The story of FCU’s first PmLE topnotcher

From Oman to Capiz, from the dance floor to the psychology classroom, and from a two-month review filled with doubt to the Top 10 of the September 2026 Psychometrician Licensure Examination

For Ezekiel James Mora Villanueva, the road to becoming one of the country’s topnotchers was never a straight path. There were dreams that had to be set aside, financial struggles that had to be endured, moments when he questioned his own abilities, and a heartbreak that came from realizing that one of his biggest academic dreams would not come true.

Yet, in the end, what he thought was a disappointment became a redirection.

On September 23, 2026, Ezekiel’s story took a remarkable turn when the results of the September 2026 Psychometrician Licensure Examination were released. He was not only among the successful examinees. He was named among the Top 10, earning an impressive 92.40 percent rating.

For Filamer Christian University, the achievement carries another distinction. Ezekiel became the first Psychometrician Licensure Examination topnotcher from the university, making his accomplishment a historic milestone for the institution and its Psychology Program.

But behind this remarkable feat is a young man who once wondered if he had done enough.

A childhood between Oman and Capiz

Born in Capiz, Ezekiel spent much of his childhood in Oman, where he completed his elementary and junior high school education.

His parents, Mr. Efren and Mrs. Rodelyn Villanueva met in Oman as overseas Filipino workers. His father, a native of Jamindan, Capiz, worked as a mechanic for a car brand and eventually in the Sultanate of Oman, while his mother, who is from Baybay, Roxas City, worked as a domestic helper. Their family eventually grew in Oman, and his father made it a point to keep the family together abroad.

“When he worked for the Sultanate of Oman, he was allowed to bring us there together. My father wants us to be there together,” he shared.

Then the pandemic changed everything. His father was retrenched during the pandemic and decided to return home to Capiz.

“My parents tried to find a stable source of income here [in Capiz], but opportunities were difficult to secure. We lean it all to God during that time,” Ezekiel said highlighting the financial struggles they went through.

In 2020, while the family was still in Oman, Ezekiel enrolled in the Senior High School program of Filamer Christian University. FCU was known to offer online classes, making it possible for him to study in the university even while abroad.

But studying in a Philippine school from Oman was not easy. There was a significant difference in time zones, which made attending online classes a challenge. There was also a language barrier. Ezekiel spoke Tagalog, while many of his new classmates spoke Hiligaynon.

Ezekiel did not initially consider himself an achiever during his Senior High School years. Yet, despite his doubts, he graduated with High Honors in 2022. That same year, another chapter began.

He had to adjust not only to a new school but also to a new environment and a new way of communicating. When his family eventually returned to Capiz, another adjustment awaited him. After years of studying abroad, he had to transition from online learning to face to face classes.

Fortunately, he found classmates who helped him adapt to his new environment. Among the people who helped him navigate that transition was his college classmate and friend, Dionnalyn Kaye Bayot, whom Ezekiel credits for making the language adjustment easier.

Choosing Psychology over anything

Ezekiel entered FCU’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology program in 2022. Psychology, however, was not his first dream. As someone who loved dancing, he initially dreamed of pursuing a degree in the performing arts. But with limited opportunities to pursue such a program locally, he decided to take Psychology.

His decision would eventually become more personal during the pandemic. As COVID 19 brought profound changes to people’s lives, Ezekiel witnessed the growing mental health struggles experienced by many Filipinos, particularly people from his generation. For him, the pandemic became a turning point.

His parents initially wanted him to take Nursing, following the path of his older sister, who is now a nurse in a private hospital. But Ezekiel fought for the course he wanted. Eventually, his parents allowed him to pursue Psychology.

“No local schools offer performing arts. And they find it as not something practical. They wanted me to pursue nursing degree, same with my sister.  But I told them that it is not for me, and fought for Psychology. Thankfully, they allowed me,” he said.

First, he was not particularly fond of the field. But somewhere along the way, he fell in love with it. The course that was once simply an alternative to his original dream became a calling.

The scholar who danced

Ezekiel’s college years were defined by two things that might appear difficult to balance: academics and dancing. He was a consistent academic awardee and an academic scholar of FCU. The scholarship became especially meaningful because his family was experiencing financial difficulties. Ezekiel knew that pursuing higher education placed another financial responsibility on his family.

During his second year in college, he even considered applying as a working student to help ease the burden. Instead, he was encouraged to focus on maintaining his academic scholarship, which was already providing significant assistance. He chose to do exactly that.

He worked hard to maintain his grades while carrying another important part of his identity as a member of Silak Dance Company. A passionate dancer, Ezekiel remained active in Silak from his first year until his fourth year. The group often performs street dance and participates in various university activities and presentations.

For Ezekiel, dancing was more than an extracurricular activity. It was his outlet. It gave him space to breathe, release stress, and remain connected to something he loved. Still, he knew where his priorities had to be.

Academics came first. He made sure that his involvement in dancing would never compromise his studies. The discipline required to balance both worlds became part of the person he was becoming.

