The odds in my favor

The odds in my favor

by Ruby Ann M. Agulto, RPm

Professional Teacher & Registered Psychometrician

I finished my AB Psychology from De La Salle Araneta University in 2007. Imagine kung gaano na ko katagal na graduate? Nagsimula ako bilang HR Staff sa isang private company for 4 years and I decided to change my career path and studied Education units for one semester. Sinabi ko kasi noon gusto kong magwork sa school, and I was influenced by my mother, who is connected with the Deped school for a long time. Nagsawa ako sa office work at pakiramdam ko hindi ako na-challenge noon.  After finishing my educ units, I applied for the Licensure Examination for Teachers in 2012, luckily, with God’s help I passed the said exam.  I am now a public teacher in Secondary level, became a Guidance Teacher this school year since I have units in MAED major in Guidance & Counseling in Bulacan State University.

Nalaman ko lang na natuloy na rin sa wakas ang Board Exam for Psychometrician, medyo late na dahil June ko na nalaman mula sa isa kong kakilala, I grabbed the opportunity dahil ito naman talaga ang gusto ko ang magka-license to practice my profession.  Nagdalawang isip ako na magreview center kasi nagwowork ako, pero napilit ako ng boyfriend at mom ko dahil nga sobrang tagal ko nang graduate. Wala na ako halos alam sa criteria ng disorders, hindi ko na kasi naaral at nagamit.  Nalate na rin ako ng 2 weeks sa review center na inenrollan ko pero buti natanggap pa rin ako. Isa ako sa pinakamatanda doon, halos lahat sila fresh grads pero nakipagsabayan ako.  Mula noon, nagsulat na ako sa papel, ganito rin ang ginawa ko nung nagrereview ako para sa LET, nakasulat sa papel: “I can pass the board exam, tiwala lang”  At pagkagising ko, bago rin matulog lagi ko syang binabasa, everyday na rin ang prayers ko noon kasi totoo naman na pag lagi mo pinagdadasal, at malakas ang faith mo, makukuha mo ang gusto mo. At isa pa ayaw ko talagang bumagsak, ayoko masayang ang binayad ko sa review at ang tiwala sa akin ng mga mahal ko sa buhay. Pero sa totoo lang nahirapan ako pagsabayin yung work ko saka pag-aaral kasi bilang teacher, nag-aaral ka ulit, laging ganon, at nag-uuwi ka pa rin ng work sa bahay pag hindi na kaya sa school. Imagine that?

One week before the exam, hindi na ako masyadong nagrereview, basta tiwala na lang talaga sa mantra ko, may reflection din ako sa gabi.  Naglalaro na lang ako ng tablet, I don’t want to be pressured, whenever I hear someone saying that we need to review more, or may lalabas na ganito ganyan sa exam, ayaw ko na maniwala, para sa akin relax na dapat ako, nagtiwala na lang ako sa lectures ng review center at inaral ko ulit kung paano mag-analyze ng tamang sagot.  Nagpapicture din ako sa SM North Edsa sa Hunger Games “May the odds be ever in your favor” at ginawa kong fb profile pic.

Nung mismong araw na ng exam, Oct 28&29, kampante ako sa tatlong subjects, sabi ko mukhang papasa naman, sa totoo lang mas nahirapan ako sa Licensure Exam for Teachers kaya sinabi ko sa sarili ko hindi ako pwedeng bumagsak dito, either hindi nabasa ng machine or mali ang pagkaka-analyze ko ng choices. Tiwala lang talaga, pero sa Psych Assesment feeling ko tagilid ako, kinabahan na ako, nagdasal na lang talaga ako at sa kabila ng pagkakaroon ko ng ubo at sipon that day (dala siguro ng anxiety), binalewala ko na lang, concentration saka prayers lang talaga lalo na meron akong mga hindi sure na sagot.

Days passed and on the third day, I began to browse different sites where I could find the result, once released.  When there was this rumor that the release of the exam will be on Nov. 4, sobra na akong kinabahan, kahit na para sa akin intermediate lang ang exam, nawalan ako ng kumpyansa sa Psych Assessment subject kaya naisip ko baka mahatak yun at baka sumablay ako pero, dumating na yung araw na pinakahihintay ng lahat at unang lumabas sa gmanetwork website, hindi pa ako makapaniwala. Mixed emotions. Euphoric. Hinintay ko pa talaga kinabukasan na makita mismo sa prc site yung name ko kasi baka mamaya hindi totoo. Pero ang galing talaga. Pagkatapos non nagdasal ako, nagpasalamat ako kasi tinulungan ako ni Lord, alam nya ito tlaga ang pinakahihintay ko, ang gusto ko.  With my new license, I’m looking forward na sa school magamit ko yung profession ko, sa totoo lang gamit na gamit ang pagiging Psychology grad dahil sa mga students.  Hindi ko rin sinasarado ang puso ko kung muli akong babalik sa Human Resource pero sa ngayon masarap pa rin magtrabaho sa isang eskwelahan, dahil sa bukod sa natuturuan mo ang mga bata, natututo ka rin sa kanila.

(Note: Ruby is an AB Psychology graduate from De La Salle Araneta University Batch 2007. She completed 21 units of Education at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela in March 2012. Ruby became a Registered Teacher on the same year with Values Education as a major and now working in Public High School in Valenzuela since June 2013.  She already have 36 units of Master of Arts in Education Major in Guidance and Counseling from Bulacan State Univerity.  Her hobbies include reading self-help books and dancing. Sigmund Freud is her favorite Psychologist and applying Psychoanalytic Approach in dealing with maladjusted students.  Also in her classroom, most of the time she applies Behaviorism theory of BF Skinner and observes its connection with Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory which posits that people learn from one another through imitation, observation and modeling.  She plans to finish her master’s degree in 2-3 years time.)

Being branded as smart

Me with my mother taken right after the
graduation rites

Being branded as smart

by Alvin V. Baltazar

I recently graduated this April 2014 from Universidad De Manila during that commencement exercise I am one of the few to receive a Latin honor and I'm very thankful for that, yet I know it comes with a lot of expectations from me.

