From Adversity to Victory: How a UM Grad Topnotcher Rose to the Top Amid Challenges

Most board exam takers bring only a pen and pencil. But in the case of the 25-year-old topnotcher from the University of Mindanao – Davao City, an asthma inhaler and painkillers became his weapons during the examination, as his asthma and stomach pain could strike at any moment.

Jeremie John P. Venteroso, a graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering program, defied all odds by emerging as the lone topnotcher from Mindanao in the November 2024 Chemical Engineers Licensure Examination (ChELE), with an impressive average score of 90.50 percent.

The journey to the top was not smooth sailing for Venteroso. Two weeks before the examination, he was confined to the hospital after experiencing the 'most extreme pain' he had ever felt in his stomach. Things took a turn for the worse when his ultrasound revealed that he had gallbladder polyps, which would require surgical removal if the pain persisted. Fortunately, the surgery could be postponed until after the exam.

All these health challenges stemmed from his 'night owl' sleep schedule. He revealed that the habit of studying at night and sleeping during the day was a poor choice, leaving him with little to no sleep during the three-day exam.

"Since I am a night owl, I studied when the sun was out and slept during the day. This was a bad idea, though, because I carried this sleep routine into the licensure examination days. Essentially, I had zero to little sleep while taking the three-day examination," he explained.

Despite the hardships, Venteroso did not let adversity derail his dreams. He remained optimistic and poured his heart and soul into preparing for the board exams.

"After all of this, all I knew was to go through it and not stop. I had to keep that fighting spirit until the end," he said.

When Venteroso learned that he had ranked second in the boards, he described it as a dream come true. He shared that he was overwhelmed with mixed emotions and reached a point where he didn't know how to react or express his feelings.

"I was ecstatic when I learned that I ranked second in the licensure examination. It was truly a dream come true. That day, I reached a point where my emotions were in conflict, and I didn’t know how to react," he shared.

During his preparation for the exam, his family was his support system, providing him with unwavering encouragement throughout his journey. He is also grateful for his friends who stood by him in his endeavor.

"I am blessed to have my family with me during my review time, and I cannot thank them enough for helping me pass the boards. As funny as it sounds, they were there through sickness and health. Apart from my family, I had friends who constantly cheered me on," he expressed.

Now that Venteroso has fulfilled his ultimate dream of becoming a Chemical Engineer, he views this triumph as just the beginning of a greater purpose. His next step is to give back to the Filipino people, fulfilling his responsibility as a DOST scholar.

"As a DOST scholar, it is my duty to give back and serve the Filipino people by contributing to the field of science and technology in any way I can," he said.

With his passion for innovation and sustainability, he envisions himself contributing to projects related to green engineering, using his expertise in chemical engineering as a force for positive change in the community.

Finally, Venteroso's advice for all aspiring chemical engineers is simple yet impactful, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in their pursuit of success.

"As cliché as it sounds, if students ever feel like giving up, unless they have the most valid reasons to do so, I ask them to just continue the fight and rise above whatever setbacks they are facing. I want them to realize that both their biggest cheerleaders and worst enemies are themselves," he said.