UAE-based Pinay teen aces 39 others in international exam

A Filipina teenager bested 39 other takers in the recent international exam in the United Arab Emirates.

"To be completely honest, I wasn't really aiming to be a topper. So it was really surprising when we got the results and I ended up with the highest grade," said Paula Arissandra “Ishi” Dizon, 16, referring to the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE).

"There were about 40 of us who took the exam [and] I was announced the English world topper just last October 7," the Grade 11 student of Our Own English High School in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi told GMA News Online in an e-mail interview.

Dizon said she had prepared for the examination through reading, her favorite activity since she turned three.

Photo courtesy of Arissandra “Ishi” Dizon

"One thing that stuck with me from my childhood is my reading habit, and this is how I prepared for my exam. I read books of all genres that interested me," revealed Dizon whose favorite book is "Paper Towns" by John Green.

The CIE that Dizon took last May and June can would allow her to study in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the United States, or in some countries in Europe. The exam could also be her ticket to pursue an international diploma or a Euro-MBA.

“I’m not opposed in studying in the Philippines, but I feel like I'll be able to have more college opportunities abroad. As of now, I’m interested in studying in the UK or USA [and] pursue formal linguistics,” said Dizon, who moved to the UAE with her parents when she was four.

In the meantime, Dizon would like to thank those who inspired her.

“First of all, I want to thank God for this blessing. I also would like to thank my family for their love and support, my YFC [Youth For Christ] family for being my stress-relievers, my batch mates for the amazing support and memories, and my English teachers Mrs. Lourdes and Mrs. Mary for awakening my love for the subject and fine-tuning my skills.” —LBG, GMA News