As early as January 2014 I have decided to take the board exam because I wasn't been confident enough in the skills I have plus the fact that most of the jobs I see requires at least 21 years old and by that time I have just turned 19 years old that month ago. Even though I know that I have good credentials, as an honest admission I want to be more qualified. In preparation, I enrolled in a review center and use my free time to settle all the requirements I needed, and in that event I need to go back and forth in our school. Most of the people I knew there from my professors, registrar clerk and even my friends that still studying knew I will take the board exam and expect that I will pass the board exam because I am "smart". Being branded as smart wasn't easy as many people thought, it has advantages and disadvantages. Advantage because generally they recognize you and your capabilities yet disadvantage as they expect more from you. I am that easy-going student who wants the company of my friend and never have been fond of reading. I am just like every normal students, it wasn't a different story for me. As the review program starts I realize I have many things that I don't know, I'm overwhelmed by the fact that I need to study not just review with limited span of time every books, review materials and other resources I have. There were times that I tried to read as many pages as I can but it seems that I do not even understand a bit. I definitely having hard time to get my pace for review and also there were times I never tried to open a book because of so much pressure. I tried every strategy that I know, listing down important details, listening from youtube links, discussion with my friends, answering test banks and other online resources.

Then our mock board exam came, at first I am confident that I will pass the said exam but when the results come out, I passed the set of questions in theories of personality but I failed in the remaining three subjects. I've been discouraged for a while, I even do back up plans in case of failure for the licensure exam. Then the licensure exam came, it has been difficult for me to answer it especially the psychological assessment. I've been a little bit emotional because I almost not finished the exam and I just hurriedly shaded all the items to make it on time. (I finished the Psychological Assessment Exam exactly at 4:00) Right after that someone said to me "Ang OA mo naman, e sigurado naman na papasa ka" even though I know it was meant to cheer me up, it was a little bit off for me. I've waited for a week for the result and every single night I can't sleep normally, I am contemplating how will I say it to my family in case I failed. Finally, the board result came and I passed the board but I'm not completely happy because I am the only who passed the exam among my classmates.

Bottomline, even those who are branded as smart have their doubts, weaknesses, difficult times and been discouraged, it is not always as good as it seems.

OF GEORGE KELLY AND FAITH

OF GEORGE KELLY AND FAITH
by Regin Raymund Dais, RPM

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

I was graduated way back in the 1990s, with a wife and three kids, working at two jobs, and in night school studying law. Except for a year as an HR Assistant and my personal circumstances and advocacy, I have never actually practised psychology. So my decision to go for the first-ever Board Examinations for Psychologists and Psychometricians or the BLEPP last October was a leap of faith.

More than being a part of history, I was banking on the chance that the exams might be easy as the Board of Psychology would go soft on the maiden batch. As it was, almost 61% failed. It has been almost two weeks since the 2014 BLEPP and distance in time makes contemplation saner and more sober. With greatest joy, I celebrate with those who passed. With deepest sadness, I commiserate with those who did not.

When I finally got through my application at PRC, I sat down to craft my review schedule. I knew I had only one full month to review. I divided the days among the four subject areas starting with what I thought was the easiest -- Theories of Personality -- then IO Psychology and Abnormal Psychology and finally, Psychological Assessment, which was the heaviest as per the Table of Specifications (40%).

Problem was October was also the end of the semester which meant final exams in law school would be simultaneous with BLEPP. On the first day of BLEPP, I had a final exam in a major subject. I asked my professor if I can take the exams in her Thursday class; fortunately she agreed. On the second day of BLEPP, our office had an event to which I was assigned. I focused on finishing the Abnormal Psych part as fast as I could and having did was surprised at my watch reading a few minutes after 9, I ran late to the office. Fortunately again, the event finished just before 1 and I was just in the nick of time when the Psych. Assessment part was about to start.

In all these, I cannot ignore a mighty, all-knowing, all-powerful hand. Waiting for the results, I felt that seeing my name among the passers would just be confirmation. Sure, there were doubts that nagged like what if the Scantron machine fails at exactly the time when my answer sheet was on the feed or what if I forgot to shade something like the Test Set (which I actually did on the Abnormal Psych. part when I was in haste but to which the proctor called my attention as I was leaving the room). But I dispelled such thoughts believing "that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose."

In short, I passed. As I have passed with flying colors two other board exams although at roughly lesser odds. Friends ask me what is my secret. And I always answer two words. Faith AND hard work. What if I failed? is a tougher question. But I do know the answer. You see, I was almost kicked out due to really bad grades back in college and had my own string of disappointments joining the ranks of the unemployed for some time. These later successes I have proved just one thing: Failure is never final. 

Or if you do not believe in God and go by psychology instead, hear George Kelly saying: "the interpretation of the event is more important than the event itself." Indeed, we can either rise and try again, or just roll over and die.

Source - http://regindais2.blogspot.com/

(Note: Aside from now being a Registered Psychometrician, Regin is also a Licensed Secondary Teacher and a Licensed Real Estate Broker. He placed Top 9 in the September 2012 Licensure Examination for Teachers and Top 10 in the March 2013 Real Estate Brokers Examination. Currently, he is studying Law on a scholarship at the San Sebastian College – Recoletos, College of Law while working full-time in government and teaching university on the side. He is married to a loving former nurse and with three school-aged daughters. Most importantly, Regin is a Christian and dreams of serving God more through his various skills.) 

Never Losing Hope

Never Losing Hope

by Irene Victoria F. Gabiana 

Notre Dame University 

Cotabato City

I was one of the test-takers of BLEPP specifically for Psychometricians. I am a fresh March 2014 graduate of Notre Dame University, holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. I’m from the province of Cotabato City which made my preparations longer because of many factors i.e. getting the CAV from Marbel which is a three to four hour bus ride away, applying to PRC Davao, and flying to Manila. In short, it was a bit expensive and time-consuming but it made me really want to pass the board exam.

