House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left), Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez (Facebook)

The first couple in the House of Representatives was "overjoyed and brimming with immense pride" after the Remedios T. Romualdez (RTR) Medical Foundation secured the top two spots and four places in the Top 10 of the June 2024 Physical Therapists Board Examinations.

Beaming on Wednesday, June 12 over the good news were House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Leyte's 1st district representative; and his wife, Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, chairperson of the House Committee on Accounts.

The RTR students in the Top 10 were: Michael Nivera, the topnotcher, with a score of 91.95 percent; Bien Yamon, Top 2, with 91.05 percent; Clarence Noguerra, Top 8, with 89.15 percent; and Sigfred Jay Bernales, Top 10, with 89 percent.

Nivera and Yamon bested board takers from other schools such as the University of the Philippines, Southwestern University and other institutions of higher learning. RTR is based in Tacloban City, Leyte.

"It gives us great joy and immense pride that RTR, as we endearingly call the school, has been in the Top 10 for two consecutive years now in the PT licensure exams,” Speaker Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives, said.

“Noong nakaraang taon, dalawa ang nasa Top 10 (Last year there were two in the Top 10. But this year, not only did RTR secure the Top 1 and 2 spots, but it has four students in the Top 10! Things are really looking up for our beloved institution. It has slowly but surely proven itself to be a center of academic excellence!” the House leader added.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) also recognized RTR as one of the top-performing schools during the PT licensure examinations, with 28 of its 29 students (96.55 percent) passing the board exams.

It ranked first among schools with 20 or more examinees averaging more than 80 percent.

“As a representative of the Waray people and a native of Tacloban City, this is truly a proud moment for our people. Their success has not only put our region on the map when it bested even the larger and more established schools, but it also put the Waraynon spirit in the spotlight!” said the Speaker

“We celebrate this victory with you and look forward to more achievements in the future. Your success inspires us all and reinforces our belief in the potential of our local institutions to compete and excel on a national level,” he further noted.

Rep. Romualdez also expressed pride and joy over the news, and said that RTR has accomplished “a monumental achievement'".

“As a representative of the Waray people and a supporter of our local educational institutions, I am incredibly proud of the RTR’s achievement as it underscores the quality of education and training provided by the institution and the dedication of its students and faculty,” she said.

“Your success demonstrates that excellence is not confined to the largest and most well-known schools. It proves that with quality education, dedicated faculty and hardworking students, any institution can achieve greatness,” she added.

Rep. Romualdez says the accomplishment is a source of pride “for all of us in the Waray community".

“It serves as an inspiration to other educational institutions and students to strive for excellence. Your success is living proof to the potential and capability of our local schools to produce top-notch professionals,” she stated.

“We are confident that you will continue to achieve even greater heights in the future. Let us continue to support and nurture our local institutions so they can continue to provide quality education and produce outstanding professionals who will contribute to the development of our nation,” she further said.