Little did he and his family know that the apparent wishful thinking would come true months later. Randell, a Colegio de San Agustin Class 2006 graduate, and another Negrense, Brian Lim, an alumnus of St. La Salle made history for the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports, Cultural and Education Association by topping two board examinations given in one year. They also made their school proud for being their first-ever No. 1 board examinee in the two disciplines.

"God is, indeed, good," Brian told his parents upon hearing the news that he topped the examination. Brian, who will turn 22 on July 26, graduated summa cum laude and class valedictorian of the USLS Class 2006 while Randell finished his studies magna cum laude. Brian, a resident of Villamonte, Bacolod City, is the only child of Roland Lim, sales manager of NumeroUno Footwear and wife, the former Nida Tan, a faculty member of St. John's Institute, where the Accountancy board topnotcher graduated first honors in high school. We thank the Lord for this blessing, Lim's mother said. Brian got a 92.14 rating in the exam. Randell, who will celebrate his 22nd birthday on Aug. 21, is the fifth of the six children of Oscar Arias, a forester and the former Vigilia Santos, an officer in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources office in Cadiz City. He graduated salutatorian from the SPED High School in Cadiz City. The top Medical Technology board examinee, who registered am 86.40 rating, is now a freshman medical student at the Far Eastern University - Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation in Quezon City.

"To God be the glory," said Randell's parents as they celebrated the feat of their son.

Brian was offered the position of an associate auditor by SyCip, Gorres, Velayo and Company in Metro Manila.

StarLife sent the two topnotchers a questionnaire via email. Here are their responses to the questions we sent.

StarLife: What preparations did you make for the board exam?

Brian: I reviewed at the CPA Review School of the Philippines in Manila for six months. I studied hard and read a lot of textbooks and reviewers.

Randell: Honestly, I could say that there was no preparation. After I graduated in April 2006, I was really planning to take the board exam on March 2007, instead of taking it on September 2006 because I felt like I haven't fully "digested" yet some of my lessons. It was even funny for others to know that I bought books after my graduation! I was actually ahead by about seven months in Manila before our actual review there scheduled Dec. 6 to Feb. 7.

I started making time schedule for every subject that I needed to study. Unfortunately, maybe because of the thought that "kalayo pa man sang board exam a", I wasn't able to follow it religiously. Before I could finish reading the first three chapters of my hematology book, I realized "December na gali?!" When we came to manila for our review, we were shocked when we realized that the board exam was set earlier by two weeks (February 28-March 1) than what we expected as March 15 or 21. During the review, I really had no time to read everything, although I slept at about 2 a.m. or until I got tired of studying. I could say that I was not prepared. I believe that It was really God's plan that put me on top.

StarLife: What were the highlights of your student life during your junior and senior years?

Randell: Graduating magna laude was one of the highlights on my student life considering that B.S. in medical technology is a difficult course. In extra-curricular activities, I won the title Mr. Medical Technology 2005 ( with hakot awards - best in talent, best in production number and some other citations I already forgot, proving my potentials of ehemmm. I considered also a highlight of my college life was my being president of CSA-B Medical Technology Society and having been chosen as finalist for NOPSSCEA most outstanding student awards.

Brian: I graduated summa cum laude, was Class 2006 valedictorian and earned the Top 5 Most Outstanding Accountancy Student of the Philippines recognition. I was also a national finalist in the search for the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines. I served as USLS-Student Organization Senate majority floor leader, Chairman Budget and Finance Commitee, a volunteer of NAMFREL and also of the Balayan, the USLS community extension office.

StarLife: As a student did you have time for relaxation and rcreation?

Randell: During my college years, relaxing was nearly impossible - because I usually get homesick that most of the time I went home to Cadiz after laboratory duty. All work and no play, I know would make me dull and so I usually found time to relax. If ever I had time, like after exams, we usually went out for a movie together with my classmates, or spend the time talking about each other's "kabulastugan", or "funkness as we called it, in the laboratory". In the midst of our study hours, we usually cracked a joke and laughed for some time until someone would say, "Tama na, matuon na ta!"

Brian: I love to play basketball and billiards. I also watched television and new movies to relax.

StarLife: What motivated you to excel and who inspired you to do well?

Brian: My desire to make a difference in my community and to use well the talents that God has given.

Randell: It may sound awkward if I say that God motivated me to excel. It would be a great testimony if I excel in my studies and would serve as inspiration to others that if you put God first, everything will be added (Matthew 6:33). The financial status perhaps motivated me to study hard to avail of any available scholarship grants. My parents of course, inspired me to do well. For all the things that they have done for me, it's my duty to give what is due to them - sense of pride, accomplishment and satisfaction. I remember that Dad texted Mama shortly after graduation, saying, "Daw matunaw ako sa kalipay", when he received the award of recognition that I topped the board (I wasn't able to attend the awarding ceremony, because that was also my oath-taking ceremony). See, we make our parents very happy if we do well not only in studies but in all things.

StarLife: What sacrifices did you make to excel in school?

Randell: Just like a typical student, I studied and slept late at night. I am not very studious really. Mama would even tell me, "Maano ka? Matu-on or matan-aw TV?" During my high school and college days, I have not made sacrifices like I did during the review for the board exam -quit reading until I got sleepy regardless of the time. I actually made lots of sacrifices during our actual review in Manila. I experienced sleeping at 5 a.m, and waking up at 7 a.m. and doing the laundry late at night. That was really tiresome.