I was a self-reviewer. I tried to think of many strategies in order to finish my review within six months’ time. Having only the PRC table of  specifications and a more detailed outline, I found it stressful. The problem

lay not in the lack of resource materials, but the large number of it (books, notes, online resources such as youtube videos, quizzes, and reviewers). In short, I was overwhelmed. As a self-reviewer, I began to think that it was better to read as much as I can. That proved to be futile, because I wasn’t able to finish my tasks and I couldn’t remember most of what I’ve read. And more importantly, I did not have an efficient guide that will prepare me for the exam. I saw the importance of review centers for future examinations. I realized that it is better to find a useful reviewer online. There are no reviewers available in any stores yet, and if ever, they won’t be outcome-based because BLEPP is the first PRC outcome-based assessment board examination in Philippine history.

It was my first board exam experience and I was glad that I familiarized myself on the requirements of PRC because I felt ready for what I must do during the exam. I felt grateful for all the resources and links that psychometricpinas.blogspot.com posted for free access to online materials. They helped me review and retain information. 

The exam proper was nerve-wracking because it was what I had anticipated for for six months and it was that moment where I can determine how much my preparations will pay off. For the non-disclosure oath, I won’t share any of the test items nor the choices, rather I will share my opinions on the test material. It was difficult. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Psychology but I am without enough hands on experience in psychometrics and the other three subjects, and most of the items demand skills in applying the theories on different situations. What I did have was an introduction on psychological testing/assessment and the other three subjects, and an on-the-job training at our guidance and testing center. 

However, I still lacked the practical knowledge that I needed. I did not pass the exam, but along the way I can honestly say that me failing the exam made me see the vast number of opportunities within my reach to further my journey into becoming a licensed psychologist and psychometrician. The BLEPP is indeed a rare occurrence in a person’s life. It takes a lot of preparation and good faith for someone to pass the exam. Luck must also be a factor in the whole thing - even a few brilliant test-takers who took the exam did not pass, but hope springs. 

In conclusion, I am happy to be part of the first batch of BLEPP. The experience was worth all the hard work. And one thing I must add: Never lose hope. There’s a time for everything, especially passing the board exam. *wink*

November 11, 2014

7:20 PM

Si Icasiam ay si Ikapito rin!

Si Icasiam ay si Ikapito rin!

ni Herwin E. Icasiam
4:05 AM
November 10, 2014
Sa aking kwarto

Ako si Herwin E. Icasiam, 21 na taong gulang at isa sa mga pinalad na makapasa sa Psychometrician Board Exam. Nais ko lamang ibahagi ang mala- “roller coaster ride” kong istorya bago ako makapasa.

Bago pa man ako tumuntong ng kolehiyo, naranasan ko ang isa sa pinakamalungkot na pangyayari sa aking buhay. Hindi ako nakadalo sa graduation exercises namin noong high school at muntik pa akong hini maka-graduate dahil sa mga pansariling pinagdaraanan. Sobra akong nalugmok noon na para bang wala nang kinabukasang patutunguhan. Mapalad pa rin ako at biniyayaan ako ng isang pamilya at mga totoong kaibigan na tumulong sa akin upang muling bumangon sa pagkadarapa. Sila ang mga taong nagtulak sa akin upang mag-aral muli at kumuha ng kurso sa kolehiyo. Pinalad akong makapasa sa pagsusulit sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas ngunit nahuli ako sap ag-aasikaso ng mga kinakailangan dokumento dahil sa mga oras ding iyon, hindi ko pa talaga mapagtanto ang mga gagawin sa buhay ko.

Hunyo ng taong 2010 nang yayain ako ng isang malapit na kaibigan (Jayven Bernardino) upang magpalista sa isang unibersidad sa lalawigan ng Quezon (SLSU). Pagdating naming doon, napag-alaman naming wala nang bakante sa halos lahat ng mga kurso sa College of Arts and Sciences (hindi pa namain alam noon na marami pa palang ibang colleges o departments maliban sa CAS). Ang natitra na lamang ay Agriculture at Forestry. Dahil hindi pa rin namin mawari kung ano talaga ang aming gusting kurso, isinulat na lang naming ang mga nasabing courses na may slots pa. Habnag papunta sa isang building para isumite ang mga requirements, may nakausap kaming isang guro na sinabing maaari pa raw magpalista sa kursong Sikolohiya. Sabi namin pareho, “Ano baa ng Psychology? Mukahang maganda naman pakinggan kaya ito na lang ang ilagay natin na course!” Dito na nagsimula ang aking relasyon sa Sikolohiya. Dito ko natutunan na ang pagpasok sa kolehiyo ay isang malaking tandang pananong at kahit gaano pa ka-aksidente ang kursong iyong napili, darating ang panahon na matututunan mo itong mahalin at pahalagahan.

Nagtagal ako ng isang semester sa SLSU. Nakatagpo ako ngmga bagong kaibigan at nagkaroon ng ika nga “puppy love” na pagtutunguhan sa Sikolohiya. Gayunpaman, napagkasunduan namin ng aking mga magulang na lumipat sa Laguna College (Siyudad ng San Pablo) nang sa gayo’y mas malapit ako sa lugar na kanilang pinagtatrabahuhan. Nasa tanggapan ako noon ng kolehiyong aking lilipatan nang tanungin ako’y tanungin kung anong nais kong kursonng kunin. Nakatapos na rin naman ako ng isang sem sa kurssong Sikolohiya kaya’t ninais kong ipagpatuloy na lamang ito. 

Unang linggo ko sa Laguna College nang aking malaman na ang kinukuha kong kurso ay bago’t papasibol pa lamang sa kolehiyong iyon (pangalawang batch kami). Kaya naman, hindi hihigit sa dalawampu ang mga mag-aaral na kumukuha nito. Ganoon pa man, mas pinili kong manatili sa kursong ito sa paniniwalang Malaki ang maitutulong nito sa akin. Lalo pang umigting ang aking pagkagusto sa Sikolohiya nang aming talakayin ang asignaturang “Theories of Personality” kung saan natuklasan kong ang mga nagtaguyod at sumikat sa larangan na ito ay kapwa may kanyang-kanyang dagok ring naranasan noong kanilang kabataan. Nagsilbing lundayan ang kanilang mga kwento upang pagningasin ang akin malungkot na karanasan sa isang makislap na kinabukasan. Ito ang nagtulak rin sa akin upang pag-ibayuhin ang pag-aaral.

