Text by Charmaine A. Lingdas

The UP College of Pharmacy (UPCP) continues to produce highly skilled and resilient pharmaceutical professionals. This year, all 58 UPCP graduates passed the Pharmacist Licensure Exam (PHLE), with Ms. Gillean Virgil Velazco earning a spot in the top 10. Her journey reflects the transformative power of perseverance, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to the pharmaceutical field.

“People often think Pharmacy is just about ‘selling drugs (legally),’ but it requires so much more,” Velazco shared. “The practice demands skill, expertise, and a deep understanding. Underselling its value is a disservice to it. It’s about fully understanding your role within the healthcare setting.” Initially, Velazco did not aspire to become a pharmacist, but her time at UPCP opened her eyes to the depth and importance of the profession.

“Of course, this requires years of hard work and training, as I’ve been given the opportunity and the responsibility to provide this unique service to the community,” Velazco explained. “The realization that I had to earn my position became my biggest motivation.” Her journey taught her that the field demanded more than just passion—it required responsibility, expertise, and an unrelenting drive for excellence.

Overcoming Challenges Through Resilience

Velazco’s path at UPCP was fraught with challenges, from the rigors of academic life to the personal struggles of adapting to changing educational landscapes. “I didn’t think it was too much until we had to do it every other day. I was sleeping late and waking up at ungodly hours just to write everything down,” she recalled, describing the demanding pace of pre-lab preparations.

As a student during the pandemic, Velazco faced the difficulties of online distance learning. “Learning through Zoom lectures and not seeing my instructors in person was tough on my attention span,” she said. Transitioning back to in-person classes was no less daunting. “We had to work with instruments and setups we hadn’t used before. The only way out was to tough it out and work extra hard until we got the hang of it.”

Despite these hurdles, Velazco found a source of strength in the UPCP faculty. “The professors and mentors at CP have always served as the ideal of Pharmacy graduates. They continue to inspire me,” she said.

The Value of Responsibility and Accountability

Reflecting on her time at UPCP, Velazco emphasizes the lessons that transcend academics. “I think the most valuable thing I learned from my time at UPCP is the virtue of responsibility and accountability.”

“Many things could go wrong because of something I decided on, but they could also go well because I took the responsibility seriously. All I know is that throughout my time in the College, I couldn’t ‘Jesus take the wheel’ my way out of every situation. I had to be an active participant in my learning process.”

The hands-on training at UPCP, emphasizing practical applications over purely theoretical learning, was instrumental in shaping Velazco’s readiness for real-world challenges. “Most of our assessments involved real-life simulations, which deepened our understanding of the topics,” she explained. This solid foundation not only helped her succeed in the PHLE but also prepared her for future challenges in the pharmaceutical field.

A Bright Future Ahead

Velazco envisions a future in laboratory research and other specialized areas in the pharmaceutical profession, equipped with the lessons and skills honed at UPCP. “Most of what I learned from UPCP is how to communicate with my peers, set plans and realistic goals, compromise, etc. Most of all, I learned the value of discipline and that I have to learn how to manage myself before I go on to make decisions,” she said.

Her story is a testament to UPCP’s commitment to academic excellence and holistic development. With a foundation built on responsibility, perseverance, and expertise, graduates like Velazco are prepared to make meaningful contributions to their communities and the pharmaceutical industry.#