VIGAN CITY — The University of Northern Philippines (UNP) produced four national topnotchers in the 2026 licensure examinations for nursing and social work, with College of Nursing graduates Dianne Tolentino (Top 1) and Josian Vince Bermio (Top 9), and College of Social Work graduates Kia Francoise Corpuz (Top 6) and Top 8 Eleiah Danielle Tamayo.
UNP President Dr. Erwin Cadorna expressed profound pride and joy over the results, joined by Dr. Rolando Navarro, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Mr. Albert Tejero, Vice President for Finance and Administration; Prof. Don Nero, Dean of the College of Nursing; Prof. Melody Gacita, Dean of the College of Social Work; Hon. Aldrin Jaramilla, Faculty Union President; and Hon. Rachel Anne Imperial, Student Council President, in recognizing the graduates’ dedication and the faculty’s mentorship.
In recognition of their outstanding performance, the topnotchers received monetary awards after the flag ceremony, today, September 21, 2026. Tolentino, as Top 1 in the NLE, received a total of P300,000 — comprising P100,000 from the UNP President Dr. Cadorna, P100,000 from Dr. Navarro, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and P100,000 from the university. Bermio, Corpuz, and Tamayo each received P20,000 cash incentives as part of UNP’s support for its top-performing graduates and Dr. Erwin also added P10,000 each.
Tolentino topped the August–September 2026 Nurse Licensure Examination (NLE) with a rating of 92.20%, while Bermio placed 9th with 90.60%. In the September 2026 Social Workers Licensure Examination (SWLE), Corpuz ranked 6th with 92.20% and Tamayo placed 8th with 91.80%.
The Nursing cohort’s performance makes UNP the only state university in Region I with two top 10 placers in the August–September 2026 PNLE, with a 98.37% passing rate among first-time takers and a 96.32% institutional passing rate, UNP Nursing stands well above the 76.69% national passing rate. In Social Work, the College posted a 94.07% first-taker passing rate and an 86.39% institutional passing rate—both significantly higher than the national passing rate of 76.27%.
The four graduates are expected to take on roles in healthcare and social welfare, where their licensure success positions them to contribute to patient care, community development, and public service.
Article by Rocelle Villanueva.
