Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) marked another milestone in its medical education program as it formally celebrated the success of its 2025 Physicians Licensure Examination (PLE) passers during a Testimonial Luncheon held on 24 November 2025, at the RISE Tower Assembly Hall in Valenzuela.
Organized by the College of Medicine and led by its faculty and staff, the gathering honored 57 newly licensed physicians and incoming examinees, alongside 14 faculty members who played a pivotal role in their academic and professional formation. The event served both as a recognition of achievement and as a platform for reflection, mentorship, and inspiration for future medical practitioners.
In his inspirational message, Dr. Jose Arnel Manalili, Dean of the College of Medicine, emphasized that the success of the graduates was deeply intertwined with the collective efforts of the institution. He reminded the new physicians that their triumph in the PLE reflected not only individual grit but also the College’s continuous pursuit of excellence, including its ongoing PAASCU reaccreditation.
The celebration featured moving testimonies from Dr. Francis Chung and Dr. Celestine Rio Tameta, who shared personal accounts of perseverance, discipline, and resilience throughout their medical journeys. Their stories resonated strongly with students and passers alike, underscoring the rigor of medical training and the enduring commitment required of the profession.
“Yung laban ninyo sa PLE, laban din naming dito sa College of Medicine,” Dr. Manalili said, underscoring that the licensure examination passing rate remains a critical indicator of institutional quality. He went on to describe the medical profession as one defined by sacrifice, lifelong learning, and service, noting that licensure marks the beginning of deeper professional responsibility.
Now formally entrusted with the title of physician, he explained, graduates would more keenly feel the confidence placed in them by society. He recalled moments during the pandemic when he was allowed passage through EDSA to respond to urgent calls of duty—an experience, he said, that reflected the public’s reliance on and expectations of the medical profession.
“Tinitignan tayo ng mga tao,” he added, emphasizing the moral accountability that comes with the practice of medicine.
The program also included a message of invitation for residency training delivered by Dr. Edwin M. Fortuno, Chief of Clinics, encouraging the new doctors to continue their professional growth within the Fatima medical community.
Earlier in the program, welcome remarks were delivered by Dr. Leandro Vila, Head of the Review Committee, who congratulated the April and October 2025 PLE passers and described their success as the “fruits of your labor finally becoming a reality.”
In an interview, Dr. Vila stressed that licensure is not the endpoint of a medical career but rather a transition into professional adulthood. He underscored the importance of sacrifice, noting that personal priorities often need to be set aside in pursuit of the license. “You will not be able to make it if you do not make sacrifices,” he said, encouraging students to persist despite challenges.
Dr. Vila also addressed those who did not pass, extending an invitation for further mentoring and review. “We invite you to come to us, so that we will be able to polish your knowledge and mentor you on the things you do not excel in,” he said.
Visibly moved, Dr. Vila became emotional as he reflected on seeing former students become colleagues in the profession. He shared that while he is often perceived as strict, his greatest desire has always been for his students to succeed.
“They might see me as an antagonist, but they don’t know that we want them to pass,” he said. Expressing pride in the many graduates he has taught since 1999—now established consultants in their respective specialties—Dr. Vila affirmed his joy in witnessing students pursue their passions, whether in specialized medical fields or other aspirations, grounded in the security of their professional license.
The testimonial luncheon was hosted by Dr. Ma. Salome F. Fernandez, Head of Admissions, and concluded with a renewed sense of purpose among attendees, celebrating not only academic achievement but also the shared mission of service that defines the medical profession.
With this milestone, OLFU College of Medicine once again affirmed its commitment to producing competent, compassionate, and resilient physicians.
Story by Raymond Lumagsao
