iKalinga from Balbalan finishes Doctor of Optometry at CEU-Manila as Magna Cum Laude

Finishing a degree with a Latin Honor is a huge accomplishment, but pursuing a course with a purpose is a whole different level of gain. This mirrors the academic feat of Frances Tracey Malannag Caliwag from Balbalan, Kalinga who completed her degree in Doctor of Optometry as a Magna Cum Laude.

Frances got her degree at the Centro Escolar University- Manila, where she was a recipient of the Upgraded Scholarship Program for Excellent Performance - a grant provided to students who finish high school with distinction.

In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, Frances, whose initial goal in college was to only maintain a reasonable grade to keep her scholarship, recounted she was first introduced to the field of Optometry through her optometrist aunt, Dr. Liliabeatrice Malannag-Gabit. Her desire to pursue the said specialization was backed up by her parents, Oliver Caliwag and Rachel Malannag-Caliwag, who provided her the room to dream.

While her family members opened the door for her in Optometry, it was attending to people’s needs during her clinical years that planted her greater purpose to pursue the field – that is not just to correct vision, but also to ‘shape lives’.

“Each case reminded me that Optometry isn’t just about prescribing lenses. It’s about helping people reconnect with the world through clarity, comfort, or simply confidence. From guiding a child’s eyes to align to helping a low vision patient navigate daily life again, I saw how Optometry meets people where they are,” she expressed.

When asked if she intended to graduate with a Latin Honor, Frances, who has tons of academic achievements around her neck, said her primary goal was to just maintain her place in the President’s List and ‘meet academic requirements with integrity’ to live up to the USPEP scholarship privilege.

“Latin honors weren’t part of the vision yet; I was more focused on consistency than accolades,” she shared, adding that this pursuit of consistency was later converted to pursuit of excellence.

Beating challenges

Achieving success is not without challenges, and for Frances, the struggles she encountered in her 6-year journey to finish her degree included balancing a full day at the clinic, meeting patient quotas, and excelling in coursework.

Reflecting on those days, she relayed that those grueling and mind-boggling days left her with a lesson, saying, “I learned that excellence isn’t always loud or perfect. Sometimes, it’s simply the act of showing up, consistently and completely, on days when it would have been easier not to.”

No formula for academic success

Frances, who is now preparing for the board examinations, conveyed that there is ‘no universal formula for academic success’, explaining that what works for someone may not work for others. However, if there is one principle she holds onto, it is the important role of rest. This and consistency as well as curiosity, she said, are the pillars of a sustainable academic feat.

“Rest is not the enemy of productivity. In fact, rest sharpens it. Learn to listen to your body and protect your peace. There’s wisdom in pause. Study hard, yes, but don’t wear your exhaustion as a badge of honor. Master the art of discipline, but equally, the art of grace,” she said.