Brian: Always maintained self-discipline while others were sleeping, I was studying. While the rest were playing, I was reading.

StarLife: Did you expect to make it to the top when you were taking the exam and shortly after it?

Brian: I had no expectation (only a dream) but I just did my best - study hard and pray. I made it my goal that's why I prepared well for it, but there was no expectation.

Randell: I was very confident that I would pass the exam but making it to the top was beyond my imagination. I really did not expect to be on top because there were many examinees from different universities, like UST, which has been consistent in the topnotchers' list. I felt I was David in the midst of Goliaths.

StarLife: What do you think made you rate highest in the board exam?

Randell: I believe other examinees also studied so hard and so I could not say that I rated highest because I did the same. Honestly, I have not even finished reading all my books, and I do not have a clear grasp of some of the principles about medical technology, and so I give that credit to God. I think I rated the highest because it was God's plan for my life.

Brian: I think it is because of my passion for learning and my unrelenting spirit to excel but ultimately I believe it is because of God's grace and the purpose that he has given me that made all these possible.

StarLife: What were you doing when you got word you topped the exam? How did you learn of it and what was your reaction?

Brian: I learned about it from the review-director of CPAR, Atty. Valix. I was very happy that finally I have achieved what I only dreamt about. But the more prevailing emotion was my gratefulness to my parents, teachers and most of all to GOD.

Randell: The night before the official release of results, I was taking a bath when my mother received a text message from one of her officemates telling her that I topped the board exam. Well, as expected, my mother kept on jumping and shouting, "Waaa!! Noy, ikaw ang No. 1 sa board!" I did not believe it and told her: "Ma, indi ta anay maglumpat kay basi indi ina matuod".

After that, I checked my cell phone and it read, no space for new text messages! One of the messages came from my teacher at CSA-B congratulating me that I did make history for the school. I still did not believe it. That night gave me sleeplessness and anxiety! One of the staff members in the review center I attended called and congratulated me early in the morning of the release of official results. It somehow relieved my uneasiness but I needed to see my name on print. I went to the newsstand thrice and to Internet cafe twice but the papers and the results were not yet available.

That could have given me a heart attack. Going to the newsstand for the fourth time, I saw dad and there we realized that, indeed, I topped the board exam! Whew! With that, how could I further react?! I just smiled but deep within, I was very happy, of course.

StarLife: What does your being a topnotcher mean to you now?

Randell: Being a topnotcher proved that God is truly a living God who answers prayers and that He is faithful to His promises that His children are always the head and not the tail. Being a topnotcher proved that God chooses the weak to show Himself strong. Now, being a topnotcher opened the door for the realization of my dream of becoming a medical doctor someday through a scholarship. It means so much to me.

Brian: It's only the beginning of another journey in life as I start my profession and career. I will definitely continue to do the things that made me what I am today, a life-long commitment to excellence and to the principles that I believed. I also hope that I could be an inspiration to other students as well. StarLife: How do you see yourself 10 years from now. Where will you be?

Brian: I think that's too far away to predict and discuss today. But if my plans would push through, then I would like to study further, maybe for an MBA degree, continue working, and, hopefully I can teach as well.

Randell: Anything can happen 10 years from now. If God allows, most likely, I will be working in a hospital as a doctor and an active member in a church somewhere.

StarLife: What is there yet to accomplish?

Randell: Everyday is a task to accomplish and I have a long journey to travel. There is still more to be done - to graduate in medicine, to pass or, perhaps, top the medical board, to become successful... I can only mention some. But the bottom line is to give myself the best shot and may God be glorified in everything I'll do.

Brian: A lot really...an unending quest for knowledge and finding significance not just success.

StarLife: What advise will you give others who aspire to pass (and also make it to the top)?

Brian: FAITH in God. BELIEVE in yourself. STUDY hard and be HUMBLE.

Randell:I would like to share this mnemonics that was also shared to me by one of my teachers at CSA-B. I actually posted it on the wall before I went for the review. The mnemonics reads PASSED.

Put God first andpreparation. We are absolutely nothing without God. Give God the time despite the bulk of things to study. Prepare yourself by at least studying ahead. Ask for it. Ask and you will receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened unto you. (Matthew 7:7-8) During my review, I end my day asking God, "Lord, gusto ko mag-top 1 sa board, but I give you the wheel. Your plan is better than my life's greatest dreams." Be specific! But don't be discouraged if you don't receive what you asked for. He can turn your disappointments into appointments, God has plan better than ours.

Sacrifice & Study. It can be letting go of things like "lagaw-lagaw" or sleeping at least five hours just to study. Prayer and studying must go hand in hand. Faith without work is dead, remember. (James 2:20)

Search & Reasearch. When I study and I encountered a word or a concept that I could not understand, I usually try to look it up in a dictionary or some other sources. It really works.

Expect the Unexpected. It's better to foresee the board exam as difficult rather than anticipating it as an easy one. It conditions and prepares you to study hard. After the board exam, you can calm down and say, "Sisiw lang gali ang board exam!"

Discipline. I may not have that stringent kind of discipline, but I would like to stress that if you make a time table in studying, discipline yourself and try to follow it.