By Nicola Bangsil, BA Comm-4 OJT

Centralian Alumnae LET Board Passers Armie Joy Gilua Cama (left) & Noreen Jill Entrina (right).

Results of the January 30, 2022 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) put Central Philippine University (CPU) with a passing percentage of 85.71% in Elementary Education and 77.78% in Secondary Education. The National Passing Percentage is 55.66% in Elementary Education and 53.77% in Secondary Education, which positioned CPU above the National Passing Percentages by 30.05% and 24.01% respectively.

Board passers have gone through many preparations in order to succeed in the examinations, and Centralians, in no doubt, have gone through them to certify themselves. A Centralian LET board passer in Elementary Education with an average of 81.00, Armie Joy Gilua Cama, shares her journey and experiences that made everything worthwhile at the very end.

1. How did you prepare for the LET?

Cama: I did a lot of preparations during my journey in becoming a Licensed Professional Teacher. I made a list of 5 things to prepare before the exam. The first thing I prepared was the time table, wherein I put my schedule and I was able to fix my objective, as well as to study and work at the same time. Eager to hit the examination, I finished everything on schedule. Secondly, I never memorized rather I read and understand. Thirdly, I relaxed and got enough sleep. Never forget to take a rest. Next, I prepared everything that I needed weeks before the examination. Lastly, I always believed in myself that I will pass the board exam. Most importantly pray. We have a big God who performs big miracles. God is the great author of my life. He is there for me throughout my journey especially during my board exam. I need Him more after passing the LET since I will have the most significant responsibility in the world.

2. What were your difficulties?

Cama: One of the difficulties that I have encountered was how to manage my time as a private school teacher. I remembered when I was having my final coaching in one of the acclaimed review centers here in Iloilo City, I cried because I was super stressed to the point that I feel like I have a double life; having a class and final coaching at the same time. I was multi-tasking, I used 2 gadgets- cellphone and laptop. The laptop was intended for my class and the cellphone was intended for my final coaching. Upon using those gadgets, I was a little bit tense because I was determined to reach this journey, even though it was a roller coaster ride. I am just thankful because one of my supporters said, “You can do it, Cher Joy!“ There were times that I felt really tired when I got home and couldn’t study during night time because I worked the whole day at school. Instead, I would just set the alarm at 2:00 am and spend 3 hours reading and reviewing, and I will just take an hour to sleep then I will wake up again at 6:00 am, just enough to prepare and cook for our food in the house as well as prepare my food for lunch, and ready myself hoping to be fresh all throughout the day. I always believe in the verse “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. -Jeremiah 29:11

3. What are your future plans now that you are licensed?

Cama: Now that I am a licensed teacher, I am planning to apply in a public school and enroll in a Master’s program. This is a one step at a time endeavor. I know that there are things that I need to achieve at this time of my life just like how this quote has inspired me, it reads this way: “If you have a discipline, drive and determination, nothing is impossible.”- Dana Linn Bailey. Never give up and lose hope. There is always a rainbow after the rain.

Armie Joy Gilua Cama proves that nothing is impossible with careful preparation, consistency, and determination. Nothing in life comes easy; however, we can always prepare and strive to become better versions of ourselves.

Another Centralian LET board passer in Secondary Education Social Sciences, Noreen Jill Entrina Gallo, shared her struggles as she contracted Covid just before the September 2021 LET, which delayed her take on the examinations for January 2022. Although she was taking her Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science and reporting to work as a Librarian at Angelicum School consecutively, she was able to surmount the overload of work and pass the examinations. Gallo emphasized, in her own words, “All I can say is be prepared. At all times.”
Preparation for the LET has been a recurring theme, and there is no better way to succeed in the examinations, but to continue to equip ourselves with the necessities needed for our end goals.