From left to right: Tricia Ann Villanueva, Krizza Tan, RPm;
Mia Bisa, RPm; Herwin Icasiam, RPm

Lumipas ang apat na taon ng pagsusumikap, mga taong puno ng paghihirap at yaong galak. Nakatutuwang isipin na tapos na ang mga panahong nag-aaral ka sa dyip habang halos dalawang oras ka nagbibyahe makapasok lang sa paaralan. Ang mg oras ng pagpupuyat, pagninilay-nilay, at pagsusunog ng kilay ay nagbunga na! Naitawid at natapos ko rin ang kursong Sikolohiya! Tila hindi pa nahinto ang pagkakaloob sa akin ng Panginoon sapagkat pinalad pa akong makapagtapos nang may karangalan sa aking kolehiyo. Hindi mapagsidlan ang aking kasiyahan dahil sa loob ng walong taong paghihintay, ako’y muling nakamartsa suot-suot ang toga. Ramdam ko ang kagalakang nadama ng aking mga minamahal sa araw na ibinibigay ko ang petisyong pananalita. Ngunit sabi nga nila, ang pagtatapos ay isa ring panimula, isang pagbubukas ng pinto para sa mas mabigat na hamon ng buhay. 

“UNEMPLOYED”, salitang bumagabag sa akin ilang buwan makaraan ang aming graduation. Marami naman akong plano sa buhay at alam ko na naman ang aking mga gusto ngunit hindi ko alam kung paano ko sisimulan. Hanggang isang araw, napagkasunduan naming apat (Mia, Krizza, at Nelson) na maglakas-loob na kumuha ng Psychometrician Board Exam. Naisipan din naming na maghanap ng review center bilang paghahanda sa pagsusulit. Nahirapan kami maghanap ngunit buti na lang natanggap kami sa SPARK (waitlisted kami). 

Bago pa man mag-review, naiingit ako sa mga ka-batch ko na may trabaho  habang ako, “nga nga” pa rin sa bahay. Ganon pa man, pinayuhan ako ng aking mga magulang na mag-focus muna ako sa review at saka na muna maghanap ng trabaho dahil ayaw na nila maulit pa ang nangyari sa akin noong high school. May kaunting kirot man sa puso, hindi ko muna tinaggap ang ilang mga alok sa akin sa trabaho. Naniwala ako sa aking mga magulang at sinabi ko sa aking sarili na, “Kaunting sakripisyo muna at ilang buwan lamang ang pagtitiyagaan ko ay magkakatrabaho na rin ako!” 

Naging buo ang aking loob na magpursigi sa pagrereview gaya ng aking pagsusumikap noong kolehiyo. Ngayon naman, “PRESSURE” ang salitang di mawaglit sa aking isipan. Pressure dahil minsa’y ninais kong maihanay ang pangalan ng aming kolehiyo sa TOP 10 at pressure dahil ayokong bumagsak. Pinili kong huwag pangibabawan ng negatibong pag-iisip kaya ginawa kong “chill” ang pagrereview. Ganon pa man, dumating ako sa punto na halos hindi ko na masunod ang schedule ng pag-aaral. Napadalas din ang paglabas-labas  at pagliliwaliw kasama ang mga kaibigan, napatuon ang aking atensyon sa pakikipagchat at pakikipag-text. Nawalan talaga ako ng focus sa pagrereview. Dumating din sa punto na yung mga kaibigan ko (Lalo na si Lisette at Charisse) ay kinukuha na nag aking cell phone at ayaw na makipagkita sa akin dahil gusto nila na magreview ako. Lahat ng payo ay binigay nila para lang tumimo sa aking isip na kailangan ko na mag-aral talaga. Umaabot ako ng alas-Siyete ng umaga na gising pa at walang tulog na wala akong ginagawa kundi magbabad sa TV, cell phone, at computer. 

Napagtanto ko lamang na magseryoso na noong nagkarron kami ng Achievement exam sa SPARK. Halos manghula talaga ako dahil hindi ko alam yung mga sagot sa pagsusulit. Syempre, bumagsak ako at nadismaya pero hindi ako nawalan ng pag-asa at mas nabuhayan pa ng loob na mag-aral nang mabuti. Gumawa ulit ako ng panibagong schedule. Lunes hanggang Biyernes ay nag-self review ako. Tuwing Sabado naman ay lumuluwas ako ng QC para mag-aral sa SPARK. Itinaon ko namang araw ng Linggo ay “chill” at “cheat” day! 

Naging maayos naman ang unang buwan ko ng pagrereview pero heto na naman ang kampon ng katamaran at muli na naman akong nabihag sa buslo ni Juan Tamad. Hindi Hindi ko na naman nasunod ang schedule. Umabot pa nga ako sa punto na makiki-seat in ako sa UPLB, kasama ang mga kaibigan kong doon nag-aaral (Ameenah, Carol, at Tetet), dahil tinatamad ako magreview at gusto ko lang mag-ubos ng oras. 

Habang papalapit nang papalapit ang araw ng totoong pagsusulit ay papalayo nang papalayo ang tsanya ng aking pagpasa. BUMAGSAK AKO SA PRE-BOARD (Theories of Personality lang ang naipasa ko). Nawawalan na ako ng pag-asa talaga noon. Inisip ko nga na hindi na talaga ako papasa kasi kulang na kulang pa talaga ang inaral ko. Dalawang linggo na lamang ang natititra, hindi na ako nagpatinag kahit “CRAMMING” na, aral, basa, aral, basa, aral, na talaga ako. Daig ko pa ang Fast and Furious 6 sa bilis ko sa pagbabasa. Sinugurado ko na sa loob ng dalawang linggo ay naintindihan ko nang lubos ang mga aklat at handouts na aking binasa. Tinanong pa ako ng aking mama kung kaya ko ba daw ba? Ang sabi ko, parang babagsak ako sa exam. Ang sabi niya, “Okay lang yan anak, at least na-experience mo.” May punto ang aking nanay kaya mas ginanahan ako mag-aral dahil para sa kanila itong ginagawa ko. Doon ko rin nabuo ang motto na, “Hindi sa haba ng review nasusukat ang pagpasa kundi sa lalim ng iyong ginawang pag-aaral.”

