By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
YES, Christian Rey de la Cruz is one of the three who ranked No. 1 (with a 94% rating) in this year’s Chemical Technician Licensure Examination (CTLE) given nationwide on Oct. 19.
He’s also the very first alumnus of Technological University of the Philippines-Visayas (TUPV) in Talisay City, Negros Occidental (for BS Chemical Technician course) to land in the Top 1 of CTLE. Thus, he’s considered now a “Negros’ ace” who really gave pride to all Negrenses.
CLTE is no ordinary exam given by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) every year. And topping such, Christian, 22, said, was like acing life’s “storms”.
As a church boy, music lover and education videos fanatic, Christian is an effervescent lad. But behind his “jolly personality” is also the “saddest story” of his family’s life in an impoverished community that truly pushed and inspired him to persevere.
If given a chance to commission someone to write his biography someday, he’ll suggest this title: “The Power of Perseverance”.
‘POSITIVE CHEMISTRY’
In an interview on Radyo Negrense, Christian said he never dreamt to be Top 1 in the exam.
But he admitted to have a sort of “review choreography” coupled with a unique study regimen and lots of “run through” prior to the examination date.
These included: completing the nine-day Simbang Gabi in December 2021, fasting on a Holy Week, praying a rosary every night, going to church on Sunday, constant practice on shading activity, no soft drinks, no meat, among others.
But having a positive attitude boosted his resolution in life that superbly impacted his performance in the exam. And having a “brave heart” helped him so much to conquer all oddities in life.
Living in a remotest village of Inolingan in Moises Padilla town also taught Christian to be a “real fighter”.
“And being poor,” he underscored, “is an advantage for me to have focus in my study.”
“After experiencing almost all the oddest things during my high school days, I now look at the bright side of life. I started to believe in myself so other would also believe in me,” Christian related.
Thus, he always considers himself a “positive Chemistry” aimed at inspiring others.
‘GREATEST GIFT’
To be Top1 in this year’s CTLE alongside Carlos Antonio Concepcion of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños and Jopette Marie Villas of the Eastern Visayas State University in Tacloban City, Leyte was Christian’s “greatest gift” to his parents, especially for his sick father.
Likewise, it’s a product of his consistent prayers to God Almighty.
Being prayerful, he shared, is the greatest influence of his father, known to be a dedicated church man.
“Sang gin-break ko ang news kanday Nanay sa bukid mga alas-10 sang gab-i sang Oktubre 22, asta mag-aga wala gid sila tinulugan. Grabe gid ang ila kalipay, hala na lang sila kapanugid sa amon mga tupad balay,” Christian said in Hiligaynon.
He, too, jumped and exclaimed: “Thank you Lord!”
Later, he felt his face numb, then he became speechless until he asked himself: “Ako gid ya?”
‘BAKIRAS’
Everything that Christian achieved is somehow because of “bakiras”.
Bakiras is a slight scar inflicted by the leaves of sugarcane on human skin.
“Agyan ko ang mag-ubra sa kampo. Manghilamon, mangayaw sa iban nga lugar. Grabe ang mga bakiras sa kamot ko. Ang pinakabudlay sa tanan, sang ginprenda na ang amon uma bangud ang kamagulangan namon college na. So, ako sang elementary, ginbayaan ni nanay kay lola kay naga-pangayaw na sila sa mga hacienda sa Hinigaran.”
This particular situation, Christian recalled, motivated him and his elder siblings to really persevere in their studies.
Now, the four of them are all professionals except for their youngest who’s in college still.
Christian confessed he has also lots of hesitations before. Poverty and his parents’ sacrifices though toughened him to excel in life.
“Wala man ko Latin Honors sang college. Ang grades ko kabit-kabit man lang. Pero, bag-o ko mag-kwa board exam, gin-pangayo ko gid ni kay Lord nga mag-top notcher ko pero indi gid ‘ya Top 1 ha… apang ginhatag nya gid.”
So, after hearing the “sweetest words” from TUP-V officials, “You made us proud,” Christian said, “Doubts in me were totally erased.”
Rather, he stressed, “I am more than inspired now to strive further.”
If given a chance, he’s bent to take up Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering as a double course.
Too, he’s inclined to work as a college instructor or land a job in any chemical laboratory.
GOD’S HANDIWORK
Well, Christian life seems to have lots of impossibilities. But what’s nice is that he battled every inch of the challenges that confronted his way.
During his elementary and high schools days, Christian was also a victim of “bullying”. But it didn’t deter him to develop love and positivity. And staying humble made him more than a dignified person.
I remember the late Nelson Mandela, first South African president, who once stressed, “It always seems impossible until it is done.”
But for Christian: “Everything’s God’s handiwork!”
BY THE WAY: I was terribly sad knowing the news that PO1 Val Liansing accidentally shot himself while preparing for “Undas” duty shortly before noon of Oct. 30. He was brought to the hospital but didn’t survive.
Val’s life through my (Negros Beat) column titled “Bellico se for blinds” was published by this paper on Sept. 17, 2022. He’s the only hope of his blind parents and three siblings. So sad! Nonetheless, RIP PO1 Val./PN
