4 Cebu grads in Nursing board Top 10

CEBU, Philippines — Four graduates from Cebu landed in the Top 10 in the July 2021 Nursing Licensure Examination – two each from Cebu Doctors University and University of Cebu.

Landing in seventh spot are Jaeu Jade Alexis Son Acla from CDU and Raffy Bokingo Lanogan from UC- Banilad with the rating of 87.80 percent.

Maria Pamela Gomez Caballes, also of CDU, placed ninth with a rating of 87.40 percent while Maxine Tuico Medija of UC Cebu- Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue placed 10th with a rating of 87.20 percent.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) released the results evening on Friday, July 16, 2021.

Haydee Soriano Bacani of the Philippine Women's University- Manila ranked first with a rating of 89.40 percent.

Out of 7,746 takers, 5,008 passed the licensure exam. Of this number, 260 are graduates from Cebu.

Challenges

The journey did not come easy to the examinees, so much so that the exam had to be rescheduled several times the past year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The exam was scheduled first for May 2020 but was cancelled because of the first round of lockdowns. It was rescheduled for November that year but was moved again to May 30 and 31, 2021. It also came to a point when examiners thought of moving it to November 2021 until it was decided eventually to push through with it on July 3 and 4, 2021.

“Supposedly unta, May 2020 amo original schedule for the board exam but na-stagnant for almost one year due to the lockdown so murag natay-an gamay among brains,” Caballes told The Freeman in jest.

Acla and Lanogan shared they encountered challenges during online reviews, including power interruptions, slow internet connection, and audio distractions that disrupted their focus on the lectures.

"Naa pa gyud times nga saba ang palibot… di madungog og klaro ang audio sa laptop… naa sad times na mag-brownout,” Acla said.

Lanogan also shared that the lockdown made it difficult for him to process the requirements for the board exam but he kept his eye on the goal.

"Determination. Four years of studying Nursing won’t be fulfilling kung di nako mapasar ang final, and the biggest test," Lanogan said.

The postponements also disrupted Medija’s motivation to prepare but like Lanogan, she made sure that did not lose sight of her end goal.

Acla made himself open to adjustments and did the best that he could to attend his classes or catch up on topics he missed.

Caballes, on the other hand, said she did not put too much pressure on herself and capitalized on her support system, her study group, when the exam schedule was drawing near.

Profession

While it disrupted and even claimed lives, COVID-19 also highlighted the crucial role medical professions play during a pandemic and infused a deeper sense of appreciation for those in the profession.

"Nurses play a very important role in the care of patients. They are the first ones that the patients would approach, and they are also the ones who make sure that the care of the patients run smoothly,” Caballes said.

Medija gave a practical advice to aspiring nurses:

“My advice to aspiring nurses is to always have in mind what they are here for and to be always careful because being able to take care of others, one should take care of oneself first,” she said.

Acla, for his part, urged fellow medical professionals to stay positive and motivated, and to remember the importance of prayers, especially that the COVID-19 pandemic is still far from over.

Special dedication

Meanwhile, another graduate from Cebu had a special motivation in passing the board exam – fulfilling a promise to her father who passed away on February 21, 2021.

“Gibuhat nako tanan para lang gyud makapasar kay ang naa sa akoang utok pirme is I have to keep my promise to my papang on his death bed,” Zendy Mae Lara Dy of Southwestern University- PHINMA shared with The Freeman.

She said she faced the challenge with determination and the faith that her God would answer her prayers.

"I keep telling myself nga I am doing this for myself and for my papang. Ganahan ko proud siya nako. Sige ko’g ampo nga unta matuman nako akong gi saad sa akoang amahan," Dy said.

And fulfill her promise, she did.

