iKalinga Graduate Haizel Mamilig shares journey of rejections to Top becoming 7 of BuCor Class

If you see your dream being hindered by series of rejections, would you just give up and let go? For CO1 Haizel Mamilig of Tabuk City, Kalinga, the answer is no.

Haizel graduated as Top 7 of the Corrections Officer Custodial Basic Course (COCBC) Class 2024-01 “KASARIGAN” on September 20, 2024, in Muntinlupa City, obtaining a general average of 89.01%.

Haizel could not contain her joy as she is finally one with her childhood dream of joining the uniformed service. Before the tears of success, however, there were tears of rejections.

She recounted she first applied at the Philippine National Police in 2020 - 2021 as she wanted to follow the path of her father who was a police officer. She underwent the necessary application procedures and passed various tests but was not able to make it in the final cut.

“I want to be like my father na dati nasa uniformed service… siya nag inspire sa akin na pasukin ‘tong career na to,” she told GURU Press Cordillera.

After getting over the disappointment, Haizel once again tried her luck in the uniformed service by applying in the Bureau of Corrections in 2023. She recalled she also passed the necessary tests – entrance exam, neuro, medical, and physical agility and that she was among those shortlisted until the final interview.

However, just like her PNP application, she did not make it to the final list.

“Nakakaiyak kasi for how many months mong tinapos ‘yung process, at gastos and pagod ang binigay mo tapos wala ka pala sa final list,” she said.

A year later, just when she thought she would never get to achieve her dream of becoming one of the uniformed personnel, she was called back for the attrition recruitment quota. Right there, after the breakdowns and long wait, she started her training to become a correctional officer.

Haizel said she did not expect to top her class, she just wanted to train and become a CO1 which was why she just gave her best both in her rigid training and in her academics.

Looking back to those years of trying and getting rejected, Haizel said it was worth the tears and wait. She then reminded everyone who lost hope to keep going after their dreams as these will be given to them at the right them.