MANILA, Philippines – The first Filipina nurse to pass the Japanese Licensure Examination for Nurses in the Shiga Prefectures has opened up about the many hardships she endured before reaching that milestone.
In a feature interview with Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) on June 21, Katherine Cauilan Sulit shared the inspiring story behind her remarkable and hard-earned success.
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| Photo courtesy: Screenshot from RTVM/YouTube |
Katherine recalled that her journey began in 2010, when she was selected as one of the fortunate Filipinos granted the opportunity to serve as a caregiver and nurse in Japan through the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
What followed was a grueling yet life-changing chapter—one marked by cultural adjustments, intensive language training, and long hours of study. But for Katherine, each challenge was a stepping stone toward her dream.
“Nag-apply kami sa POEA [Philippine Overseas Employment Agency]. Then after po ng screening at ng mga interviews po, out of 1,000 applicants from all over the Philippines, mga 100 po 'yong nakuha,” she said.
“Do'n sa 100 na 'yon, saktong 2011 na dito sa Japan eh nagkaroon ng malaking tsunami; 'yong earthquake do'n sa Eastern Japan,” she added.
From the initial pool of 100 candidates, only 73 were chosen to undergo intensive training under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), focusing on basic Japanese language and culture. This two-month program served as a crucial preparation before their eventual deployment to Japan. Katherine considered herself fortunate to be among the 73 selected.
Despite her strong foundation in nursing, Katherine did not shy away from admitting the difficulties she faced in taking the Japanese Licensure Examination. While the core principles of basic nursing in the Philippines and Japan are essentially the same, the language barrier and cultural differences made the journey especially challenging.
But Katherine shared that what made it all possible were the Japanese language lessons she consistently attended—classes generously offered by the Japanese government five times a year.
For Katherine, each session brought her a step closer to her goal, proving that persistence, paired with the right support, can turn even the most daunting challenges into victories.
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express