BACOLOD CITY – A cum laude graduate of Bago City College in Negros Occidental ranked ninth in the February 2025 Licensure Examination for Criminologists conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission.

SHELLA Mae Salibio (second from right) receives cash incentives from Dr. Deborah Natalia Singson (right), president and administrator of Bago City College (BCC) in Negros Occidental, for her achievement during her visit to the school on Saturday, March 8. Also in photo are Academics and SASO head Dr. Sandra Locsin and Administrative Officer IV Karen Lastierre. (Photo via Citybridge)

Shella Mae Salibio, a resident of Barangay Sum-ag here, obtained a 91.40 percent rating. She is one of the 142 new registered criminologists produced by the government-run college.

Salibio received cash incentives from BCC President and Administrator Dr. Deborah Natalia Singson during a visit to the school on Saturday, March 8. The amount was not disclosed.

She is a daughter of a single mother and overseas Filipino worker (OFW) based in Kuwait. Salibio graduated last June and took the exam last Feb. 5, 6, and 7.

Salibio she did not expect to land in the Top 10. “I did not expect to be one of the topnotchers because it only took me a few months to review and I have also encountered many challenges,” Salibio said.

She said that she was originally from Bayawan City, Negros Oriental but when her parents separated, they transferred to this city.

She said that she opted to study at BCC despite the distance because her sibling was also a cum laude graduate and finished her degree at the school and is now a licensed teacher.

Salibio said that her mother chose criminology for her because it was the course they can afford at that time.

“Now, I realized the reason why I took up the course. Maybe, I am not in this disposition if I took up other courses,” she said.

She said that she fell asleep while waiting for the results and learned of her achievement when she heard her sibling shouting that she was in the Top 10. She went out of her room and was surprised to see her family rejoicing.

Salibio advised examinees who aim for the Top 10 to pursue their dreams and allot more time to review.

She said that she sacrificed going out with friends and leaving their house because she was prioritizing her studies. “Now, this is the fruit of all my sacrifices and hard work.”

Salibio thanked the city government led by Mayor Nicholas Yulo and Vice Mayor Ramon Torres for giving her an opportunity to study at BCC and fulfill her dream despite her financial struggles and not being a resident of Bago City.

She thanked her professors and the faculty of BCC for molding and guiding them.

Singson said they are proud of Salibio’s achievement. She called it a validation of the excellent and quality education being given by the college, especially the Criminology Department, to its students.

She urged students to be inspired by Salibio and continue to aspire and dream big for themselves, their families, and the city as well.

Singson said that Salibio was the only topnotcher of the exam from a local college.

The PRC said 22,245 out of 36,768 examinees passed the examination given by the Board of Criminology in 29 testing centers nationwide. The results were released on March 7.