#ProudViscan topnotchers in professional teacher exam tell stories of grit and purpose

Visayas State University (VSU) once again raised the bar in the March 2025 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT), producing seven national topnotchers across both elementary and secondary levels

VSU Main Campus was hailed as the second top-performing school in the country with 100-299 examinees, with a remarkable 98.63% passing rate in the secondary level. 

But beyond these impressive statistics lies the human stories of #ProudViscans who made these numbers possible. These stories speak of long nights, heavy books, quiet prayers, and sacrifices made not just by the examinees, but by the people who stood behind them. 

The Elementary Achievers

Hailing from VSU Main Campus, Lorijane Francis Magelon Santiago stood out with a score of 94.00%, securing third place in the elementary level. Her journey was not just built on intelligence, but it was built on long hours and hard choices. 

After enrolling in a local review center, she committed to three in-person sessions each week, then attended four-hour online classes during weekends. She also joined a study group where they immersed themselves in intense book discussions and mock drills. 

Her efforts paid off when she aced their December mock board exam, earning her a fully-sponsored, 45-day intensive review in Davao. But it came at a cost. 

“Ako gi gave up ako sleep nga eight hours to five hours na lang. Ako time sa social media, sa akong loved ones, ug time pag socialize,” she admitted. 

[I gave up my eight hours of sleep down to five. I also gave up time for social media, my loved ones, and even socializing.]

Lorijane’s drive was rooted in her family. “Nakita nako ang sakripisyp sa akong ginikanan ug mga igsoon aron ma provide among mga kinahanglan. Ganahan nako nga makabalos sa ila…from being a Cum Laude to being a LEPT topnotcher.”

[I saw how hard my parents and siblings worked to support us. I wanted to give back by excelling, from graduating Cum Laude to now topping the LEPT.]

More than an individual triumph, her story is also about gratitude, responsibility, and honoring the people who believed in her. 

With identical scores of 93.40%, Kristine Joy Vivero Natividad from VSU Tolosa and Ricamae Cabaluna Papong of VSU Main tied in sixth place. 

A quiet dreamer from VSU Tolosa, Kristine Joy spent her review days in silence, away from social media, far from distractions, and anchored only by a deep desire to make her family proud. 

Her spot in the top ten came not from confidence but from consistency. Praying and studying were her routine. 

Her sixth-place finish did not just make her campus proud, but it also lit up her small town with joy, proving that even the quiet ones can rise to the top. 

On the other hand, Ricamae carried her aspiration like a gentle but persistent flame. She juggled house responsibilities while preparing for one of the biggest exams of her life. Her journey was marked by early dawns and handwritten reviewers. 

More than a surprise, ranking sixth was a moment of vindication that all her sacrifices meant something.

Christine Joy Egonio Villegas from VSU Alangalang carved her path to success with consistency and determination. Known among her peers for her discipline and humility, she approached her LEPT preparation one day at a time.

She did not rely on anything fancy. Just her notes, her time, and her belief that small efforts, done every day, would lead to something greater. She relied on her daily efforts. 

Placing ninth in the LEPT was a proud moment for her and for the entire VSU Alangalang academic community, a reminder that determination, no matter how lived, will always make a mark. 

Shining in the Secondary level

If there is one story that captures the sheer intensity of LEPT preparation, it is that of Jeneva Bernales Payot from the VSU Main Campus. 

She began with eight to twelve hours of review each day,  both online and in-person, but even that did not feel enough. She extended her routine to fifteen hours daily, with only one break.

"Akong break kay kaon ra. Ila nako ingnon nga, ‘Na unsa na ka?,’ unya i-compare ko nila sa uban namo nga silingan kay grabe na daw ko, ug kung plano ba daw nako i-perfect ang exam," she laughed.

[My only break was eating. My family would joke, ‘What’s gotten into you?’ and compare me to our neighbors, asking if I planned to get a perfect score.]

What her family did not know was that she had quietly posted a Facebook status, visible only to herself: “I will top the March 2025 LET, in Jesus’s name!”

