2006 board topnotcher: Glad it’s all over

MANGALDAN, Pangasinan — For four months after he topped the leakage-tainted 2006 nursing licensure examinations, Gringo San Diego spent time helping in their family-owned backyard piggery while anxiously waiting for the issue to be resolved, which could mean retaking the examinations.

But Friday the 13th spelled luck for San Diego and some 17,000 other examinees after they have been allowed by the Court of Appeals to take their oath as nurses. The CA said they did not appear to have benefited from the leakage.

"Now, we can move on,’’ San Diego, who placed first among more than 42,000 examinees, said.

The appellate court’s first division ordered the Professional Regulation Commission to swear in the new nurses, almost two months after a court restraining order dashed their hopes of becoming full-fledged nurses.

"Apat na buwan din akong nagpakain at nag-alaga ng mga baboy (For four months, I fed and took care of pigs)," he said. San Diego, a native of this town, said he could not be employed as a nurse because of what happened.

San Diego now hopes for a better future after topping the board exams.

A cum laude graduate from the University of Pangasinan based in Dagupan City, San Diego posted an 83.20 percent rating in the nursing licenture exams.

He told The STAR how he felt relieved on learning that he and some 17,000 passers could move on to fulfill their dreams.

"Mabuti naman at nasagot ang mga panalangin namin na sana makapag take oath na kami at mabigyan ng lisensya (It’s a good thing our prayers were answered and we can now take our oath and be given our license,’’ San Diego said. He said this is the prize of what other examinees have fought for. "I am very, very happy.’’ he added.

San Diego said after getting his license, he would review for the National Council for Licensure Examinations so he could get employed in the US. He said he would help send his three other siblings to school. He said he would also help them get jobs in the US.

San Diego’s parents only rely on their small backyard piggery business for their children’s upkeep.