The West Visayas State University (WVSU) College of Nursing community is in festive mood, as two of their new nurses ranked Number 1 in the November 2025 Nurses Licensure Examination while 34 others made it to the roster of Top 10 examinees. 

WVSU College of Nursing welcomes George Wilson Escordial in festive spirit at the campus morning on Thursday, November 27, 2025.

Escordial and his classmate, Johannah Marie Acevedo, both scored 93.80 percent.

“Very grateful talaga especially kay Lord kasi hindi niya pinabayaan ang buong batch, ang Batch Avani, na ma-reach talaga namin ang aming goal na 100% and bonus na naka-Top 1 ako,” Escordial said.

Escordial takes inspiration from his family who, despite modest means of living, worked hard to send him to school.

Escordial is the son of a carpenter, his mother is a plain housewife.

“Grateful talaga ako sa kanilang sacrifices growing up, as in ang hirap talaga. Nag-strive talaga ang aking family kahit anong hirap, makapasok lang kami sa paaralan. So ‘yan ang sinasabi ko, ang maibabalik ko lang sa kanila, mag-aral ako nang mabuti,” Escordial emphasized. 

Aside from his parents, he has his teachers to thank for and those who supported his studies, especially alumni of the College of Nursing.

Meanwhile, Acevedo shared in a post a message that what she achieved is not the destination, but only the beginning of the journey: 

“Now that the climb is done and the summit is beneath our feet, we realize why the mountains taught us to stand tall – so we could become the peaks others will rise toward…for our true calling lies below: to bring color to the barren forests, bringing wisdom and compassion we’ve gained through our ascent, and offering care to those who have yet to feel the touch of healing hands.”

Earlier in 2025, Acevedo who graduated Magna Cum Laude, attributed her success to the Pareto Principle.

In her pinned post, Acevedo pointed out that the "Pareto Principle is the idea that by doing 20 percent of work, you can generate 80 percent of the advantage of doing the entire job."

"At WVSU-CON, you’ll learn that this doesn’t just apply to systems and charts — it applies to survival. They say that the Pareto Analysis helps you choose the most effective changes to make. Looking back, I can say I became who I am, made the changes I chose, because I learned which 20% to fight for. Persevering with grit, being graceful in loss, grounded by faith in God," Acevedo underscored.

Further, WVSU said that this is the sixth time it has achieved 100-percent passing rate. But for the first time, a total of 36 graduates in the Top 10 of an examination is an unprecedented feat.

Aside from Escordial and Acevedo who ranked Number 1, three other graduates ranked Number 4, six ranked Number 5, four ranked Number 6, two ranked Number 7, eight ranked Number 8, seven ranked Number 9, and four ranked Number 10.

"I am so happy and very thankful for this achievement of the College of Nursing, in 1995, 65, ngunit dati until Top 20. So ito talagang Top 10 na 36 is really amazing!” said Dr. Madonna Palmes, dean of the WVSU College of Nursing.

Moreover, a graduate of the University of San Agustin Iloilo and a graduate of Saint Anthony College of Antique both made it to the roster of Top 10 examinees.

For schools with 100 examinees, the Central Philippine University ranked Number 1 in the roster of Top Performing Schools with a 100-percent passing rate.

For schools with 50 to 90 examinees, Saint Paul University in Iloilo ranked Number 1 with 100-percent passing rate, while Aklan State University-Banga Campus ranked Number 7 with a passing rate of 98.55 percent.