San Agustin pharmacy topnotcher credits 20,000 flashcards

ILOILO CITY — More than 20,000 flashcards, practice questions and a trial-and-error approach to studying helped University of San Agustin graduate Jason Rey Jimenez Peñaflorida secure third place in the October 2026 Pharmacists Licensure Examination with a rating of 95.65 percent.

But Peñaflorida said finding study techniques that worked for him was one of the biggest challenges in preparing for the exam.

“Finding out what worked for me was the hardest one,” he said during a press conference at the University of San Agustin on Friday, Oct. 23.

Peñaflorida said he began reviewing early last year to build a strong foundation before the intensive review period.

He also organized his notes and researched study techniques that could help him retain information more effectively.

“In my case, I have over 20,000 flashcards that I did, skimmed through just to prepare,” he said.

He explored several approaches, including audiobooks, reading an entire chapter in one sitting, active learning and flashcards, before identifying which methods suited him best.

“I don’t do mnemonics, I prefer brute force,” Peñaflorida said, explaining that answering practice questions and using active recall eventually became the most effective techniques for him.

His experience taught him that study methods that worked for other topnotchers might not necessarily work for everyone.

He encouraged examinees to identify their strengths and weaknesses so they could devote more time to topics they found difficult instead of focusing only on material they already understood.

Despite his preparation, Peñaflorida said some questions during the board examination caught him off guard, including topics he had not encountered during his undergraduate studies or formal review.

“You can prepare as much as you want, but that doesn’t automatically guarantee you a spot in the top 10. It will increase your chances, yes, but it’s not a complete guarantee,” he said.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) released the results on Oct. 21, three working days after the examination was conducted on Oct. 15 and 16.

A total of 3,830 out of 4,944 examinees passed, giving the examination a national passing rate of 77.47 percent.

Peñaflorida’s achievement followed another strong performance by the University of San Agustin in April 2026, when it was recognized as the country’s top-performing pharmacy school in the category of institutions with at least 100 examinees and an 80 percent passing rate or higher.

The university also produced the topnotcher in the April 2026 examination, Royce Arjan Java Fantillian.

A cumulative approach to board preparation

University officials said the preparation of pharmacy students involves more than the comprehensive review conducted during their final year.

The university administers diagnostic tests after each academic year, from the first through third years, to reinforce students’ understanding of previously learned subjects.

Fourth-year students also undergo a comprehensive review in preparation for the licensure examination.

Officials explained that the evaluative and qualifying examinations are intended to help students retain concepts from earlier years, as pharmacy board examinations may cover foundational topics in chemistry, biology and other pharmaceutical sciences.

University of San Agustin College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology Dean James Torres said there was no single formula for producing topnotchers, crediting students’ efforts alongside the college’s training, facilities and faculty.

“There is no single secret, […] and the credit actually belongs to the students themselves,” Torres said.

Peñaflorida credited the college with helping him establish a strong foundation in pharmaceutical and biological sciences, which are among the subjects covered in the licensure examination.

He also praised faculty members for supporting students in academic activities inside and outside the classroom, saying their guidance helped create a more conducive learning environment.

Faculty member Miriam Nica Grace Nunez said she had seen Peñaflorida studying with flashcards about a year before the examination and expected him to place among the topnotchers.

Nunez also cited his participation in PharmaQuest in Bangkok, Thailand, where he helped the Philippine team secure the first runner-up position.

Family and rest after three months of review

Peñaflorida said the intensive preparation period required sacrifices, including time with family and sleep.

“You sacrifice sleep, time with family,” he said, adding that he planned to spend time with family and friends after missing out on activities during the review period.

He also credited his two mixed-breed dogs with helping him manage stress by accompanying him on morning and afternoon walks.

“They’re my primary stress release,” he said.

Peñaflorida expressed gratitude to his family, particularly his mother, who had worked as an overseas Filipino worker in Hong Kong for 18 years, for supporting him and his sister.

“I’m really thankful to my family, especially my mom. She sacrificed a lot for both my sister and me,” he said.

For his next step, Peñaflorida said he was considering medical school if time and resources permit.

For now, however, he plans to rest and spend time with loved ones after months of preparation.