Tatlo o apat na araw na lang ay “JUDGEMENT DAY” na, hindi na ako mapakali. Sinabi ko sa sarili ko na ayoko na magreview at masakit na sa hippocampus. Kaya naman, pinilit ko na lang mag-“chill” ulit. Pero sa totoo lang, kabadong-kabado na ako. Lahat na ng santo at santa ay dinasalan ko at maraming simbahan ang aking pinuntahan. Sa mga nalalabing araw na iyon, tanging dasal na lang talaga ang aking nagging sandigan. 

Dumating na ang unang araw ng exam at hindi ako nilubayan ng kamalasan. Dahil sa kaba, halos nabutas ko yung information sheet ko kasi napadiin ang pagsusulat ko ng pangalan. Nagkamali pa ako ng paglalagay ng subject heading sa answer sheet kasi dapat sa huling page magsisimula. Sinabihan pa ako ng proctor naming na, “Toy, relax lang.” Sa loob loob ko, sobra talaga akong kinakabahan at hindi ko nagustuhan ang pagtawag niya sa akin ng “Toy” (Kung “Nene pa yon, pde pa! HAHA). Nang ibigay na ang test questions, nagsimula na ako magsagot at magsimula ring mabura. Hindi ko napansin na “Strictly no erasures” pala kaya lalo ako kinabahan na baka ma-invalid ang answer sheet ko. Dahil sa hirap ng exam tapos hinaluan pa ng kaba, hindi ko na alam kung maipapasa ko baa ng exam pero pinilit kong sagutan lahat, intindihin ang mga tanong, guhitan at bilugan ang mga keywords, at mag-eliminate ng choices. Kung makikita niyo ang test questionnaires ko, sobrang dumi dahil sa guhit at bilog at kung anu-ano pang sulat. 

Dalawang araw ng pakikipaglaban sa pagpasa at ito’y hindi nagging madali para sa akin. Sadyang naging mapagbigay ang kapalaran sa isang taong tulad ko na tanging pagsusumikap at dasal ang naging sandata. Maraming maraming salamat sa aking pamilya, mga kabigan, mga guro, at sa mga institusyong aking kinabilanagn (SCES, PGMNHS, SLSU, LAGUNA COLLEGE, BIR, IRRI, Kidscove International), na tumulong at nagpatibay sa aking kaalaman at pagkatao. Higit sa lahat, tigib ang aking pasasalamat sa Panginoong Maykapal na hindi-hindi ako iniwan mula sa pinakamadilim hanggang sa pinakamaliwanag na bahagi ng aking buhay. 

Ngayon, masasabi ko na nga na si Icasiam ay si Ikapito na rin! 

Sa panulat ni:

Herwin E. Icasiam
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Laguna College (Batch 2014)

Lone Survivor

Lone Survivor

by Ironsaint21, RPm

For five long straight days before the licensure examinations, my co-reviewees and I decided to have a group review and stayed together almost every night for it. Brought together by one single dream we slept, ate, went to different churches and trained together all for one final goal to pass the first ever Philippine Psychometrician licensure board examination. It’s like a new family for each and every one of us, for as psyche practitioners we we’re able to understand and know each other very well even for a short period of time. 

I can say that it was a very productive group review, since we were able to discuss and understand different theories, concepts, rules, and terminologies about the different areas of psychology. We were also able to share our review materials with one another and reconcile some inconsistencies from different resources. Since they knew that I’m already having my graduate studies for Industrial Psychology they asked me to supervise every review sessions we’ve had, and even though I’m not willing to, I was obliged to. Every day since we’ve started our group review sessions, aside from working as an HR assistant, studying for my master’s degree and reviewing for the boards, I’m also preparing different materials for our group review every night. Even though I was not able to give my 100% due to some extraneous variables, I can say that we were able to meet each other’s expectations, and needs. Honestly I learned a lot more from them, than as I think they learned from me. I’m confident that all of us will pass this test. That’s why when the result unfolds, even though I was able to identify myself as one of the board passers, I can’t calm myself from looking over and over for their names. I even downloaded the list from two different sources and search for their names again; however, no matter how hard I press the search button for their names, no one appeared.

I can’t decide or plan on how I should rejoice for my victory, when my comrades who trusted me to prepare them for this battle fell one by one. I can’t even smile, for I can see devastation from their faces. What distresses me most was their initial decision not to take the boards again. I was so devastated, kept on asking myself what went wrong during our group reviews. Maybe I was not able to share enough and equip them with enough ammunition to survive the battle. For that night, I kept on blaming and asking myself for their failure. They were bright and intelligent individuals, maybe more than the man I am, but how come they were not able to make it.

After a couple of days, I was able to talk to them and I was shocked about their messages. It’s like they were resurrected; full of energy, fighting spirit and motivation. And then a smile appeared onto my face when I’ve heard that finally they’ve decided to take the boards again. I’ve realize that they were real warriors who won’t give up for their dreams, they may fall once, twice but they know how to stand up for their dreams, face the challenge and reach for their goals once again.

“To God be the Glory.”

(Note: The author tells his dilemma of passing alone, he will not be celebrating with his co-reviewees the victory that they all prepared to achieve. Like war the board exam is a battle there are victors and casualties of war. But then he is hopeful that his co-warriors will regain and win the battle in the future.) 

Fallen but not defeated

Fallen but not defeated

by Elay Tawano
AB Psychology graduate
La Consolacion College Manila

Three nights ago, PRC announced that 1,290 out of 3,283 passed in the first-ever Psychometrician board exam. 1,993 didn't make it and I was one of them.

Embarassment. Shame. Depression. Disappointment. Loss of direction. Diminished self worth.

