University of Philippines Manila

Rising from the CAMP: A Top Placer’s Journey to the Summit

Text by Charmaine A. Lingdas

Photos courtesy of Kezia Anne R. Mejia

When Kezia Anne Mejia saw her name among the passers of the June 2025 Physical Therapist Licensure Examination, her first reaction was relief. Passing on the first try had always been her goal, and after months of intensive review and moments of uncertainty during the exam, that goal was realized. But it didn’t stop there. She didn’t just pass; she topped the list.

“I started getting messages and calls, and I realized I made it to the list of topnotchers,” she recalled. “Relief then turned into shock and giddiness. It felt unreal.”

Mapping the Road to Success

Mejia’s success didn’t come by chance. With discipline, consistency, and a deep understanding of her own learning style, she crafted a study routine that emphasized both mastery and wellness. 

“I based my study strategies on what I know worked for me during undergrad: making summaries of complicated concepts, using flashcards, making mnemonics, etc. Answering timed practice questions/tests, then focusing on items I would get wrong, and understanding why was also immensely helpful, as it allowed me to develop my test-taking skills and build on topics I was having a harder time with.”

“Having a personal schedule gave me structure. I wasn’t too rigid, but I allowed myself to build a routine,” she said, underscoring the fact that her study sessions were as important as her breaks with family, games, and rest, which eventually recharged her for the next round of review.

But not every topic came easy. Neurology, pharmacology, and other detail-heavy subjects posed a challenge. Rather than avoid them, Mejia faced them head-on with patience and determination. 

“Studying these areas required more motivation than other topics. I tried to view these challenges from another perspective by looking to the future after taking the boards. I’ll be using most of these in my practice as a licensed PT; thus, it is better to strengthen my foundation now despite its difficulty.”

A CAMP-Built Clinician

As a student at the College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP), Mejia experienced both the rigor and empathy required in the physical therapy profession. Her first two years in CAMP were spent in remote learning in the middle of a pandemic. It was disorienting, but it cultivated in her and her peers an adaptive, problem-solving mindset.

They turned homes into simulation labs and devised creative ways to study online. “The remote setting pushed us all to become more creative and resourceful. We enlisted family members for hands-on practical exams, improvised makeshift equipment for Zoom-based patient sessions, and learned to scout both our own homes and our patients’ environments for usable materials,” she said.

What grounded her throughout was CAMP’s holistic approach to therapy. “CAMP taught us to view patients as whole persons, not merely as cases or diagnoses to treat. By understanding their unique life stories—their roles at home and work, their personal goals and motivations—we were taught to design interventions in collaboration with our patients.”

It was this philosophy that shaped one of her most defining internship experiences: helping a patient in the burn unit progress from immobility to sitting, then finally standing with support. “That was the first time I assisted a patient to stand,” she said. “At the time, I could feel their happiness and pride at achieving their goal despite the shakiness in their legs. It was then that I saw for myself how much PT could positively affect the lives of our patients. I realized that rehabilitation flourishes most when a therapist’s skill meets a patient’s active engagement. It falls to us, as PTs, to inspire, challenge, and collaborate with our patients, helping them pursue the goals that matter most and unlock their fullest potential.”

Uplifting Others, Uplifting the Profession

Mejia’s journey to PT began in high school, hearing stories of relatives healing and recovery through physical therapy. It was her hands-on experience at CAMP that sealed the deal. “It was hands-on patient care that solidified my intentions to pursue a career in PT, where I witnessed firsthand the relief and functional gains our interventions brought to our patients.”

With the license in hand, Mejia plans to gain experience in both inpatient and outpatient care and hopes to eventually specialize in neurology or musculoskeletal rehab.

She’s also keeping community service at the heart of her long-term plans. “I plan to work in various clinics and hospitals near me and improve my practice through experience and mentorship. I do hope to continue providing service to the community and repaying the support that has brought me this far.”

Honoring Her Journey, Inspiring the Next

For Mejia, being a topnotcher is more than a personal milestone; it is an opportunity to represent and uphold the values of the physical therapy profession. “I aspire to honor my alma mater and advance our profession by upholding the standards instilled by CAMP, dedicating myself to serving the community by providing quality physical therapy, and continually enhancing my skills via hands-on experience and the mentorship of seasoned clinicians.”

Behind every late-night review session and clinical rotation, Mejia credits her professors, peers, and family. “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our professors at CAMP for cultivating a nurturing environment where we could grow into compassionate, competent physical therapists, instilling the core qualities that will guide our service to patients and communities. I would also like to give my thanks to my blockmates and co-interns for their companionship, support, and encouragement throughout the years. We leaned on each other through every challenge, and without them, I wouldn’t have made it this far. By celebrating our successes and having each other’s backs, we made the tough road to becoming physical therapists a truly rewarding experience.”

She also hopes to inspire current and future PT students. Her advice? Take care of yourself while studying, focus on essentials, and remember your “why.”

“Whenever you hit a rough patch, take a moment to look back at how much you’ve already accomplished and look forward to the day you’ll earn your license and imagine how you’ll put everything you’ve learned into practice,” she said.

“And if you ever lose your motivation, remind yourself why you began this journey in the first place: to serve others with the skills and knowledge you’re working so hard to master.”

#FP1 #FP6 #FP8

#InnovationsforLifeLongLearningDedicatedtoService