Cebu grads dominate optometrist exam

CEBU, Philippines —  Graduates from Cebu schools dominated the top 10 of the October 2022 Optometrist Licensure Examinations, securing six of the spots, including the first place.

Five graduates of Southwestern University-PHINMA were on the list, including Giuseppe Roy Campilan, who finished first with a rating of 89.83 percent.

The other SWU-PHINMA graduates who also made it to the top 10 were: Sheena Rose Rodriguez Dubduban (3rd, 88.78 percent); Dacel Lopez Aumentado (5th, 87.57 percent); Naiah Jumawan (8th, 87.14 percent); and Yna Alyanna Villaver (10th, 86.66 percent).

Johanna Mae Gayod of Cebu Doctors’ University landed on the 7th place with a rating of 87.15 percent.

According to medical websites, optometry is a specialized health care profession that involves examining the eyes and related structures for defects or abnormalities.

Optometrists are health care professionals whose main concern is to offer comprehensive primary eye care.

SWU-PHINMA Optometry dean Noeh Fernandez Jr. told The FREEMAN that some of their examinees were victims of Typhoon Odette last year, so the success was “worth the wait.”

 “Overwhelming kaayo ilang success. Makaproud jud. Delayed but definitely worth the wait. Kay kani sila mao ni katong na-cancel ilang board exams due to Odette last year,” Fernandez said.

Manifesting

Campilan, in a Facebook post, said that he had been praying for this since he was a university student.

“I even manifested this for years. I even edited my name on the Top 1 slot and made it my lock screen. I knew what I wanted, I worked hard for it, and I prayed intently for it. God will fulfill His promise in His own time,” he said.

Aside from the five topnotchers, 60 other examinees from SWU-PHINMA also passed the exam, making it the top performing school in the country for the OLE with 90 percent passing rate for first-time takers and 85.53 percent overall passing rate.

“As your Dean, I couldn’t be more proud. This is a testament to your resolve as most of you had your examinations cancelled due to Odette last year and look at you now, it definitely is worth the wait. I also wanted to thank you all for choosing SWU Phinma Optometry as your school of choice, you definitely made the right choice,” said Fernandez in his Facebook post.

“I am ecstatic and happy and more importantly a sense of relief that you guys have received the success that you truly deserve,” he added.

The written part of the exam was held on October 23 to 25, 2022 at Ayala Malls Paranaque while the practical part was on October 26 to 29 at CEU Manila.

According to the Professional Regulation Commission, 179 out of 285 takers passed the OLE last October.

PRC added that the date and venue of the oath-taking ceremony of the successful examinees will be announced later. – JMD (FREEMAN)