When I discovered it, the natural instinct was to run away. The experience was psychologically paralyzing. Man, I wanted to vanish. All of my efforts were wasted. I consider this as the first failure that really affected me given the fact that I had many people in my life awaiting for the board exam results, and I had to tell them that I failed. The thing that I am most afraid of was that everyone would think I'm dumb or stupid. I immediately compared myself to others who passed which even made me feel down. I spent a couple of hours grieving over what I could have done differently; what I wish I could change. I wanted to isolate myself from those around me, not wanting to bother them with negativity about my failure for I know letting them down is more painful than letting myself down. 

After hours of being distant, I realized that at the end of the day, it is merely just a test. A result does not change who I am. I'm still proud of myself for I was brave enough to even be one of the thousands who courageously took the risk in taking the first Board exam for Psychometricians. I took the chance, I put myself out there and my ability to confront fear and doubt was really something. I'm still part of history and that will never change. I stopped wondering if things would have been different if I made it. I learned that the board exam has absolutely no bearing on whether I will be good at administering psychological tests or not. Also, I've discerned that my family, closest friends and significant other still believe in me and that they don't see me any differently today than they did yesterday.

From that surreal experience came a fresh realization that goals are just goals; dreams are just dreams. They are important, but we should not be totally dependent on them. Life goes on. The one who falls and gets up is much stronger than the one who has never fallen. 

My Saykometrisyan Dyurni

My Saykometrisyan Dyurni 
by ARMAN MANALO BUENO
[224 BUENO, ARMAN MANALO]

Nakatutuwang pangyayari sa aking buhay na makikita sa isang news network website ang buong pangalan ko. Subalit, masasabi ko na hindi naging madali ang pag-abot sa ganitong tagumpay.

Naaalala ko noong ika-31 ng Oktubre 2013, ika-2:33 ng hapon, ito ang Facebook status ko:

"Arman M. Bueno, RPm (in progress)

Registered Psychometrician"

Nagdesisyon akong itigil ang trabaho ko sa isang rehabilitation facility para makapaglaan ng oras para sa pagrerebyu ko sa Board Licensure Examination for Psychometricians (BLEP). Hindi ko kasi nahabol ang deadline sa isang review center. 

Dalawang buwan bago ang nakatakdang petsa ng BLEP, hindi ko nagawang makapag-aral ng matino, nagpadala ako sa katamaran. Puro bahala na. At higit sa lahat, mas nababad ako sa isipin na wala na akong pera at kailangan makahanap ng panibagong trabaho. Ang hirap maging jobless.

Isang buwan bago ang BLEP, nagkaroon ako ng trabaho bilang isang financial advisor. Bagong sabak sa larangan na hindi ko gamay. Ika-6 ng Oktubre, 2014, dalawang araw bago ang huling petsa ng aplikasyon sa PRC, natulungan ako ng aking nanay na magkaroon ng perang pamasahe papuntang PRC at pambayad sa aplikasyon. Dahil sa bunso ako sa apat na magkakapatid, ang aking nanay ay sinabihan ako na magpasama pag pupunta ng Maynila. Pero sinabi ko sa kanya na dapat marunong na akong mag-isa pag may pupuntahan. Sa 24 taong nabubuhay ako sa mundo, hindi ko nagawang magsolo papuntang Maynila, parating may kasama. Sa loob-loob ko kinakabahan ako na pumunta mag-isa. May anxiety na rin kasi ako pag sinabing Maynila. Nang dumating ang Ika-7 ng Oktubre, sobrang saya ko na nagawa kong tapusin ang aking takot. Nakapunta ako sa Maynila ng mag-isa sa unang pagkakataon, at sa PRC pa! Nakauwi rin ako ng matiwasay.

Dalawang linggo bago ang BLEP, wala pa rin akong kita, hindi ko alam kung saan kukuha ng pangtustos ko sa eksaminasyon. Hindi ako nakakapagrebyu. Naging banaag ang aking pananaw kung itutuloy ko pa ang pagkuha ng BLEP. 

Pagduruda at pagiging negatibo sa aking sarili at sitwasyon ang mga nararanasan ko sa mga panahong ito. 

Ang aking mga kaibigan, kaklase, at mga mentor ay patuloy sa paghikayat sa akin na ituloy ko ang pagkuha sa kabila ng mga nangyayari.

Tatlong araw bago mag-eksaminasyon, nalaman ko na ang aking room assignment sa St. Jude College-Manila. 

Ika-28 ng Oktubre, unang araw ng BLEP, dumating ako sa pagdadausan ng ika-5:40 ng umaga. Kabado ako. Maingay ang paligid. Mayroon akong nakilalang dalawang ka-psyche major mula sa ibang pamantasan. Ang iba ay tahimik at may mga dalang reviewers at highlighters. Ang iba naman ay parang dala ang buong mag-anak bilang pagsuporta. Ang gandang tingnan ng bawat eksena at mga kilos ng mga kukuha ng BLEP. Ang ikalawang araw naman ay halos normal na ang sitwasyon. Marami akong nakilala at mga bagong kaibigan, ang iba sa kanila ay galing pa sa ibang bahagi ng bansa.

Sa kasagsagan ng eksaminasyon, inuuna ko parati ang madadaling tanong. Parang isang game show ang peg. Minsan, nag-50:50 ako, bawal nga lang ang Call A Friend. Naranasan ko din manghula na lang dahil sa hindi naituro sa amin ang ilan sa mga paksa na kabilang sa eksam. Andun din na nagkamali ako na dapat na sasagutang aytem, pero wala akong nagawa kundi sheydan na lang ito para iwas aberya sa pagtsek. Binibilang ko din ang mga aytems na siguradong tama ako. Nahirapan ako sa Industrial Psychology at sa Psychological Assessment na kung saan dalawang minuto na lang ang nalalabi sa akin para tapusin ang pagsagot. Nagpaka-OC-OC na din ako sa takot na baka may naiwanang ako na aytem na hindi nasagutan.

