‘Wag patatalo sa hina ng loob’: Woman from Northern Samar finally passes LET on her 15th try

This woman from Northern Samar took 12 years to attain her dream of becoming a licensed teacher.

Richelle Ann Arnesto Gonzales took her first board exam after her graduation in 2010. But she failed 14 times. In her many attempts, she recalled having to take the LET exam twice a year, but she still failed.

But Richelle decided to continue reviewing until she was able to pass the exam last January 30, 2022.

“Sa pangalawa, opo, maraming beses ko na pong inisip na sumuko at hindi na magtake ng exam. sa bawat exam ko, ang naiisip ko ay ang mga pangarap ko, at pangarap ng pamilya ko,” Richelle said.


Richelle recalled the day of the examination, “Noong araw noong last exam ko, kinakabahan, masaya, excited.”

Richelle admitted that she had no expectations that day but noted she was eager to pass the exam this time.

“Kasi ‘yung last exam ko ngayon, sinasabi ko pagpasok palang ng gate, “Kailangan maipasa ko na ‘to. Kailangan pasado na ako,” Richelle noted.

“Hindi ako nagexpect na makakapasa. Dahil sa pakiramdam ko, hindi naman po ako nakapagreview ng mabuti, hindi po ako nakapagfocus sa pagrereview at wala rin akong reviewer. Ang tanging binasa ko ‘yung bigay ng friends ko. And then soft copy naman ng pinsan ko sinend sa’kin. ‘Yun dinownload ko. ‘Yun lang ‘yung mga binasa ko. kaya hindi po ako umasa na makakapasa,” she shared.

On the day of the release of the board passers, Richelle’s cousin was the one who broke the good news.

“Unang una, hindi ko pa alam na pumasa ako kasi nga walang signal sa barangay namin. ‘Yung pinsan ko may wifi sila kaya alam na niya pero ako hindi pa. Pumunta siya sa bahay, pagdating niya, that time, naglalaba ako. Sinabi niya na “Ate alam mo na?” 

Sabi ko “Ang ano?” 

Hindi ko pa talaga alam na may result na. Nakita pala niya sa post ng kapatid ko sa Facebook na pumasa na kami ng sister-in-law ko,” Richelle narrated.

Despite starting her own family, she still devoted time to review. Her family inspired Richelle to continue despite some setbacks.

“Sa sobrang saya ko lumundag ako ng lumundag, umiyak, na sa wakas naipasa ko na rin siya. Sobrang iyak. Sobrang saya ko at ng pamilya ko. Nang malaman na ng pamilya ko na nakapasa ako, sabi nila, “Diba sinabi namin na kaya mo? Tiwala lang. Magtiwala sa sarili at manalangin. Ibibigay din sayo,” she added.

Richelle graduated from the University of Eastern Philippines in 2010. She now has six children and currently works as a volunteer in their municipality. She plans to apply as a senior high school TLE teacher in Northern Samar.

“Unang una, huwag mahiya. Lalo na pag nadapa ka, bumangon ka, lumakad ulit. Ibig sabihin ipagpatuloy mo ‘yung ginagawaa mo na kahit tayo ay nabibigo, matuto tayong lumaban para sa pangarap at para sa pngarap ng mga mahal mo. Siguro ang kailangan lang natin, ‘yung tiwala sa sarili, kasabay ang panalangin, na maibigay na sa ating ang mga pinapangarap natin,” Richelle said when asked about her message to the public.

“Wala naman sigurong tao na gusto na palaging bumagsak, palaging madapa. Kaya sa lahat ng nawalan ng pag asa, laban lang. ‘Wag patatalo sa hina ng loob. Ang kahinaan natin ay gawin nating lakas para matupad natin ‘yung mga pangarap natin, para makatulong tayo sa pamilya natin,” she added.

Janelle Lorzano likes long walks on the seaside and listening to people about their lives. When she isn't writing, she travels and discover new places.
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