The Adventist Church in the North Philippines recognized two of its Adventist higher education institutions—the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) and Manila Adventist College (MAC)—for their achievements in the March 2024 Medical Technologist Licensure Exam. AUP secured the position of the 6th top-performing school, while MAC clinched an outstanding 100% passing rate.

In the South Philippines, Mountain View College (MVC) also demonstrated remarkable performance in the examination, achieving an 82.3% passing rate, with 56 individuals passing out of the 68 examinees.

Moreover, Pittzman Jo R. Acosta, an AUP graduate, ranked 7th among the 9,068 examinees in the region.

Reflecting on his academic experience, Acosta, a Summa cum laude graduate, recounted that at one point during the pandemic, “pessimism clouded his mind.” He isolated himself, buried himself in studying, and felt insecure seeing his classmates having fun. As face-to-face classes resumed, hearing his classmates’ stories served as a reminder from God that he was not alone and that “they were all walking the same path.”

Acosta also attributed overcoming negativity to AUP’s holistic programs, which he believed set Adventist education apart. Describing his professors, he said, “They are an army of God-fearing individuals who inspired us to be our very best. They linked faith to the subject lesson, which cultivated in us a deeper appreciation of God.

Sharing some lessons learned, Acosta stressed the importance of community. “Surround yourself with good friends. Be a witness to other people’s testimony. Their stories and their life experiences may just be what you need to get through.” In closing, he said, “If you’re aiming for the best, do it. In doing so, however, you are to do it right. Do it just. Do it with God.”

Yanna Yvonne Macayan, chairperson of the AUP Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Department, described Acosta as “a student who consistently demonstrated diligence in class.” She added, “One of his most admirable qualities is his concern for others. Instead of opting for an easier project for our community and public health class, he surpassed expectations by collaborating with the barangay to organize a large-scale activity.”

Dr. Lalaine Alfanoso, director of the Health Ministries Department in the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, extends congratulations to all individuals who participated in the examination, emphasizing the significant effort required to succeed. "The examination was challenging, and your dedication and perseverance have now yielded fruitful results," Dr. Alfanoso remarked.

She further added, "We extend our warmest congratulations to all examinees. Your commitment to health and life exemplifies the bright future of health ministries in the Philippines as you continue to positively impact lives worldwide."

AUP is among the top schools in the country, ranking 6th out of 145 institutions nationwide. Of its 59 graduates, 58 successfully passed, achieving a 98.31% success rate. As the pioneering school of Bachelor of Medical Technology in the Philippines, AUP consistently excels in board exams. The Adventist Church runs AUP, a Level IV autonomous institution, which is a tertiary boarding school in Silang, Cavite.

Meanwhile, Manila Adventist College also celebrated the success of its board exam candidates, who achieved a 100% passing rate. With only 6 years into its operation, this marks the third board exam for its Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS) program.

When asked about the preparation strategy employed for the exams, Jovy Acopio, dean of the School of Allied Health, highlighted the importance of prayer. “Our secret is fervent prayer,” she revealed. It is not a superficial lip service but a prayer of faith, believing that God is faithful and will accomplish His promises in His own good time and way.” Acopio recalled appealing to God, saying, “Lord, you have been so good to our sister institutions; I trust that you will also do the same for us and give us 100% results, all for Your glory. It’s your name at stake here. This school is in the city. Let your name be exalted in the city amidst the presence of prominent universities.”

Additionally, the department actively engaged with candidates, providing individual support to ease their anxieties and boost their confidence. Faculty members shared personal experiences of how God saw them through life’s challenges. This proved to be instrumental in uplifting the spirits and morale of the candidates.

The college attributed the accomplishment to the dedication of MLS passers who diligently studied in preparation for the exams and to the entire MLS faculty, under the leadership of Mr. Jeramie Galapon, for their tireless efforts in mentoring the students. Reflecting on the outcome, Jovy could only exclaim, “Prayer works. God is amazing! The Lord that we are praying to hears, answers, and is faithful.”

This article was provided by the Southern Asia-Pacific Division.