QUEZON CITY — For the most part, they kept it a secret. Not everyone knew that four CFC ANCOP employees were taking the Social Work Licensure Examination until the results came out—and the results did not disappoint.
Irish Ortiz, John Mark Leuterio, Elaine Macahipay, and Jemple Lopez all passed the September 2026 Social Work Licensure Exam, joining thousands of new social workers who successfully passed the professional board examination.
For the four CFC ANCOP employees, two things helped them make it through: grit and faith.
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced that 8,383 out of 10,991 examinees passed the September 2026 Social Workers Licensure Examination, a passing rate of 76.36 percent. The examination was held on September 9 to 11, with results released three working days after the last day of the exam.
Balancing work and review
For Irish Ortiz, a CFC ANCOP field coordinator who has been with the organization for a year, preparing for the Social Work Licensure Exam meant finding every opportunity to study without neglecting her responsibilities at work.
“I didn’t want to neglect my job and my review. Kahit kulang-kulang ako sa tulog, kahit nasa biyahe ako, nakikinig ako ng lessons,” she shared.
(Even when I lacked sleep and was on the road, I would listen to my lessons.)
Her experience reflects the challenge faced by working professionals who prepare for the Social Work board exam while continuing to fulfill their responsibilities on the job.
ANCOP experience became part of the preparation
Jemple Lopez, an ANCOP alumnus and CFC ANCOP field coordinator, spent many nights studying from 8:00 to 10:00PM on his own and doing practice drills at dawn.
But beyond reviewing, he believes his experience working at CFC ANCOP helped prepare him for the examination.
“[My work in CFC ANCOP really helped me], especially the experience of handling the cases of the sponsored students. Our prayer warriors at the office also helped us a lot,” he explained.
He also credits ANCOP with teaching him an important lesson: to keep showing up even when things are difficult.
“It’s also in ANCOP that I learned to show up even if I’m going through something. This is exactly what I did during the exam,” he said.
That lesson became especially important after the first day of the Social Work Licensure Examination, when Jemple struggled with self-doubt and considered not returning for the second day.
He even intentionally set his alarm volume low, increasing the possibility that he would wake up late.
Instead, he woke up on his own at 3:20 AM.
Jemple saw it as a sign from God to continue.
“Sign ba ito, Lord, na ituloy ko? Kaya kahit mabigat nag-go pa rin talaga ako. Nagtiwala ako na para sa akin na ito.”
(Is this a sign, Lord, to push through with it? Even though it felt difficult, I still decided to go for it. I trusted that this was meant for me.)
A third attempt—and a prayer
For John Mark Leuterio, the September 2026 Social Work board exam was his third attempt.
After two unsuccessful attempts, he had become disheartened. It was the encouragement of his colleague, ANCOP Field Operations Head Tin Pichay, that motivated him to try again.
“Gusto kong makapasa na. I know, Lord, I’m not well prepared to face this battle, but I know You know the plan for me. Ikaw na bahala sa akin,” he said.
(I just want to pass. I know, Lord, I’m not well prepared to face this battle, but I know You know the plan for me. I’ll leave it up to You.)
During the examination, John Mark held his Miraculous Medal and prayed:
“Mama Mary, please tell your Son to include me in the passers. Just be with me as I take the exam.”
This time, his third attempt ended with his name among the Social Work Licensure Exam passers.
Prayer, a source of strength
Faith and prayer were also central to Elaine Macahipay’s experience.
Living away from her family in Ozamiz, Elaine had to manage both the practical demands of preparing for the exam and the emotional challenge of taking the board exam on her own.
“Prayer po ang ginawa kong weapon. Since mag-isa lang ako sa bahay, gumigising ako nang maaga for my baon every day, nagpa-plantsa ng susuoting damit then aalis na for exams,” she shared.
(I made prayer my weapon. Since I was alone at home, I would wake up early to prepare my food, iron the clothes I would wear, and then leave for the exams.)
For Elaine, preparation involved both practical discipline and prayer.
A professional milestone for ANCOP
Senior Operations Head Efren Tompong expressed his pride in the four employees for reaching this professional milestone.
“Your service to ANCOP has provided you the skills and knowledge needed for actual field work, and helped you obtain the license,” he said.
He described passing the Social Work Licensure Exam as “no small feat.”
“Your dedication, commitment, patience and hard work is the bedrock of our service to our poor brethren,” he added.
Another former employee Jaive Montederamos, who is based in Maasin, Leyte, also passed the recent Social Work Licensure Examination.
For Jaive, Irish, John Mark, Elaine, and Jemple, passing the September 2026 Social Work Licensure Examination represents more than earning a professional license.
It is a testament to the discipline to keep going, the courage to try again, the experience gained through serving others, and the faith that carried them through.
