Recognition.Dr. Noe Quianola (left), SWU president, hands over the award to Dr. Venil Lovely Bolambao (second from left) in recognition of her achievement as first placer in the recent Physician Licensure Examinations. Also in photo are Maris Johanna A. Holopainen (second from right), SWU board of trustees chairperson, and Dr. Peter S. Aznar (right), College of Medicine dean.(Sun.Star Foto/Allan Defensor)

UNDERDOG no more.

This was how Dr. Ramon Aballe, president emeritus of the Medical Alumni Association of Southwestern University (SWU), described the university in his message during the recognition rites for student achievers recently.

He was referring to the feat of Dr. Venil Lovely Bolambao, an alumna of the institution, who topped the February 2015 Physician Licensure Examinations.

Aballe said that SWU was considered the least among other rival medical schools in Cebu City because of its traditional way of teaching and the low percentage of board passers in the College of Medicine for the past few years.

But Dr. Peter Aznar, dean of the College of Medicine of SWU, said that now with its 100 percent passing percentage for first takers and a topnotcher of the board exam, they are proud to announce the rise of a more improved and developed Southwestern University.

Dr. Bolambao, 27, youngest in the family and a resident of Barangay Bulacao, Talisay City, Cebu, is the second graduate of SWU to rank first in a licensure exam since 1986.

She received cash incentives of P210,000 and US$800 courtesy of the university, the SWU United States Medical Alumni Association and the No Scalpel Vasectomy International Inc., a US-based charitable organization headed by Dr. Ramon Suarez, who is also a graduate of the school.

Bolambao, in her speech, said she is as grateful as the school for marking her achievement in a milestone that signifies change.

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SWU exec assures public of a more improved, developed university