SWU BOARD TOP NATCHERS/SEPT. 30, 2015: Rozelle Gulfan (right) 2nd placer of last July Social Workers Licensure Examination and Krystal Gayle Basilla, 2nd Placer of last September Veterinarian Licensure Examination.(CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
It takes a whopping amount of hardwork and determination to be a topnotcher while being a cause-oriented professional requires passion for one’s craft and an unwavering dedication to help people through it. While finding one’s niche may take others a long while, two of Southwestern University’s (SWU) recent topnotchers have long since resolved in themselves to tread the path where they can help in improving the lives of people– and animals as well.
A woman with a gift of gab, Rozelle Gulfan fancied taking up either political science or mass communication when she was just about to enter college. But she would later on find herself using this gift in social work: a field that doesn’t just warrant the power of words, eloquence, and sound reasoning but more of empathy and compassion to help the needy. “There’s a heightened sense of fulfillment in social work. It just delights me everytime I immerse in various communities, meet different people, and assist them in meeting whatever needs they have,” she said. Graduated cum laude last March 2015, Gulfan placed second during the Licensure Examination for Social Workers held last July 2015 and was among the 1, 817 successful passers nationwide.
The 20-year-old topnotcher shared that her inclination towards helping people with different social and cultural backgrounds took root because of her extensive off-site immersions. As a student, she chose to do her internship at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth, a residential facility that provides care for juvenile in conflict with the law in Argao. “I’ve always been attracted to the rehabilitation work because of its clinical set-up. There’s never a boring day in this field because every work day is filled with unique challenges that keep my mind working. Also, the stories of the rehabilitated people who I rub shoulders with everyday interest me the most. Unknown to many, these people are really fun to be with,” Gulfan said. At present, she is working with the drug rehabilitation arm of Department of Health-7. “I always tell myself to do my best and not become an average social worker; To go out of my way to help the needy as much as I can and do my job wholeheartedly not because I am paid for it but because I am called for it.”
Krystal Gayle Basilla grew up watching TV shows that featured different animals like those in National Geographic Channel and had lots of pets at home. This plus her dream of becoming a doctor influenced her to choose Veterinary Medicine. “My sister is already in the field of human medicine so I wanted to tread a different concentration for a change,” she said. The topnotcher recalled having dogs, cats, chickens, and a cow as pets as a child.