‘Not withheld’: Erwin Ken Parchaso recounts 10-year journey to becoming a doctor

MANILA, Philippines – “I’m Erwin Ken Angcual Parchaso. Not withheld. Not hidden. Just here.”

That was how the topnotcher of the March 2026 Physicians Licensure Examination introduced himself during the mass oath-taking ceremony of new doctors on Tuesday, April 21. 

Parchaso, a graduate of Lyceum-Northwestern University in Dagupan City, topped the board exam. His name, however, was initially excluded from the list of passers during the April 8 release. Only “name withheld” was seen for the No. 1 placer.

In his speech during the ceremony held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, Parchaso revealed it was his third attempt at taking the licensure test.

“Whether this was your first take or your 10th. Whether you passed with flying colors or by a single point. Whether your name was withheld or published immediately. We are here. And no one can take that away from us,” he told his fellow board passers.

“Let us remember, we are not just passing an exam. We are answering a calling.”

Many were inspired by Parchaso’s journey to becoming a doctor, as he also posted a now-viral transcript of his speech on Facebook.

The public had been speculating for over a week on why the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) withheld the publishing of the top scorer’s name.

The PRC on Monday, April 20, explained that it had to conduct a “comprehensive review and statistical analysis” and verify reports submitted by its regional office because of Parchaso’s “remarkable and consistent performance across all subjects.”

Parchaso recounted in his speech that he cried after not seeing his name on the list of passers, blaming the topnotcher whose name was withheld as he assumed he failed because of the grading curve.

“I was crying over my own name. Wishing ill on myself without knowing it,” the new doctor said.

“When I found out I was the topnotcher, I laughed and cried at the same time. But mostly, I learned something: sometimes the biggest obstacle isn’t the exam, or the PRC, or the curve. It’s ourselves,” he added.

“Once I got past that, I was finally free.”

‘Life happened’

A total of 1,954 out of 2,781 examinees passed the March licensure test.

Parchaso took time in his speech to address fellow retakers, becoming real with how he pushed to earn his license, even if it took 10 years and three tries.

“There were nights I cried in the dark so my wife wouldn’t hear. Nights I held my child and wondered if I was failing him too. Nights I stared at my books until the words blurred and asked God, ‘Why can’t I get this right?’” he said.

Parchaso shared that he was rattled when he took the board exam for the first time following his then-girlfriend and now-wife’s news that she was pregnant.

“I failed that first take. Not because I wasn’t smart enough. But because life happened. And honestly? I wouldn’t trade that failure for anything. It gave me something more valuable than a license, it gave me my family,” he said.

For his second attempt, Parchaso said he stayed home and did not push through, recalling that he had less time for studying as he took care of his wife during her pregnancy. But at the same time, he admitted that he feared failure and disappointment, which he said almost broke him. 

“That decision gave me time. To breathe, to heal, to prepare. Not just academically, but mentally and emotionally. When I finally stood at the testing center this March, I wasn’t perfect. But I was ready,” he said.

Years ‘not wasted’

Parchaso offered words of encouragement to those who may have struggled like him, telling them that they are “not a failure.”

“You don’t have to be unbreakable to be strong. You just have to keep showing up. Even when it hurts. Even when you’re embarrassed. Even when you want to disappear,” he said.

“Those years were not wasted. They were preparing you, for patience, for humility, for the kind of compassion you can only learn through your own suffering.”

Parchaso also thanked his wife and son, his family, and the institutions where he learned medicine for molding him and standing by him throughout his journey. 

“I took 10 long, painful, beautiful years. And I would walk every single one of them again if it meant standing here today and telling you: We can do it. You can do it. And when you do, it will be worth every tear.” – Rappler.com