18 Mindanawons top 2026 nursing licensure exam

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Eighteen nursing graduates from Mindanao landed in the top rankings of the August 2026 Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE), according to the results released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on September 19.

The 18 topnotchers came from eight nursing schools in Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga cities. Davao City graduates accounted for 13 of the 18 top placers. 

Ateneo de Davao University’s graduate Clifford Jay Patoc Cafe posted the highest rating among the Mindanao examinees, placing second nationwide with 92 percent. Jad Lara Lacaran Baid, John Loyd De Guzman Castillo and Alynah Gabriele Castro Alicaway placed seventh, eighth and 10th, respectively.

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San Pedro College in Davao City produced eight topnotchers. Maxine Angela Chua Yare placed fifth, while Khassmyr Alexandra Macado Dela Cruz, Nessa Faye Morado Amarado, Athena Grace Montebon Nicholas and Paolo Jose Louis Nicolas Traspe tied for seventh. Andrea Paula Lazaga Basquez and Breanna Colleen Millan Pangilinan tied for eighth, while Celeste Dawn Jauod Ferrando placed 10th. 

Meanwhile, Northern Mindanao produced three topnotchers, led by Liceo de Cagayan University graduate Al-Radjie Pangadapun Laguindab, who placed fourth nationwide. Deserie Joyce Maghanoy Duhaylungsod from Cagayan de Oro College and Ken Kyle Vallente Suizo from Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan tied for seventh.

Al-Rensar Colcol Jamalul from Western Mindanao State University in Zamboanga City placed sixth, while Sandara Angeles Agaton from Ateneo de Zamboanga University ranked ninth.

Chabelita Zamora Batuyong from University of Mindanao in Davao City also placed ninth.

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The PRC reported 28,652 passers out of 37,359 examinees, accounting for a 76.69 percent national passing rate.

The August 2026 PNLE was held on Aug. 29 and Aug. 30, with examinations in testing centers in Central Luzon rescheduled to Sept. 11 and Sept. 12 following massive flooding there. /cb