Philippines: Catholic School Valedictorian Tops Physician Licensure Exam, Credits Family and Faith

A graduate of a Catholic school in the central Philippines has topped the October 2026 Physician Licensure Examination with a rating of 95.50%, capping years of academic achievement shaped by family sacrifice, Catholic education and a commitment to serving others.

Dr. Maxine Francesco Gwyneth C. Baculo, 25, a native of Barangay Masipit in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro province, was named the examination’s topnotcher, according to announcements from his family and schools.

Baculo’s achievement brought recognition to Holy Infant Academy (HIA), a Catholic school in Calapan where he completed elementary education and graduated as valedictorian.

The school celebrated his accomplishment as a journey from an HIA valedictorian to the country’s highest-performing physician licensure examinee.

Baculo continued his education at Oriental Mindoro National High School and Muñoz National High School in Nueva Ecija, where he completed Grades 8 to 10 with highest honors. He later graduated with highest honors from De La Salle Lipa in Batangas province.

He pursued medicine at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila, entering through its Learning-Enhanced Accelerated Program for Medicine (LEAPMed) before completing his medical degree at the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.

UST, a Catholic university founded in 1611, announced a 100% passing rate among its 312 examinees in the October licensure examination, according to information shared by Baculo’s family. Baculo graduated summa cum laude from both the LEAPMed program and medical school and served as valedictorian of the medical school’s Class of 2025.

Beyond academic honors, Baculo has credited his family’s example of hard work and service for shaping his decision to become a physician.

His father, Nilo Baculo Jr., worked as a fast-food crew member, seafood vendor and painter, while his mother, Ding Rose Baculo, worked as a department store saleslady. The couple also operated a small eatery to support their family.

In his valedictory address to his medical school classmates in 2025, Baculo recalled how watching his parents work taught him to recognize the dignity of ordinary labor and the value of serving others.

His grandparents also influenced his understanding of responsibility and courage. His maternal grandfather, Nilo, was a journalist who investigated local corruption, while his paternal grandfather, Ding, was a forester who opposed illegal logging in the mountains of Oriental Mindoro.

The killing of his maternal grandfather by unidentified assailants left a painful mark on the family and shaped Baculo’s understanding of the risks faced by those who stand up for justice.

His paternal grandmother, Fe, taught him persistence, while his maternal grandmother, Rosela, a teacher and school principal, encouraged his appreciation for education and sharing knowledge.

Baculo has urged fellow physicians to remain humble and compassionate, emphasizing that medicine should be grounded in purpose rather than wealth. He also acknowledged the support of his family, mentors, friends, patients and the LC Foundation Inc., whose scholarship assistance helped him complete his medical education.

His father said Baculo is considering residency training in urology, although the final decision rests with the young physician. Several government and private institutions have already approached him with employment offers, his father added.

“Una po, makapasa lang happy na kami,” his father said in Filipino, meaning that the family would have been happy simply if he had passed the examination.

For the family, the result represents the culmination of years of sacrifice and a dream nurtured through education, perseverance and faith.

Baculo’s journey from a Catholic school in Calapan to the country’s top physician licensure result highlights how family support and educational opportunities can shape a young professional preparing to serve patients and communities.