Mar 27, 2019 | Manilla, Philippines |
For two years in a row, Seventh-day Adventist physicians have grabbed the top spot of the Philippine Licensure Examination. With his 89.83 percent Clinton Rabadon, a graduate of West Visayas State University (WVSU), joins the rank of last year’s top finisher Dr. Gerard Pelayo. This feat makes him the fifth Adventist physician to take the first spot in the last 13 years. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) results published on March 14 showed that 1,209 of 1,579 applicants passed the licensure examination with an average of 76.57% passing rate.
Alongside Rabadon are six other Adventist physician licensure examinees who made it to top 10.
Top 3 Daniel Panaglima, MD 88.75 of Matias H. Aznar Memorial College of Medicine, Inc.
Top 5 Jessa Elaine Fronda, MD 88.33 of Matias H. Aznar Memorial College of Medicine, Inc.
Top 7 Dave Ivan Bruel, MD 87.92 University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center
Top 8 Jonathan Macatiag IV, MD 87.58 University of the Philippines – Manila
Top 9 Temie Paul Villarino, MD 87.42 West Visayas State University
Top 10 Wilma Cleo Yvonne Dapog, MD 87.33 Cebu Doctor’s University-College of Medicine
Rabadon decided to become a doctor after seeing the severe need for physicians in poverty-stricken communities.
Rabadon was a consistent honor student in his junior years. He finished his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the Bicol University of Polangui where he landed in the top ten for the 2010 Nursing Licensure examination.
In a text message, Rabadon expressed how everything is sinking in just days after passing the examination. “Words are not enough to utter how blessed I am for the results…I sometimes ask Him ‘what have I done to receive such blessings,?’ said Rabadon. “I know that He wants me to tell the world that He is a generous Father, and I will be more useful if I witness on how He works in me by bringing me into this place.”
Like most examinees, Rabadon didn’t aim for the top spot but endeavored to make it to top ten. He remembered praying only to finish the exam and get a good rating.
“I asked the Lord to equip me with wisdom, that I will be more useful in His ministry,” Rabadon said. “I know that a lot of people are praying for me to reach the top, but I asked the Lord that whatever the outcome is, I will always be grateful.”
“I will trust whatever the result is because I know that the Lord has won the battle for me even before I took the examinations,” Rabadon stated.
Rabadon recalls that in the months prior to the licensure exams the Sabbath became a reprieve from the exhausting reviews, providing him a special day of communion with God, renewing his physical, as well as his mental and spiritual well-being. In terms of academic preparations, he stressed the value of quality over quantity during his time studying.
Rabadon is a cousin of last year’s Physician Licensure Exam top-placer Pelayo.
In recent years, Adventist health professionals have established an identity of excellence, particularly in the Philippines. This gives the Adventist Church the opportunity to advance its unique health message in the perspective of healthcare.
Commenting on these monumental achievements of Adventists entering professional health service Dr. Ma. Rizaline Alfanoso, of Southern Asia-Pacific Division, said: “God is looking for men and women to change the world and advance His kingdom. And God has allowed these young professionals to excel in such a time as this when the World is a Lazar house filled with maladies, dysfunction, brokenness, and addiction.”
Rabadon plans on working part time as a general practitioner while waiting for his residency. He is now focused on joining various medical missions of the church.
This article was originally posted on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division’s website
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