With a strong record of licensure exam success, producing topnotchers for decades, and consistently high passing rates, Centro Escolar University (CEU) is a trusted institution for Dentistry. Seeing a couple of graduates topping the boards is nothing new, the May 2025 results proved to be significant for CEU.
Photo: Centro Escolar University
The institution has secured six of the top ten spots in the May 2025 Dentist Licensure Exam, with an 82.88 percent passing rate, and was the second top performing school nationwide– testaments to the relentless pursuit of CEU in providing quality education and excellence.
Among the top 10 are Dr. Chloe Vernice Uy (1), Dr. Rica Mae Sunga (4), Dr. Cristel Jeanne Manahan (6), Dr. Deborah Jane Orfanel (8), Dr. Gwyneth Mari Mendoza (9), all from CEU Manila, and Dr. Andrea Loi Liwag from CEU Malolos (10). Their personal goal was to simply pass, none of them thought they’d excel in the exams. Because preparations, in the first place, weren’t easy.
Building a solid foundation through theory and practice
The licensure examination for dentists has two phases – written (theoretical) and practical (applied). The written phase is taken first followed by the practicals. CEU ensures that its graduates are well-prepared for both phases. Students learn theories and practical applications from experienced professors and practitioners while having access to modern dental learning equipment (e.g. dental simulators, complete clinical and x-ray facilities, and laboratories) for a holistic learning, ensuring a patient-centered clinical practice.
For Dr. Uy, the multitude of cases experienced during her intense clinical rotations honed her critical thinking skills, allowing her to pass the licensure exam with flying colors. Acknowledging that the exam was not just about memorizing, this exposure allowed her to apply learned theory.
“Community rotations and clinical exposures in the university allowed us to experience different scenarios. You’ll encounter cases that will require you to weigh different options, there’s no ideal scenario, no single path to treatment,” she said. “These experiences challenge you to think critically and integrate knowledge from different fields in dentistry.”
Dr. Sunga shared, “As clinicians, we were able to answer questions related to real-life situations as we encountered similar cases during our clinical training.”
Banking on grit
The university’s values resonated with the graduates. It was grit – perseverance and focus on the goal – that helped the topnotchers, including Dr. Liwag, reach the top. It took her several takes to pass her clinical simulation exams.
“[This] is one of the experiences that gave me courage and pushed me to do my best and practice repeatedly. I had to be patient and trust the process, helping me push through the hardest days,” she shared.
Similarly, Dr. Orfanel didn’t expect to top the boards knowing that her performance during clinical simulations wasn’t exceptional. “I really didn’t expect it, I did not perform well during the Clinical Proficiency Evaluation (CPE) at CEU. One of our professors saw my potential in his class and was told I shouldn’t just be good in class alone, I should also do well in practical [application]. Hence, I needed to practice more,” she said.
For Dr. Sunga, grit was fueled by the school’s holistic preparation—having the right mindset, the necessary skills, and a good character. “Our alma mater does not only mold us into competent professionals but also shapes us into individuals with integrity,” she said. “During the review season, I made sure to have a balanced routine. In order to avoid burnout, I take short breaks, have enough sleep, prioritize high yield topics and try to understand concepts instead of memorizing them.”
Perseverance and focus are key to success, however, it is also important to rest, recharge, and do fun things. “Study when you can, and stop whenever you feel out of focus. There is no point in forcing yourself to study if the mind doesn’t cooperate,” Dr. Manahan explained.
Believing in growth
The core of every topnotcher lies in the belief that one always has to have room to grow. “No one’s perfect. So I never thought of topping the boards because there’s always room for improvement,” Dr. Mendoza said.
She also revealed that she was even on the brink of quitting dental school, thinking she was not good enough. But she persevered, keeping humility while trying to build excellence. “We were really trained by our clinical instructors to be excellent. Our works don’t get approved if these aren’t polished or within the set high standards. We had to repeat it, multiple times. And such humbled us, to make room for mistakes and keep on becoming better.”
Success also involves changing perspectives. Dr. Uy explains that it helps to change one’s behavior toward learning and make it a point to always stay curious and interested. “I also wanted it to feel meaningful. So I shifted my mindset from studying to passing so I can treat my patients better in the future.”
The institution remains true to its mission to develop competent, ethical, and globally competitive professionals as it enters the next century. With a legacy built on quality education and professional integrity, Centro Escolar University continues to shape the future of dental medicine in the Philippines and beyond, carrying forward its tradition of excellence for generations to come.
To learn more about CEU’s programs, visit https://www.ceu.edu.ph/academics/1. For enrollment details, go to CEU Admissions.
