Noong nasa 12th grade si John Michael Bundalian Amio, sumubok siyang makapasok sa Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
Nabigo siya.
Sinubukan din niyang makapasok sa Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).
Sa kasamaang palad, noong mismong araw ng entrance exam ay naligaw siya at hindi nakarating sa venue on time.
Nakapanayam si John ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) last April 12, 2025, via Facebook Messenger.
Pagbabahagi niya, “I was leaning to enter the uniformed service.”
At dahil hindi siya naging matagumpay na maging kadete sa PMA at maging sa PNPA: “Ever since then, I gave up on that dream and focused on finishing the Criminology Program when I learned I was accepted for a private scholarship.
“I graduated Bachelor of Science in Criminology last May 27, 2024, from the Holy Angel University, Pampanga.”
At sa February 2025 Criminology Licensure Examination, siya ang Top 1.
Nakakuha siya ng rating na 92.20 percent.
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JOHN MICHAEL BUNDALIAN AMIO AS A WORKING STUDENT
Twenty-three years old na si John.
Ang kanyang pamilya ay nagmula sa Porac, Pampanga.
Ikalawa siya sa apat na magkakapatid.
“My father used to work as a security guard, a Grab car driver, and Grab food driver.
“My mother used to work in their canteen business with her brother, but it was short-lived and was forced to close by the pandemic.”
Two years ago, nagdesisyon ang kanyang parents na magbukas ng sari-sari store.
“Ever since then, that is our bread and butter.”
Naging working student si John pagtuntong niya sa kolehiyo.
“So as not to burden my parents with my school’s expenses, especially I have two younger sisters who they still support.
“And given the fact that they don’t have enough income to provide for all our needs.”
Nagtrabaho siya sa isang call center bago nag-second year college.
Binalikang-tanaw niya ang mga struggles na naranasan.
“I really had to be very wise in managing my time.
“There will be time that I will fall asleep in classes or at work, since I work in graveyard shift.
“There were moments that I missed classes, webinars, or deadlines of projects and activities.”
Nang sumapit siya sa fourth year, “I had to resign when my schedule conflicted with my on-the-job training/internship schedule and could not manage all at once as we were also finishing our thesis and practicum case study.”
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JOHN MICHAEL BUNDALIAN AMIO’S BOARD-EXAM JOURNEY
Naniniwala si John na malaking bahagi kung bakit na-survive niya ang buhay-college ay dahil sa kanyang grit.
“My attitude of not giving up easily, my perseverance and positive mind—that played a big role.”
Malaking factor din ang suporta ng pamilya, lalo na ang kanyang ina na walang kapaguran sa pag-aasikaso sa kanya.
“She does my laundry, ironing of uniform, and everything she could do to help lessen my work.”
Nung nag-take siya ng board exam, kinailangan niyang lumuwas sa Maynila.
“The main challenge I faced was not during the actual exam, but during the review in preparation for the exam.
“Since we are not financially blessed, the main challenge for me was how I was going to support my living expenses in Quezon City, where I stayed for more than five months with my classmates.
“We enrolled in one review center there. It was face to face, so we had to rent a place to stay.”
Sa kanyang pagsusuma, sa loob ng limang buwang pagre-review ay inabot ng mahigit PHP100K ang kanyang naging gastos.
“If not for the financial support of my family and relatives, I won’t be able to survive my time there.”
Aminado siyang nahirapan sa board exam.
“I thought the exam should feel easy for me—then I’d have a fighting chance to top it.
“But then again, I found the exam challenging because there were many questions that I was not able to cover during my review.
“I was not familiar with many of the question.”
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JOHN MICHAEL BUNDALIAN AMIO AIMS TO BE THE TOP 1
Hindi itinanggi ni John na pinangarap niyang maging topnotcher.
“Yes, definitely. It’s true that I was aiming for Top 1.
“It’s the ultimate dream for me and for every exam taker, because I know it will be life-changing if I achieve it and it’s the biggest break for anyone taking a board exam.”
Pero dahil sa hirap ng board exam, ang naramdaman niya matapos ang pagsusulit, “I already gave up to that dream and was just hoping to pass it and attain high general weighted average.”
Kaya nang lumabas ang resulta at siya ang nanguna, bulalas ni John: “I feel so alive!
“And at the same time, feeling like I’m living a dream.”
Halu-halo ang naramdaman niyang emosyon.
“It felt surreal!
“I wanted to cry, and, at the same time, kinikilig. Couldn’t believe it at first.”
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JOHN MICHAEL BUNDALIAN AMIO’S CAREER PLAN
Inihandog ni John ang kanyang tagumpay sa mga taong malalapit sa kanya.
“To my parents, because they sacrificed a lot for us, my family, my future self and family, my girlfriend, my grandmother, to my relatives, my alma mater, to my country.
“And to God because it was an answered prayer.”
Ibinahagi rin niya ang kanyang career plan.
“Currently, I’m freelancing as review lecturer in different review centers around the Philippines.
“I’m leaning to explore the academe—the field of teaching while I take my masteral degree, then law school.
“I also have plans to enter the law enforcement when opportunity permits it.”
Ang payo niya sa mga kabataang gusto ring mag-aral ng criminology:
“Please study well and strive hard to excel in your chosen field of profession.
“If you want to take criminology program, take it to heart because this program or field of profession requires a lot of passion and unshakable integrity.”
Paalala pa ni John: “Don’t let your circumstances define your potential.
“Set your goals and give your best to achieve it so that you won’t have any regrets of missing your chances.”
Huwag din aniyang kalilimutan ang mga mahal sa buhay kapag nakamit na ang pangarap.
“Dedicate it to your loved ones.
“And be sincere with your intentions when you pray for His guidance and blessings.”
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