Pray and ask God for His grace and be specific in your prayers.”
Almo is the daughter of Linalyn Anguren Almo, a school nurse, and Clarence Almo, a councilor (kagawad) in Quinapondan village. Her two younger siblings are also in college.
She graduated at the top of her nursing class in 2015, received the highest academic performance award and was hailed best in clinical experience.
For her performance in the NLEX review in November 2015, Almo received P100,000 in cash incentive.
A “beauty and brains” who loves to read, Almo was also crowned Miss Nursing, Miss RTRMF and Miss DVOREF 2014. DVOREF stands for Dr. Vicente Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation, a law school.
Both educational foundations are managed by the family of the late Leyte Gov. Benjamin Romualdez, father of Leyte Rep. Martin Ferdinand Romualdez.
Almo said she had prepared for the licensure exam as early as when she first entered nursing school.
“That’s how everything began, lessons and lectures. RTRMF-CN prepared us the best way they can, and it paid off, garnering a hundred percent passing rate this year. I also enrolled in review classes from Power Development Center, which was really helpful for reinforcing all that we’ve already learned in school.”
Her advice to students is to study well. Don’t take anything for granted; absorb knowledge like a sponge as early as possible. Don’t give up, for there will be trying times and redeeming ones, she said.
“My family will always be my inspiration. Everything I do is for them.”