By: Ze Mupet

Like a diamond, he is a man of infinite facets…
A man who exudes a dignified but deep-seethed intensity that spiced up an otherwise dull afternoon…
In walks Edmond Sultan, in an almost implausible paradox, the man whose reputation has preceded him many a time, dressed only in simple white shirt and jeans. I am astounded by what I initially saw, and found myself mystified all the more as we carried on this inspiring, empowering, and surprisingly educational conversation…


Hi Edmond! Thank you for your time. I understand you’re a very busy person. It’s a wonder how you’re able to squeeze this interview in your schedule…

I would have to admit, I don’t have time to do all the things I wanted to do. That’s why it’s very important for me to prioritize…then I would have time to do everything, lest they all become Priority Number 1.. (laughs)
 

Right. And does it happen with you at all?

Yes it does. More frequent than what I wanted, actually.


But you seem happy, contented, and relaxed. And where do you get that seemingly unending drive?

I have always believed that to be able to do the things I want, and to be able to serve my purpose to the fullest, I have to be a well-rounded person. For that, I need to take care of my physique, my health and emotional well-being as much as I do for my spiritual life and intellectuality.


And how exactly do you do that?

I am first and foremost a physical therapist, and I understand the benefits you can get from a healthy system. I keep fit, exercise regularly, eat healthy. And of course you cannot set aside the importance of keeping a healthy mindset and prayerful positive attitude all the time.

I see. I’m sure a lot of those who know you have been wanting to know your secret…

You see, there isn’t any secret. Rather, what I do is a compendium of tasks and enriching activities. I do not stick to a single routine, I take things one at a time, and be the best I can be whatever situation I am in.


Yes… And you seem to have come out the best in everything you’re involved in. We have read in several write-ups that you graduated Cum Laude, Best Intern, and Finalist for the Ten Outstanding Students of Manila and the Philippines, back in 1997. Tell us all about them… and how you were able to achieve them all.

I never really planned to get all those awards… (smiles) Everything came as a surprise, and I took them as gifts from Above. (pauses) My college life wasn’t easy. It’s not the usual school - home route. I had to work at the same time I was studying. I grew up in the province, had my high school and college here in Manila. During my college years I had to stay in a dormitory, and for my everyday expenses, I had to work a part-time job as a service crew at Cindy’s and McDonald’s. I was also compelled to squeeze in TV commercial and modeling engagements in between my studies. In short, I took every opportunity to earn that was given to me. Through I was really tired most of the time, I never complained, as all these opportunities I saw as blessings.

And you seem to have been very blessed since then. You landed Top 9 at the August 1997 Physical Therapist Licensure Examination, from three thousand board takers. How was your preparation for it?

Let me just say that I was already building momentum after I graduated from college. I was already seeing that to be able to do something that I wanted, I have to have something to back me up. To build a review center, I needed to be someone who can prove it is possible, that whatever I will impart to my students eventually, I have already done. I got to be the person who would know what he’ll be saying. And that kept me awake for hours everyday studying.

So was it easy, being a board top notcher yourself, to start your own review center? How did you envision it to be?

Yes, I guess being a topnotcher made it a little easy, on the aspect of convincing people to work with you and for you, and having eventual clients, as you have to have credibility yourself. But actualizing this vision wasn’t an easy task at all. There was tons of work that we had to do. That’s why I needed my friends by my side at that time.

You were referring to IntelkinetiQ Training and Review Center…

Yes. IntelkinetiQ or IQ was built from our vision of providing a definitive and sure fire way of taking on a new challenge, and that is the Board Exam. Philippine PT/OT Boards has got to be one of the toughest in the country, and preparing for it requires powerful measures. We just aimed to be the best in our craft, which is teaching, and try as much not to lose the drive to learn more ourselves. That is how we do it. We don’t just tell our students what to do, but we practice excellence everyday… that’s how we move minds to greater heights!


Isn’t that the slogan of IQ, moving minds to greater heights? How have things changed since IntelkinetiQ became SRG?

Here’s our promise - we will continue to move minds to greater heights. IQ is never truly gone. We are made of the same group, live by the same principles, aim for the same goals… made only better. Since IQ became SRG, our review services have extended to US National Physical Therapy Exam and Philippine National Nursing Licensure Exam.

You yourself took the NPTE 2 years ago, in preparation for your NPTE review. How about for your Nursing Review, what preparations have you done for it?

I am very glad that I will be finishing my Nursing study this year. As I said, I never wanted to take on an unfamiliar path, that’s why I make it to a point to always be adept with everything I will later lead my students to. It’s never an easy task, but thinking of them and how much I will be able to help them…that keeps me going.

That’s great to hear. Congratulations! I’m certain you’ll be successful in this, as always. You have always proven that everything is possible with faith, hard work, and perseverance. So what’ll be up with Edmond for the next few years?

I believe in the importance of living in the present, being the best, staying positive, and being the finest person you can be… every single day. That is probably why I would never get tired of things I do, as everyday I see as a new one that can be always be different, another opportunity to be a better person and help others along the way. I may have plans in the future, but I won’t restrict myself into what I only see fit. I believe that there’s a wide area that is yet for me to see, and only time will tell if that is for me to have…


· Edmond S. Sultan, PTRP, RPT, is the review center mogul for Physical and Occupational Therapists. He is the most sought after lecturer in this field, after having taught in review centers and in numerous PT / OT universities in the Philippines.
· He is President and owner of The SULTAN Review Group (SRG), formerly known as IntelkinetiQ Training and Review Incorporated.
· Last 2007, SRG has diversified into Philippine and US Nursing Licensure Exam. SRG, therefore, is now offering reviews for PT and OT, both local and US exams, and Nursing Reviews, also for local and NCLEX - CGFNS.
· He was awarded the MOST OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS OF 2006 at the Emilio Aguinaldo College
· Last September 2006, he passed the US National Physical Therapy Exam. He is now a licensed physical therapist for the State of New York.
· In August 1997, he placed 9th in the Philippine PT/OT Licensure Exam out of three thousand examinees.
· He graduated Cum Laude, Clinical Proficiency Awardee, Most Outstanding Intern, 3rd Placer for the Ten Most Outstanding Students of Manila, and Finalist for the Ten Most Outstanding Students of the Philippines.