The dream that broke his heart

Throughout college, Ezekiel carried another dream. He wanted to graduate Summa Cum Laude. He worked toward it with determination because he wanted to make his family proud, especially his grandmother, his beloved lola, who had always been very fond of him and hopeful for him to graduate with flying colors.

But during his final year, Ezekiel experienced a painful realization. He would not reach the grade requirement for the highest Latin honor. It broke his heart. For someone who had consistently performed well academically, discovering that Summa Cum Laude was no longer within reach was difficult to accept. Yet Ezekiel now sees that moment differently.

It was not the ending he wanted. It was a redirection. Sometimes, he realized, what feels like a loss may simply be life making room for something else.

A professor who became an inspiration

One person who became particularly important in Ezekiel’s journey was Ms. Raphah Cortel, one of his professors.

Cortel was herself a topnotcher in the Psychometrician Licensure Examination in 2017.

Her achievement became an inspiration to Ezekiel. He wanted to experience what she had experienced. He wanted to prove to himself that he could also reach the national stage.

Eventually, topping the board examination became one of his goals. It was, in some ways, a form of academic validation after he was unable to achieve the Summa Cum Laude distinction he had dreamed of. But as the examination approached, his confidence was far from absolute.

Two months, countless doubts

Ezekiel graduated from FCU in June as Magna Cum Laude. The board examination was scheduled for September. That left him with only about two months to prepare.

Initially, he had planned to take the examination the following year so he could have more time to review. His mother encouraged him to take it that year instead.

He listened. And so, began one of the most challenging periods of his academic life.

His review was conducted online with friends. They created an environment that allowed them to remain focused while supporting one another.

But two months was not much time. They were not reviewing every single day. The process of preparing the documents for the examination was itself stressful. Because everything was rushed, there were concerns that their requirements might not be processed before the deadline. Thankfully, they made it.

Then came the review. The drills and preboard examinations did not always give him the confidence he wanted. His scores were mostly average. He felt kapos, as if something was lacking. As the examination drew closer, doubts and anxiety became harder to ignore. He remembered the two months of preparation and wondered whether it was enough. Still, he continued. He had a goal. He wanted to pass. And somewhere in his heart, he still hoped he could top the examination.

Ezekiel took the Psychometrician Licensure Examination on September 1 and 2, 2026, in Iloilo City. But even during the actual examination, he did not feel like someone destined for the Top 10. There were erasures. There were many answers he was unsure about. There were moments when he felt that he had given everything he could, yet still wondered whether his best was enough.

After the examination, he lowered his expectations. He told himself that passing would already be a victory. The dream of becoming a topnotcher remained somewhere in the background, but he did not expect it to happen.

“Maybe the best that I have given to top the board was kinapos [not enough]. So I lowered my expectation that time. Just to pass the board exam was enough at that point,” he shared.

Then came September 23.

The moment that changed everything

The results were released while Ezekiel and his family were on their way to church. They were together in their tricycle. A message arrived congratulating him. He started shaking. Then another message came. This one told him that he was a topnotcher!

Ezekiel opened the link while they were still traveling. He checked the list. And there it was.

Ezekiel James Mora Villanueva, Top 10, 92.40 percent.

For a moment, he thought he was being pranked. Then he realized it was real. The young man who had spent the previous two months wondering if he had done enough had just been named among the country’s highest performing psychometrician examinees. He cried. His mother cried with him. They continued their journey to church carrying a happiness that neither of them could fully contain.

During the church service, Ezekiel tried to hold back his tears. But when they finally returned home, everything came pouring out. The joy was overwhelming. And perhaps no one was happier than his lola. The grandson who had wanted so badly to make her proud had done exactly that.

A historic achievement for Filamer

As announced by the Professional Regulation Commission, 14,146 out of 15,423 examinees passed the September 2026 Psychometrician Licensure Examination, registering a national passing rate of 91.72 percent. This marked the highest national passing rate in the history of the Psychometrician Licensure Examination since it was first administered in 2014.

FCU produced a 100% passing rate with 22 total passers. However, the achievement carried an even more meaningful distinction. Ezekiel became the first Psychometrician topnotcher produced by the university, bringing pride not only to the Psychology Program but also to the entire Filamerian community. He is part of the fifth batch under the university’s Psychology Program, making his achievement a significant milestone for a relatively young program.

As he looks forward to the oathtaking ceremony in Iloilo, Ezekiel also anticipates the possibility of being formally acknowledged for his achievement. Yet, beyond the recognition that may come with being a topnotcher, he remains deeply thankful to the people and institutions that helped him reach this point. He expressed his gratitude to his review center for being part of his preparation and to the people who continued to encourage and believe in him throughout the review period.

His achievement has also brought him an unexpected kind of attention. From being someone who considers himself an introvert, Ezekiel suddenly found himself becoming an instant celebrity in his community. Although the attention is something he is still adjusting to, he is genuinely excited to share his experience, especially because he hopes that his story can encourage other students who may be struggling with their own doubts and uncertainties.

