The Pangasinan Star ONLINE

By NORMAN C. CAGUIOA

SAN CARLOS CITY – The entire community of the Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation (VMUF) here is now rejoicing after one of its graduates topped the list of passers in the 2005 Midwife Licensure Examination given in Manila last November 8 and 9.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) identified the No. 1 topnotcher as Catherine B. De Guzman-Torio of Calasiao town in Pangasinan with an average rating of 89.10 percent.

“I took the board exam simply aiming to pass it without this glorious expectation,” the 33-year-old board topnotcher said.

“I dedicate this ‘gift’ to my dear father who is now with His Creator,” Torio said.

The new record holder in the 2005 midwife licensure examination graduated from the VMUF with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 1993 and consequently passed the nurse licensure examination.

In spite of her hectic schedule, she manages to divide her time raising her three children -- Pauline Laurice, 10; Patricia Mae, 8; and Lester Paul, 2 years old, and pursuing her graduate studies program including her professional career as medical health specialist.

Torio rose from the ranks, initially as faculty member in the college of nursing in 1994. She was promoted as Program Coordinator of the college of midwifery and nursing aide in 2000. She was also designated as program coordinator to pioneer and spearhead the caregiver course and later the medical transcription training program.

Torio is the eldest of four children of the late Saturnino De Guzman and the former Conchita Baguno. She is a full-fledged Master in Public Health (MPH) holder and currently pursuing her next higher level studies in Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN) degree. She said that she once dreamed to become a successful lawyer but time has changed her destiny.

Torio will join her fellow professionals during the oath-taking ceremonies before the board on December 9 at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel. She will be joined by her fellow Virginians and VMUF’s new midwives identified as Arlyn A. Dela Cruz; Jacqueline M. De Guzman; Janice B. De Guzman; Lysa DG. Delos Santos; Catherine R. Gonzales and Jobelle M. Salazar.

The VMUF passing average is 78 percent higher than the national passing average of only 51 percent in this year’s midwife licensure examination. The VMUF pioneered the midwifery school north of Manila in the early 1960’s.

Meantime, in the latest Veterinarian Licensure Examination, VMUF graduate Ronald Ruel M. Joves of Urdaneta City landed 18th among the 207 successful examinees, out of the 550 takers, with an average rating of 80.25 percent.

Dr. Leo B. Solis, dean of the college of veterinary medicine said that the school bagged a grand slam record for three consecutive years starting in 2001 with 6th placer Dr. Gerardo Q. Ibuan, a San Carleñan who scored a rating of 80.38 percent; Dr. Jhonabeth R. Bogaoan-Pajarillaga, 20th placer of Basista, Pangasinan obtaining 76.88 percent; Dr. Jefferson C. Canilang, 9th in the 2002 board exam and Dr. Percival Vinluan Hidalgo of San Quintin, Pangasinan who was 10th in the 2003 board exam with an average rating of 76.88 percent.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) listed the school’s college of veterinary medicine as one of the top 10 performing veterinary schools in the country with excellent programs obtaining 80.89 percent compliance rating. It has produced a top caliber veterinarian, Dr. Jonathan S. Luna of Balungao, Pangasinan who placed 9th in the 1995 licensure examinations.
The VMUF’s new veterinarians are Drs. Jayson B. Baradi; Shirley D. Fabian; Alfredo Mark U. Guarin; Antonio C. Perez, Jr.; and Lawrence C. Petilla.

The VMUF administration headed by president and board of trustees chairman, Dr. Ma. Lilia P. Juan, congratulated all the new board passers in midwifery and veterinary medicine. She commended them for giving another feather to the VMUF cap and for keeping the university globally competitive.