How a rejected and waitlisted UST student overcame the odds to become valedictorian

Getting derailed from his goal

Before applying for college, Araya said that he and his batchmates felt like they were already at a disadvantage as there was no college entrance test during that time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, schools relied on grades and extracurricular activities for their applications.

"Until Grade 9 to Grade 11 kasi 'yung grades na considered for college. Eh karamihan sa amin, like me, hindi pa seryoso nung Grade 9 at Grade 10, so hindi ako masyado nag-hope or nag-expect na makakapasa ko but I still tried," he said.

Medical technology had been Araya's "dream program" since he was in high school, as he wanted to pursue a career in medicine.

"Wala akong naisip na second choice sa UST, medtech lang. Tapos naisip ko, applyan ko na lang kaya 'yung other courses within the Faculty of Pharmacy. Tinignan ko 'yung biochem, but before choosing biochem, binasa ko muna 'yung curriculum tapos 'yung description ng UST website. Sabi ko, 'Wow, ang cool ng subjects,' Hindi ko alam mahirap pala," he recalled.

Out of all the schools he applied to, Araya only passed two—UST and De La Salle University. Since he knew he couldn’t afford studying at DLSU, UST was his only option, which is why he persisted in emailing the department every day for two weeks until he finally secured a spot in the biochemistry program.

"I know there [are] many opportunities talaga in UST," he shared, adding that he wanted to live on his own. "I was sheltered by my grandparents, so parang sabi ko gusto ko din ma-try magbuhay mag-isa to get the full college experience."

Falling in love with the course

As he began his university life, Araya encountered another hurdle: Physics and calculus, subjects he struggled with as a STEM student during senior high school. 

However, his fears were eventually alleviated thanks to his professors.

"Nung nalaman ko na first year, first term pa lang, we have Physics 1 tapos calculus, I was afraid, pero nung na-meet na namin 'yung mga professors, magaling naman silang magturo. So hindi ako masyado nahirapan adjusting, considering my STEM background din," he said.

With a scholarship to maintain, Araya strived to improve his math knowledge. One habit that helped was to summarize the formulas on one page so it would be easier for him to see them all.

"When I review, at least 'di na ako magbubuklat-buklat, nadyan na lang sila. In a way, kapag exam, navi-visualize ko kung saan nakalagay yung ganitong formula. Parang lahat ng study styles, ma-incorporate mo into the review.

But since medical technology was his original goal, Araya found himself torn between his dream and his reality in biochemistry.

"Initially, sabi ko try ko lang muna (biochemistry) kasi I really don't know what to expect sa course na pinili ko. Pero after a week or so, sobrang na-enjoy ko 'yung classes, especially our professors. They're very caring and magaling talaga silang magturo. So, I decided not to shift to another course," Araya said.

Finding success in his new path

Araya further had a pivotal realization during his third year that led him to reconsider his medical school dreams.

"Kasi sa third year, lahat ng major biochem subjects namin, doon siya. Sobrang bigat and sobrang hirap niya, so parang doon ko na-realize na I may not be for medical school kasi I really don't like 'yung pag-memorize lang ng mga bagay-bagay. Gusto ko iniintindi," he shared.

It was also during this time that he began participating in research paper competitions. In 2024, Araya bagged the first place at the 7th International Symposium and 14th Annual Scientific Conference for his work on chemical hazards present in traditional vapor rub liniments.

This deepened his passion for the course even more.

"I didn't really expect na mananalo ako doon, considering na graduating students yung kalaban ko. After that win, I realized na maybe research really is the path for me. And research is really the core of biochem," Araya said.

"After nun, sunod-sunod na yung conferences na sinalihan ko. I went to [my hometown of] Bicol, tapos I also went to Korea noong May to compete as well. So given the gravity of the events that I attended, meron pala talagang moment na masasabi mo na nag-start ka lang from requirement sa subject tapos ma-rerealize mo na it would lead to bigger things. So, of course, sobrang saya lang sa feeling nun," he continued.

Araya is now aiming to pursue a Ph.D. program abroad, but still plans to return to the Philippines to contribute to the scientific community.

"Kulang talaga ng mga researchers na dedicated to their craft here in the Philippines, especially those researchers na 'yung vision nila for the future is malaki," he highlighted.

"Madami sa Pilipinas, pero karamihan umaalis kasi mas marami 'yung magandang opportunities sa ibang bansa. So, I hope to contribute to the Philippines by establishing [research] of my own here that may be related to healthcare," he added.

For now, Araya is celebrating his achievement as the valedictorian of UST Class of 2025 and continues to inspire his fellow students with his story.

"Whenever juniors would ask me kung paano ko nasurvive yung biochem, I always tell them to love the course. The course is really challenging, but when you find it interesting and when you love the course, sobrang mas mapapadali yung pag-aaral mo," he underscored.

For students who feel lost after a setback, he advised, "A rejection may feel like all your plans are broken, but you get to pick up those broken plans and you get to start again and form a new one. Looking back, grabe pala 'yung pinagdaanan ko na I was rejected from medical technology, and although disappointed, I really tried to do whatever I [could] with the given opportunity I [had at] that time."

"It's all up to you how you'll bounce back and pursue greater heights to overcome your rejection. Nasa sa'yo na yan if you'll [let] the rejection get to your head or not," he added.