NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Testimonial Message of Dean FEU-NRMF School of Medicine

Dr. Pio T. Esguerra II
FEU-NRMF School of Medicine
Dean

Good morning, and welcome to this Thanksgiving Prayer and Testimonial Celebration for the successful March 2026 Physician Licensure Examinations (PLE).

Last June, the School of Medicine (SOM) launched the Academic Uplift Program to provide stronger support for our graduates preparing for the PLE. The Board Review Committee (BRC) conducted a fully subsidized crash course, generously supported by FEU-NRMF, for both first-time takers and repeaters. We then sent them off with prayers, encouragement, and unwavering support.

Their efforts resulted in one of the most remarkable performances in the October 2025 PLE, where FEU-NRMF ranked 6th Top Performing School, producing a 5th placer.

This achievement became both an inspiration for the SOM and BRC, and a powerful motivation for the March 2026 PLE takers.

For your batch, we implemented the same strategies—with thoughtful refinements. The crash course, held in December 2025, was fully subsidized by the US Alumni Foundation. The course materials and mock boards were made accessible and downloadable until the last day of the PLE.

You were sent off with prayers and inspiring messages from key leaders: the VPAA, the COO of Healthway FEU-NRMF Medical Center, a BOT member and Consultant for Medical Affairs, and the President of the Medical Alumni Society. The President & COO, along with the CHRO, also graced the send-off ceremonies.

Then, you faced the four-day PLE.

Today, we proudly present the results of the March 2026 PLE.

The examinations were conducted across various testing centers nationwide. Out of 2,781 examinees from 61 medical schools, 1,954 passed, yielding a National Passing Rate of 70.41%.

From FEU-NRMF, 174 examinees took the exam, and 165 passed, giving us an outstanding 94.83% overall passing rate.

This stellar performance has earned FEU-NRMF the distinction of being the Top 1 Performing Medical School in the country—our 10th time achieving this honor, the last being in 2021.

Among our examinees, first-time takers achieved an exceptional 98.36% passing rate, while repeaters attained a commendable 86.54%. Only 2 first-time takers and 7 repeaters fell short this time, and the BRC has already reached out to them as they prepare for the October 2026 PLE.

Your outstanding performance proves that our October 2025 success was not a fluke—it was not mere chance.

Let us recall that from October 2021 to March 2025, our PLE performance had steadily declined, reaching a low of 63% in March 2025. As our President & COO once described a previous performance: “Terrible.”

Yet today, we stand transformed.

A significant factor in this turnaround has been the remarkable improvement in the performance of our repeaters—demonstrating resilience, determination, and the power of sustained support.

The School of Medicine extends its gratitude to the BRC, our dedicated faculty, and non-teaching staff; to the Medical Alumni Society and the US Alumni Foundation for their continued support; and to the entire FEU-NRMF administration for their leadership and commitment.

With this achievement, the BRC is more inspired than ever. Preparations for the October 2026 PLE are already well underway, and the next batch now carries a bold and ambitious goal: a 100% passing rate.

After all, we have already seen remarkable progress—from 20 failures in October 2025 to just 9 in March 2026.

Let us give everyone a well-deserved round of applause. Turn to the person beside you and congratulate them for a job well done.

Ad Astra per Aspera!

Testimonial Message of Batch Prime Leader and Batch President

Dr. Romi Rose Perez Tiburcio
MCCO 2024
Batch Prime Leader

It is with immense honor and humility to be on this platform speaking about not only mine, but our triumphant journey  which i proudly share with the people who nurtured and honed my knowledge and skills that helped not only me but also the people with me today as we’ve finished and passed our PLE.

Going into medicine was never my first choice but has always been a dream. It was not an easy decision, as my mom has said ”hindi madali mag medisina”. Before diving head first into this, i have had 3 failed attempts on my NPTE and my college and highschool friends said “baka hindi ka para doon” or “baka pang medicine ka talaga”, so when I was offered the opportunity to take up medicine, I took it. I self studied for the NMAT and told myself “if hindi ako papasa, baka hindi to para sa akin” lo and behold I got accepted here.

Being from the batch that started purely online, and having an 8 year gap year, I was lost to how things are, everything was digital, and lessons were either synchronous or recorded, i needed to adapt quick or else I’d be left behind.  Every year that became my mantra “if hindi ako papasa, Baka hindi to para sa akin”, until the 4th year of medicine, kasi by then it would be too late to pull out and say “i give up”. I chose to study here, because my mom graduated here, I chose the same institution for my internship because my mom did hers here. My mom was one of the foundations why I wanted to be a doctor, not because of her early mornings or late hours, but because I saw her interact with her patients and the 11 year old me thought and dreamed “ay gusto ko maging katulad ni mama”.

Fast forward to the months leading to our board exam, some were disheartened to proceed and I was honestly one of them. I thought “ay baka hindi enough yung time ko na nagreview” but I also thought I had no time nor room for hesitations, that I had to take this exam now. Our GC would be flooded with “kaya ko ba to?” “Kaya natin to guys, push lang” “ang dami ko pa backlogs” “isa lang nasimulan ko” and what stood out amongst all those messages were we had the support of each other, we were in the same sinking boat and we chose to paddle to shore instead of doing nothing. Those 4 days of the exam were exhausting, sabi nga nila “marathon ang boards” and I have felt that. It was not my first time experiencing a board exam but 4 days was different. During those 4 days, i’d be lying if i said i didn’t have doubts about my preparation as I knew deep down, hindi naman ako confident sa sarili ko, pero sabi nga nila hindi din naman natin alam ano lalabas sa boards and so I just did my best in answering and in testmanship, after that, I surrendered all my worries and fears to Him, si Lord na ang bahala.

