Richard Sevillano, a student from Kampung Kopuron, achieved a perfect CGPA in the 2026 STPM examination despite the many hardships he faced as a child from a low‑income family in rural Sabah.
By: Ray Bull
TELUPID: While his dormitory mates were still fast asleep, Richard Sevillano was already up. At 3.30 a.m., in the silent pre‑dawn hours at the SMK Telupid hostel, he would begin his two‑hour revision session before getting ready for school.
That was the discipline the fifth of six siblings maintained almost every day throughout his Form Six studies. After school, he would rest briefly to recharge, then resume studying in the afternoon, followed by light exercise, and finally another revision session that lasted until 11 p.m.
His sacrifice paid off when Richard scored a perfect 4.00 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) in the 2026 Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examination, earning him recognition as one of the top students from a rural school.
Raised in a Modest Family
Growing up in Kampung Kopuron, Richard lived in a household that relied on an irregular income. His father worked as a farmer, while his mother was a full‑time homemaker. Despite their financial constraints, his parents never neglected their children’s education.
“I feel this is the greatest gift I can give my mother and father,” he said when met.
Richard still remembers the moment he checked his STPM results alone at home. The instant he saw the 4.00 CGPA flash on the screen, he forwarded the result to the family WhatsApp group—and then broke down in tears.
For him, the achievement was not just about academic excellence; it symbolised his parents’ unwavering hard work despite their unstable income.
Challenges of Hostel Life
Living in the hostel taught him self‑reliance and appreciation for even the most basic facilities. But as a pre‑university student, he often struggled with limited internet access, as mobile phone use was restricted in the hostel.
That did not discourage him. In fact, he studied some subjects using only textbooks, without any online references.
Even more challenging were the times he ran so short of money that he had to borrow stationery from friends. He admitted that he sometimes thought of asking his parents for money, but held back because he knew they were already struggling to make ends meet.
“At times I felt like giving up, but I always remembered my mother’s advice: never forget to pray to Lord Jesus and Mother Mary. I prayed the rosary every night before bed. That is where I found the strength to carry on,” he said.
Overcoming Self‑Doubt
Richard believes the hardest part of STPM was not the syllabus itself, but fighting off laziness, boredom, and self‑doubt.
He admitted that he often heard people say STPM was too difficult—so much so that he almost began to believe he could not make it. Yet he chose to keep pushing forward, reframing every obstacle as a chance to step out of his comfort zone.
Throughout his journey, he also valued the guidance of his teachers and the hostel warden, Ronil Tujoh, who supported students not only academically but also in welfare, financial, and spiritual matters.
Dreams for the Future
Richard now hopes to pursue the highest education possible, so that he can secure a job that will lift his family out of poverty.
He firmly believes that education is the most effective way to change one’s circumstances, regardless of background.
“To me, this success means more than a 4.00 CGPA. It proves that a child from a poor family can succeed if they keep striving, praying, and never giving up,” he said.
To fellow students, Richard offers this message: do not lose heart even when faced with scarcity.
“The exhaustion from studying is temporary, but its rewards can transform your entire life. Do not waste your parents’ sacrifices—they are the ones who always dream of a better future for their children.”
