Resilience amid disasters: 100% passing,  41 topnotchers

CEBU, Philippines — Despite the disastrous disruption from Typhoon Tino, Cebu’s resilience was on full display in the November 2025 Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination, as some local nursing schools posted perfect passing rates and produced 41 of the country’s topnotchers.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) had earlier rescheduled the conduct of the exams in Cebu from 4 and 5 November to 6 and 7 November, 2025, after the state weather bureau raised Storm Signal No. 4 over Cebu, Iloilo, and Tacloban.

Under PRC Resolution 2019 1178, licensure exams are automatically canceled when Signal No. 4 is declared, without the need for further resolutions. Examinees were advised then to coordinate with PRC regional offices for queries and concerns.

Under such dire situation, what could have been a setback became a testament to Cebuano resilience.

Cebu Doctors University (CDU) led schools, with more than a hundred examinees, that achieved a 100 percent passing rate, with all 238 candidates passing.

Velez College also shared the top ranking with CDU and 19 other schools outside Cebu with 118 examinees, also recording a 100 percent passing rate.

Cebu Normal University (CNU) and Cebu Technological University–Cebu City Medical Center College of Nursing (CTU CCMC) likewise achieved 100 percent passing rates in their category of 80 and 74 examinees, respectively.

Beyond institutional triumphs, Cebu’s pride was amplified by individual excellence.

From CDU, Gianina Trish Gallegos Rivera ranked fifth nationwide with 93 percent, while Alynna Isabelle Tocmo Beto, Mary Antonette Ceniza Dinampo, Bianca Lianne Alfaro Esterioso, Gwynneth Pilota Ticong, and Niña Renith Camela Austria Trazo all placed eighth with 92.40 percent; Althea Zen Bulahan Chan and Rysha Mae Ardiente Sanchez followed at ninth with 92.20 percent; and April Moraine Brillantes Papas secured tenth place with 92 percent.

Velez College celebrated Kathleen Claire Ang Co at seventh with 92.60 percent, alongside Francis Louis Sy Borromeo, Kelsey Mae Sophia Suralta Hsu, and Anton Miguel Lopez, all at ninth with 92.20 percent.

Cebu Normal University produced four topnotchers: Kristina Ysabel Igdanes Degula at fifth with 93 percent, Helena Ruth Camson Lapurga at sixth with 92.80 percent, Byron Luna Chu at eighth with 92.40 percent, and Marielle Eliza Agon Mascariñas at tenth with 92 percent.

CTU was represented by Shariz Gacasan Villacorta, who placed ninth with 92.20 percent.

Cebu Institute of Technology–University has five topnotchers: Raysha Mae Toreja Tome at eighth with 92.40 percent, Rada Joanne Amatong Alvarado, Reanne Angel Catacutan Cabiso, and Adrian Faciolan Villacrucis at ninth with 92.20 percent, and Jessa Mae Bacolod Ejes at tenth with 92 percent.

The University of Cebu celebrated Britney Finn Villanueva Almacin at fifth with 93 percent and Trishia Marlou De Ramayo Rubi at ninth with 92.20 percent.

Southwestern University produced the largest number of Cebuano topnotchers: Mariah Kaye Almirante, Chemmy Swayne Chiong Alontaga, and Quisha Mariz Gacasan Villacorta all at fifth with 93 percent; Candy Angelie Navarro Dublin at sixth with 92.80 percent; Krista Angela Yap Gillera, Renee Babon Masecampo, Elijah Bebanco and Nicole Paulin Navarro Yee at eighth with 92.40 percent; Clarice Ann Edullantes Bondoc at ninth with 92.20 percent; and Trixie Jo Kristiane Rojas Hermosisima, Frances Ann Canonigo Nolasco, Kenjie Ashly Pabro, Laila Samantha Dinesse Malazarte Savior, and Alexia Mae Carael Seno all at tenth with 92 percent.

The University of San Carlos was bannered by Ronil Fronda Tomboc, who placed fifth with 93 percent, while the University of Cebu–Pardo and Talisay celebrated China Jane Ortega Liddawa, also at fifth with 93 percent.

From the storm’s disruption to the nation’s recognition, Cebu’s nursing graduates carried the message of resilience and excellence.

If Cebu could speak, it says that each name on the roll of topnotchers and successful examinees reflects not only personal triumph but also the collective strength of Cebuano families, educators, and institutions that nurtured them through adversity.

It added: As these new nurses prepare to serve in hospitals and communities, their success stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration.

Cebu’s message to the nation is clear: In the face of storms, the spirit of Cebu continues to shine. – RAE  CEBU NEWS