Read, rest, eat, pray: How these elements made Viscan top fisheries boards

The #ProudViscan who landed 5th place with an average rating of 90.50% in the October 2024 Licensure Examination for Fisheries Professionals is a 23-year-old proud Boholano, Mr. John Rey Gayud Arancana.

Mr. Arancana finished his baccalaureate degree in 2023 as Magna Cum Laude and ranked 5th in the overall graduating class of VSU Tolosa. He is the second topnotcher of the university in fisheries following Mr. Erlan. F. Hernit who ranked 4th in 2022. 

He lives in Antequera, Bohol with his paternal grandparents and two siblings. His grandparents were the ones who took care of them after their parents got separated when he was still in grade school.

“I am second among 3, legal children. We are a product of a broken family. My parents got separated when I was a second-grader and they have now their new families. As an eight-year-old child, back then I longed for my parent’s love and comfort. All thanks to God, our paternal grandparents never abandoned us,” Mr. Arancana shared. “They took care of and nurtured us as their children. Since then, I grew up with my grandparents. Even if we are poor, they have supported our daily needs and have sent us to school by farming rice, coconut, banana – anything that can be planted.”

In the hope of sustaining his education, the #ProudViscan topnotcher highlighted that scholarships help him with his school fees. During his junior and senior high school, he was granted scholarships from the local government of Antequera and Ms. Elena Macalos.

“After I graduated high school, I wanted to pursue college. Recognizing the fact that my grandparents may not be able to support me financially, I applied for scholarship opportunities with the help of Ms. Mary Ann Fineza, the Guidance Councilor of Busao National High School.” 

With his determination and hard work, not only did he pass the qualifying exam for the Fisheries Scholarship Program conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region 7, but he placed 1st among the examinees and became a BFAR scholar under the component of Fisheries Industry Leader Grant in 2019. This scholarship led him to enroll in the fisheries program offered by VSU Tolosa. 

Mr. Arancana was a consistent university honor and an active student leader holding positions in the university’s student council.

Throughout his academic journey in one of the best institutions in the country, as he described VSU Tolosa, he carried the Viscan spirit–striving for excellence and making a legacy in the community.

He thanked his professors, mentors, and fellow students who fostered an environment that emphasized hard work, continuous learning, and resilience that became his guiding principles during his board preparation. 

“My foundation at VSU Tolosa played a crucial role in shaping my academic and personal growth, which ultimately helped me achieve success in topping the boards. The rigorous curriculum provided by VSU instilled in me a strong sense of discipline, time management, and critical thinking. The hands-on experiences, collaborative learning, and exposure to real-world applications allowed me to not only grasp theoretical knowledge but also understand how to apply it practically.”

According to Mr. Arancana, VSU equipped him not just with the technical skills needed for the licensure exam but also molded his character and determination to overcome challenges in life.

How did he ace the boards? Read. Rest. Eat. Pray.

In juggling between his work and review, Mr. Arancana revealed that he did have a tough time preparing for the once-a-year licensure exam for fisheries. Since he had to work eight hours a day during weekdays, his self-review was always at night time. On weekends, he would attend his refresher class organized by VSU Tolosa and join free review sessions online. 

The #ProudViscan topnotcher shared that during his review and even when he was still in college, he always used and lived up to “Read. Rest. Eat. Pray.” as an effective approach when studying. 

“You need to be open to new knowledge and enrich yourself with information, especially those within your field, by reading. Next, you need not to exhaust yourself. With a tired body and mind, it would be hard for you to learn. Then eat. Do not deprive yourself of delicious and healthy food. For me, I prefer home-cooked food, and so I make sure that during weekends, I always go home because my Lola always cooks for us.”

Having graduated with flying colors, Mr. Arancana admitted that it brought too much pressure on him, especially at the thought of failing. 

“I was afraid that if I failed the exam, people, especially those who personally know me might say, “Abi ko ba’g bright!” or “Magna man kaha na siya. Nganong wala man lagi mupasar?” and many more. These are the words that I am afraid to hear.

[I was afraid that if I failed the exam, people, especially those who personally know me might say, “I thought you were intelligent!” “Why did you fail? I thought you were a Magna Cum Laude.” and many more. These are the words that I’m afraid to hear.]

Despite all the pressures, he always found enlightenment and peace through prayer–his ultimate guiding light. 

“Last and most important of all, pray. When you review, there will be times when you will feel anxious about everything. You will feel that you can’t meet everyone’s expectations. There will be times also when you do not want to continue, but you just need to ask for His guidance. You just pray.”

He added, “With the knowledge I gained from my academic years at VSUT plus those I learned from reading, reviewing, and joining free online review sessions, I know that somehow this will help me as I take the exam. However, I am still doubtful, even hesitant to take the exam. So, I lifted all my worries to God. Every time I review, I always pray to Him. Hoping that He will enlighten me, calm my mind, and help me retain every single concept and principle I study. And it was very effective for me.” 

After taking the boards, he told his co-workers, close friends, and family members not to expect him to pass since he found the exam hard. 

When the results came, he was on an official business trip in Ubay, Bohol when he received a congratulatory message from a friend and colleague at BFAR7 that was around eight in the evening.

“I did not mind it at first because he might be joking.”

When his friend sent him a screenshot with his name on the passers, he screamed out of joy and excitement and when a second screenshot came, he saw his name on the list of topnotchers and there he cried. 

“Tears were running out from my eyes out of intense joy. Until now, I still cannot believe that I was able to ace the board examination and get that Registered Fisheries Professional title and license.”

Now that he gets his hard-earned license, his next plan is to continue his studies. 

“Right now I am looking for scholarship opportunities to fund myself as I am about to take a Masters Program in Fisheries or maybe in conservation. God-willing!”

His success is offered not only to himself and his beloved Alma Mater but to his family, especially his grandparents who have been instrumental in achieving and realizing his dreams. 

“To my family, especially my grandparents, my Lola Cita and Lolo Boy, whom I consider my motivation. All of my achievements this day and in the past are for you and because of your sacrifices for me and my siblings.”

He also thanked the Department of Fisheries and the College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, especially the high-caliber faculty members and staff for their initiatives to equip them with knowledge and skills needed in their field.

His message to the Viscan community is to never stop striving for excellence. 

“I encourage all of you to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come your way. Whether you are still in the university or have already embarked on your professional journey, remember that your education at VSU has equipped you with more than just knowledge; it has shaped you to be RELEVANT, to live with INTEGRITY and TRUTHFULNESS, and to exhibit EXCELLENCE in every undertaking. The bonds we share as Viscans are a reminder that we are never alone in our pursuits.”

He also added that his undergraduate thesis adviser, Dr. Quenstein D. Lauzon, the Chancellor of VSU Tolosa, inspired him to ”stay grounded, but always aim high” in whatever endeavor he would venture. 

This article aligns with Sustainable Development Goals No: 4 (Quality Education).