Out of 1,546 examinees, 1,084 passed the September 2021 Physician Licensure Examination given by the Board of Medicine at venues in Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, Tacloban and Zamboanga.
Maria Inez Sellado Benedicto, a West Visayas State University (WVSU) -College of Medicine alumna, ranked first with a rating of 87.83%.
Dr. Maria Inez Benedicto remembers vividly when she was a student at WVSU—a friend recorded her looking at the wall of topnotchers in the library at Roxas Hall saying, “Someday, my picture will also be on that wall.”
Indeed, from now on, her face and name will be one of those who will be forever etched in the history of WVSU.
Dr. Benedicto has been an achiever since gradeschool and placed 7th in the 2015 Medical Technology Board Exam in 2015.
Before the Physicians’ Licensure Examination, she struggled with the academic workload, pandemic adjustments, and uncertainty with schedules.
“We only had 40 days to review and I was not able to finish all the things that I really wanted to read,” she said, “Saan ko huhugutin ang mga sagot? We just went there with whatever we have studied.”
She had to undergo a 14-day quarantine when she travelled to Iloilo, so she used that to read notes. The breaks after her duty as an intern at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City (CLMMRH) were also used as study time.
Benedicto was anxious and started to ask why there were so many roadblocks as she prepared to take the licensure exam. “So when the result was out, I was not confident that I will top the Board. In the back of my mind, I was hoping, yes but I was not expecting to be in the top 10.”
Our topnotcher is not only all about the brains. She is also a beauty titlist.
She was crowned Mutya ng NOPSSCEA (Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural Educational Association) and Mutya ng WVPRISAA (Western Visayas Private Schools’ Athletic Association).
In 2013, Benedicto represented the Lin-Ay of La Carlota, winning the Muse of the Media and Best in Talent.
One may think that she has too much on her plate but despite the stresses, she takes time to unwind. Dr. Benedicto is a Mobile Legends (ML) player — an online 5v5 MOBA for handheld devices that offers a variety of playable heroes, game modes, and intense, fast-paced gameplay.
As to her role models, she tells the Center for International Linkages and Public Information (CILPI) in an interview through Zoom, “I really look up to my parents. They raised us to think for ourselves, to express our opinions, and to follow the path we want for this life.”
As for her plans after the Board, she said, “I will give myself a break. I want to regain myself. I really think I deserve that.”
Benedicto is planning to teach in review centers, help her brother–a City Councilor in La Carlota–and go into residency middle of 2022.
CILPI asked her for a short message to WVSU students. The charming doctor said, “I want you to continue and pursue your passion. It was not served to me on a silver platter. I have to work hard on this. Just be ready to make a lot of sacrifices. Remember to thank the people who and will support you as you achieve your greater heights.” # Jovy Duro/CILPI