UP College of Medicine has 8 grads in Top 10 and 100% passing rate

That eight of its alumni topped the medicine board was sweet enough. What made the feat sweeter for the University of the Philippines College of Medicine (UPCM) was its 100 percent passing rate.

For more than a decade, it had been an elusive goal for UPCM—until the results of the physician’s board examinations administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) were released this month.

UPCM Dean Alberto Roxas said the last time the college achieved a 100-percent success in the board exams was in 1996.

“It feels good this year to achieve this dream, plus we have eight of our graduates in the Top 10,” Roxas told the Inquirer.

The UPCM alumni who topped the board were Mark Augustine Saquido Onglao, who placed first with a score of 88.42 percent; third placer Eugene Guerrero Odoño; fourth placer John Lyle Tron Montero Gomez; Deonne Thaddeus Vite Gauiran, fifth place; Marie Shella Baduel De Robles, eighth place; and ninth placers Juan Carlos Reyes Abon, Jan Miguel Clutario Deogracias and Erickson Fernando Torio.

Out of UPCM’s 144 takers of the exams, 144 passed.

“We always want to produce a 100-percent passing rate and we always push for raising our standards through our academic programs,” Roxas said.

UPCM was recently given a Level 4 accreditation, the highest rating, by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (Paascu). It was also declared a Commission on Higher Education center of excellence.

“We may always produce board topnotchers because there are always talented students in every batch, but the passing rate, that is the school’s achievement,” Roxas said.

He said the key to the college’s academic programs was self-study. “You look at yourself, find the deficiencies and correct these.”