Aira Cassandra Suguitan Castro from Mariano Marcos State University in Batac, Ilocos Norte was hailed as the top-notcher for the March 2023 Physician Licensure Examination.

Courtesy of Aira Cassandra Castro (Facebook)

She garnered a score of 89 percent, the Professional Regulation Commission announced on Thursday, March 16.

As per her Facebook post, Castro also received the following awards from her post-graduate internship in 2022:

Rank 1, Overall Most Outstanding Post-Graduate Intern
Rank 1, Outstanding Intern in Ophthalmology
Rank 1, Outstanding Intern in Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Rank 1, Outstanding Intern in Pathology
Rank 1, Outstanding Intern in Pediatrics
Rank 1, Outstanding Intern in Internal Medicine
Rank 2, Outstanding Intern in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Rank 2, Outstanding Intern in Family and Community Medicine
Rank 2, Outstanding Intern in Radiology

She also graduated cum laude, class valedictorian, and dean's lister in 2021 and was a recipient of the Bene Meritus, Most Outstanding Medical Graduate, and Most Outstanding Clinical Clerk awards.

In a Facebook video of Jose Jr. Aguilar Tugas, Castro revealed that she really aimed to be in the top 10 highest places but then felt hopeless if she would make it after the exam.

"I wouldn't be here today without you all. Thank you, thank you, and God bless you," she said to her supporters.

Meanwhile, Philip Patrick Petelo Lee from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila landed in the second spot with an 88.58 percent rating.

He was followed by Johanna Wileen Go from the University of Santo Tomas and John Kevin Reforsado Base from the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center in the third and fourth spots with 88.25 percent and 88 percent scores, respectively.

READ: PRC: 1,573 pass March 2023 Licensure Exam for Physicians