28/07/2025
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๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ | Bitter Seeds to a Sweet Fruit of Success
Passing the board exam is already a remarkable featโbut securing a spot in the Top 10 is a triumph that goes beyond expectations.
Mylin Caรฑete Cantila, a graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at NORSU-Guihulngan Campus, defied the odds by not only passing the 2024 Licensure Examination for Agriculturists but also clinching a spot in the top 10 with an impressive average of 88.18%.
Driven by her passion for science, it started when she chose agriculture as her career path. She even recalls when an instructor asked her, โNgano'ng ga-agriculture man ka, 'dai?โ She simply replied, โGanahan man kog science, Sir.โ This simple yet impactful answer became her anchor as she embarked on her journey.
Like a seed coated by a membrane, Mylin is shy and prefers a quiet life. To maintain her grades, she dedicated herself to written activities in college.
โMy greatest challenge was my mental health. After graduating in June 2022, I didn't immediately take the exam because I didn't feel ready and was under a lot of pressure. I was plagued by self-doubt,โ Mylin shared, reminiscing about the draining times she had been through.
For almost a year, she took a break from social media, during which she got back to herself and focused on reviewing. Unlike others who adhere to conventional review methods, like enrolling in review centers, Mylin took a different routeโshe focused on self-review.
But it is not as simple as growing grass in the field. The hardest part of self-review is maintaining the discipline to keep going. Family obligations really consumed her as well. The guilt of familial responsibility haunted her, which made her venture to Cebu for work. Yet, after doing that, she realized it didn't align with her dreams and what she wanted to be.
โI lost track kung unsa akong ganahan, so nibalik ko diri sa Guihulngan mga June 2024, and I decided na magreview kog balik,โ she shared.
With faith and determination, Mylin courageously took the three-day Licensure Examination for Agriculturists, even with uncertainties and intense anxiousness.
โAfter sa second day sa exam, naghilak gani ko galakaw padulong E-Mall kay lisod kaayo [ang exam],โ she recalled. It was a moment of raw vulnerabilityโa glimpse into the emotional toll of the journey.
Yet, in the most favorable environment, the seed she had planted sprouted and flourished. Her perseverance paid off; not only did it grow, but it also bore fruit in the sweetest formโa sweet victory as a board exam topnotcher.
โDespite being an agricultural country, the importance of agriculture is often overlooked. One common misconception about agriculture is that it's just โmangguna ra,โโ she pointed out, addressing the persistent stigma surrounding agriculture as a profession.
โTo those aspiring agriculturists, I urge you to pursue this rewarding field, as our country needs passionate individuals who will promote food security, self-sufficiency, and sustainable agriculture,โ she emphasized, leaving behind a reminder of the reality that our country has been experiencing for many years.
Mylin's story is a testament that if we plant the seed of passion, water it with perseverance, nurture it with determination, and let it grow with humility, it will flourish and bear the fruit of sweet success. Her journey reminds us that even the quietest seeds can bloom into the most inspiring harvests.
| Carl Faisal Casquite
