MANILA, Philippines – For Erica Rosialda Macorol, becoming a teacher was not her first dream—but it became her greatest calling.
The 24-year-old preschool teacher from Caloocan City recently added another milestone to her growing list of achievements after emerging as one of the top performers in the March 2026 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT).
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| Photo courtesy: Facebook/Erica Macorol |
A graduate of the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education program at the University of Caloocan City (UCC), Macorol also finished as Cum Laude and ranked first in her batch.
In an exclusive interview with The Summit Express, Macorol was deeply involved in campus journalism and dreamed of becoming a journalist, even when she was a child.
However, she eventually realized that teaching was where her heart truly belonged. Although she initially wanted to major in English, limited slots led her to the Early Childhood Education program—a decision she never regretted.
Her college years were filled with challenges. As a scholar studying in a state university, she faced high academic standards, maintaining grade requirements, and departmental examinations.
The pressure was immense, but she believes those experiences strengthened her and prepared her for the future.
Preparing for the board exam was equally demanding. Macorol balanced her responsibilities as a full-time preschool teacher while attending review classes on weekends.
She postponed taking the exam in 2025 to focus on adjusting to classroom teaching, returning to her review months later with renewed determination.
“The biggest battle was the pressure and self-doubt,” she shared. Expectations from others added anxiety, but she refused to let fear dictate her future.
When the results were released, Macorol was at work. After learning she had passed and later discovering she was a topnotcher, she broke down in tears of joy.
“Umiyak ako noon—iyong iyak na matindi ang hagulhol. Hanggang ngayon, natatandaan ko pa ang una kong nasabi pagkatapos noon: ‘Hindi na ako magre-review ulit,’” she shared.
Today, she plans to continue improving her teaching skills before pursuing opportunities in public education.
Her message to aspiring educators is simple yet powerful: “Maniwala kang kaya mo. Hindi mo kailangang maging 100% ready para gawin ang isang bagay.”
“Bago ako umabante sa testing center noong March 15, 2026, ilang pag-atras muna ang ginawa ko. Ilang buwan kong sinubukan na takbuhan ang LEPT dahil lamang pakiramdam ko ay hindi pa ako handa at hindi ko kaya. Pero naisip kong kung patuloy akong magiging ganon, baka wala akong mapuntahan. Kaya bitbit ang prayers at paniniwalang kaya ko, I took the LEPT. Naipasa. Nag-top pa.”
“Maniwala kang kaya mo. Gawin mo kahit takot ka. Gawin mo kahit pinanghihinaan ka ng loob. You are capable of achieving great things. Hindi magiging madali ang preparation, pero sulit naman kapag nakuha mo ang tatlong letra na idadagdag mo sa dulo ng pangalan mo.”
“At sana ay kapag nangyari na iyon, hindi matapos sa LEPT ang puso mo bilang guro. Pagkatapos na makuha ang lisensya, let’s pay it forward by guiding and shaping the next generation. Iisipin mo na lagi’t lagi tayo ay para sa mga bata. Padayon, future LPT and topnotchers!”
Congratulations, Teacher Erica!
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
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