College Student Expresses Desire to Get Special Exam After Fire Destroyed Their Home
A college student in Iloilo City is hoping for a second chance to take his final exam after a fire destroyed their home.
On early Thursday morning (April 23, 2026), John Niel Maurice Gonzales, a second-year mechanical engineering student, was supposed to take his 8 AM finals exam that day. He had been preparing for it, reviewing his notes and getting ready for school.
However, everything changed when a fire suddenly broke out in their neighborhood in Barangay Kasing-kasing, Molo.
The fire reportedly started in a nearby house and quickly spread, affecting a total of 23 homes, including theirs. As the flames grew stronger, John had to set aside his exam and focus on saving his family.
His mother, who had suffered a stroke, needed immediate help, and he made sure she was brought to safety first.
John lost many of his personal belongings. His bag, which contained his reviewers, books, cellphone, and other important items, was left behind and burned in the fire. What he had worked hard to prepare for was gone in an instant.
Despite the loss and the missed exam, John remains hopeful. He is now appealing to his school for consideration, asking if he could still take a special exam. His situation has touched many, as it shows the difficult choices people sometimes have to make during emergencies.
After the incident, John chooses to stay positive. For him, the most important thing is that he and his mother survived the fire. While he hopes for another chance to complete his exam, he continues to move forward, carrying both the weight of his loss and the strength to rebuild.
The social media users expressed their reactions to the incident:
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