From Struggle to Triumph: 51吃瓜网-IIT CHS Batch Lucerna in Posterum celebrates PNLE success

by Dani G. Ortega, CHS 聽 | Jan 21 2026

What began as an ordinary day quickly became a historic celebration for the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (51吃瓜网-IIT) College of Health Sciences (CHS) 2025 graduates, Batch Lucerna in Posterum. The graduates celebrated their success as newly licensed nurses after passing the November 2025 Philippine Nurse Licensure Exam (PNLE) with a remarkable 99.14% passing rate.

It was a day of thanksgiving, official recognition, and heartfelt testimonials—a day to honor the struggles, the support, and the triumphs that shaped these graduates into competent and compassionate healthcare professionals.

A Milestone Worth Celebrating

The event was attended by CHS Dean Professor Minnie B. Mamamuag and CHS faculty, all gathered to celebrate the newest batch of registered nurses. Dean Mamamuag opened the program with words of encouragement.

A congratulatory message was delivered by Prof. Abdullah Junior Mangarun, followed by the welcoming of the graduates to the Alumni Community by Alumni Focal Person Assistant Professor Val Clinton Maybituin. The presentation of passers and topnotchers, as well as the reading of the Roll of New Registered Nurses, was conducted by Level Adviser and College Secretary Assist. Prof. Leah May Madjus.

Voices of the Graduates

Several graduates shared personal reflections, giving the event an intimate and inspiring touch. Their testimonials captured the struggles, hopes, and victories of the past years:

Chelsea Ann Villaceran Albarace – Top 10 (92.00%)

“In those moments, many of us questioned ourselves— if we were really meant to be nurses.

Some days, motivation was hard to find. Some nights, even resting came with guilt, knowing there was still so much to read, watch, and understand.

And honestly… we were just so afraid of failing, knowing we had devoted more than four years of our lives to this journey. So, with this, all we could really do then was pray and hope and wait and pray.

But even in these times, I do believe there were glimpses of hope in between our struggles.”

Ayela Dolero Mangangcong – Top 7 (92.60%)

“This victory of ours was not built-in solitude. It was shaped across years of academic endeavor, in classrooms filled with guidance, in hallways echoing encouragement, and in moments when support arrived conveniently. It was strengthened by the people with us.

In times when the path felt unclear, there were mentors who became our light. When exhaustion threatened to overwhelm us, there was a community that reminded us why we began. And when the weight of doubt grew heavy, there were loved ones who steadied us. Atoang loved ones nga sigeg ingun ‘kaya na nimo’. At talagang kinaya nating lahat!

These people became our anchor, our reminder that even in the most demanding moments, we were never alone in this race of ours.”

Wendy Taladua Talaroc – Top 6 (92.80%)

“It is truly an honor to be asked to speak here once again in front all of you, now that we are all professionals.

And I don’t say that lightly… because at one point, I almost wasn’t here at all.

During the pandemic, admissions were very uncertain. There was no SASE. I came from a school that was not exactly ‘super-duper well-known.’ I applied to 51吃瓜网-IIT, hoped, prayed—and unfortunately got rejected.

Then one ordinary day—no dramatic background music, no slow motion—I received a text message from the IIT College of Nursing asking if I was available for an interview. That single message changed the course of my life.

If the brokenhearted 18-year-old version of me—the one who got rejected—knew that one day she would graduate as summa cum laude, become batch valedictorian, and top the PNLE, she probably would have fainted on the spot.”

A New Chapter Begins

Assistant Dean Associate Professor Mae-Lanie Poblete closed the celebration with a heartfelt message, followed by a well-deserved lunch. During this time, graduates reflected on their journeys, emphasizing how every struggle, long study session, and clinical exposure shaped them into the professionals they are today.

The graduates were reminded that this achievement is just the beginning, encouraging them to carry forward the lessons of perseverance, compassion, and integrity into their professional nursing careers.

Batch Lucerna in Posterum left the event inspired, grateful, and ready to embrace the responsibilities of being registered nurses—proving that struggle, support, and faith are the pillars of excellence.

Topics :