November 29, 2022 — Five graduates from the University of the Philippines Manila School of Health Sciences (UPM-SHS) dominated the Top 10 of the November 2022 Midwife Licensure Examination (MLE).

Snagging the top spot was Jonathan Calunsag Gatela, Jr. with a rating of 90.10 percent.

Born in Tacloban City, Gatela answered the call of his endorsing community to take on the UPM-SHS Step-ladder Curriculum, a first-of-its-kind in Asia where those admitted undergo midwifery, nursing, and medicine.

Photos courtesy of Jonathan Gatela, Jr.

Admitting that the MLE brought a lot of anxiety to him, the 22-year-old topnotcher said that he did not expect to be among the top passers. “It seemed that all my preparations were not enough. But one thing I realized in this exam is, no one can ever say that they are 100% prepared for the boards,” Gatela said. 

Passing the MLEs with flying colors was a combination of hard work and strong faith in God. “I said, ‘Lord, I’ve done my part, Your will be done’. The results of the exam proved that God will never fail you. Ask, do your part, have faith in Him, and He will give you more than you expect.”

He also credits this achievement to his family, UPM-SHS, his friends, the review center, and his endorsing community.

Climbing the ladder

Born in Tacloban City, Gatela answered the call of his endorsing community to take on the UPM-SHS Step-ladder Curriculum, a first-of-its-kind in Asia where those admitted undergo midwifery, nursing, and medicine. After passing the Midwife Licensure Exams, students go on to study Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), followed by the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program after completing the prescribed period of study and passing the examinations.

Gatela was valedictorian, graduated with honors and received various awards during his primary and secondary education, respectively. Ever since he was young, becoming a doctor has been his dream. Gatela is taking a step closer to that dream as he climbs the ladder to take the pre-qualifying exam for nursing. 

Among Gatela’s study strategies is determining the best time he can easily digest the concepts. When feeling unmotivated, empty, and down, he recommends reminding oneself of why they started the journey. This helped him gain focus and establish the momentum to start studying or reviewing again.

Working in a predominantly female profession, Gatela revealed that he did not encounter any gender barrier or discrimination in the hospital, lying-in clinics, or RHUs where he spent his clinical practicum as male midwife.

Among Gatela’s study strategies is determining the best time he can easily digest the concepts. When feeling unmotivated, empty, and down, he recommends reminding oneself of why they started the journey. This helped him gain focus and establish the momentum to start studying or reviewing again.

His advice to would-be MLE takers is to start scanning Pillitteri and Kozier. “Many concepts in those books are ‘high-yield’ for MLE.” Gatela also urged searching for a review center that offers a program suitable to their needs and would help them master high-yield topics in MLE. 

“Most importantly, have a firm trust and faith in yourself and in God. Believe in yourself and condition your whole self that you can get that license.”

Photos courtesy of Jonathan Gatela, Jr.

Serving the unserved and underserved

Working in a predominantly female profession, Gatela revealed that he did not encounter any gender barrier or discrimination in the hospital, lying-in clinics, or RHUs where he spent his clinical practicum as male midwife. He only encountered awkward moments when the patient was a close friend, acquaintance, or a classmate whom he would be performing an invasive procedure on, such as internal examination or handling deliveries.

His unyielding commitment is “to serve my endorsing community and those areas which are unserved and underserved by delivering quality and accessible healthcare for them,” he averred. “We may be the answer to the brain drain of human health resources in our country.”

“…to serve my endorsing community and those areas which are unserved and underserved by delivering quality and accessible healthcare for them. We may be the answer to the brain drain of human health resources in our country.”

Lastly, pray. According to Gatela, do not ever forget to pray and ask for God’s guidance and blessing. “Spare time to talk to Him, lift up your burdens to Him; your prayers will never fail you,” he said. “After all, your breakdowns and sacrifices will surely bear the best fruit!”

UP Manila SHS came second among the top-performing schools in the country with a 97.06% passing rate.  Other top-notchers on the list are April Toledo Tabios in third, Rhealyn Cabanlit Fedelino and Cristal Cuenco Gayo in fifth, and Maryl Criztel Marantan Catenza in seventh. | Anne Marie Alto