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Artemio Dumlao - Philstar.com
April 29, 2026 | 6:03pm
Kyla Camille Ortal ranks Top 2 in the 2026 Pharmacist Licensure Examination with a 94.35% rating.
DSWD Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program National Program Management Office
ILOCOS NORTE, Philippines — Dreams once felt out of reach for a young student from Barangay Baay, Batac City, Ilocos Norte. With little money for daily needs, even staying in school was a challenge.
But early on, Kyla Camille Ortal held on to one thing—determination.
Ortal grew up as a monitored child under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The program helped support her education and health, though she knew she had to work hard to chart her future.
Life was never easy for Ortal. There were times when her family barely had enough, forcing them to prioritize basic needs. Still, instead of giving up, Ortal was focused on her dream. Her goal was rock solid—to help her family rise from poverty.
“Hindi pala sapat ang mangarap. Kailangan mo rin itong ipaglaban,” she said.
Setbacks faced her along the way. Ortal admitted she once hoped to become a scholar under the Department of Science and Technology, but luck was not with her. Instead of quitting, she applied for other scholarships and kept going.
Her persistence led her to Mariano Marcos State University, where she enrolled in Pharmacy. College life was also tough, with long nights of studying and moments of doubt.
After graduating, she focused on the licensure exam, studying hard and staying disciplined.
When the results of the April 2026 Pharmacist Licensure Examination came out, her efforts paid off. She ranked Top 2 with a 94.35% rating.
Ortal acknowledged that the 4Ps program played a big role in helping her family survive.
Today, she and her two siblings are all professionals. Her story shows that with hard work, persistence and support, it is possible to rise above poverty and succeed.
