By Lindsay Marie Borres

Their friendship helped them face the many challenges that they encountered along the way.

The friendship of Janna Rose Jamelarin, Taylor Amanda Bonite, Dainsyl John Janolino and Kirstel Joy Moreno started way back in 2015 when they were just first-year students. According to Janna Rose Jamelarin, maybe it’s because of the Kinaray-a factor of why they are friends. They recognized that it is quintessential to have friends who are also your classmates as your support system since no one understand the demand and workload of the program better than them.

They helped each other because they made it their goal not only to graduate but to graduate together, which they did last 2020. Their squad then decided to enroll in the same review center together and even rented a house in a subdivision in Pavia with a stable internet connection. When they started to live together, Dainsyl and Kirstel were the cooks, while Janna and Taylor were the dishwashers. When it comes to the bills like water and electricity, they also had to share. Jamelarin even recalled some jumpy but unforgettable moments such as when the electric power went out during their preliminary mock board exam but they resolved the problem by using data instead. They also experienced running out of LPG a week before the board exam so they resorted to using charcoal instead.

They also brought in a cat and named her “Ada” from the word adopted, and she became their stress reliever. The most fun part was when they had an idea to put up a business. They started a photocopying business, and Dainsyl started his organic eggs business as well. Their neighbors supported it and they are grateful that they have extra money to help defray their expenses.

One of the sacrifices they had to make was not to hang out. Janna mentioned that they never had a chance to even at least have coffee outside because they have to put their priority first, and that is to become a licensed pharmacist first.

Their lowest moment was their seemingly endless crying because of too much pressure when they see the piles of reviewers. Anxiety and doubts kept creeping in especially two weeks before the Board exam. They were sleepless like zombies, and it seems that worries and anxiety kept them awake. But what kept them sane was their goal to take the Board only once. They prayed hard as much as they worked for and asked God for wisdom and strength.

They took the exam on April 3-4, 2022 at Iloilo Doctor’s College. The Board exam was harder than they had expected. After the second day, they all went home to their own homes to reunite with their families after a long time.

Indeed, God never failed them, because four days after the board exam, results were posted by the PRC and they all passed along with 40 other Centralians.

They are all extremely thankful to their family and friends for giving them the support that they need, for providing food to nourish their minds, and of course, they are also grateful to CPU for providing them not only with excellent pharmacy education but for giving beautiful memories and a lifelong bond that they will treasure forever.

Taylor is as equally elated as her friends. Although she failed five subjects during her college days and was delayed for one year, the pandemic brought their timeline together and she was able to take the board exam with her friends after waiting two years. She testified that God held her hand when she can’t even pick up pieces of herself. Despite her doubts in herself, God sustained her.

“I share the faith that as long as you put your mind and heart towards a goal, you can overcome any obstacle that you will encounter. Faithfully, God will grant whatever you ask in prayer as long as you believe in it,” the Licensed Pharmacist added.