From the day when the result was released, it felt surreal, hindi pa nagsisink in, but I am blessed to have seen my name there and together with my friends and colleagues here present. I couldn’t have done this without Him. Many have congratulated us as the hours passed after the release of the results, and now we are here, again this will not be possible without the continuous help and support from others.

They are the people who were with us when we needed help and who are now with us to celebrate this achievement.

To my parents, thank you for the gift of life and for raising me with unwavering love and care. You worked tirelessly to provide for my needs and to shape me into who I am today. Thank you for always standing by my side during difficult times, for your constant encouragement, and for reminding me that no challenge in life is too great to overcome. I am truly grateful for your guidance, your sacrifices, and your endless love. For all of this, I will forever be thankful.

To our teachers and mentors, who have helped us, shaped us and challenged us to grow, thank you. Thank you for all the lessons, prayers inspiration you’ve imparted with us, most especially days before we took our boards and for believing in us that we can achieve more than we have ever hoped for.

Dr. Anizamara Hilario
MCCO 2024
Batch President

Good day dean, vice dean and faculty.  and batchmates, or may I say, fellow licensed doctors. I am Zam Hilario, batch president of MCCO 2024

I started med school in 2019 where one of the questions they would always us was “Why do you want to be a doctor?” Honestly, I wasn’t entirely certain that becoming a doctor was the path I truly wanted to take.

The subjects were difficult, and I definitely had my self doubts.

I ended up taking 5 and a half years to finish med school, encountering many failures along the way. But through each setback, I learned resilience. I learned to keep moving forward despite the uncertainty, and to find courage even in moments of doubt.

Today, I stand here a little more certain—not because the path became easier, but because I have grown into the person who can walk it.

Studying for the boards with only 50 days was no easy task. I never felt ready. I prayed hard. But now, I wasnt the only one praying. I had my friends and family’s unwavering support.

On the last day of the boards, I felt a little hopeless, quite literally was the hardest exam Ive ever taken.

I want to say “I made it”. But the better thing to say is “We made it”

Because it took a village to get us here. From our parents who made countless sacrifices, but always believed in us. To our professors who gave us knowledge and wisdom that we will carry for the rest of our journeys. To our friends who we cried to, leaned on and celebrated with. These little villagers shaped us, supported us and dreamed with us. Our success is as much theirs

At the end of the day, being a doctor is not just about what we know—it is about who we choose to become.

Lead your life with vision and intent.

May we choose to be doctors who serves with compassion, strives for excellence and leads with integrity. These are the values FEU NRMF has instilled in us.

What an honor it was, to have graduated from this institution

Ad Astra per Aspera
Congratulations doctors

Testimonial Message of FEU-NRMF Medical Alumni Society President

Dr. Maria Carmen H. Quevedo
FEU-NRMF MEDICAL Alumni Society, Inc.
President

President and COO Mr. Juan Enrique Reyes, Chief of Staff Mr. Kevyn Reyes, VPAA Dr. Magdalena F. Natividad, Dean Dr. Pio Esguerra, Vice Dean Dr. Mari-Ann Bringas, colleagues and most especially to whom this message is addressed to – our new doctors, a pleasant morning!

It was just about a month ago when we were in this same hall and we were sending you off and wishing you the best  when you were about to take the Physician’s Licensure examination. Here you are – you made it! Today, it is with great pride and heartfelt joy that I stand before you as the President of the Medical Alumni Society to congratulate each one of you on this remarkable achievement and I truly understand what this moment means. Passing this exam is more than a personal victory, but a confirmation of what you have become. It is the culmination of the years of your sacrifice, as well as that of your families.

As we are now celebrating this most important milestone, that dream of becoming a doctor, remember this not the end but only a beginning of a new chapter of your lives.
I have already said this the last time.
Medicine is not simply a career. It is a calling. Being a “doctor” will carry an enormous responsibility.
The letters M.D. which you will attach after your name is not a decoration but a promise.
A promise to study continuously, to act ethically, to treat each patient with dignity.
A promise to serve even when it is inconvenient.

The board exam is not the finish line, it is the beginning of a lifetime of healing, learning and leading. The practice of Medicine will test your patience, challenge your limits, and many times humble you. However, it is the most rewarding of all professions, that great privilege to heal and be trusted by patients and their families.

As alumni of FEU, you not only carry your personal name, but the name and legacy of this institution that mentored you and helped you become what you are now today.  I am reminded of the book “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten ” by Robert Fulghum.

The book is a collection of short essays built around a single idea: The most important life lessons are the ones we learn as children. You were the children we taught and mentored during your student days.

Carry the name and spirit of FEU with dignity and pride, carry with you the tradition of excellence and compassionate care.  Serve with excellence, lead with integrity and remain humble in all successes, challenges and adversities. Wherever you go, uphold these values in every patient you encounter, in every decision you make, and in every life you touch.

If you will recall the lyrics of the FEU Hymn: “Though far from home, our feet may roam, our love will still be true. Our voices shall unite to praise thy name anew will treasure within our hearts the FEU.” Take this to heart.

Allow me to make you ponder on the following:
Passing the board exam will give you a license.
Character will make you a physician.
Technical skill will allow you to diagnose.
Compassion will allow you to heal.
Knowledge will earn you respect.
Integrity will earn you trust.

On behalf of the FEU Medical Alumni Society, we, your alumni family, are proud of you and we are here to join you as you begin this new chapter.  Let us all celebrate with gratitude. Congratulations and welcome to the profession!  AD ASTRA PER ASPERA