MANGALDAN– “I can’t really explain how I feel. I’m really happy,” exclaimed 20-year old Gringo de Guzman Sandiego of barangay Amansabina this town upon learning he topped the recent Nursing board examination with 83.2 percent rating.

Sandiego, a cum laude graduate of the University of Pangasinan in Dagupan City, said it was his classmate, Cecilia Roxas, who first broke the news about his topping the board exam through a text message to him around 3:00 a.m. Wednesday after reading it in the internet.

“I couldn’t believe it at first then she called me and said it was really true,” he said.

So, early morning, he bought a newspaper and found out indeed the news was true.

 He said he was confident he did well and optimistic that he could be among the top 10, but not as topnotcher.

He spent long hours reviewing for the exams but he found some difficulty in answering questions in parts three and four, the controversial parts where a leakage was alleged.

Sandiego reviewed at R.U.N. Review University for Nurses in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Sandiego said his success only proves that a “promdi” (a local slang for “from the province”) could very well compete with his counterparts in top schools in the metropolis.

“Nagpapatunay lang ito na kahit taga probinsiya ka lang, kayang-kayang  makipagsabayan kanino man,” he said.

He cited prayers, trust, and self-confidence as some factors that led to his success.

“Strive for excellence, believe in yourself and follow your parents’ advices,” he advised students.

His father, Rodolfo, who had to give up driving a taxi six months ago owing to poor health, said his immediate problem is to raise money to celebrate the occasion. 

When asked why he named his son Gringo, he said the former military colonel-turned Edsa revolution hero in 1986, Gringo Honasan, who later became a senator, has been his idol.

His son was born in 1986.

Meanwhile, the young Gringo has expressed hope that the truth about the reported leakage will come out and that the guilty will be punished.

“Unfair sa mga naghirap (It’s unfair to those who persevered)”, Sandiego said.

He admitted that when news about the alleged leakage was reported, he himself became apprehensive fearing he might be required to repeat the exams. – EVA

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