CEU dominates March 2021 Optometrist Licensure Examination
By John Legaspi
The March 2021 Optometrist Licensure Examination results are out and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) names Centro Escolar University (CEU) as the top-performing school with a 96.58 passing percentage.
According to the government agency, 206 out of 234 passed the Optometrist Licensure Examination given by the Board of Optometry in Manila in March 2021. Dr. Irene Christine C. Peliño and Dr. Mario T. Flores, Jr. are members of the Board of Optometry with Dr. Bernardita A. Garcia as chairman.
Out of the 10 highest places, CEU has eight top-notchers with Louie Orpiada Mallari at number one with an 88.19 percent rating. Following him is Maraya Myka Vista Acebedo (88.18) as second, third is Patricia Mae Tan Magboo (87.75), fourth is Jesusa Marie Ronquillo Arcega (87.36), fifth Maria Liana Jean Bondoc Deang (87.12), and Aram Joie Lara Paralejas (87.04) While Joyce Anjanette Reyes Ramos and Camelle Villeza Villa tied for the ninth spot with an 86.79 percent rating.
The date and venue for the oathtaking ceremony of the new successful examinees in the said examination will be announced later, as per PRC.
Established in 1928, CEU’s School of Optometry is known for being the “Home of Board Topnotchers,” as it has been dominating the licensure exam in the past years. In the July 2019 Optometrist Licensure Examination, the university garnered a 90.91 passing percentage with five top-notchers in the list of top 10 passers. And in the July 2018 Optometrist Licensure Examination, it has scored an 87.23 passing percentage with three top-notchers in the top ten.
For the last 20 years, graduates of CEU have consistently landed among the top 10 passers with the following ranking Number One: Marie Elaine Corrine Maceda (2005), Mary Rose Parao (2006), Cherry Ann Ferrer (2008), Justin Divinagracia (2010), Kendrick Nigel Tan (2011), Beverly Ann Mateo (2012), Marienne Princess Mercado (2014), Nikki Clarence Sy (2015), Tarrah Akeem Baluso (2016), and Gretha Pabustan (2019).
To further its mission of providing globally competitive optometrists, a Doctor of Optometry program is offered now at CEU’s campus in Malolos, Bulacan, making it “the first and only optometry school in Region 3.”