Two Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) graduates have once again topped the recently concluded September 2025 Licensure Examination for Social Workers (LESW), securing 2nd and 7th places.

Out of 7,334 passers, Jhunhalyne Villarta ranked 2nd with a rating of 90.60%, while Jane Claire Espina placed 7th with a rating of 89.60%.

Espina expressed the pride and responsibility of being a topnotcher in having a wider scope on helping the community.

“I feel so grateful, kay it’s an opportunity, dili lang sya kanang pride…it’s also an opportunity and responsibility, and privileged pud maging topnotcher na mas maging wide akong reach to help.”

Villarta shared that her experience in life made her choose social work, hoping to make a difference through it.

“Ako, pinaka-factor jud is coming from a lower class myself…I’ve experienced, I’ve seen, and I’ve lived poor realities…namotivate ko ba nga pag-aralan gud kung unsa ba jud ang mga factors what perpetuate these situations, and unsa ba ang ma buhat sa profession nato to alleviate the situation,” Villarta said.

During the preparation for the exams, she revealed that persistent health conditions held her back from living up to her personal standards. 

“Habang naga review mi kay nagka community-acquired pneumonia ko, lisud kaayo sya ifocus gud, tapos naa man pud gud koy gina set gud na standard sa akong self. Gusto nako to sya i-cater nga standard, but at the same time kay ma hold back ko because of my health condition,” Villarta added.

Espina asserted that it is okay to ask for help and show vulnerability to the people around you, as it is also a means to overcome struggles themselves.

“Learn to trust yourself lang gyud in your capabilities. If dili na jud kaya, learn to ask for help, learn to ask for validation pud sa other people. Because, I’m sure na there are people around you that are willing to help you in your journey.”

In times of doubt, both advised aspiring social workers to go back to the main reasons why they were inspired to take the program in the first place.

“Despite the state nato karon nga murag maka ingon ka nga “hopeless na man jud siguro ang Pilipinas,” don’t focus on the hopelessness, huna-hunaon unsa ba imong ginapaglaban nga naging social worker ka, diba, for the poor, oppressed, exploited, and marginalized,” Villarta stated.

“I hope that you will find the same fulfillment na akoang na feel. And, I hope that, kani nga fulfillment, if makita man sa mga aspiring social workers nato, kay itreasure nato ni sya nga fulfillment nga himuon nato syang purpose nato or ang atoang guiding star to help more people,” Espina added.

Ateneo de Davao University was also among the top-performing schools, with 12 out of 12 examinees passing the exam, garnering a 100% passing rate.

The LESW was held on September 8-10, with the results released on September 16.