Written by: Engr. Myrckho Miguell A. Mendoza
The University of the Philippines Los Baños Department of Chemical Engineering (UPLB DChE) was awarded as Rank 1 Top-Performing school in the May 2025 Computer-Based Chemical Engineering Licensure Examination given by the Philippine Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). UPLB had an overall passing rate of 100.00% (32 passed out of 32 takers). The Rank 1 spot is shared with De La Salle University Manila, and University of the Philippines Visayas, both schools also garnering an overall passing rate of 100.00%. In addition to this achievement, three (3) of its alumni bagged 4th, 7th, and 8th places among the topnotchers. On record, the last licensure examination when UPLB got 100.00% passing rate was in April 2006 (19 passed out of 19 takers) with four (4) of its alumni bagged 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th places.
This May Computer-Based Chemical Engineering Licensure Examination was held last May 21, 22, and 23, 2025 in various satellite testing centers administered by the PRC, which included Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, and Rosales in Pangasinan. The PRC reported a national passing rate of 75.34% (602 passers out of 799 examinees), the highest national passing rate in the professional examination to date. The exam was administered by the current Professional Regulatory Board (PRB) of Chemical Engineering headed by its chairman Hon. Maricris C. Vines, and members Hon. Dr. Shirlyn B. Chua-Reyes, and Hon. Cezar S. dela Cruz. This examination marks the first computer-based licensure examination for Chemical Engineering and its results were released a few hours after the conclusion of the last day of examination.
Among the passers, three (3) UPLB Chemical Engineering alumni emerged among the topnotchers namely Engr. Jessarine Joy Cadiz Ramos, cum laude (8th Place – Rating: 86.60%), Engr. Polo Jerome Gabo Daquipil, cum laude (7th Place – Rating: 86.70%), and Engr. Micah Angelica Estabillo Pascua, magna cum laude (4th Place – Rating: 87.20%).
The oath taking ceremony of the Chemical Engineering Licensure Examination passers was held last June 27, 2025, at the Tent City, Manila Hotel, City of Manila, and was attended by 464 of the 602 total passers. The ceremony included the awarding of the top performing schools in the recently conducted licensure examination. The plaque awarded to UPLB DChE, in recognition of this achievement, was received by the Chairman of the Department, Assoc. Prof. Jerico Z. Alcantara, and the Dean of the College of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology, Prof. Rex B. Demafelis.
In his acceptance speech, Assoc. Prof. Alcantara expressed his sincerest gratitude (on behalf of the Department) to the PRB of Chemical Engineering and the PRC as it is a great honor to receive recognition as one of the top performing schools in the recently concluded licensure examination. He shared that he was hoping for good news the night of the last day of the examination when the results were mentioned to be released within a matter of hours and kept refreshing his browser on the results tab just like everyone else. The results brought immense pride to the Department as it was nearly two decades ago when a 100% passing rate was last achieved. He said to the passers that they were able to achieve where they are right now through their hard work and perseverance. He also advised them not forget to give thanks to everyone who became part of their journey. He ended his speech by congratulating, once again, all the newly minted chemical engineers and saying “Deserve n’yo ‘to.”
LIST OF PASSERS FROM U.P. LOS BAÑOS
MAY 2025 CHEMICAL ENGINEERING LICENSURE EXAMINATION
ENGR. KLARIZELLE PEARL RABAGO ALTARES
ENGR. WYNONA AERIS JOYCE CAILLES ANTONIO
ENGR. XHANDRA MAE CABAL ARAOS
ENGR. KAISER REODIQUE BARDELOSA
ENGR. OSCAR ALLEN BRIOSO
ENGR. RAE JILLIAN DE JESUS BUENO
ENGR. MARC CHRISTOPHER NOLLAN CALBOG
ENGR. POLO JEROME GABO DAQUIPIL (SEVENTH PLACER)
ENGR. JANINE AIRA AUSTRIA DE CHAVEZ
ENGR. MARY LOUIE RONQUILLO DE GUZMAN
ENGR. LAWRENCE ANGELO AGRAVANTE DE JESUS
ENGR. ALEXANDER SYDNEY DE LEON
ENGR. MA. HARA ANTONIO DELA CRUZ
ENGR. JOHN LLOYD DELA CUEVA
ENGR. LANCE JUSTINE DELFINO
ENGR. JIM RED OBSEQUIO DIONEDA
ENGR. ARCHEM FRANCIA DIVINAGRACIA
ENGR. JOEL LIPETIN FIGUERAS
ENGR. MARC RENIELLE DIONGCO GALIDO
ENGR. ETHAN LANZ BAUTISTA JAVIER
ENGR. KRYSTAL FAITH BERMAS JAVIER
ENGR. DANIEL FELIX ORIOSA LIBUNAO
ENGR. CATHERINE BALDEO LOSITO
ENGR. JOHN MICHAEL REMOLLO MANUEL
ENGR. ALYSSA MARANAN MAPUTE
ENGR. CATHERENE JEAN QUIJANO MASCULINO
ENGR. FRANCIS RAYMUND POSIS ORIARTE
ENGR. MICAH ANGELICA ESTABILLO PASCUA (FOURTH PLACER)
ENGR. JOHN BRYAN GUILLERMO PERMATO
ENGR. JESSARINE JOY CADIZ RAMOS (EIGHTH PLACER)
ENGR. KEN MONDIDO SUAREZ
ENGR. NEIL ROSE MANALO TAJAN