Panalangin ang ginagawa ko bago at tapos sagutan ang bawat asignatura. May punto din sa eksam na pinepressure ko ang aking sarili na kailangan kong maitama ang karamihan para pasang pasa na. Pero kailangan pa rin i-enjoy ang pagsasagot. Minsan, natatawa na lang ako kung hindi ko alam ang sagot. Kapag may free time pa, nakikipagdaldalan ako sa mga roommates ko para iwas stress. 

Makalipas ang isang taon, ika-4 ng Nobyembre, ika-9:55 ng gabi, nagpost sa Facebook ang isa sa mga psychology majors ng Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP), ang aking Alma Mater, ng impormasyon mula sa isang news website page na nagsasaad ng mga pumasa sa Board Licensure Examination for Psychologists and Psychometricians (BLEPP). Nang aking makita, saya at kaba ang nangingibabaw sa isip ko pero hindi ko mabuksan ang post. Ilang minuto ang lumipas, tinawagan ako ng isa sa mga mentors ko at ngayon ay isa ng Registered Psychologist. Sinabi niya, "...andito na yung mga names, BUENO....ano middle name mo, Arman?" Sabay sagot ko ng, "MANALO po."

Sabi ng mentor ko, "Uy pasa ka!"...

Galak ang naramdaman ko. Subalit, mas matinding kagalakan ang sumapit sa akin ng magpost ang aking pinsan. Ang post na ito ay isang larawan na cropped mula sa isang website, at nakalagay ang ilan sa mga pumasa. At nasusulat roon ang "224 BUENO ARMAN MANALO."

Hindi ako makapaniwala. Isa pala ako sa mga pumasa. Nakagagaan talaga ng puso ang ganitong tagumpay sa aking buhay. Laking pasasalamat ko sa Panginoon sa pagtulong sa akin na huwag sumuko sa siphayo o kalungkutan, at sa walang kamatayang 'anxiety'. 

Sa darating na Oath Taking kasama ang mga kapwa ko #PioneersPsychometricians, ito na ang Facebook Status ko:

"ARMAN MANALO BUENO, RPm

REGISTERED PSYCHOMETRICIAN"

Sa haba-haba ng ikwinento ko, ito ang mga natutunan ko sa BLEP 2014:

1. Ask help from God through prayers.

2. Attitude is the psyche-key of all successes.

3. The greatest competitor is the Self.

(Note: Si Arman Manalo Bueno, ay 24 taon gulang na AB PSYCH graduate ng Adventist University of the Philippines noong October 2013. Kasalukuyang Financial Advisor, part time ang kaniyang trabaho. Ilang sa kaniyang hilig ang pag-drawing/designing dresses (pwede kayang magpadesign pang-Oathtaking) at pagsusulat. Siguradong pasado sa Theories of Personality dahil paborito niya si Alfred Adler.)

Hindi naman ako bobo, bakit ako bumagsak?

Hindi naman ako bobo, bakit ako bumagsak
by Lady Psychologist

Bumagsak po ako sa Board Exam for Psychometrician at hanggang ngayon di ko pa rin matanggap dahil matagal ko yung pinaghandaan at handang handa po talaga ako. Nag-attempt akong mag apply for work at kahit natatanggap ako di ko kinukuha dahil laging sumasagi sa isip ko ang board na baka mapabayaan ko. So naisip ko mag focus talaga ako sa paagrereview.

Simula pa lang ng June 2014 nag review na ako.  The first two months ng June at July ang ginagawa ko or review is puro reading at konting gawa ng lecture. Nag-aaral ako mula 10pm-3am Monday-Saturday. Minsan nangyayari na every other day. Kasi sobra antok ko at wala na ko maintindihan at nangyari pang nagkasakit ako almost one week. Pero nagcontinue agad ako afterko gumaling. 

Bandang September, nagenroll na ko for review center late enrollee na ko dahil huli na nang nalaman ko ang tungkol sa review center na yun dahil ang alam ko puro malalayo.  So yung first day ko huli na talaga ako. Kasi huling araw na yung topic sa Abnormal Psychology so dahil doon mas nagfocus ako kasi nga di ko na naabutan yung ibang topics sa Abnormal Psychology.  At simula noong nag review center ako, everyday na ko nagrereview  from 10pm-5am nagaaral ako. 

Minsan nga nangyayari kahit may review ako that day na kailangan 7am plng umalis nako ng bahay. Ginagawa ko pa rin yung 10pm-5am kong pagrereview at umaalis ako ng bahay na walang tulog. So iyon ang hindi ko talaga matanggap dahil pinaghandaan ko iyon at marami din akong inayawan na work kasi minsan may nagtetext sakin for interview dahil nakita daw nila ang record ko sa iskul at nagustuhan daw nila yung performance ko tapos inayawan ko for review na wala namang nangyari. 

Hanggang ngayon sa tuwing mag-isa ko naiisip ko yung mga nagawa ko na hindi pa ba sapat ang effort ko. Hindi naman po ako bobo. Nagtop naman ako sa iskul namin at sa totoo lang simula noong first year sa college every subject ng Psychology ako palaging highest. Nangyayari mang may mas mataas sakin minsan lang iyon at pangalawa lagi ako. Pero wala na akong magagawa naiisip ko kung magshi-shift na lang ako ng career na tatahakin ko sa twing tinatanung ako anu nang gagawin ko at kailan uli ako magtake. 

I want to start a new life at ayoko ng makakita ng kahit anong related sa Psychology. Pero pagiging Psychologist talaga ang sinasabi ng nararamdaman ko. Buti nalng may ganito po kayong ginawa kasi wala akong makausap dahil di naman ako papakinggan ng mga tao dito sa bahay. 

So thank you din at nakatulong naman din po itong page niyo sa pagreview ko.

(Note: We admire the courage of Lady Psychologist for sharing with us her experience. We believe that she's not alone - having done her best effort yet did not make it. Writing is a therapy, voicing out our frustrations can alleviate some of the pain we have. Sharing your story is very personal so we respect those who share their stories to heal as as well as to give hope to others. We hope that  for those who did not pass, you will continue to pursue your passion  and will be courageous to try it again.)

