By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY — A cum laude graduate of Bago City College (BCC) in Negros Occidental has placed ninth in the February 2025 Licensure Examination for Criminologists.
Shella Mae Salibio, a resident of Barangay Sum-ag, Bacolod City, achieved a 91.40% passing rate, becoming one of 142 new registered criminologists from the government-run institution.
Salibio is the daughter of a single mother and an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Kuwait.
She completed her degree in June 2024 and took the board exam on Feb. 5-7, 2025.
“I didn’t expect to be one of the topnotchers, especially since I only had a few months to review, and I faced many challenges along the way,” she said.
She recalled falling asleep while waiting for the results and being awakened by her sibling’s excited shout upon learning she had made it to the Top 10.
When she stepped outside, she was surprised to see her family celebrating.
Originally from Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, Salibio moved to Bacolod after her parents separated.
Despite the distance, she chose to study at BCC, where her sibling—also a cum laude graduate—became a licensed teacher.
Salibio said her mother selected criminology as her course because it was affordable at the time.
“Now I understand why I chose this course. If I had taken another, I might not have reached this point,” she said.
She advised aspiring achievers to follow their dreams and dedicate ample time to studying.
She emphasized the sacrifices she made, such as limiting social outings and staying home for months to focus on her studies.
“Now, this is the fruit of all my sacrifices and hard work,” she said.
“No matter what happens in life, there is always a reason behind it. Just because something is negative now doesn’t mean it will be negative forever.”
Salibio expressed her gratitude to the city government, particularly Mayor Nicholas Yulo and Vice Mayor Ramon Torres, for allowing her to study at BCC despite not being a Bago City resident.
“I hope that more non-residents will also be given the chance to achieve their dreams in the future,” she said.
She also thanked her school and faculty for shaping her academic journey and providing guidance and expertise.
During her visit to BCC on Saturday, BCC president and administrator Dr. Deborah Natalia Singson presented her with cash incentives, though the amount was not disclosed.
Singson praised Salibio’s achievement, emphasizing that it showcased BCC’s high-quality education, particularly in the Criminology Department.
She encouraged students to draw inspiration from Salibio’s journey and continue striving for success for themselves, their families, and their city.
