23/03/2026
A testimony from one of our pioneer batch graduatesโMiss Andrea Lachica Besaรฑes RPh โ๏ธ๐โจ
Hello! Good day to all the readers, professors and especially to our soon to be Registered Pharmacists!
At first I was hesitant to share my experience because of my busy schedule at work but then I realized that I have to share my stories and inspire those who thought they can't do it anymore and those having a hard time.
I enrolled at PHINMA UI not as a BS PHARMACY student, but my destiny is to become one. The course that I chose was omitted because of a few number of students enrolled in it so I have to move on to my second choice course. Although it's not my first choice I learned to embrace it and love it as time goes by. We all know that there is no "easy" college course, as every course presents unique challenges, including intense pressure, sleepless nights, unexpected dilemmas and even financial problems. To become a Registered Pharmacist needs dedication, passion, effort and years of study.
As a PIONEER BATCH OF BS PHARMACY IN PHINMA UNIVERSITY OF ILOILO, we started as more than twenty students. We really faced difficulty in terms of lack of teachers, books, rooms and even uniforms.
But those challenges never give us the reason to stop but rather we keep studying, helping each other and all thanks to our super professor Ma'am Stella Gustilo who shared all her knowledge, resources, advice and always finding ways to make our study fun and artistic. Until second year, before second semester that CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC STRIKES, We started our class via online, make our activities online, until our internship where its the so called "exciting part of being a BS PHARMACY STUDENT" we also took it online. Everything was online and the worst part was Iiving in a province where the internet is very problematic. I don't have wifi so to attend class and review sessions I have to travel to my auntie's house next town. There are also times that I skipped class due to bad weather.
Even in my hectic schedules, and excessive amount to study, I still participate and become the first president of BS- Pharmacy Alpha Chapter, we did many activities via online and I also maintained my grades, become a Dean's lister, passed my exams even sometimes there are failures, I take it and learn from it. Living the life with full of inspiring words and wisdom from our beloved professors especially Ma'am Stella's words of wisdom and motivational speech and prayers everyday. Read, study again, and again and again until you master it by heart with perseverance, prayer and dedication we can all achieve what we want to become.
From 20 freshmen students to "MATIRA ANG MATIBAY" quotes we stand strong and graduated as the LUCKY 9 BS Pharmacy graduates.
After we graduated, I enrolled in MANOR REVIEW CENTER, and I got sick but I finished my review sessions. Then I decided not to take the April's board exam because I know that I am not ready yet, so I found work as a PHARMACY ASSISTANT AT BERLIN PHARMACY while studying. For 6 months of sleepless nights, tears, prayers, ignored family events, self studying, sometimes doubting my capacity, the regret of losing the chance, the waste of time and the hundreds of words of wisdom and guidance from people around me gives me the courage and confidence to keep on studying. I told my self once "DAPAT BAG-O MAG DECEMBER MAKAPASAR AKO KAG ANG MGA CLASSMATES KO, KAY INDI KO NA YA GUSTO MAG TINUON LIWAT SANG ISA KA D**A NGA TULUN-AN KAG MA AGYAN LIWAT ANG TANAN NGA KABUDLAY, SAKRIPISYO, PAGPULAW KAG PAGHINIBI KADA GAB E, kag gusto ko amo ni Ang Akon regalo para SA self ko kag para sa tanan nga tawo nga nagsalig sakon kag nagsuporta sang gapangabudlay pako. And I believe in Isaiah 60:22, which says, "When the time is right, I, the Lord, will make it happen" which means that delays are often designed to prepare you or the moment for what is coming.
Currently I am working as a Community Pharmacist at SUPER-K DRUG CORPORATION dealing with the different types of customers everyday, maintaining my patience, understanding and reading doctor's prescription even the hard ones, maintaining my smiles at work even though I have my own problems. I also provide some information about their medicines and continuously learning everyday.
Best regards,
ANDREA LACHICA BESAรES, RPh
PHINMA UI BS PHARMACY ALUMNA
