For the Ones Who Stayed, and the One Who Couldn’t
June 29, 2025
Japanese Senior Researcher Delivers Keynote Address at USM’s 79th Commencement Exercises
July 1, 2025
The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) continues to raise its banner high as its graduate, Deve Joy Caballero Fuentespina, RND, LPT secured the Rank 2 spot in the June 2025 Special Professional Licensure Examination (SPLE) for Professional Teachers – Secondary level, with a rating of 89.20%, as officially released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on June 27, 2025.
In 2008, Fuentespina earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from USM and became a Registered Nutritionist-Dietitian (RND) in 2009. She is currently working as a dietician in the Armed Forces hospital in Saudi Arabia, where she decided to pursue a teaching license — not for a career shift, but to carry on the dream of her late sister who was also a licensed teacher.
In an interview, Fuentespina shared:
“Ma’am, gusto lang nako ipadayon ang pangarap sa akong sister.” (Ma’am, I just want to continue the dream of my sister.)
“LPT na pud siya ma’am but due to cancer she passed away po. My highest respect to the teaching profession po.” (She was already an LPT, Ma’am, but due to cancer, she passed away. I have the highest respect for the teaching profession.)
She added that it was while taking her education units that she discovered her genuine interest in teaching.
“While taking the education units, didto na ko narealize na naa ko’y passion for teaching po.” (While taking the education units, that’s when I realized I have a passion for teaching.)
Determined to pass, Fuentespina maintained a disciplined study routine, reading and answering around 300 practice questions daily while working overseas.
Throughout her preparation, she often remembered her professors at USM, including Dr. Urduja Nacar, Prof. Leila Moscoso, Prof. Jigzcel Basoy, and Prof. Violeta Bello, who provided a strong foundation in Biochemistry and inspired her learning approach. She expressed her gratitude for the solid academic and value-based foundation USM provided, which she believes greatly contributed to this achievement.
As she celebrates this milestone, Fuentespina dedicates her achievement to her parents and sister in heaven, sharing:
“To my papa, mama and sister in heaven, thank you for the values you have instilled in me. Thank you for the love, guidance and inspiration. I love you until eternity.”
In this recent SPLE, USM posted a 50% passing rate in the Secondary Level (1 out of 2 examinees passed) and 40% in the Elementary Level (2 out of 5 examinees passed), showcasing the university’s commitment to producing globally competitive educators.
The SPLE was conducted on June 8, 2025, in select international testing centers across the Middle East, Singapore, and Taiwan, to cater to graduates taking the licensure examination outside the Philippines.
