ILOILO City – West Visayas State University (WVSU) once again asserted its dominance in the field of nursing education, producing an astounding 36 topnotchers in the November 2025 Nurses Licensure Examination (NLE) and achieving a perfect 100 percent overall passing rate.
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced that 40,692 out of 45,192 examinees passed the nationwide examination, which was administered by the Board of Nursing in 21 testing centers across the country. The results were released just 15 working days after the exams.
WVSU leads anew with multiple topnotchers
Across all topnotchers from Rank 1 to Rank 10, a total of 36 WVSU examinees made it to the elite circle of highest scorers — an unprecedented feat that underscores the university’s consistent record of excellence in nursing education.
Heading the list of achievers are Johannah Marie Gerardo Acevedo and George Wilson Tan Escordial, who both scored 93.80%, securing a double top spot nationwide.
They were joined by 34 other WVSU graduates in the Top 10.
A perfect performance
WVSU also recorded a 100 percent passing rate among first-time takers (122 passers out of 122 examinees).
This stellar performance once again places WVSU among the country’s best-performing nursing institutions and reaffirms its status as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education.
Full List Of 36 WVSU Topnotchers
* Rank 1 ( 93.80%) — Johannah Marie Gerardo Acevedo; George Wilson Tan Escordial
* Rank 4 (93.20%) — Ashleigh Gea Braza Abangan; Tisha Belle Panes Paciente; Yi-Lin Balbon Wang
* Rank 5 (93.00%) – Joanette Meñosa Dalipe; Bianca Belle Galindez Grometes; Sharmaine Grace Agupalo Navarro; Bianca Marie Paro Rico; Ma. Stella Togabang Salomes; Aleia Nichole Maguate Tayo
* Rank 6 (92.80%) – Patricia Aubrey Declaro de Justo; Krystel Anne Nicole Frebaldos de la Cruz; Aurela Dado Elgario; Airis Abegail Locsin Serantes
* Rank 7 (92.60%) — Frederene Parrocho Javelona; Gwenneth Lopez Tiongson
* Rank 8 (92.40%) – Glemnarl Joiz Murzo Amedo; Charlize Dalida Baltazar; Michaela Millaro Catayas; Addison Jovann Almira Garrido; Vince Regil Yabillo Gravanzo; Gayle Barrido Gumbao; Dvien Lehn Tebia Pacheco; Berna Joy Penit Sorillo
* Rank 9 (92.20%) – Althea Malunes de la Cruz; Kale Fanuga Ezpeleta; Nafritz Floyd Pastrana Matucan; Angelique Mae Alcobilla Medina; Franchezca Leann Pigao Rivera; Ella Loevie Oppus Sugata-on; Margie Tadia Tanato
* Rank 10 (92.00%) – Hyle David Beloria Daduya; Shem Belonio Panganiban; Anton Miguel Dome Perucho; Angel Lou Cenal Rala
Escordial: Poverty fueled Determination
Miag-ao native and topnotcher Escordial broke into tears upon learning he ranked first in the examination. He said poverty pushed him to study harder, recalling how, during his elementary and high school years, he often survived on soy sauce and cheap snacks as viand because of their difficult circumstances.
“I am very proud of my parents because despite how hard life was (they worked hard so we could have good education). I went to school without any allowance. At one point my father got sick (so) we only ate once a day, our viand was soy sauce and snacks yet I never complained,” Escordial told DYRI RMN Iloilo.
He also shared that his parents relied on loans. To help, he took on small jobs such as fetching water and hauling sand for neighbors so he could earn money for school.
“These past few years have been difficult, but that became my motivation to work harder so that in the end, I can share this success with my family. (My goal is to) someday live a peaceful and happy life without worrying about anything,” he added.
Escordial said his only dream was to graduate with honors so he could bring his parents onstage during graduation, but God gave him far more — he topped the national licensure exam.
“I really strived to do my best, excel, and give them honor. That is the only way I can repay their sacrifices and their hard work,” he said.
WVSU Celebrates Historic Achievement
WVSU College of Nursing dean Dr. Madonna Palmes expressed joy that 36 of their graduates secured places in the Top 10.
“This is really amazing… it feels unbelievable but it’s true,” Palmes told RMN Iloilo.
She added that she always trusted her graduates to achieve a 100-percent passing rate and produce several topnotchers because of their diligence and discipline.
Palmes said the Class of 2025 is known as Batch Avani, meaning “earth”, symbolizing groundedness and humility.
“Their symbol is a mountain and their hashtag is ‘climb, claim, and conquer’. Today, they have climbed the peak of the mountain, they have claimed their worth, and they have conquered the PNLE 2025,” Palmes said.
St. Paul University Iloilo, CPU Top Performing Schools Also
Aside from WVSU, also top performing in the licensure was Central Philippine University (CPU) and St. Paul University Iloilo. Both schools also posted 100 percent passing rate.
CPU’s all 215 examinees passed; St. Paul University Iloilo had 75.
St. Paul University Iloilo’s Francel Juliana Dapiton Develos and University of San Agustin’s Angelica Basco Ciudadano also landed in the Top 10 with a rating of 92% rating.
PRC registration and oath-taking
The PRC announced that registration for the issuance of the Professional Identification Card (PIC) and Certificate of Registration will begin December 23, 2025, through the official website www.prc.gov.ph.
Successful examinees are required to personally sign the Roster of Registered Professionals, while the date and venue for the mass oath-taking ceremony will be announced later.
Pride of Western Visayas
For decades, WVSU has been known for producing board exam topnotchers and competent nurses serving both locally and internationally. The university’s remarkable performance in the November 2025 NLE further cements its reputation as one of the country’s most reliable institutions in developing globally competitive healthcare professionals./PN
