MANILA, Philippines – Precious Fernandez Tabbu, 22 years old from San Gabriel, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, couldn’t believe that not only would she pass the March 2025 Medical Technologists Licensure Examination (MTLE), but she would also secure the 5th spot.
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| Photo courtesy: Precious Tabbu/Pixabay |
Precious graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from Cagayan State University – Andrews Campus.
In an exclusive interview with The Summit Express, she said that she discovered her true aspiration of becoming a physician through the unwavering support of her sister, a registered Medical Technologist. It was through her sister’s influence that she became inspired and deeply fascinated by the field of Medical Technology.
This exposure helped her realize that her interests naturally aligned with the profession, making it the ideal pre-medical course for her.
One of her biggest challenges in college was adjusting to the hybrid learning setup, because of the pandemic era. When the transition to fully in-person learning happened during her second and third years, she struggled to catch up with numerous topics—particularly those she had missed during her first year, when the online classes made it difficult for her to fully concentrate on her studies.
The most difficult period came in her third year, marked by consecutive exams and practicals. Time management became her greatest hurdle, as she had to juggle multiple subjects and often found herself cramming an overwhelming amount of material in a single day for the next day’s exam.
How did she prepare for the board exam review? Does she have any tips or practices that helped pass the board exam and become a topnotcher?
“Create a clear image in your mind of who and what you want to be after the boards—whether it’s practicing your career, becoming a topnotcher, or both. That’s what I used to do, and it truly worked for me,” she said.
She added, “During moments when I felt low, visualizing that goal kept me motivated. It pushed me to show up every day and make the best of what I had at the moment.”
“Preparing for the licensure exam came with its own struggles, and for me, it was self-doubt. When we switched to online review, I often felt like I was falling behind, questioning if I was running out of time. The pressure was overwhelming, and I worried I wouldn’t finish everything I had planned.”
“Even now, I still can’t believe that I am a registered Medical Technologist—let alone that I made it to the top 5. I am overwhelmed with gratitude, knowing that I was given more than I ever asked for.”
Upon learning that she had passed the board exam, she immediately went to visit her patron saint, St. Jude the Apostle.
St. Jude the Apostle, also known as Jude Thaddeus, is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He is traditionally recognized as the patron saint of lost or hopeless causes, and many people pray to him in times of great need, especially when a situation seems impossible or when they are facing difficult challenges—like board exams, serious illnesses, or personal struggles.
“The next day, I returned to St. Jude, the place where I used to surrender everything during my moments of hopelessness. But this time, I didn’t go with a heavy and worried heart; I went with a heart full of gratitude.”
What are her plans now that she has passed the board exam?
“I plan to pursue medical school, and if given the opportunity to use my license while studying, I would gladly take it,” she said.
Her message for board takers who also dream of passing the board exam or becoming a topnotcher, “Have faith in your own path and timing. Even when things don’t go as planned, trust that you are where you need to be. Learn to give yourself grace. You will have struggles and shortcomings, but that doesn’t make you any less capable or worthy.”
“Lastly, make the best of what you have. Instead of worrying about what’s missing, focus on what’s in front of you and do what you can with it.”
“Wherever you are right now, trust, be kind to yourself, and make the most of this moment. Because in the end, that’s what truly matters,” she ended.
Congratulations, Precious!
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
