CEBU, Philippines - For the second time this year, a graduate from a Cebu school topped the licensure examination for medical technologists.
Matthew Joseph Tan Po, 21, a graduate from Velez College, bested 1,864 other examinees from all over the country who took the examination given by the Board of Medical Technology in the cities of Manila, Cebu, Baguio and Davao last September 1 and 2.
Po garnered 91.70 percent, slightly ahead of second placer Leigh Di Avril Pua Agdeppa of the University of Santo Tomas who got 91 percent.
Three other graduates from Cebu Doctors’ University also made it to the top 10. They are fourth placer Thara Jill Sy Añasco (90.60 percent), fifth placer Kelvin Jay Toledo Buensalido (90.40 percent) and Efren John Oledan Misagal, who placed seventh with a score of 90.10 percent.
Roy Christopher Ku Ang of Saint Louis University gained the third spot with a score of 90.70 percent.
Joining Añasco in fourth place were Miralyn Madel Inso Abapo of the University of the Immaculate Conception-Davao and Alyssa Camille Chua Ablaza of Siliman University.
Aside from Buensalido, Maria Janina Alejandre Parker of Angeles University Foundation also landed in fifth place.
Sixth placer was Jordan Maltu Calluleng of Cagayan State University (CTU)-Caritan while Misagal shared the seventh place with Kevin de Leon Santana of UST.
Marissa Kathrina Duque Santos of UST took the eighth spot while another UST graduate, Albert Yu Chu Other, landed in ninth place together with Marlon Pius De Grano Pamplona of the University of Perpetual Help System-Laguna and Jervis Tapulao Salvador of CTU-Caritan.
Ana Eryka Elaine Adriano Peralta, also of UST, got the tenth place.
Po, who is from a family of businessmen, said he did not expect to land in the top 10 and was even surprised when he learned that he topped the exam.
He said he learned of the news from his friends who called him up the other night while he was having dinner.
“I was in shock. I didn’t believe it at first. When it finally set in, I was speechless. And I still am in a way. Haha,” he said in a text message to The FREEMAN.
Po was in Manila to “hang out with friends” when the results was released. He will return to Cebu next week.
Po, the eldest of five children, did not graduate with honors but said God has always been his motivation in all the things that he does.
“God is my first and foremost inspiration and motivation. I always try to remember to do things for His Greater glory,” he said.
He added that he would take up medicine proper in June next year.
Velez College’s clinical coordinator Gemma Belarmino said the school will give “monetary reward” and a scholarship to Po if he wishes to take up medicine.
Last March’s Medical Technologist Licensure Exam, a Velez College graduate, Vincent Edouard Anthony Gullas, grandson of Cebu first district Rep. Eduardo R. Gullas, bagged the top post. In September last year, Sherry Mondido, also of Velez College, placed second.
While only one did not pass in last March’s exam, all 84 graduates of the school made it this time.
Belarmino said the success could be attributed to the school’s “high standard” that it maintained since the medical technology course was first offered in 1968. The results were released in three working days from the last day of examination.
Registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will start on Wednesday, September 12, but not later than September 14.
Those who will register are required to bring the following: duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, current Community Tax Certificate (cedula), 2 pieces passport size picture (colored with white background and complete name tag), 1 piece 1” x 1” picture (colored with white background and complete name tag), 2 sets of metered documentary stamps and 1 short brown envelope with name and profession and to pay the Initial Registration Fee of P600 and Annual Registration Fee of P450 for 2012-2015.
Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals.
Those who failed to pass the board examination for Medical Technology but had obtained a general rating of at least 70 percent can register as Medical Laboratory Technician.
— With ABS-CBNnews.com /LPM (FREEMAN)