CEBU CITY — From surviving Supertyphoon Yolanda in Ormoc to topping the Respiratory Therapist Licensure Examination, this young graduate’s story is one of resilience, grit, and historic achievement.
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| Erma Mae Sanchez graduated as the school’s first magna cum laude. Photo credit: Cebu Daily News |
In February 2025, she made headlines by ranking Top 1 in the board exam, proving that determination and hard work can overcome even the toughest challenges.
She previously became Cebu Doctors’ University’s first magna cum laude in the relatively new Respiratory Therapy program, setting a high standard for future students in a course often overshadowed by nursing, medicine, and pharmacy.
Her childhood in Ormoc was marked by survival and adaptation, as her family moved to Cebu at thirteen after losing their home to the typhoon, an experience she credits for shaping her perseverance.
“Those years taught me resilience,” she said in an interview, adding that every setback became fuel for her ambitions rather than a reason to give up.
Rather than immediately entering the workforce, she now aims to mentor aspiring respiratory therapists and is considering advanced studies to deepen her knowledge and strengthen the profession.
“I aspire to contribute to elevating the quality and standards of respiratory therapy in the country while promoting the crucial role of respiratory therapists—the unsung heroes of the healthcare team,” she shared.
The board exam review period was physically and emotionally taxing, particularly as it was her first time away from home in Manila, but she credited careful planning, rest, and faith for helping her overcome the pressure.
Her accomplishment also shone a spotlight on Cebu Doctors’ University, as several graduates from the program placed in the Top 10, reflecting a growing legacy of excellence in respiratory therapy.
Now recognized not just for academic distinction but also for her advocacy, she hopes her story will inspire future board exam takers to balance hard work with self-care, trust the process, and believe in God’s plan.
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express