100% success of MMSU nursing and physician board examinees feted in testimonial rites
By Stephanie Camille Ilar
Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), through the College of Health Sciences (CHS) and the College of Medicine (COM), celebrated its 100% passing rate in the 2025 nursing and physician licensure examinations with a motorcade and testimonial rites honoring its successful board examinees on December 15.
The celebratory motorcade passed through Batac City, San Nicolas, Laoag City, and Paoay, honoring the 165 passers of the November 2025 Philippine Nurses Licensure Examination (PNLE) and the nine passers of the October 2025 Physicians Licensure Examination.
Joining the board passers in the motorcade were CHS Dean Cheryll Didi Nellie Obra and COM Dean James Patrick Peralta, along with students from other CHS departments, faculty members, and staff of both colleges.
Both celebrations opened with a thanksgiving mass at the Student Center and Teatro Ilocandia for CHS and COM, respectively.
During the program, Department of Nursing Chair Roel Beljamin commended the resilience and dedication of the nursing passers, noting that their achievement marked a decade of MMSU’s 100 percent institutional passing rate and its sustained distinction as the country’s No. 1 top-performing nursing school since 2015—an unmatched for ten consecutive years.
He also challenged future nursing students to “learn from them, follow their example, and prepare to carry this legacy forward.”
CHS Dean Dr. Obra described the milestone as the “biggest gift” as the year closes, while reminding them to keep “true public service” at the core of their profession.
Speaking on behalf of the Batch 2025 passers, Ms. Joan Claire Carlos, the top 8 nationwide passer with a rating of 92.40 percent, acknowledged the collective effort, discipline, and perseverance. “We showed up even when motivation faded; discipline carried us forward,” she said.
Prior to the testimonial program, Ms. Carlos also received her 40,000-peso cash incentive from the university through MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. during the weekly flag ceremony. The granting of cash incentives to board examination topnotchers was institutionalized through Board Resolution No. 099, series of 2021, during the administration of the 7th MMSU President, now CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis.
Meanwhile, COM Associate Dean Dr. Ina Krista Irapta, in her opening message, emphasized that the program is more than just a celebration but a testament to perseverance, mentorship, institutional support, and faith.
Vice President for Academic Affairs Aris Reynold Cajigal congratulated the new doctors and reminded them to dedicate their success to the communities that are waiting for their quality service as physicians.
Former dean of the college, Dr. Policarpio Joves, Jr., keynote speaker, agreed on this through a pre-recorded message, urging them to carry the principles of primary care—equity, comprehensiveness, continuity, and compassion.
“May you always remember the words of your oath: to serve the people, to uphold ethical practice, and to place the public good above self-interest,” he added.
Dr. Joven Cuanang, former COM consultant; Dr. Jose Cuerto, Jr., founding dean of the college; and Dr. Ricardo Guanzon, former dean, expressed support through their congratulatory messages.
With this, MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., expressed pride in the board passers, recognizing their success as a source of honor for the university and reiterating the administration’s continued support for both colleges.
Dec, 22, 2025 08:24:am
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