TOPNOTCHER. Russel John Garcia Paulo ranks third in the May 2021 radiologic technologist licensure examination. Paulo is a resident of San Carlos City in Pangasinan. (Photo courtesy of Russel John Paulo's Facebook page)
SAN CARLOS CITY, Pangasinan – A 22-year-old Pangasinense has ranked third in the May 2021 radiologic technologist licensure examination.
Russel John Garcia Paulo, of Barangay Magtaking here, garnered an overwhelming 90-percent average rating and was among the 776 new radiologic technologists in the country.
Paulo, a graduate of Saint Louis University in Baguio City, said he is ecstatic and still cannot believe that he was among the new licensed radiologic technologists who topped the recently concluded board examination.
He said he never expected to be a topnotcher as he used to play mobile games in between his reviews and felt discouraged when the original schedule of the examination was postponed.
“My goal is only to pass the exam. I still couldn’t believe it because I did not expect this. If I were to assess the exam, it was difficult for me at least. It’s actually surprising that I landed in third place,” he said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday.
Paulo said his friend texted him on May 24 informing him about his achievement.
“My social media accounts were deactivated. I was only watching movies around 8 p.m. then my friend messaged me saying that I ranked third. I didn’t believe him at first because the Professional Regulation Commission said they will release the result by around 11 p.m.,” he said, adding his friend ranked first in the same examination.
Paulo and his friend both shifted from other courses before taking radiologic technology.
Paulo said he first took mechanical engineering because it was what his family wanted for him.
However, he was not contented with the course and was not “performing at his best”.
“My grandfather was one of the factors why I took engineering. When I shifted (to a new course), I didn’t tell my family right away because they might get disappointed. But eventually, they learned to accept (it) because this is what I like. They were actually happy when they learned about the result of my exam,” he said.
Paulo said he always feels satisfied every time he assists patients.
The examination included subjects on patient care, he said, adding “I expected it to be so easy because during college days, that was one of the easiest subjects (for me) including ethics, jurisprudence, and administration,” he said.
Paulo’s mother mainly supported his studies while working as a dentist in Saudi Arabia since he was four years old. His father died in 2002.
His two younger siblings are also now college students taking up medical technology and psychology.
Paulo said he plans to work abroad in the future but in the meantime, he is considering working in public and general hospitals in the country. (PNA)
