FOLLOWING the recent success of the Bedan takers during the September Licensure Examinations for Psychometricians and Psychologists, the Bedan Psychological Society (BPS) celebrated the success of its alumni passers last Dec. 4 at the St. Maur Auditorium, giving light to their stories during the awarding’s testimonial dinner. 

       The College surpassed the national standard of 86.98 percent at the Licensure Examinations for Psychometricians, achieving a 90.91 percent passing rate, with 40 of the 44 Bedan takers earning their license, while the Psychologist Computer-Based Licensure Examinations, whom 469 out of 541 takers passed, with a Bedan in the presence of Christmer Santos, an alumna from Batch 2022, passing the licensure examinations.

“If I were to describe my journey in a sentence, it would be that pressure is real.” This is how Francesca Medina, batch 2024 graduate, ranked ninth in the RPM and RPsy licensure examination, looked back on the journey of reviewing and taking the board.

She shared that she did not do it for people’s validation but for service, “From there, I turned pressure into purpose and productivity.”

      “Trust me, if you know the basics, ‘yan ang magiging weapon mo for the board examinations,” Medina added, stating that by reviewing continuously and knowing the fundamentals, it will be “easy.”

                The board passers were given awards for their excellence, sacrifices, and hard work by Atty. Juan Ruffo D. Chong, Director of the Tertiary and Graduate Schools, Dr. Rosario Mielma Aquino, Dean of the School of Arts, Sciences, and Education (SASE), and Prof. Michelle Macahilig, Psychology Department Head.

Dean Aquino congratulated all board passers, and thanked them for all the sacrifices they have made for the examinations, and for giving honor to the institution. She also reminded everyone about character and competence, “Between character and competence, character outweighs talent because competence, talent, know-how can be acquired, but character is innate.”

“I think that lawyers cannot solve mental health issues, engineers cannot solve patterns of the heart or patterns of the soul, so I hope that those of you who just passed the board examinations is you will stay in your profession,” shared Atty. Chong, as he reflects  on how mental health professionals are a vital part of society. He also reiterated that there should be no hierarchy of professions.

          Following the opening segments of the awarding, testimonies were given by the various passers, describing their journey and preparation before passing the examination.

       Christmer Santos, batch 2022 graduate, shared that it took her three long years to prepare for the examinations. Santos reminded everyone to continue their journey. “Keep going because in today's world we need more psychologists, we need more people like you who are passionate about helping others, and always remember, your work matters,” she shared.

          “I challenge you all board passers to spread awareness regarding mental health illness and by others towards understanding than judgment,” said Prof. Macahilig, in her closing remarks, reminding the passers of the “nourishment” that the institution has given them.

         “How will I study?” was what Ramon Marco Tayag, a newly-licensed Psychometrician from Batch 2016, asked himself in an interview with THE BEDAN HERALD, after registering last minute for the board examinations.

Working as a teacher, he taught two board exam subjects that helped him answer the questions correctly. Moving further in his career, he wishes that he could teach more subjects as a teacher, as a psychometrician in the clinics, and in a corporate job now that he has his license.

        On the other hand, Medina juggled both her work life and study life, leading to her eventually quitting her job to further focus on the review for the board examinations. After passing, she plans to further advance her career as a mental health professional.

         Both of them emphasized the Benedictine value of “Ora Et Labora” as a guiding principle that molded them into what they have achieved, teaching them to trust God more than themselves.