This is the best gift of the year—I passed the board exam for teachers. But the journey was not easy. God knows how much I suffered, and He knows that this was never easy at all. Indeed, this is the best gift before ending the year, 2025.
LET ME TELL YOU MY STORY
I was supposed to take the exam last March, but because of many needs and problems, it was delayed. Looking back, I believe this was the perfect timing and truly the best gift. The delay happened for several reasons: our school was late in providing the COPC, there were errors in my documents, and other big issues that were too difficult for me to explain.
Let me share why I once felt unmotivated to take the exam. I was supposed to be a March taker in 2025 together with my close friend, who was also my study buddy. We applied to a review center and attended classes every Saturday and Sunday after our duty at the call center, just so we could pay for the expensive review. We managed to pay, but we couldn’t finish because PRC required a document from our school called the COPC, which the school couldn’t provide at that time. We felt so down because we really wanted to finish the exam we had prayed for so long.
Since we couldn’t take the exam, my friend and I promised each other that we would take it in September instead. I trusted her so much. But later, she resigned from the call center and applied for a staff position at our old school, also because of health reasons.
One week before the March exam, the COPC finally arrived. We both agreed not to take the exam yet and wait for September. I didn’t know that behind my back, she had already enrolled in an online review center. She even borrowed money, saying she had bills to pay, but I didn’t realize it was for her review.
I was shocked when the March exam results came out. She called me and said, “Doo, I’m already an LPT.” I asked why, and she admitted she took the exam without telling me. Only five people knew, and I wasn’t one of them. I congratulated her, but deep inside, I was hurt.
That was the moment my trust disappeared. My close friend from high school until college betrayed me. I never questioned her success—I was happy she fulfilled her dream—but I was left in silence, asking myself, “Am I not trustworthy?” From then on, I set boundaries and standards. I decided not to attach myself too much to people because I realized some will only use me for their own purpose.
I cried, felt unmotivated, and even struggled to breathe while she celebrated her success. But despite the pain, I tried to stand again. I worked hard for myself and my family. I prepared all my documents, went back and forth to PRC, and resigned from my job so I could stay in the province for three months to focus on studying. When the exam day finally came, I took it even though I felt unmotivated.
During the exam, I messed up about seven answers and was the last one to pass the test paper. Whenever I saw questions I didn’t know, I prayed, “Lord, it’s all up to You.” After the exam, I went straight to church and cried, thankful that I had finished and just waiting for the results.
December finally came. I applied for a job as a call center agent again, and after two months, I was promoted to Quality Assurance Analyst. On the same day I got promoted, the exam results were released. I was in a fast food restaurant with my colleagues, scrolling through the list. At first, I overlooked my name, but when I scrolled back, I finally saw it. I was super happy—I am now a licensed professional teacher in the family!
I immediately shared the news with my loved ones, especially my mama. Thank you so much, Lord, for knowing what’s in my heart. As I promised, I will give back by helping three deserving people who are doing self-review. I will provide them with free online review scholarships.
I am now a full pledged licensed teacher Lord.
Yours truly,
Cherry Ann Gallardo, LPT