Daughter of farmers from Tadian is TOP 3 in 2025 Midwifery Board Exam

A farmers’ daughter in Tadian, Mountain Province recently made a great achievement by topping the Midwifery Board Exam, proving background and difficulties are not hindrances to people who want to succeed.

Mae Amanda Apioten of Masla, Tadian was named the Top 3 of the April 2025 Licensure Examination for Midwives following her graduation from the University of the Philippines Manila School of Health and Sciences Baler Campus on January 10, 2025.

The 21-year-old recounted to GURU Press Cordillera she did not expect to top the test – all she had in mind while preparing for the board exam was doing her best so she won’t have any regrets later.

Mae Amanda admitted doubting herself and her abilities a number of times when she embarked on her 4-month review, but what carried her above her worries of not making it in the board exam was the strong support system she has – from her family and friends to her alma mater and review center. 

“I was surrounded with people who would always lift me up and assure me that I am on the right track and that no matter what the result of the board exam will be, they will always be proud of me,” she noted.

Redirected Plans

Mae further shared she never considered taking the medical field path growing up. In fact, she enrolled a secondary education course at the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (now University).

Her life took a different turn when she saw a post from the Tadian Local Government Unit about a scholarship for a stepladder curriculum at UP Manila School of Health and Sciences Baler Campus. For some reason, she applied for the grant and she was accepted.

From then, she left her first choice course and pursued midwifery instead.

Advice to next board takers

After her feat in the April 2025 Midwifery licensure exam, what Mae could share to the next takers is to surround themselves with the right people.

“My advice to you would be to listen to your faculty and surround yourself with the right circle of friends. A strong support system will help you in times when you feel that you cannot make it and also in times when you struggle,” she said.

When asked what’s next in her journey, Mae, daughter of Primo Oden Apioten and Severina Apioten (both farmers), relayed she plans to enroll for a nursing degree.