La Salle student ranks 2nd in 2020 Physician Licensure Exams

BACOLOD CITY –– A student of the University of St. La Salle (USLS) ranked second in the 2020 Physician Licensure Examination.

Patrick Joseph A. Mabugat, 26, got a rating of 88.58 percent, just a few points lower than the topnotcher Jomel Lapides of the University of the Philippines-Manila, who received 88.67 percent.

Mabugat said he was at the house of his fiancée in EB Magalona town, Negros Occidental when he learned that he got the second-highest score in the licensure exams.

“Last night, I dreamt that I did not pass the board examination, and then at 1 a.m., the mother of my fiancée woke me up to inform me that I placed second,” he said.

“I was very, very happy and teary-eyed. I was surprised. My goal was just to pass the board and be a doctor. Having the second-highest score is a huge bonus,” he added.

Of the 55 USLS students who took the exam, 45 passed, giving the university an 81.82 percent passing rate, said Dr. Ricky Gallaga, USLS College of Medicine dean.

Mabugat said he wanted to become a doctor because he wanted to help people.

“To offer almost 24/7 of your time to help others and see them get well will mean the whole world to me,” he said.

LZB