PRC, ni-reveal sino "name withheld" na Top 1 sa physician licensure exam

• The PRC has finally revealed the identity of the 2026 Physicians Licensure Exam topnotcher after temporarily withholding it for verification
• Dr. Erwin Ken Parchaso of Lyceum Northwestern University initially thought he failed after not seeing his name on the list of passers
• The new doctor went through multiple setbacks in previous licensure exams, including loss of confidence and personal struggles
• He later learned he was the very examinee he had once criticized for allegedly getting the top spot

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has officially named Dr. Erwin Ken Parchaso of Lyceum Northwestern University in Dagupan City as the topnotcher of the 2026 Physicians Licensure Examination, after initially withholding the results for verification due to an unusually wide score gap between first and second place.

Authorities said the delay was part of a careful review process.

“Sabi nila mataas lang talaga ang pagitan between the first and the second so they were kinda alarmed.”

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Despite being among more than 1,000 new physicians who took their oath, Parchaso’s journey to the top spot was marked by repeated setbacks and self-doubt.

In his first attempt at the licensure exam, he admitted his focus was divided due to personal circumstances.

“During the exam ang focus ko wala na sa exam, ang focus ko nasa girlfriend ko na she's pregnant. Ayun hindi namin planado so ‘yon, I failed,”

On his second try, he struggled even more with his confidence and preparation, eventually deciding not to fully trust himself for the exam.

“Hindi na ako confident mag-exam kasi parang sa mindset ko as time goes by nakakalimutan ko yung mga inaaral ko. Minsan kausap ko si wife mag-e-exam pa ba ko? [Yung confidence] parang wala na pababa na. Kahit yung mga samplex na sinasagutan ko ang baba ng nakukuha ko,”

During his third attempt, Parchaso believed he had done enough, but was devastated when his name did not appear on the list of passers.

“Ayun umiyak ako, ‘di ko alam gagawin ko,”

In frustration, he even reacted strongly to the unknown topnotcher at the time.

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“Minura ko yung top 1 [na wala pa noong pangalan] kasi baka mataas ang score niya kaya tuloy nawala ako sa curve, natanggal ako kumbaga,”

He only discovered later that he himself was the top 1, a revelation that left him stunned and emotional.

“I was shocked, happy, confused. Rollercoaster talaga,”

PRC has yet to fully explain the initial withholding of his name, though medical officials noted the agency’s caution was due to the exceptionally high score margin.

In a recent incident in Valenzuela City, a surveillance camera captured a male suspect discreetly taking a mobile phone from a local business establishment. Aside from the physical loss of a ₱6,000 smartphone, the victim later found that ₱9,000 had been illegally withdrawn from their digital wallet. Authorities said the suspect reportedly escaped the scene using a bicycle and fled toward the neighboring province of Bulacan. Following the incident, local police and community officials have strengthened monitoring efforts in the area as they continue to identify the individual seen in the footage.

Meanwhile, in a more uplifting development, Ferdinand Narciso has finally earned his law degree after successfully passing the 2025 Bar Examinations, completing a journey that spanned two decades and four previous attempts. His determination to return to the exam was inspired by his daughter, Mary Joyce Narciso, whose own aspirations in social justice encouraged him to take one final shot at becoming a lawyer. While preparing in Manila, the father and daughter faced significant financial strain and the mental demands of one of the country’s toughest licensure exams.

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Source: KAMI.com.gh