“I’m Erwin Ken Angcual Parchaso. Not withheld. Not hidden. Just here.” With these words, the topnotcher of the March 2026 Physicians Licensure Examination introduced himself during a mass oath-taking ceremony on Tuesday, April 21.
The event, held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, served as the official reveal for the man who led the latest cohort of recent doctors. A graduate of Lyceum-Northwestern University in Dagupan City, Parchaso’s path to the top was marked by an unusual administrative delay.
When the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) released the board exam results on April 8, the No. 1 placer was listed simply as “name withheld.” This omission sparked over a week of public speculation regarding the identity and status of the top scorer.
The Reason Behind the Delay
On Monday, April 20, the PRC clarified that the decision to withhold the name was not a reflection of the examinee’s integrity. Instead, the commission conducted a “comprehensive review and statistical analysis” to verify reports from its regional office.
According to the PRC, this rigorous validation process was triggered by Parchaso’s “remarkable and consistent performance across all subjects.” The agency stated the review was necessary to ensure the accuracy and reliability of such an outstanding result.
A Decade-Long Journey
During his speech, Parchaso revealed that his achievement came after a grueling 10-year journey and three attempts at the licensure test. He spoke candidly about the personal struggles that delayed his success.
Parchaso shared that he failed his first attempt after being rattled by the news that his then-girlfriend, now wife, was pregnant. He described this period as a time when “life happened,” noting that while he failed the exam, the experience gave him his family.
For his second attempt, Parchaso did not attend the testing center. He admitted that he stayed home to care for his pregnant wife and struggled with a fear of failure and disappointment that nearly broke him.
Overcoming the ‘Internal Obstacle’
The irony of the “name withheld” status was not lost on Parchaso. He recounted crying after the April 8 release, believing he had failed as of the grading curve and blaming the unnamed topnotcher for his perceived failure.
“I was crying over my own name. Wishing ill on myself without knowing it,” he told his fellow passers. He concluded that the biggest obstacle is often not the exam or the regulatory body, but one’s own internal struggle.
Parchaso encouraged fellow retakers to keep showing up despite embarrassment or pain. He emphasized that the years spent struggling were not wasted, but were instead a period of preparation for patience, humility, and compassion.
Future Implications
Given the viral nature of the transcript of his speech, Parchaso’s story may serve as a source of motivation for other medical students facing academic delays.
the PRC’s public explanation regarding “remarkable performance” may provide a clearer precedent for how the commission handles statistical outliers in future examinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the PRC initially withhold Erwin Ken Parchaso’s name?
The PRC conducted a comprehensive review and statistical analysis because of Parchaso’s remarkable and consistent performance across all subjects to ensure the accuracy of the results.
How many times did Erwin Ken Parchaso grab the board exam?
He passed on his third attempt. He failed his first take and did not show up for his second attempt.
What was the total number of successful examinees in the March 2026 PLE?
A total of 1,954 out of 2,781 examinees passed the test.
Do you believe that professional licensure boards should be more transparent about the reasons for withholding names in real-time?
