The Journey to the Top: Recognizing UMak’s Heron Topnotchers

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The beginning of 2022 has blessed the University of Makati with another year of excellence with back-to-back licensure examination top-notchers. Last February 15, 2022, on behalf of the University of Makati community, the Management Committee led by OIC President and concurrent VPAA, Dr. Elyxzur C. Ramos and College of Allied Health Studies Dean, Dr. Maria Fay Nanette Cariaga, recognized our Heron top-notchers from the College of Allied Health Studies.

L-R: Center of Nursing’s Executive Director, Asst. Prof. Anthony John G. Domingo, RN, MAN; Center of Imaging Health Sciences’ Executive Director Asst. Prof. Myna Marie DC. Nerona, RRT, MSRT; COAHS Dean, Dr. Maria Fay Nanette Cariaga; 9th Placer for Nursing Licensure Examination, Ms. Louise Ereeca Orca R.N.; 2nd Placer for Radiologic Technologist Licensure Examination, Ms. Sarah Angela Siew Chen Castillano Soon; UMak’s Management Committee: OIC President concurrent VPAA Dr. Elyxzur C. Ramos; VP for Finance, Mrs. Aurora F. Serrano; VP for Student Services and Community Development, Prof. Virgilio B. Tabbu; University Secretary, Engr. Luke Ivan B. Moro

Taking the 9th spot for the November 2021 Nurse Licensure Exam was Ms. Louise Ereeca Orca R.N with a rating of 86.80. The results were released last December 10, 2021, showing that “6,068 out of 11,828 passed the Nurse Licensure Exam” (Professional Regulation Commission 2021). UMak awarded Ms. Orca with P20,000.00 as a financial incentive for her exemplary achievement. Another Heron soaring to the top was Ms. Sarah Angela Siew Chen Castillano Soon with the rating of 90.60% and secured the 2nd spot of the December 2021 Radiologic Technologist Licensure Examination (RTLE). She received the financial incentive from UMak worth P90,000.00.

Graduating as Magna Cum Laude with her degree Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology last June 2021 at the University of Makati, Ms. Sarah Angela Siew Chen Castillano Soon shares her insights and experience of taking the board examination during the time of the pandemic. According to her,

“My professors at UMak gave me the best foundation necessary and prepared me well to tackle the licensure exam. The exams given in college were already such a challenge and gave a great feel of what was to come for the board exam.”

She further explains how she had prepared for the licensure examination at the beginning of the year, months before the licensure exam, she devoted “extra time to understand and grasp time subjects she found difficult, found comfort and peace in prayer and this helped her get through the stressful days.” When asked about her initial reaction when she got word of the results released, she recalls:

“When the results of the RTLE came out, I didn’t believe it initially. I was immediately informed by my professors that I placed within the top 10 and so I really waited until I saw a picture of the list of top-notchers with my name for it to sink in. The congratulatory messages also started to flood in and so I knew it was truly my name on the list. I was shocked because after I took the exam, it never crossed my mind that I could land a place within the top 10. I only really prayed to pass.”

 

With her success in the RTLE, she shares a piece of advice to future radiologic technologist examinees and other graduates who are eyeing to take on the challenge of taking the respective licensure examinations in their professional fields,

“The board exam is one of the hardest hurdles we all must get across to pursue our professional careers. I acknowledge its difficulty, but to me, mindset truly matters. I was never 100% confident with my review and negative thoughts did cross my mind now and again. I would say to (them to) acknowledge the feelings, but don’t be consumed too much by them. Think like a top-notcher as they say, aim high. Continue to be determined and persistent, work hard, even if it’s just one chapter a day, in the end, they will all add up. And prayers do make a world of a difference!”

The University of Makati takes pride and honor from the achievements of our Heron Alumni not only with their successes in the licensure examinations but also for their greater contributions to society. If you are interested to be a UMak Heron, feel free to explore our program offerings at this link: https://www.umak.edu.ph/programofferings

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Works Cited:

Professional Regulation Commission. 2021. November 2021 Nurse Licensure Examination Results Released in Twelve (12) Working Days. December 10. Accessed February 22, 2022. https://www.prc.gov.ph/article/november-2021-nurse-licensure-examination-results-released-twelve-12-working-days/5370.