He wanted to be a teacher, but his parents wanted him to join the medical profession. His choices were to take up pharmacy, medical technology or nursing.
Vizmarc Valles Santos chose the latter and went on to land 9th in the November 2014 nursing licensure examination. The 21-year old who graduated from the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) is the only Cebuano who landed into the Top 10.
Santos, a consistent Dean’s Lister, graduated cum laude in April last year. He is the youngest of four siblings, and hails from Dalaguete town in southern Cebu.
His mother is a pharmacist while his father is a retired mechanical engineer.
“I am so happy that my parents were able to make me finish my studies,” he told Cebu Daily News.
Pressure
Santos said he studied hard for the examination, but like what topnotchers would always say when asked about his successful performance, he said he didn’t expect to land in the top 10.
His advice to those preparing for similar licensure examinations: “Don’t let pressure grip you. Study, relax and enjoy life.”
“If you wanted to go out with friends then do it as long as you remain focused,” he said.