A 23-year-old Cebuano graduate from Silliman University in Dumaguete City, Province of Negros Oriental ranked 7th place in the 2024 Medical Technologists Licensure Examination.

However, one week before taking the examination, Nerfee Capuras Casilao, was down with dengue hemorrhagic fever. 

Despite having been knocked down by the health challenge, Nerfee said he tried to regain his footing to be able to take part in the exam. 

Powered by sheer will, he made it. He did not just pass the exam, his feat exceeded his goal. 

Nerfee ranked 7^th with a percentage rating of 90.90. 

Nerfee is a resident of Barangay Atop-Atop in Bantayan town, Bantayan Island in northernmost Cebu Province. Prior to the exam, he took a five-month rest to be able to focus tightly in his preparation. He said he made it because of the unwavering support of his family, friends, and classmates. 

With the love and support of his father who works as a tricycle driver and his mother who is a midwife, he said, he now watches what used to be a dream unfold before him. 

Nerfee said he offers his recent achievement to his sbiling, a person with special needs. 

“Ang rason gyud nga akong gibuhat permi akong best kay ang akong manghod. Ako ning gi-offer akong success sa akong manghod nga dunay Down Syndrome. Bisan pa’g ingon ana iyang kondisyon, pursigido siya nga mo-eskuyla,” Nerfee said in a virtual interview with GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak.