Carlos Brylle Artates has been a consistent honor student from elementary to high school, but it was a failing grade in college that reminded him to keep doing his best in everything he does.
Artates, who hails from Tabuk City, was named Top 9 in the April 2024 CELE after gaining a rating of 91.90%.
Artates, 23, who is an alumnus of Tabuk City Central School and Tabuk City National High School, finished his degree in Civil Engineering at University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao in August 2023.
Turning point in his studies
One might think that being good at academics means no failures. Facing setbacks is actually part of the journey, just like Artates’s experience at the university, where he once flunked one of his major subjects.
“As all student would feel, nanghinayang po ako sa sarili ko and nalungkot. Pero ayun, it became an eye opener na mali yung ginagawa ko, na need ko talaga pag igihan para pumasa,” he relayed to GURU Press Cordillera.
When he retook the subject, he came back even better with a 97 mark.
Not being complacent and doing one’s best every day - the lessons he learned from the experience were among the armors he took with him in the April 2024 CELE.
Preparations for the board exam
Though he started watching review lectures online right after his graduation, his official review began in November 2023 when he enrolled at a review center.
Among Artates’s ways of mastering concepts apart from attending his review classes include solving problems every day. While he was preparing for the board exam, the topnotcher admitted he had to do his best to overcome the lack of energy to go over his notes.
‘I did great but I thought kulang’
During his review, Artates displayed a promising performance after topping their pre-board examinations. This gave him the confidence that he could at least make it into the top 10. However, that conviction somehow crashed when he saw the actual board questions.
“I did great but I thought to myself na kulang, pero sa awa ng Diyos nakapasok. All Glory to Him!” he said.
What does it take to pass and top?
The new engineer recalled how tough it was to pass his subjects in college, describing how he had many breakdowns that he doubted if he could ever make it. But looking back at what he had been through, from his undergraduate studies to topping the board exam, courage and perseverance were the values that brought him to where he is now.
When asked about his advice to the next CELE takers, Artates mentioned that apart from memorizing formulas and concepts, they should also include prayers in their journey.
“Kasi I believe if I didn't try to reach out to Him or pray, di ko po makakamit tong achievement na to. All Glory to Him,” he emphasized.
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