24/05/2026
๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ช๐ฆ | Where Excellence Speaks: MSU-GenSan COEd fetes 32 LEPT topnotchersโ grit and success
Mindanao State UniversityโGeneral Santosโ College of Education (MSU-GenSan COEd) honored its 32 topnotchers in the March 2026 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT) during the Culmination and Tribute to the Topnotchers held on May 23, 2026, at College of Education Training Department (CETD) gymnasium, celebrating not only their outstanding achievement but also the inspiring journeys behind their success. The tribute featured heartfelt speeches and testimonies from the topnotchers, who reflected on the challenges and relentless diligence that shaped their review experience and ultimately led them to excel in the national examination.
Students who topped the BLEPT Series and Major Examinations Review were also recognized and awarded during the culmination program for their outstanding performance and dedication in preparation for the licensure examination.
Faculty members, students, board passers, and university officials gathered in celebration of the commitment, fortitude, and dedication of the universityโs newly licensed professional teachers, while also inspiring aspiring educators from the COEd to pursue excellence in the licensure examination.
๐๐ฒ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ป๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐
More than a celebration of academic excellence, the tribute ceremony became a platform for LEPT topnotchers to reflect on the sacrifices, tirals, and lessons behind their success, offering inspiration to future licensure examinees and aspiring teachers.
In an inclusive interview with The Papyrus, Monette L. Yap, LPT, Top 1 of Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) in March LEPT 2026, shared that one of the keys to her success was establishing a strong academic foundation even before entering the formal review period.
โAside from habits, one of the things I prioritized is I established a good foundation sa mga subjects, para doon pa lang I already put in my mind na dapat alam ko na โto, so that pagdating ng review refresher na lang siya sa akin,โ Yap shared.
Yap explained that mastering concepts early helped her treat the review process as reinforcement instead of entirely new learning, allowing her to recall lessons more effectively during preparation.
Despite eventually becoming the Top 1 passer, Yap admitted that the pressure and expectations surrounding her became emotionally challenging during the review season.
โDuring the review I was so pressured kasi a lot of people were expecting me to top the exam, and based kasi sa performance ko sa review, baba jud akong mga scores, so I wasnโt expecting na mag-Top 1 ko,โ she added.
She revealed that moments of self-doubt and disappointing review scores made her uncertain about topping the examination, but she continued reviewing despite the pressure and used the experience as motivation to persevere. โYour present achievement doesnโt define your future success.โ According to Yap, temporary setbacks during preparation should never discourage aspiring educators from pursuing their goals, emphasizing that persistence and continuous effort matter more than short-term failures.
Moreover, Ralvin Pamolino, LPT, Top 5 of Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Science, reflected on how the review journey shaped not only his academic preparation but also his character and mindset.
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โโLooking back in my review days, I learned the value of discipline, time management, and the person that I am becoming. But above all, I learned that fear and hope can exist simultaneously. And that is what we call โshowing up,โ " Pamolino shared.
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โPamolino emphasized that despite the pressure, uncertainty, and exhaustion experienced during preparation, consistently showing up every day and continuing to work toward the goal became one of the most important lessons he gained throughout the process.
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โAddressing future LEPT takers and aspiring educators, he encouraged them to remain faithful and committed even during difficult moments. โTo my fellow underclassmen who are yet to take the LEPT, I hope my story inspires you all to hold on to your faith when things get hard and unbearable, to pursue excellence to the highest extent that you can in a given situation, and to keep showing up,โ he added.
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โโI know the pressure is on, but I want you to uphold excellence in your preparation so no matter what the condition is, you have trust in your preparation,โ he said. โPamolino further stressed the importance of preparation and maintaining high standards despite the pressure surrounding the licensure examination.
Meanwhile, Bryan Jay Cabatingan, LPT, Top 3 of Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Science, shared that maximizing his own learning style became one of his most effective review strategies.
