06/09/2026
๐ก๐๐ช๐ฆ | ๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐ง๐ข๐ฃ๐๐๐ง ๐ฒ๐
๐ฎ๐บ; ๐ฒ ๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐๐ช๐๐ ๐ฒ๐
๐ฎ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐
๐ฃ๐บ ๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ข ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ ๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ป๐ข๐ญ๐ฆ๐ด
Six Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) students of the Divine Word College of Laoag, Inc. (DWCL) recorded the highest scores among its 34 participants in the 14th Test of Practical Competency in ICT (TOPCIT) