ILOCOS NORTE - For Clarissa Pascual and Heidiebel Balais, best friends since their freshman year in college, graduating with Latin honors was the ultimate 'friendship goal.'

But they achieved more than that, thanks to having each other as cheerleader, supporter and study buddy throughout their four year-journey at Mariano Marcos State University College of Education.

Pascual and Balais graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, cum laude, last April. Now, they are among the Top 10 of the Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers, a feat that added more meaning to their friendship.

Pascual landed in the seventh place while Balais placed tenth.

"Hindi ko inexpect, I asked for a place pero hindi ganun kataas. Sobra akong thankful kasi nagbunga ang mga paghihirap ko at sacrifices ng family ko," Pascual said.

“Mas happy ako kasi pareho kaming nakapasa kasi sigurado malulungkot ako talaga kung isa sa amin ang hindi pumasa," Balais said.

• READ: More than 54,700 pass board exam for teachers

In preparation for the BLEPT, the two enrolled in review centers, but decided to go separate ways. However, they made it a point to see each other after review sessions to share lessons.

Best friends Pascual and Balais are currently working in the same call center company but plan to teach in their alma mater after their contract ends.

Aside from the Pascual and Balais, 3 others who graduated in MMSU- CTE also landed in the top 10, making MMSU the sixth best performing school with a passing rate of 87.72 percent.