Text by Charmaine A. Lingdas

Photo courtesy of Kristine Allyza Esquivel, Erika Jane Domingo, Juliana Galbizo, and Darren Moira Sta. Ana

It was something they had wished for but never quite anticipated.

For Kristine Allyza Esquivel, Erika Jane Domingo, Juliana Galbizo, and Darren Moira Sta. Ana, the June 2025 Occupational Therapy Licensure Examination (OTLE) was not only a test of their knowledge; it was the payoff of years of hard work, sacrifice, and collective dedication. All four, the only examinees from the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila, College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP), not only passed — each of them placed a spot in the top 10.

“As soon as we finished the exam, I already felt that we were all going to pass. I went to St. Jude to wait for the results and to also give thanks for the sustenance throughout the review and board exams. Seeing our names in the topnotcher list was a moment of relief and pride—that we were able to surpass every challenge that we had faced and that all our sacrifices came to fruition,” said Kristine Allyza Esquivel, who placed first.

“Apat dapat, dapat apat!”—their block favorite line, was a silent source of strength during review season. “We worked together through sleepless nights and early mornings, and now we celebrate the fruits of our hard work. We lifted each other up, helped each other out, and held out our hands when one would fall.  Success is truly best when shared. I cannot imagine better people to share this success with.”

Esquivel, Sta. Ana, Galbizo, and Domingo visit St. Jude to pray for guidance and strength as they prepare for their board exam.

The Review Season: Finding What Works

Each of them had their own approach to studying. Esquivel used spreadsheets to track progress. She made visual organizers and created stories to break down complex concepts. Juliana Galbizo, who placed seventh, practiced teaching topics to others to reinforce her understanding. 

They also shared that some subjects were especially difficult — like neurology, lower extremity topics, physiology, and the brachial plexus. To manage, they made use of various tools and strategies: annotating questions, visualizing content through videos, timing themselves on practice exams, or sticking organizers on their walls.

“Whenever I couldn’t do a module because it was too overwhelming or long, or when I wanted to give up on certain topics, I would stop and just answer at least 50 questions. It doesn’t matter how much you do, you just have to be consistent,” said Galbizo. 

“What’s important is having the mindset that you will overcome this challenge. If you put yourself down, your whole mood will be shifted downwards as well,” she added.

Darren Moira Sta. Ana, who placed tenth, followed a review schedule with ample breaks in between to manage her energy throughout the season.

She shared a similar perspective: “On days we felt tired and less motivated, we gave ourselves time to rest and made sure that we did better the next day.”

Erika Jane Domingo, who placed second, described the review season as transformative. It was a time when she learned to accept and embrace her weaknesses. She emphasized that “knowing your weaknesses is a strength”: when you learn from your mistakes, it increases the chances of getting the correct answer the next time around.

The four exam takers take a group selfie the night before the board exam — a snapshot of support, friendship, and shared hopes.

Lessons from CAMP

More than anything, they credit their CAMP education for shaping how they prepared and how they now practice. Their years at the college taught them to analyze cases, think critically, and apply knowledge with empathy.

“CAMP has taught me to have a heart and genuine care for the clients while striving to give them the best care we can,” said Domingo.

Galbizo added that she learned to accept and value our patients and clients without judgement, regardless of their behaviors, progress, or abilities. “The practice of unconditional positive regard creates a safe and respectful environment for our patients and clients to grow in empowerment, take risks, and find meaning in their occupations.  It reminds us that beyond diagnoses and goals, every person deserves dignity, compassion, and the belief in their potential,” she noted.

Left: Galbizo during her clinic duty. Right: Sharing her experience of getting injured while on duty.

They credited all their professors and clinical supervisors in CAMP as a driving force in helping them to become who they are today. Faculty and mentors guided them with patience and trust, who listened, encouraged, and believed in them during moments of struggle. Through lectures, lab classes, and clinical exposure, they were taught to think deeply, work intentionally, and reflect often.

Sta. Ana during her splinting class.

“Overall, CAMP has taught us to be more intentional, reflective, and use evidence-based practice in everything we do. In a client-centered profession, it is especially important to be able to meet where the clients are at and collaborate with them to help them reach their chosen goals. OT interventions are also not a one-size-fits-all, we were taught to be able to consider the narrative of our clients into the best available evidence and current realities of the situation to help them live a meaningful life,” asserted Esquivel.

Kristine Allyza Esquivel speaks during a career orientation.

Finding Purpose in Practice

Their most meaningful experiences weren’t confined to classrooms. It was during clinical duties and patient interactions that everything became real.

“I was amazed that there exists a profession that can impact a people’s lives and help them live a fulfilling life,” said Esquivel.

Esquivel leads a life skills training discussion during her clinical duty in the Restart HOPE in Children in Conflict with the Law Inc. program.

For her part, Galbizo shared how these moments cemented her purpose: “Every patient interaction made me realize that there is a reason why I am here. I can recall the first time a mom told me that because of the interventions we did in the clinic, her daughter was doing better at home—sleeping better, eating better. The first time my patient started to do symbolic play after playing with sensorimotor play for so long. The first time my patient learned how to code on his laptop. My patients who relearned how to cook, clean, dress and clean themselves. The smile on my patients’ faces when they received a certificate for completing a pre-vocational class.”

These stories gave them clarity and motivation, especially during tough times. Whether it was a typhoon, academic setbacks, or the transition back to in-person classes, they held onto the lessons and support systems around them. They grew not just as students, but as people.

“It was always heartwarming for me to see when my clients started trusting me, taking a more active role in therapy, and becoming more engaged in our activities,” said Sta. Ana. “Moments like these were what I held onto during my internship year—especially when it became tough, and when I sometimes doubted myself due to certain circumstances.”

Sta. Ana with her classmates during their community-based training in Maragondon, Cavite.

What Comes Next

Now licensed occupational therapists, the four are taking time to rest and return to their interests while keeping their eyes on the future.

“In the future, we hope to serve. At the end of the day, the four of us really love what we do. We envision ourselves as occupational therapists who serve the country and our communities,” asserted Galbizo.

Domingo facilitates an activity during the KAISAKA Orientation, part of the Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) program.

Some of them are drawn to pediatric and adolescent care. Others see themselves in advocacy, the academe, or in improving accessibility and design. What unites them is a continued commitment to service and growth. When asked how they hope to contribute to the profession and uplift the name of their alma mater, they collectively responded:

“We hope to stay grounded in our practice. To remember our whys. To remember who it is for. We hope to present to the world how we were taught in UP—as professionals who embody honor, excellence, and service. Right now, as novice practitioners, we aim to learn from our seniors who paved the way for occupational therapists here in the Philippines, as well as take the time to learn and absorb all the knowledge that we can through our future clinics, seminars, and volunteer opportunities. We also aim to advocate for Occupational Therapy, to raise awareness about the profession and how it can help people.”

Gratitude and Encouragement

The four extend their heartfelt thanks to their professors, blockmates, and families. Their achievement, they emphasize, was never theirs alone.

“We are who we are because of you. This success is ours to share.”

To current and future OT students, they offer this message:

“Redirection is a blessing. So when you find yourself having to put certain dreams on hold, remember that there is a reason—and remember that you can always go back to those dreams when the time is right.”

“Make all your experiences a learning opportunity to grow and become a better version of yourself than you were yesterday. Stay strong, future OTRPs! You are here for a reason. Not being able to accomplish things at the first instance and opportunity is not a defeat, rather a redirection. All four of us have our own stories of redirection, which is the main reason why we are June 2025 OTLE takers.”

A group photo with the rest of their block mates.

Apat dapat, Dapat Apat.

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