โI incorporated concepts and terms into things that I could see in my surroundings for better memory retention. I also used photos and videos for better understanding, prayed during my review journey, and practiced answering questions every day,โ Cabatingan said.
Cabatingan highlighted the importance of understanding oneโs preferred learning method instead of relying solely on review materials. As a visual learner, he explained that using illustrations, videos, and relatable associations significantly improved his comprehension and retention of concepts.
He also emphasized the role of faith and discipline in helping him remain motivated throughout the review process, adding that constant practice answering improved both his confidence and critical-thinking skills. โIf you want to be a topnotcher, be like one. Act like one. Think like you already are one,โ he said. Cabatingan shared that he even placed a congratulatory poster of himself in his study area while reviewing to constantly remind himself of the goal he wanted to achieve.
Moreover, Princess Amor B. Peroy, LPT, Top 5 of Bachelor of Physical Education, expressed gratitude not only for her personal achievement but also for the collective success of her department and classmates.
โI feel so grateful and proud not only for myself but also for my classmates, family, professors, and instructors of the whole BPEd department,โ Peroy said.
Peroy acknowledged the support of her family, classmates, and mentors throughout the preparation process, saying their encouragement became one of her greatest motivations despite the pressure.
As part of the pioneering batch of the MSU-GenSan Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd) program to take the licensure examination, Peroy admitted that expectations placed significant pressure on them during preparation. โWe felt pressured during our preparation, knowing that we are the pioneering batch of the MSU BPEd taking the exam with a 100 percent passing rate,โ she added.
The experiences shared by Yap, Pamolina, Cabatingan, and Peroy reflected not only academic excellence but also the remarkable commitment behind every achievement in the licensure examination, as the three topnotchers emphasized the importance of effective study habits, faith, resilience, and consistency in overcoming pressure, self-doubt, and challenges throughout their preparation journey, inspiring aspiring educators and future LET takers from the College of Education to pursue success through hard work and dedication rather than relying solely on intelligence.
๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐น๐๐บ
Assistant Dean Jovar Pantao, PhD, shared that the College plans to further strengthen its curriculum and classroom preparation to continue producing topnotchers in the future.
โItโs really about constructive alignment because we observed that the preparation in the classes contributes much to the number of topnotchers we produce,โ Pantao explained.
Pantao emphasized that aligning classroom instruction, assessments, and learning outcomes significantly contributes to studentsโ readiness for the licensure examination. He added that the College aims to continuously improve curriculum implementation to sustain strong LEPT performance in the coming years.
๐๐ผ๐ป๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐
๐ฐ๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ
During the culmination program, Atty. Shidik Abantas MDM, LLM, MSU-GenSanโs Chancellor, congratulated the College of Education for producing 32 topnotchers and recognized the institutionโs commitment to academic excellence.
โIndeed, fostering excellence equals 32 topnotchers,โ Abantas said.
The Chancellor described the achievement as a reflection of the universityโs dedication to quality education and student development. He also encouraged the newly licensed professional teachers to remain committed to serving the nation through education.
โYou should also be prepared to answer the countryโs need for teachers like you,โ he added.
Abantas reminded the topnotchers that becoming educators carries a responsibility beyond personal achievement, emphasizing the role of teachers in nation-building and shaping future generations.
The total of โฑ1.139 million incentive from MSU-GenSan administration was awarded to the topnotchers to honor their academic excellence, sacrifices, hardships, and persistence throughout their preparation journey. The incentive served not only as a reward for their achievement but also as recognition of the dedication and resilience they demonstrated in pursuing success in the licensure examination.
With another milestone added to its growing legacy, the MSU-GenSan College of Education continues to strengthen its commitment to producing competent, resilient, and excellence-driven educators. Through strengthened curriculum preparation, dedicated mentorship, and student tenacity, the College aims to sustain its strong performance in future licensure examinations and continue shaping educators committed to service and nation-building.| via Ryan Mark Escovidal, News Writer
