September 20, 2019

Dr. Eleanor B. Almoro

Chairman Board of Medicine
Professional Regulation Commision
Manila Dear Dr. Almoro:

I wish to make an appeal to you and the members of the Board of Medicine for reconsideration
for the incident that happened to Ms. Edlin Mae Cellona during the second day of the recent
Physician Licensure Examination.

I have been her teacher in several subjects (Cardiovascular and Renal Physiology, Physical
Diagnosis, Pharmacology and Internal Medicine) during her first to third year in Medicine. As the dean
of Bicol Christian College of Medicine during SY 2014-2015, 2016-2018, I have also handled her
closely. She was a scholar in Medicine and has always shown exemplary conduct and academic
performance in all her subjects until her clerkship. She is one of the top students in her batch. What is
remarkable about her is she consistently received high grades even without trying at all because she is
naturally gifted. When I handled a review class for them during their internship, she had always been
consistent in topping her examinations. She had never been reported cheating or copying from her
classmates. On the other hand, she was known for her generosity who would spend time outside of
classes mentoring and tutoring some of her classmates who had been having difficulty.

Confidently, I knew that she would be one of the students who would pass the physician
licensure examination without difficulty. Knowing her to be gifted, but sometimes not studious, I
would even motivate her that if she would only study as diligently as the others, she might even top
the board examination.

It is just sad that prior to her examination, she had been probably emotionally shaken due to the
illness of her father that might be the reason for her forgetfulness in keeping away her cellphone
outside of the testing area.

I am willing to appear or testify if needed to personally vouch for the veracity of my impressions
of her. I know that she is morally and intellectually upright and capable to be one in the medical
profession.

Thank you for your kindest consideretion in this regard.

Sincerely,

OFELIA SAMAR-SY, MD, MSHSM, MMHoM, PhD, FPCP, FACP

Medical Director,Ibalong Medical Center
Former Faculty and Dean, Bicol Christian College of Medicine Faculty, Bicol University College of
Medicine Former President, Albay Medical Society and Philippine College of Physicians Bicol
Chapter
 OFELIA SAMAR-SY, MD, MSHSM, MMHoM, PhD, FPCP, FACP
Medical Director,Ibalong Medical Center
Former Faculty and Dean, Bicol Christian College of Medicine Faculty, Bicol University College of
Medicine Former President, Albay Medical Society and Philippine College of Physicians Bicol Chaptet