ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The province of Iloilo is celebrating a new academic milestone as Royce Arjan Fantillan, a native of Oton town, secured the first place in the April 2026 Pharmacists Licensure Examination. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced on Wednesday that Fantillan, a graduate of the University of San Agustin (USA), led thousands of examinees nationwide with a remarkable rating of 94.65 percent.
The achievement has sparked widespread pride across Western Visayas, further cementing the region’s reputation for producing top-tier medical and allied health professionals.
A resident of Poblacion West, Oton, the 22-year-old topnotcher shared that he discovered the news while browsing social media to calm his nerves during the results wait.
- Inspiration: The son of a retired seaman, Fantillan credited his success to his parents’ unwavering support, stating they provided the “time and space” he needed to focus entirely on his studies.
- Unconventional Study Habits: Unlike the image of a secluded scholar, Fantillan revealed he preferred studying in the “hum of coffee shops” rather than quiet bedrooms, finding that a fresh environment and good ambiance helped him focus.
- Support System: He also emphasized the importance of his review group—friends who helped him navigate a “grueling” two-day exam that featured many new and challenging concepts.
Fantillan’s individual triumph was mirrored by his alma mater’s strong performance:
- Top Performing School: The University of San Agustin (USA) in Iloilo City emerged as the only top-performing school with over 100 examinees.
- Passing Rate: The university recorded an impressive 82.43 percent passing rate, with 122 successful examinees out of 148 takers.
- Confidence Built in School: Fantillan noted that his performance during his college years at “San Ag” gave him the quiet confidence needed to “conquer the board exam.”
Despite his high ranking, Fantillan is looking toward a career that gives back to the next generation of pharmacists.
- Joining the Academe: He expressed a strong desire to enter the field of teaching and research.
- Medicine Aspirations: He is also considering pursuing a degree in Medicine in the future.
- Well-Deserved Break: For now, the nation’s top pharmacist plans to take a brief vacation before formally beginning his professional career.
The PRC conducted the examination on April 18 and 19 across several testing centers nationwide. The success of Fantillan and his fellow Ilonggo board passers highlights the continued academic excellence of regional universities in the Philippines.