MANILA, Philippines – Not just dreamed of (pinangarap) but literally dreamt of (napanaginipan) by Trina Orro Bernal, 23 years old, from Tuguegarao, Cagayan, is her spot in the March 2025 Medical Technologists (MedTech) Board Examination, which truly amazed netizens.
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| Photo courtesy: Facebook/Trina Orro Bernal |
Trina placed in the Top 3 of the March 2025 MedTech Licensure Examination.
In her Facebook post on April 4, she shared that while she was sleeping, she dreamt that she placed Top 3 in the said board exam. Trina couldn’t believe it would actually come true—until she saw the list of topnotchers herself.
“days before the boards, i dreamt about how i wasn’t able to take the exam because i woke up late,” she said.
“days after the boards, i dreamt about me topping the exam, even landing at the 3rd spot!!” she added.
“i woke up feeling disappointed knowing it was nothing but a dream yet, here we are, living the dream. i don’t know how i did it, but i did!!” she finally said.
In an exclusive interview with The Summit Express, Trina shared that she graduated with a degree in BS Medical Laboratory Science, Cum Laude, from Cagayan State University-Andrews, and was a scholar of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). She also had the highest general weighted average (GWA) in their entire batch.
She initially chose Dentistry—having even passed the UPCAT—but due to the pandemic, she decided to pursue her studies in Tuguegarao City instead. She had also heard that BS Medical Laboratory Science (BSMLS) is an excellent pre-med degree program, and it seemed only fitting to enroll at Cagayan State University, which is well-known for its expertise in that field.
What challenges, struggles, or problems did she ever encounter during her college days?
“The pandemic itself was so hard to adjust to,” she said.
“Thankfully, board exam subjects are usually offered during the third year. The transition from online to face to face was also gradual, hence, giving us time to adjust. Still, the courses were kind of difficult to grasp, and there were assessments almost every day, so my burnout phases were also common,” she explained.
She began her review in late October in a review center, but she admitted that she spent nearly half of that time dealing with illness.
When asked about study tips, she said that she didn’t follow a strict schedule, nor did she rely on to-do lists. By her own admission, she wasn't the typical student one would expect to excel.
However, her unique study habit focused on deeply understanding each topic. Even if it meant spending a lot of time on just one subject, she made sure that the next time she encountered questions about it, she could confidently answer them.
She believes this approach may also explain why she frequently experienced burnout—her commitment to grasping concepts thoroughly often demanded more from her than most.
What problems did she encounter during reviews, preparation, and the actual board exam itself?
“I was always sick, my body couldn’t keep up with the environment in Manila, that’s why I went to Bulacan to my mom, and I was confined for weeks.”
“I wasn’t able to attend most of my classes, I was so down because I felt so behind. My goal from the get go was really to top the boards, especially with the expectations of the people around me.”
“Hence, I was constantly stressed about my backlogs piling up and how I can’t attain that dream anymore. Two weeks before the exam, another burnout phase, I wasn’t reviewing even though the pressure was really building up. It wasn’t helping that I’ve got classes every day.”
“It dawned on me only 2 days before the exam that’s why I really crammed to review the subjects. I wasn’t able to get any sleep for the first day. I finished the last subject of the first day in only one hour, because I was so sleepy already and I also couldn’t stand the heat.”
She was on a call with her best friend at the time when the results were released. Out of excitement, she checked the list of topnotchers first—and was overjoyed to see that she had secured a spot.
The moment she saw her name ranked third, she immediately told her best friend, and the two of them started screaming in excitement.
Her parents weren’t home at the time, so she tried calling them, but they didn’t pick up. In the end, they found out the news through their friends.
What are her plans now that she has passed the board exam?
“I am still to take my NMAT and proceed to Medicine. But I am also open to part time jobs,” she answered.
Her message for board takers who also dream of passing the board exam or becoming a topnotcher, “Just believe in yourself. Focus on your own progress, which I failed to do so during my review, leading me to become constantly stressed.”
“Stop comparing your pace to their pace. If you feel like you didn’t do well during the review, think about the 4 years studying the exact same concepts during college. Learn to be at peace with what you know.”
“We can never be fully prepared for the board exam. More importantly, surrender everything to the Lord.”
Congratulations, Trina!
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
