Sometimes, for reasons we cannot explain, there are dreams we had as children that we don't end up fulfilling. Instead, we find ourselves in a different field where we truly excel. Perhaps, this is part of what we call "God's redirection."
Just like what happened to Patrick John Gabuna Santisidad, 23, from Carmona, Cavite, who emerged as the topnotcher in the October 2024 Electronics Engineers Licensure Examination (ECELE).
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| Photo courtesy: Facebook/Patrick John Gabuna Santisidad |
In an interview with an entertainment site PEP, Patrick shared that he had dreamed of becoming a doctor since he was a child, which is why he initially wanted to pursue a degree program in the University of the Philippines (UP) - Manila.
By an unexpected turn of events, he ended up in the Computer Science degree program. After a year, when he became eligible to shift courses, Patrick decided not to transfer to a pre-med course, thinking that pursuing a medical degree might be too financially demanding for his family. Both of his parents are accountants, but they are separated.
Because of this, Patrick decided to transfer to UP Diliman and pursue a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering.
He graduated on July 28, 2024, as a Summa Cum Laude.
Patrick was also a recipient of the Best Undergraduate Project (Research Category) Award at UP Diliman's Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute.
Additionally, he received a scholarship from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which not only covered his tuition fees but also provided him with a monthly allowance.
When preparing for the board exam, one of the challenges Patrick faced was figuring out how to pay for the review center. Fortunately, he was accepted into the review center’s scholarship program, which allowed him to attend without any fees. Another challenge he encountered was the limited time he had for reviewing.
Despite feeling confident in his performance during the board exam, Patrick never expected to make it to the Top 10, let alone claim the Top 1 spot.
When he saw the results and his name at the top, Patrick was so stunned that he could only sit down in disbelief.
Congratulations, Engr. Patrick!
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
