The road to success was never easy—especially with financial hardships—but one proud daughter of Mindanao defied the odds, graduated from Iloilo Doctors’ College, and secured a top spot in the May 2025 Nurses Licensure Exam.
This is the story of Jonna Erosa Villanueva, a 22-year-old from Asuncion, Davao Del Norte, who placed 4th nationwide with a rating of 89.20%.
Villanueva, the youngest among six siblings, grew up in a humble household. Her father is a farmer, while her mother is a homemaker. Due to their financial limitations, she relied heavily on the support of her older sibling, which influenced many of her life decisions—including her academic path.
She initially began her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in Calamba, Laguna, but when her older sibling moved to Iloilo, she was compelled to follow—even though it meant going through the difficult process of transferring schools.
Villanueva recalled how hard it was to get accepted at Iloilo Doctors’ College: she had to plead for admission four times before being allowed in as a third-year transfer student.
“Manug-start na ‘to sang school year. Pagkabalo nila nga incoming third year student ako, daw indi pa ko pagbatunon ni Dean kay wala sila nagabaton sang transferee. Ka-apat gid ko magbalik-balik. Siling ko, ‘Ma’am, pasudla lang ko’,” she shared. “Ginpilit ko gid… Naghambal man ako kay Dean nga indi ko pagsayangon ang chance nga ila ihatag sa akon.”
With the help of her academic coordinator from Laguna and a strong academic record, she was finally admitted into the nursing program. However, her early days in Iloilo were filled with challenges.
“Sa first day of school, naghibi ko kay wala ko kakilala. Ang pressure pa gid is ang social anxiety.”
Thanks to the kindness of classmates and people around her, she was able to adjust, survive two years of intense study, and graduate cum laude.
Financial struggles continued after graduation. She couldn’t afford to review or take the November 2024 board exam, which forced her to delay her licensure exam to May 2025.
“Most sang classmates ko, nagkuha na sila tanan. Daw nalugmok gid ko ya. Pagguwa sang results sang November, naghambal ko nga, ‘Kanugon, tani licensed na ‘ta subong.’ Pero naghambal man ko nga, ‘indi ah. Ma-topnotcher kita!'”
Despite the delay, Villanueva made a strong comeback, fulfilling her dream of becoming one of the topnotchers.
Adding to her joy was the success of her best friend from Laguna, who also made it to the topnotchers’ list. The two had long dreamed and manifested this moment together.
“Nag-volunteer siya [nga maghulat sa akon], kag nag-work na lang siya anay,” said Villanueva. She shared a heartfelt message for her best friend: “Magkasama tayong nangarap, tapos magkasama rin nating nakuha yung pangarap natin. Sobrang proud ako sa’yo. I love you!”
Villanueva is the first in her family to pursue a career in the medical field. Now, she is ready to embrace any opportunity that may come after the oathtaking ceremony.
Her message to others who face detours on their journey: “If God redirects you, kun maghambal siya nga indi anay, indi na siya meaning nga ‘no’; it is just a redirection. God has greater plans for you.”#
