PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur -- A graduate of the Western Mindanao State University-Pagadian External Studies Unit is among the topnotchers in the recent Criminology Licensure Examination.
Adrian Mandawe, 21, of Sugbay Unot, Dimataling town, placed ninth as he garnered 89.90 percent rating.
In an interview on Thursday, Mandawe said he is grateful that his sacrifices have paid off.
Mandawe recalled enduring sleepless nights, reading at least 12 hours daily for five months and attended only 15 days at the review center.
Mandawe said his goal was to land at the top when he took the board examination in Cagayan de Oro in November 2019. The result was released Wednesday.
Asked about his formula for landing within the top 10 among the thousands of examinees, he said one should set the bar high, have a clear focus, and to trust in God.
“Aim high since dreaming is free. Sacrifice and stay focused, don't go along with vices, which could hamper schooling and above all, trust God,” he said.
Mandawe is the sixth among the seven siblings whose parents are farmers. He is the first to become a professional in the family.
“All I wanted is to uplift our living condition,” he said. (PNA)
