MANILA, Philippines – Roland John R. Visco of Tagaytay City carries a story that proves perseverance can endure years of failure and still lead to fulfillment.
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| Photo courtesy: Roland John Visco |
Beginning in 2015, Visco repeatedly faced the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), taking it a total of seventeen times before finally earning the license he had pursued for nearly a decade.
Visco exclusively shared his long and difficult journey to licensure in an interview with The Summit Express.
“Noong 2015, nagsimula akong sumubok sa LET, at sa kabuuan, labimpitong (17) beses akong kumuha ng pagsusulit—at sa wakas, dito ko natupad ang aking pangarap na maging isang Licensed Professional Teacher (LPT),” Visco said.
“I am a teacher who never gave up despite repeated failures,” said Visco, now 35, reflecting on a journey defined by rejection, self-doubt, and unwavering resolve.
A graduate of Cavite State University–Main Campus with a degree in Sports and Recreational Management, Visco said he chose his path because “I have always loved sports, and I wanted to turn that passion into a profession.”
His college years were marked by adjustment and sacrifice after shifting from an IT program to sports education, an experience that taught him resilience, adaptability, and the courage to follow his calling.
While building a family and working as an educator, Visco admitted that he had limited time for formal review, relying instead on self-study, discipline, and lessons drawn from real classroom experience.
The greatest challenge came from repeatedly failing the MAPEH component of the exam, a setback that tested his confidence but never fully extinguished his dream of becoming a licensed teacher.
With the introduction of the LET major in Physical Education, Visco finally found alignment between the exam and his expertise, allowing preparation and persistence to meet opportunity.
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“Fall down 16 times, stand up 17 times,” Visco said, summing up the philosophy that carried him through nearly a decade of disappointment.
“Isang patunay na ang tunay na tagumpay ay hindi nasusukat sa dami ng pagkabigo, kundi sa bilang ng beses na tayo’y bumabangon at patuloy na lumalaban,” he added.
The moment of triumph arrived in the September 2025 LET when a co-teacher called to share the results, leaving Visco overwhelmed with relief, gratitude, and quiet joy.
Now a PE instructor at the City College of Tagaytay, a husband, and a father of two, Visco views licensure not as an ending but as a deeper responsibility to his students.
“To those who are dreaming of passing the board exam,” he said, “don’t fear failure,” because his life stands as proof that persistence, faith, and purpose can outlast even the longest delays.
— The Summit Express