MANILA, Philippines – BS Biochemistry student Francis Kenneth Araya’s journey shows that sometimes, closed doors lead to better paths.
Araya didn’t get into his dream course. In fact, he was rejected from his first choice, Medical Technology, and waitlisted in his second (the course he graduated from). But instead of giving up, he pushed forward — and now, he’s the valedictorian of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Class of 2025. He also graduated as summa cum laude, the highest Latin honor a graduate could ever receive.
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| Araya’s graduation photo. Photo credit: Francis Kenneth Araya and The Varsitarian |
Araya, who hails from Bicol, finished his degree in Biochemistry under UST’s Faculty of Pharmacy with a general weighted average of 1.083. It wasn’t even his first plan — he only chose Biochemistry as his second option, thinking it would be half-biology, half-chemistry.
“Ang first choice ko was medical technology,” Araya said in an interview with The Varsitarian. He added, “Tapos, nakita ko yung biochemistry, and I thought at first, 50/50 siyang biology and chemistry. ‘Di kasi siya kilalang course. So sabi ko, ‘Sige, piliin ko na lang ‘yong biochemistry.’ Second choice lang naman.”
Yet things didn’t go according to his plan.
When the results came out, he didn’t get into his first choice. Worse, he was only waitlisted for Biochemistry. But Araya didn’t lose hope. Every night for two weeks, he emailed the department, asking for a chance. Finally, he got a slot.
“When results came out, rejected ako sa medical technology, tapos ‘di pa ako pasado sa biochemistry; waitlisted lang talaga ako,” he shared.
Even then, he was scared. Biochemistry required physics and calculus — subjects that he found intimidating.
“Takot na takot talaga ako no’n, kasi I didn’t know what to expect. Hindi pala siya half-bio, half-chem; hindi ko alam kung ano ‘yong pinasok ko pala,” he admitted.
But just one week into the program, something clicked. Araya started enjoying the course. He found meaning in the challenges, and confidence in what he could achieve.
During his stay at UST, Araya didn’t just excel in academics. In 2024, he and his group won first place at an international scientific conference for their research on chemical risks in traditional vapor rub liniments. This earned them the UST Albertus Magnus Award, given to students with outstanding research work.
He also served as president of the UST Biochemistry Society and was a scholar under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). After graduation, he will serve as a research assistant for two years before pursuing a direct Ph.D. program abroad.
Araya receiving his diploma on graduation day. Photo credit: The Varsitarian
Araya received the following awards and citations:
- 🎖️Santo Tomas - Valedictorian Scholarship Recipient
- 🎖️DOST Junior Level Science Scholarship - Merit Scholarship Recipient
- 🎖️Manuel L. Quezon Leadership Award (Citation)
- 🎖️St. Albertus Magnus Award for Outstanding Research Work
- 🎖️Rector’s Academic Award for Academic Excellence
Looking back, Araya believes those rejections were not the end — they were just detours that led to something greater.
“Yong redirections na nakuha ko, destiny was just saying na I’m not meant for things at this level. I was meant for bigger things,” he happily mused.
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express