Ten graduates from Western Visayas made it to the roster of top performers in the October 2025 Licensure Examination for Fisheries Professionals, including a romantic couple.  

Two graduates from the University of the Philippines Visayas ranked Number 2. Vince Justin de la Cruz and Jose  Leo Fortellano both scored 91 percent.

The other eight ranked Numbers 3, 5, 8, and 10. 

For sweethearts Andrei Von Villarin who ranked Number 8 and Cindy Mandal who ranked Number 10, the feat also means a double celebration. 

Mandal said that making it to the list of topnotchers is a couple goal. 

"Ang notes namin ay ipinapaskil namin sa wall dahil shared namin na knowledge. So ang hindi ko alam at hindi niya alam, pwede kaming mag-exchange,” Mandal said.

“Ang aming study routine is nagpo-pomodoro technique, wherein 30 minutes kaming nag-aaral, tapos five (5) minutes na break, then 30 minutes namang muling mag-aaral,” Villarin said. 

The pomodoro technique is a time management method that uses a timer to break work into intervals called "pomodoros" and separated by short breaks. The technique is said to be developed by a certain Francesco Cirillo. He named it purportedly after a tomato-shaped kitchen timer he used as a student.

Mandal and Villarin are residents of Barangay Cabanbanan, Oton town, Province of Iloilo. Since grade school the two have been best friends and went on to nurture a romantic relationship. 

According to Mandal, she took Fisheries to share in Villarin's interest. 

While other students prefer to focus on their studies first before taking their lovelife seriously, the couple said having a romantic relationship has helped them reach their goal. 

“Iba ang strength na maibibigay niya at masasabi kong nagsisilbing pahinga namin ang isa’t isa,” Mandal said.

“She serves as my motivation sa lahat na araw. Ang masasabi ko lang is I Love You,” Villarin said.  

As for Jonalyn Dalanon, a graduate from Cebu Technical University - Carmen Campus, she scored 91.25 percent and secured the Number 1 spot.