5 Cebu grads top Medtech board

CEBU, Philippines - Five graduates from Cebu-based schools landed in the top 10 of the August 2016 Medical Technologist (Medtech) Licensure Examination, the Professional Regulation Commission announced through its website last night.

Eunice Maybelle Antonio Garcia of Cebu Doctors' University finished third place with a score of 90.30 percent.

Garcia, in an online chat with The FREEMAN, said she did not expect to top the board knowing that she started her review a little late.

"(My) struggle in preparing for the board was really how to start reviewing, kay I started late for the review classes kay June naman nag-start," she said.

"Ang review man gud namo kay naa'y 1st batch sa Manila April to nag-start. Then most of my classmates took the 1st batch, but I decided to take the 2nd batch here sa Cebu and June 14 na nag-start," she explained.

Garcia, a magna cum laude graduate, admitted that there were moments when she felt life was pressing her down, especially when she failed some of her exams. She said one of the hardest parts about taking the board was to live up to people's expectations.

However, she managed to overcome this with resiliency, prayer and guidance from her family.

"Pray the hardest when it is hard to pray. Then don't let your failures put you down because it will not define you," she said.

To the future board takers, Garcia advised that topping the exam is not impossible as long as one desires it and commits to work to achieve it.

Garcia is followed by Justine Danielle Desphy Cadungog and Ma. Lourdes Lacerna Bajarias, both from Velez College, who ranked fourth and fifth places, respectively, with a rating of 90.20 percent and 90.10 percent.

Frances Abigail Chua Dotillos, also from CDU, scored 89.60 percent to place ninth while Daryll Dayne Jueco Arcayan, also from Velez College, rounded out the top 10 with 89.50 percent.

Among schools with at least 50 takers, CDU was among the four that registered a 100 percent passing rate with all of its 71 takers passing the test.

Velez, meanwhile, produced 206 passers out of the 209 it fielded or a passing rate of 98.56 percent.

Of the 5,126 graduates who took the test, a total of 4,144 passed, according to the PRC.

The examination was given by the Board of Medical Technology in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Tuguegarao.

Roselle Louise Luga Publico of Silliman University emerged with the highest score at 91.10 percent. Clarisse Joan Ceriales Cadano, a fellow Sillimanian, obtained the second spot with 90.70 percent. (FREEMAN)