She did not tell anyone, not even her parents, about this dream. So when she learned she landed sixth place, her first thought was not for herself. 

"First na ko na huna-hunaan is unsa kahay reaction sa ako parents ug sa akong igsoon," she said softly.

[The first thing I thought about was how my parents and siblings would react.]

She dedicated her win to her family and to a personal belief that faith and determination can change the course of one’s life. 

Both graduates of VSU Main Campus, Mary Grace Añuda and Leira Ann Diano Regulacion earned 92.60%, tying for seventh place. 

For Mary Grace, topping the LEPT was not just a personal milestone but a fulfillment of a long-held promise to herself and to the people who believed in her when she doubted her own strength. 

Throughout her review, she went through modules and prayed every day. She did not change perfections, she chased progress. 

On the other hand, Leira Ann’s story is one of strength. She often studied late into the night. She did not talk much about her dreams, not because she did not believe in them but because she feared they would be dismissed. She believed it was better to stay quiet and keep working. 

For both Mary Grace and Leira Ann, placing 7th in the LEPT was a powerful answer to every moment they almost gave up. 

The Scholar Who Beat the Odds

Among the many passers is Justin Kays Modina, a proud AR (Alden Richards) Foundation scholar. She was moved to apply for the scholarship after watching a segment on Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho about a child with no limbs who still studied diligently and became an AR scholar. 

“Naa silay gi feature nga bata nga walay kamot ug tiil pero niguro og skwela nya scholar diay siya ni Alden Richards.”

[They featured a child with no arms and legs, but who worked hard, and he turned out to be one of the scholars of Alden Richards.]

Curious and hopeful, she searched for the AR Foundation on Facebook, asked about the scholarships and submitted her story, with the help of her cousin who wrote about her life’s hardships. 

Justin’s life had not been easy. Her mother had a mild stroke, her stepfather struggled with asthma, and she was adopted at the age of two by her aunt. Despite all this, she remained focused on finishing her degree. 

“Dako siya ug tabang nako. Ang key source nako pagreview kay ang Alden Richards Foundation. Scholar ko niya 3rd year until 4th year."

[It helped me a lot. The Alden Richards Foundation funded my review. I was their scholar from 3rd to 4th year.]

She was even able to ask for support to attend a review program after graduation, an opportunity she used to its fullest.

“Thankful kaayu ko ni Sir Alden Richards. Nakatabang syag dako sa ako kalisod."

[I’m so grateful to Sir Alden Richards. His help got me through so many challenges.]

Justine also gave her special thanks to her professors in VSU, especially Sir Celso, whose persistence helped her stay on track. 

VSU’s Strong LEPT Performance Across Campuses

Beyond individual triumphs, the recent LEPT results showcased the strong institutional performance of VSU across its campuses. 

At the  VSU Main Campus, both elementary and Secondary Education achieved an impressive 100% passing rate among first-time takers, with an overall passing rate of 85.19% for Elementary, and a remarkable 98.63% for Secondary, earning it the second-top performing school nationwide in its category. 

At VSU Tolosa, the Elementary Education also saw 100% passing rate for first-time takers, and 81.63% overall. The Secondary Education program had a 95.45% first-time passing rate, but with a more modest institutional rate of 56.41%

Meanwhile, VSU Alangalang posted 93.94% first-time passers for Elementary Education, and 100% for Secondary Education, with institutional passing rates of 77.78% and 92.59%, respectively. 

At VSU Isabel, Elementary Education had 79.41% first-time takers passing, and 72.79% overall, while Secondary Education scored 92.31% first-time, with 86.21% institutional passing. 

Lastly, VSU Villaba’s Elementary Education recorded 66.67% passing rate among first-time takers, and 38.78% overall, while its Secondary Education had 88.57% first-time takers passing, and a 73.47% institutional rate. 

These results far exceed the national passing rate of 46.77% for elementary level and 62.27% for secondary level. 

From those who topped the board to those who passed through perseverance, VSU celebrates all its new licensed professional teachers. 

This article is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 4: Quality Education.

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