For Ezekiel, however, becoming a topnotcher is not the final destination. After the long years of studying, reviewing, taking the examination, and waiting for the results, he wants to give himself time to rest. At the same time, he remains open to opportunities that may come his way. He plans to work first, believing that this will help him prepare for another dream that he has carried with him for some time, which is to pursue medical school.

“If I top the board exam, I told myself that I can push through with my dream to pursue medicine,” he shared highlighting that the universe straightens the path towards his dream.

Now that he has achieved that goal, the possibility of entering medical school has become more concrete. For now, however, he wants to gain work experience and prepare himself financially before taking that next step.

Looking back at his college years, Ezekiel gives much of the credit to Filamer Christian University for helping shape the person he has become. His formative years at FCU gave him experiences, lessons, and values that he believes prepared him for the board examination and for the challenges that came with it. More importantly, the university taught him the value of being hardworking and persistent, while the academic scholarship he received provided significant financial support to him during his college years.

“Nakuha ko ang pagka-hardworking [here in Filamer]. I felt workaholic when I was studying, and I brought that attitude throughout my review [for the board examination]. The school also introduced me to important people who became significant to my journey,” Ezekiel shared as he recognized that his achievement would not have been possible without the people who stood beside him.

His family, circle of friends, classmates, teachers, mentors, and other members of his support system each became part of his journey in different ways. For Ezekiel, topping the board was not only a personal achievement. It was also his way of giving something back to the people who had supported him and believed in him throughout the years.

A message to future Psychology students

To Psychology students who may be questioning whether they can achieve something beyond what they currently imagine, Ezekiel hopes that his story will remind them that their circumstances do not necessarily determine the limits of their dreams.

“I hope my story will inspire them. [That] although FCU is not famous for Psychology, we are new to this program, it excels even on the national stage. Kay magtopnotcher, kaya mag-top sa board exam,” he proudly said giving credits to how FCU honed them as Psychology students.

The university’s strong performance in the licensure examination and the emergence of a topnotcher from its Psychology Program demonstrate what its students can accomplish when they are given the opportunity, guidance, and support to pursue their goals.

His milestone is also deeply rooted in his faith. He believes that the Lord will give people the desires of their hearts at the right time. For him, the disappointment of not reaching his goal of graduating summa cum laude eventually opened another path that led to an achievement he had once only hoped for.

“There will always be redirection to bigger things and plans,” he said.

For students preparing for their own examinations, Ezekiel encourages them to know themselves more deeply, particularly their study habits and learning styles. He believes that there is no single method that works for everyone, and students should discover the approach that allows them to learn and understand lessons most effectively.

At the same time, he wants students to remember that studying does not mean sacrificing every other part of life. Rest is important. Students need to sleep, play, spend time with people they care about, and allow themselves to take a break. What matters is that they return to their goals with renewed energy and purpose.

“Gusto ko happy ako while ga-review. If I am not in the mood, I do not review since I will find it hard to absorb information. And rest is progress,” Ezekiel said emphasizing the importance of taking a break and recharging.

A future where Mental Health matters

The reason Ezekiel chose Psychology in the first place remains close to his heart. He hopes that the profession will continue to grow and that people will become more open to understanding mental health.

“[Before] psychology is not a popular degree, and mental health is being down-looked. And there’s a lot of stigma about it,” he said as he recognizes the importance of psychology in the society. 

Psychology is still not a widely understood degree, and stigma surrounding mental health continues to affect many individuals and communities. Ezekiel believes that the COVID 19 pandemic became a double-edged factor in this regard. While the pandemic brought greater visibility to the mental health difficulties experienced by many people, it also created an opportunity for society to become more aware of the importance of mental health and emotional well-being.

“The pandemic became a turning point. As more mental health concerns became visible, more people began to recognize the importance of seeking help and understanding psychological well-being. It also inspired more students. Including me, to pursue Psychology and encouraged others to consider becoming mental health professionals,” he said.

Looking ahead, Ezekiel hopes that mental health care becomes more accessible to communities. He hopes that people who need help will be able to reach mental health services and qualified professionals without having to face unnecessary barriers. He also hopes that stereotypes surrounding mental health will gradually diminish as people become more educated and open about psychological state.

There is still much that needs to be improved in the mental health sector, particularly in terms of access to services, availability of professionals, and the support provided to individuals and communities.

For Ezekiel, pursuing Psychology was never simply about earning a degree. It became a way of understanding people, recognizing their struggles, and becoming part of a profession that can help make mental health support more accessible and meaningful.

And perhaps that is where his journey comes full circle.

The young student who once dreamed of performing on stage found another way to make an impact. The scholar who once struggled with financial uncertainty found strength through education. The graduate who experienced the heartbreak of missing his dream of becoming summa cum laude found another path toward excellence.

Now, as he prepares for the next chapter of his life, Ezekiel carries with him the lessons of his journey, the gratitude for the people who helped him, and the faith that brought him through moments of uncertainty.

His story is a reminder that not every disappointment is the end of a dream. Sometimes, it is an invitation to follow a different path, one that may eventually lead somewhere greater than what was originally imagined.