Congratulations to all 2014 Pioneer Psychometrician Licensure Exam Board Passers!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL BOARD PASSERS
of the 2014 Board Licensure Examination for Psychometrician - the first ever licensure exam to be given to graduates of Psychology. 


http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/examresult/496/list-of-passers-in-psychometrician-licensure-exam-nov-2014





We congratulate also all our readers and likers of our FB Fan page for passing the licensure exam, they who actively posted, interacted, and shared resources links and quizzes. Maraming salamat and we will continue this initiative as we level up on our practice of our profession as Psychometrician. We will continue postings relevant information and resources as we have done before.

Also, for all newly licensed and registered Psychometricians we would like to engage you all on a new initiative - our dear board passers! Please check this link:

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/philippinenetworkRPM/

Be proud, please put your sequence number and name or that of your friend/s  in the comment below. This is an important history of Psychology in the Philippines, so let us be proud being part of it and be remembered in the history!

MABUHAY MGA BAGONG REGISTERED PSYCHOMETRICIANS!

SELF-REVIEW SURVEY: LICENSURE EXAM FOR PSYCHOMETRICIAN

REVIEW CENTER ASSESSMENT SURVEY

Facebook Page for Philippine Psychometrician Reviewer is temporary offline

Many are asking what happened to our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/psychometricianreviewer)  it is currently offline. We will reactivate the FB page once the result is out. We are also trying to prevent discussion on the licensure exam's content so we do not break on our oath of non-disclosure. Well we believe that you discuss it with your classmates, reviewmates, friends and family members but we do not want it to happen on our FB page and on this site. But definitely we are interested to know how was your experience with this historic event. We will be posting blog posts about it in our next posts.

Next week will be back and hope that you can be part of the initiatives we have in the pipeline. Until then...

Venues for the 2014 Board Licensure Exam for Psychometricians

Please check below if your name is listed. Per PRC instructions: Bring your Notice of Admission when you verify your school/building assignment. Visit your school/building assignment prior to the day of examination.





Source - http://www.prc.gov.ph/licensure/?id=26

Official count of examinees totaled to 3,268 coming from different Philippine schools and universities. Below is the school-surname assignments:


ST. JUDE -
DON QUIJOTE COR. DIMASALANG, SAMPALOC, MANILA
SURNAMES  AB - CA


MLQU
QUIAPO, MANILA
SURNAMES CA-JO


UE
RECTO AVENUE, MANILA
SURNAMES JO - ZU



Map of venues - https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zBUD4IkjmfcQ.kJp8iEi5EpXE


We have been receiving private messages in our Facebook page of individuals whose names are not on the list, below is our suggestion, while awaiting for official reply from PRC. Please not that tomorrow, Friday, 24 October and Monday, 27 October are the only remaining working days before the exam:

Hey guys! I went to PRC this morning and apparently, those who submitted last Oct. 8 have not been included in the list. The list for the room assignments was computer generated daw and when they posted it, they haven't added the names of those who applied manually (PRC's system broke down last Oct. 8 so they had to process the applications manually). Anyway, all you have to do is go to PRC and show them your NOA and OR, and they'll include you in the list and give you your room assignment na. Like what Mr. Tino said, look for Ms. Jackie. She's very accommodating. Goodluck to us all! :)

Source link - https://www.facebook.com/psychometricianreviewer/posts/284952808381872

Possible Venues based from the Criminologists Licensure Exam

Image sourc - http://scadmissions.com/pics/SAT.test.center-2.jpg

Looking at the School/Room assignment of the licensure exam for Criminologist at http://www.prc.gov.ph/uploaded/documents/CRIM1014ra_Mla.pdf  - this could also be the possible test/exam venues for Psychometrician exam as well. Examinees for the Criminologists totaled more than  5,586 (Pdf pages of 266 with average 21 examinees per page {highest number is 25}). We are projecting that for the Psychometrician licensure exam there would be more or less 6,000-9,000 examinees. So depending on the number of examinees and the distribution of surnames we can pattern the venues after the Criminologist licensure exam. 

Note that we are posting this room venues for you to familiarize yourself with the location of these testing centers. This is not the final testing centers for Psychometrician Licensure Exam. So try to use google map and locate these venues and familiarize yourself with landmarks and transport of those places. By next week we expect to have the final venue.


Surnames and Schools


AB - CL                               (Surname)
M. L. Q. U.                          (School Name)
QUIAPO, MANILA             (Address)  


CL - FA
LA CONSOLACION COLLEGE
MENDIOLA, MANILA

FA - HA
CARITAS FAMILY COLLEGE
LACSON AVE., STA. CRUZ, MANILA


HA - MA
COLLEGE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
MENDIOLA, MANILA


MA - PA 
PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
STA. CRUZ, MANILA


PA - RO
CENTRAL COLLEGES OF THE PHILS.
AURORA BLVD., STA. MESA, MANILA


RO - Z
ST. JUDE COLLEGE
DON QUIJOTE ST., COR DIMASALANG SAMPALOC MLA.


Note - possible venues, not yet final, we will finalize as soon as we get the final list - meantime study this map and the directions to those venues. Click/mouse over baloons for more details.

NOW FINAL: Davao Not a Test Center for 2014 Psychometrician Licensure Exam

updated 15 October (9:28 PM)

Message from Dr. Cue:

It's final Davao is not a test center for either the Psychologist or Psychometrician board exams this year. Dir Liamzon made an appeal, but the Commission did not and could not approve the request due to technical considerations which could not be compromised. Our apologies...

Original post - October 14, 2014

Yesterday we receive the good news that Davao will be a testing center for the 2014 Psychometrician Licensure Exam. We were so glad and congratulated test takers from Davao. We also message Dr. Cue thanking her for granting such request. But unfortunately, we got the above reply of Dr. Cue to our message. 

With the changes at PRC it seem that such request remains hanging after former Chair Manzala left PRC. So with the Acting Chair not supportive of the move and with just few days remaining before the exam,  we hope that Davao test takers can get a concrete and final answer the soonest possible time.

updated 15 October 2014 (12:54 AM)

Meanwhile this the update from Baguio City from one of our likers,