Social Work board topnotcher gets P1M reward

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - A University of Mindanao (UM) graduate who topped the 2014 Social Work licensure examination got P1 million as cash reward for such feat from the school’s administration.

UM president Guillermo Torres Jr. said Honey Jay Danao Bacus topped the licensure examination with a rating of 86.20 percent  wherein 1,110 out of 2,031 passed last month.

Torres handed over the P1 million check to Bacus in simple ceremonies held at the UM Matina Campus last Thursday.

Torres said the P1 million cash reward was actually put up as early as 2003 to whoever could top any board examination in the different courses that UM offers.

Aside from Bacus, another UM graduate, Roshelo Caluyo, will receive P50,000 for placing eighth in the same examination.

But Torres was quick to point out that after Bacus, there will be no more such cash rewards for successful examinees from UM.

Bacus reportedly finished her studies as a scholar of the Davao City government’s scholarship in its tertiary education program.

Instead of enrolling in a review center, Bacus was said to have used the materials at the UM’s school library to prepare herself for the board examination.

Bacus, who was not a consistent dean’s lister, plans to work at the Davao City Social Services and Development Office to repay the city government that enabled her to finish her studies.