Posted December 2018
"Education has no age limit" this has been proved to us by Mrs Brito.
Mrs Aurora Brito is a 59 year old student who graduated from Lyceum of Alabang last April 2018 with Degree of Bachelor of Science in Customs Administration.
In spite of her age, still she was able to pursued her 2nd degree. Thirty seven years ago, Brito took Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Major in Accounting and graduated last April 1980.
Immediately, she looked for a job and was lucky enough that she was able to have her first job as Accounting Clerk then after a year, she was promoted as Bookkeeper until she reached the position as an Accountant in the same company.
But for some reasons, Brito transferred to a company which produces linens for export (LINENS INTERNATIONAL) in Paranaque, which she handled Accounting and Personnel Department and later on she was transferred to Import and Export Dept which requires her to attend several seminars just to gain ideas and knowledge about the new assigned job since her course is not related to her current position. That was the start of her Logistics journey.
She worked for Fil-Pacific Apparel (formerly Jag & Hagger) one of the top manufacturers of denim pants in the Philippines as Import/Export Manager for 17 years. However, in year 2013, She and her husband decided to invest in an Import/Export Brokerage company in Manila named Speedlight Cargo Movers Corporation aside from the Construction and Hardware Company they built.
That was the time her husband suggested to take up BSCA which could give her more knowledge in their business.
"...at first i was hesitant because of my age. I was then 56 years of age when i enrolled in LOA, attending my first day in our classes,they thought i was their professor, but i was amazed having like Prof Adrian who was so young during that time (very efficient teacher) i remember that he asked everyone in the class what made us decide to enroll the said BSCA course where my replied was to have additional a deeper knowledge about Import and Export matters until i took some major subjects under Prof Sabug in the higher year ,where i have learned a lot also then finally i was able to finished the BSCA course after 2 years n 1 summer while managing our brokerage business in Manila."
After graduation, she decided to enrolled to one of Review school in Manila as preparation for the board exam. However, problems were encountered along the way.
"..,Last July of 2018, i took my review for Customs Broker Licensure Board Exams, there were problems occurred along the way in our construction and hardware businesses wherein i handle both its Accounting matters, financing/ Accounting in Speedlight as well, at the same time an officer of our Parish as treasurer and a servant of our church, im doing all of these while I'm reviewing, especially my church service."
In spite of those, Mrs Brito was included on 1,266 successful examinees who passed the board exam last November 2018.
"..,since my college foundations was good having efficient professors, focus on my last 2 months review, fervent prayers and with God's grace, HE gave me the opportunity to pass the said board exams that o spite of obstacles ,i just hold on and trust HIM with all my heart and soul... "
It is abundantly clear that striving to learn new things betters your life in numerous ways. Ideally, your whole life should be spent striving to learn something new every single day. Learning and wanting to enhance your intellect is a great thing for every human to aspire toward. Learning has no age since life is a continuous learning.
Posted December 2017
"If that is important to you, you'll find way, and if not, you'll find an excuse"
Ruby Jane Francisquete who's 2017 graduate of BS Customs Administration in Lyceum of Alabang proved to us that if you really want something, you'll find way to reached it.
Being the oldest, she's the breadwinner of the family, thus she finds ways on how she could help her parents while supporting her education. Thus, she decided to worked in a fast food company.
As working student, she was able to managed her time correctly and efficiently. In fact, she's one of the top students on her class. She also graduated with Academic distinction.
Francisquete decided to left her job after graduation to focus on her review for the board exam. She enrolled in one of known Review school in Manila.
Review days were not a smooth journey since she needs to keep pace with other reviewees from prestigious school like Lyceum of the Philippines, Adamson University, Batangas State University and PMMS who are known to have good BSCA program and board exam performance.
When the board exam results were out, Francisquete bagged the Top 9 spot with an average of 88.50%. She never expected to be one of the Topnotchers since according to her, she was not even belongs to Top when she was in Review School and board questions were really tough
Francisquete was the first product of Lyceum of Alabang who able to reached the Top 10 in board exam.
Currently, she is now working with Bureau of Customs in Port of Manila.
Posted January 2015
“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.”
If you’re aiming for something, even if you don’t achieve it, you’ll still be somewhere better than where you started.
Mr. Adrian Valenzuela is a 2014 graduate of BS Customs Administration.
During college days, he needs to maintain his grade, not because of his dream to be a Cumlaude but because of his scholarship.
He graduated with Academic distinction only and not able to achieved the Latin award.
"... it was really hard to maintain your grades especially on major subjects which are really tough. Yun pinag aralan mo na lahat pero iba yung lumalabas sa exam"
After graduation, Valenzuela decided to enrolled in one of review center in Manila, however, other review center offered him a scholarship that lead him to enrolled on the latter review school.
He accepted the offer which added extra pressure on him to do his best and to be on top in the board exam.
During examination day, some subjects were easy but some are really tough.
"Customs and Warehousing (previously CPD) medyo easy. Tariff Law was 65% History which i have no idea on most of the questions since those were not discussed during review. Computation subject was really tough. I cried a lot since na-mental blocked ako. I can't even remember formula. "
Two days after the board exam, results were out. He passed the Customs Broker Licensure examination but wasn't able to reached the top.
He has an average of 88.75% which lead him to 11th spot which only 0.25% (1 question) difference for him to be on Top 10.
"..,after i received a call that i made it, i dont even think that i can still made atleast 11th place since i already accepted that i wont be able to passed the board exam since sure ko na tama lang sa computation is less than 10 items.but God is good! ."
At age of 20, He was told to be a part-time instructor in Lyceum of Alabang where he graduated while working in a Multinational Airfreight Brokerage and Forwarder in NAIA, Pasay as Customs Classifier.
For some reason, he decided to apply to a freight forwarding company in Port Area, Manila as Import Officer and after 2 years, since from Muntilupa to Manila requires two and half hours, he decided to apply to a Japanese Shipping line located in Alabang as Team Leader handling Export Booking under North America accounts.
Due to transition of 3 biggest Japanese company, (K-Line, Mitsui OSK Lines and NYK Line) to Ocean Network Express (ONE), he was transferred to Business Process Department as Training Supervisor and after months was promoted as Senior Supervisor handling both training and business processes.
He reached supervisory position at age of 22 and handled more than 30 people already.
"..,i learned that you dont need to be topnotcher to reach your goal, because grades, board rating and place wont lead you to success if you have no 'diskarte' , perseverance and vision in life. Always give your best, and pray"
This story taught us that you don't need to be great to start, but you should start to be great.