‘‘Pray – Study, study, study - Pray, Pray, Pray – Study,’’ – Santa Marcela’s Natn’l Top 9 Respiratory Therapist

Santa Marcela, Apayao – Marc Andrey Tagatac Gorospe, 22, from Barangay Imelda in Santa Marcela, Apayao, a National Top 9 in the recent Respiratory Therapist Licensure Examination (RTLE) with an average of 90.75 percent testified the power of prayer over his outstanding achievement.

Results released by the PRC during Valentines Day on Friday, Feb. 14 revealed Gorospe, the only son of Mr. Rey Z. Gorospe and Mrs. May T. Gorospe was not only one of the 853 out of 1,097 passers, but also one of the topnotchers nationwide.

Gorospe is an alumnus of Imelda Elementary School (IES), Mayor Guillermo Barsatan Memorial School of Arts and Trade (MGBMSAT), and Sta. Marcela National High School (SMNHS). He finished his degree in Respiratory Therapy at Cagayan State University Andrews Campus, in Tuguegarao City in 2024. He took the examination in Manila on February 11-12, 2025.

In an interview with Guru Press Cordillera, Gorospe said his journey to the top was not without stress and difficulties. There were times when he was worn out; nevertheless, he never gave up on his dreams. When asked about his preparation before the exams, he relayed that although he went through review sessions and mastered concepts, he did not claim he perfectly knew everything. He was just confident with the strategic principle of praying hard.

“Preparation ko po is prayer talaga. Nilibot po namin ang ibat-ibang churches sa Manila. Before examination…kapag may hindi ako alam na sagot…at pagkatapos ng exam, nagpepray po ako. Sa waiting days namin ay iniliaan ko ang oras ko sa prayer, at sabi ko sana 100% batch namin ay pumasa, bonus nalang ang Mag-Top,” Gorospe emphasized.

‘‘Para sa mga katulad kong Kabataan na nangangarap sa kabila ng hirap sa buhay, gawing inspirasyon and pagkabigo or pagkatalo sa isang bagay, continue to strive even though may difficulties po tayong napagdadaanan. Continue to pray mapa mayroon man o wala tayong kailangan kay Lord,” he added.

Gorospe attributed his success to his family, friends, teachers, and religious leaders who became a part of his preparations by imparting knowledge and valuable life lessons.

Gorospe’s alma mater, Cagayan State University-Andrews Campus, is the top performing university in this year’s RTLE with 100% passing rate (139 No. of examinees/139 passed). 

Mayor Evelyn B. Martinez on behalf of the Local Government Unit lauded the superb performance of Santa Marcela’s very own topnotcher.

A Registered Respiratory Therapist is a specialized healthcare practitioner trained in critical care and cardio-pulmonary medicine to work therapeutically with people who have acute critical conditions, cardiac and pulmonary disease.