Passing a board exam is already an accomplishment. Topping it is another level. But topping two different board exams?
That’s the extraordinary milestone reached by newly licensed physician Kharam Molbog, who proved that success rooted in faith and discipline is not a matter of luck, but of grace and perseverance.
Molbog, who topped the August 2022 Medical Technology Licensure Examination, proved his excellence once more by claiming the top spot in the October 2025 Physician Licensure Examination.
His path toward medicine began when he was a child, after his grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer. Constant visits to the hospital exposed him early to the medical field.
“At that time, I think I was too young pa naman kasi to decide. But I consider that time as planting the seed that would eventually grow into my desire to pursue medicine one day,” he told the Varsitarian.
Molbog entered the UST Faculty of Pharmacy in 2015. After graduating magna cum laude in 2019, he wanted to take the board exam right away, but a diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis and the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic forced him to postpone his plans and prioritize his recovery.
During that time, he also applied to the UP College of Medicine to help ease his family’s financial burden. Although he did not make the cut, he saw his acceptance into UST, his “reserve choice,” as a form of divine redirection.
“It felt like the universe was telling me na sa UST ka na lang, kasi doon ka mas mag-thrive,” he said.
Molbog began studying at the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in 2020, taking online classes in the first two years due to lockdown restrictions.
The limited hands-on experience, particularly in anatomy — where students worked with simulated bodies instead of cadavers — posed one of his biggest challenges.
When face-to-face classes resumed in his third year, Molbog struggled to adjust to the long hours, daily quizzes, and demanding workload. Still, that same year, he decided to “finish what he started” by taking the med-tech board exams.
“Even in the absence of adequate preparation, even if I couldn’t dedicate my full attention to studying for the med tech boards because I was in med school, I was still able to pull it off. So, parang in my mind, (topping it) was a miracle,” he said.
In 2024, he graduated summa cum laude and valedictorian of his class. A year later, he made history again by topping the physician board exams, leading the new crop of 321 Thomasian doctors.
“After no’ng disbelief, I felt immense gratitude again — to God, of course — for still giving me so much despite giving me so much already,” he said.
During his medicine board review, Molbog followed a structured study schedule from his review center and used spaced repetition to strengthen long-term recall. He aimed at studying at least 13 hours daily.
But prayer remained his foundation throughout.
“My constant prayer during review season was, ‘Lord, if para sa’kin ‘yong top spot, salamat ulit. But if it isn’t, please just help me accept whatever the outcome is.’ That prayer gave me peace so I could study well even with all the pressure.”
Molbog credited his success to faith, discipline, and lessons learned during clinical rotations.
“Apart from training us to be competent and knowledgeable, I think what sets UST apart is that it also teaches us to be compassionate doctors,” he said. “Kasi mayroon talagang emphasis on serving the people and not just curing them.”
Molbog said achievements without faith and purpose are empty.
“Even though discipline matters, it’s faith and intention that give meaning to your success,” he said.
Now a newly licensed physician, Molbog plans to take a short break before beginning his residency training.
He is eyeing internal medicine as his field, with potential subspecialties in cardiology, gastroenterology, or radiation oncology, which focuses on cancer radiotherapy. With reports from Billy Andrei P. Ramos
