Eden Oleo Elcarte, a Biliran Province State University-School of Criminal Justice Education (BiPSU-SCJE) graduate, brought pride to the university upon making it to the topnotchers’ list in the recently concluded August 2023 Criminology Licensure Examination (CLE).

Out of 5,742 passers, Elcarte secured third place. She is now the second topnotcher from BiPSU-SCJE, following Arianne Patagnan Supat, who ranked 2nd place at the June 2022 CLE.

Elcarte's journey to success was far from easy, as she faced numerous challenges, especially given that her examination review was entirely online. She spoke about the difficulties, saying, "Daghan [mga problema] kay online review. Ako ra available sa balay kay ako mga igsuon nag-skwela ug nag-trabaho. Lisod man kung akong Papa nga tricycle driver ako pahugason, palimpyuhon, ug palung-agon. Naa pa mga neighbors na hilig ug videoke (Many [problems] because it’s an online review. I am the only one available at home because my siblings are in school and working. It's hard if I let my father, who is a tricycle driver, do household chores. There are also neighbors who like videoke)."

However, Elcarte never allowed these challenges to deter her and remained focused on her goals. She explained, "Pero tanang problema, naay solusyon. So mao ‘to, giayo lang nako pag-manage sa akong time sa review ug mga household chores. Tabangan pud kos akong Mama sa balay before muadto’g work niya. Saluhon man pud sa akong kinamanghuran ang trabahuon if muuli siya sa balay. So nakaya ra (But every problem has a solution. So that's it, I just managed my time for review and household chores. My mother would also help me before she goes to work. Our youngest will also shoulder the work when he comes home. So, I lived by)."

When asked about her preparations before the examination, Elcarte answered, "Attend lang ug daily lectures, basa ug notes unya answer ug practice questions ([I] just attend daily lectures, read notes, and answer practice questions)."

Elcarte admitted that she was surprised to learn of her achievement, as her initial goal was simply to pass the exam. She said, "Pag-pasar lang akong gusto pero nakahuna-huna gihapon ko kung unsa kahay feeling sa top-notcher pero lagi, kutob ras huna-huna. I just want to pass. I still think about how it feels to be a top-notcher, but I can only imagine."

Elcarte continued, "Wa ko nagdahum kay ako ra man ipasa dayon akong answer sheet kung kamao ko nga wala nakoy ikapuga nga answer sa akong utok (I didn't expect it because I would pass my answer sheet right away if I know I didn't have an answer in my brain)."

More so, Elcarte expressed her overwhelming happiness, saying, "Sangkos langit ang ikalipay oy kay wa damha (My happiness is beyond the clouds because I didn’t expect it)." She emphasized that her success is the result of her hard work and a blessing for herself and her family, who supported her throughout the journey. She said, "Murag mao naman jud ni ang bunga sa akong paningkamot. Ug dako kaayo ni nga blessing para nako ug sa akong pamilya nga nisuporta nga angay jud ikalipay (It seems that this is the fruit of my efforts. And this is a great blessing for me and my family who supported me and this is something we should be happy about)."

Elcarte shared valuable advice for future exam takers, urging them to remain committed and focused on their goals. She said, "Bisag unsa nga mode of review, padayon lang. Focus, attend pirme sa daily lectures ug i-internalize ang mga lessons. Ayaw kakuntento sa lectures lang, basa basa ug libro ug intindiha ang content. Ayaw pud pakig-compete or icompare ang imong kaugalingon sa ubang reviewees. Focus lang ug improving yourself ug dili pud magpadala sa laag or inom with barkada. Labaw sa tanan, tapod sa imong kaugalingon ug sa ginoo. Lisod, pero makaya ra na (Whatever the mode of review, just keep going. Focus, attend daily lectures regularly and internalize the lessons. Don't be satisfied with just lectures, read books and understand the content. Do not compete or compare yourself with other reviewees. Just focus on improving yourself and don't wander around or drink with friends. Above all, trust yourself and the lord. It's hard, but it's doable)."

On the other hand, Dr. Archie T. Ramirez, SCJE Dean, shared their department's approach to producing national topnotchers. He said, "Sa screening palang, strikto na. Unya during face-to-face classes, i-monitor permanente ang klase. During mid-term and final exam, board exam type of questions na ang ihatag sa mga studyante. Unya i-mind conditioning ang mga studyante to aim high and continue the culture of excellence na makaproduce na pud ug another topnotcher (As for the screening, we’re already strict. Then, during face-to-face classes, we monitor the class regularly. During the mid-term and final exams, students are already given board exam-type questions. Then, we mind-condition the students to aim high and continue the culture of excellence to produce another topnotcher)."

Dr. Ramirez also shared an advice for success, saying, "Bisag sa akong klase, always nako balik-balikon—study, study, study, study. Simple pero naay impact kung imo buhaton. Of course, with the guidance of our God Almighty. (Even in my class, I always repeat—study, study, study, study. It's simple, but it has an impact if you do it. Of course, with the guidance of our God Almighty)."

In the August 2023 CLE, BiPSU produced 66 new criminologists and obtained a 67.78% passing percentage for first-time takers and a 55.46% overall institutional passing percentage, higher than the national passing rate of 32.68%.