For many, "pressure" on oneself is a negative feeling that compels them to exert extra effort to accomplish something. But for some, it serves as a driving force to persevere and achieve a goal, leading to success.
Take, for example, Jigo Labuga Biyoyo, 24, from Sta. Cruz, Placer, Surigao del Norte, who ranked No. 3 in the October 2024 Chemists Licensure Examination with a 91.35 percent rating.
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| Photo courtesy: Facebook/Jigo Biyoyo |
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree at Caraga State University-Main Campus.
He graduated in 2023 as a summa cum laude.
In an interview with the Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP), he shared that as a child, he had always been the type to "go with the flow" and didn’t have a specific direction in mind. However, he knew deep down that he had a strong interest in science and mathematics, as evidenced by his consistently high grades in these subjects from elementary to high school.
When he entered college, a relative advised Jigo to pursue a degree program with a board exam, which led him to choose BS Chemistry.
Jigo admitted that he found studying quite challenging when they transitioned to online learning during the height of the pandemic from 2020 to 2021. Jigo also sensed that even their instructors, including those teaching major subjects, were struggling to adjust to the situation.
He admitted that he considered changing his degree program or transferring to another university, even though he was already in his third year.
He often heard judgments like he only graduated or earned Latin honors because of online classes, which he found highly invalidating and insensitive.
“Naka-graduate lang or naka-latin honors dahil sa online class, which felt highly invalidating and insensitive
“Nevertheless, I guess it wasn’t all bad.
“These criticisms became one of my driving motivations to excel even further, proving them wrong.”
This pressure motivated him to prove that his summa cum laude honor during online classes was well-deserved, so he worked hard to pass the board exam. He never expected to make it to the topnotchers list, especially since he admitted finding the exam quite challenging.
“The fear of failure combined with the high expectations I had for myself, as well as from others, was overwhelming.”
His classmates, friends, and especially his family were overjoyed with his achievement—they even celebrated by serving lechon in his honor.
For now, Jigo plans to look for scholarship grants for his Master’s degree and eventually pursue a doctor’s degree.
Congratulations, Jigo!
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
