By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – Twin sisters from Bago City, Negros Occidental, one of which was a topnotcher, passed the Licensure Professional Examination for Teachers (LET).
Donabelle Tubal Fernandez of Barangay Taloc, placed 10th in the examination after garnering a rating of 92.80 percent.
She finished Magna Cum Laude at the city government-run Bago City College (BCC) taking up Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Social Studies. She is BCC’s first-ever LET topnotcher.
Her twin sister, Donnajean, also passed the board exam and graduated Cum Laude at the same school.
In a Facebook post, Fernandez said that her journey through passing the board exam for teachers was challenging.
“Every day, I review from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. or until midnight. I experienced a lot of anxiety and crying fits,” she recalled.
“Nevertheless, I simply give the Lord all of my worries. I prayed fervently, and indeed my request was granted. I never thought I would become a topnotcher,” she said.
She said that she used to think of it as just a dream. “But, who would have imagined that I would come to realize it,” she added.
She thanked everyone who sent their congratulatory messages. “I appreciate everyone who sent me congratulations. How I wish I could respond to all of you,” she said.
She also thanked her family and her twin sister.
The Bago City College Teacher Education Department, in a Facebook post, lauded Fernandez for serving as an inspiration for others and for exemplifying hard work toward success.
“Your outstanding achievement in the Licensed Professional Teacher Examination is not just a testament to your remarkable academic preparation and unwavering determination but also a beacon of inspiration for your fellow Education graduates and aspiring test-takers,” the department said.
It added that her journey is a shining example of what dedication and resilience can achieve.
Aside from Fernandez, seven LET topnotchers were also from Negros Island.
For elementary level, Theresa Marie Cena from Siliman University in Negros Oriental, placed third, garnering a 94 percent rating.
Sixth placer in the elementary level was Hanna Mae Caguete from University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) here, garnering a 93.40 percent rating.
Seventh placers were Sheila Marie Delgado from West Visayas State University (WVSU) in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, and Junalene Mecedilla from Negros Oriental State University (Norsu) in Guihulngan City, who both got a 93.20 percent rating.
Ninth placer was Jeriel Grace Mabulay from WVSU – Himamaylan, who got a 92.80 percent rating, while 10th placer was Dindo Española Jr. from Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC) in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, who garnered a 92.60 percent rating.
For the secondary level, seventh placer was Sheena Louise Nodado from Siliman University, garnering a 93.40 percent rating.
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced that 23,782 out of 50,593 or 47.01 percent of elementary teachers and 53,995 out of 95,969 or 56.26 percent of secondary teachers successfully passed the September 2023 LET.
The examination took place on September 24 at testing centers located in Bangkok, Thailand, and at 40 testing centers around the country.
