When the 22-year-old Chiqui Patio was announced as the August 2024 Psychometrician’s Examination topnotcher– much to her surprise– receiving the news felt surreal, as the Pampanga native wasn’t at all expecting such an impressive outcome.

“I still can't grasp that I became part of the [topnotchers] list… I wasn't really aiming to reach the top,” Patio said during an exclusive interview with GMA Regional TV News.

“Parang ‘wow, nagbunga lahat ng effort and iyak.’ Overall, I feel like it will take time before mag-sink in kasi up until now, I am on cloud-9,” she added.

With the accomplishment, Chiqui’s devotion to mental health awareness also takes center stage, as the Pampangeña looks to translate her impressive feat in the exams to tangible advocacy work.

As her career commences, she looks forward to manifesting her commitment to helping those who struggle, serving the country, and “being an active advocate of mental health awareness.”

MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY

“Para talaga ito sa bayan.”

Aside from being an aspiring psychometrician, Chiqui has always been a passionate advocate of mental health awareness, and champions the promotion of all initiatives that aim to bring her advocacy closer to Filipinos.

“I’ve always dreamed na makatulong sa ibang tao, to be an active advocate of mental health awareness. And now that I have a license, of course gagamitin namin siya in a good way, kung paano kami mas makakatulong sa ibang tao,” the topnotcher said.

“Ever since na I pursued psychology, ang balak ko talaga is to pursue yung sa clinical side,” shared the BS Psychology graduate from the Angeles City, Pampanga-based Holy Angel University. “During OJT ko sa mga mental health clinics, nagkaroon na ako ng experience on how ot handle patients, kung paano yung sitwasyon nila, mas namulat kami sa iba’t ibang situation ng iba’t ibang tao.”

Chiqui also talked about the wide-scoped nature of her profession, and shed light on a number of circumstances that a psychometricians can be of significant assistance. “Mostly kasi pag sinasabing nag-seek ng help, more on depression or anxiety. But there are a lot of other things, tulad ng sa violence against women and children (VAWC). Nakaka-help kami sa mga battered wives. Also yung mga nasa orphanage po– help them adjust sa magiging life kasi syempre iba yung naging upbringing nila.”

PREPARING FOR THE EXAM

While it wasn’t Chiqui’s deliberate goal to top the exam, gearing up for the licensure exam started early for the 22-year-old Kapampangan.

“During the last sem of my 4th year… our university had a subject that aims to prepare us. So I took the opporotunty to already read books, create reviewers,” she said when asked when she began her prep.

She shifted gears and took her preparations up a notch after her graduation rites in May. “Gigising ka ng 6am, mag-start ng 7am. As much as possible tina-try kong matapos ng 5pm.”

By July, she was already loaning 10-13 hours of daily review from her 24 in order to cover as much concepts, which was a natural consequence of choosing to take the exam earlier than scheduled.

“Hindi pa dapat ako magte-take ng boards. Yung batch namin dapat next year pa, pero nagdecide ako na, ‘why not take the risk?’” shared Patio.

Despite a review-intensive routine, Chiqui doubted if she was at all capable of passing the exams. In the end, it’s her ‘just do it’ mentality that prevailed and provided the necessary push to remain committed to her body of work.

“Nag-commit na ako. Gusto ko pag nag-commit ako sa isang bagay, ibibigay ko yung best ko, lahat ng effort ko… Fortunately, naging maganda yung result ng commitment na ginawa ko,” Chiqui shared.

LOOKING AHEAD

After receiving the results, Chiqui is looking forward to getting a much-needed break, but already has her eyes set on the possibility of getting a postgraduate degree while pursuing a career in clinical psychology. 

“Right now, isa sa mga top priotity ko is to rest for a while. Since 4th year, tuloy-tuloy yung journey ko from OJT to activities tapos deretso review agad. After that, I’m definitely planning to pursue a career sa clinical setting because that's really my dream. Siguro after that baka mag-enrol ako sa master’s  para ma-pursue ko yung pagiging psychologist,” she said.

Her advocacy work comprises a huge chunk of her plans moving forward, which is why she is considering the likelihood of imparting her knowledge through teaching and mentoring.

“I want to be an instrument sa pagpapalaganap ng accessible mental health services sa country natin. I know may progress but still, marami pang dapat gawin,” she explained.

“I am open po when it comes to pagtuturo, kung mag-aarise man yung ganung opportunity. I was really inspired by my instructors and professionals na nagturo sa amin… napakalawak ng knowledge nila and it's a good thing na ma-share mo sya sa future generations.”