Others on top

The following graduates completed the Top 10 of the Nursing board:

•   Second Place - Liezl Mercado Tuazon = 89.00% (Angeles University Foundation)

•   Third Place – Marlchiel Nathan Sungahed Arreglado (Saint Paul University — Tuguegarao) and Ana Maria Kim Ramos Vallente (Capitol University for Cagayan Coll.) = 88.60%

•   Fourth Place – Gregg Philip Lirag Palabrica (Ateneo de Davao University), Francis Miguel Carreon Rosales (University of the East Ramon Magsaysay MEM Medical CTR), and Micah Junabel Munar Ventanilla (Urdaneta City University CCU) = 88.40%

•   Fifth Place – Yuljohn Taperla Beriña II (University of the Philippines— Manila), Angelie Mae Sophia Rabago Bonifacio (Bulacan State University— Malolos), and Renzo John Philip Orgo Cabagay (Silliman University) = 88.20%

•   Sixth Place – Niña Loren Baja Cabuniag (Cotabato Medical Foundation College), Anne Lauryn Cruz Lopez (University of the Philippines— Manila), Neil Ruyeras Orehuela (Holy Name University for. DIVINE WORD— Tagbilaran), and Erica Mae Sta. Maria Ortiz (University of Santo Tomas) = 88.00%

•   Seventh Place – Jaeu Jade Alexis Son Acla (Cebu Doctors University), Crisela Balancio Areola (Lorma College), Luziel Añonuevo Dominguez (Naga College Foundation), Hannah Paula Suarez Fabregas (University of the Philippines— Manila), Bernadette Inoc Ilidan (Capitol University for. Cagayan Coll.), Raffy Bokingo Lanogan (University of Cebu— Banilad), Anna Clarissa Castro Panes (Our Lady of Fatima University— QC), Jaidee Relunia Rojas (University of the Philippines— Manila), and Julie Pearl Albores Tubal (Capitol University for. Cagayan Coll.) = 87.80%

•   Eighth Place – Princess Haniefa Mae Kasim Ayunan (Mindanao State University— Iligan Institute of Tech.), Cheralyn Joy Medenilla Barbacena (University of Nueva Caceres), and Iris Krystal Bautista Khan (Trinity University of Asia or Trinity— QC) = 87.60%

•   Nith Place – Fatima Sheryl Matammu Agcaoili (Saint Paul University— Tuguegarao), Kiara Joynina Enriquez Agoncillo (De La Salle Medical & Health Sciences Inst.), Trillcey Rose Santisteban Azcarrate (Mati Doctors College), Rylina Olga Mae Laureta Balisong (University of Santo Tomas), Rochelle Marie Miranda Bangalao (Capitol University for. Cagayan Coll.), Carlo De Guzman Bersamira (World CITI Colleges, Quezon City —Quezon City M.C.C.), Maria Pamela Gomez Caballes (Cebu Doctors University), Christine Joanne Marcelo Contreras (University of Santo Tomas), Psalm Christian Mesias Diesto (Central Philippine University), Rica Lim Hernandez (Chinese General Hospital Colleges— Sta. Cruz), Mary Margarette Quintos (Manila Tytana Colleges, Inc. — for. Manila Doctors Coll.), and Kathryn Isabel Relatado Sotto (Silliman University) = 87.40%

•   Tenth Place – Yashmine Castrence Ancheta (Saint Paul University— Tuguegarao), Adrian Paul Ellamil Ang (University of the Philippines— Manila), Melissa Anne Ferrer Estrada (Dr. Carlos S. Lanting College— Q.C.), Athena Ainu Macli-ing Malecdan (Saint Louis University), Maxine Tuico Medija (University of Cebu in LapuLapu & Mandaue), Jemaima Maisog Morales (Jose Rizal Memorial State University— Dapitan), Marvin Jay Candaza Salvador (De La Salle Medical & Health Sciences Inst.), Windle Jean Bautista Taylor (University of Pangasinan), and Kristenne Joy Arcangel Turqueza (Saint Louis University) = 87.20%. - Brigida R. Gerzon, Ericailah Gerasmio CNU Interns, JMO (FREEMAN)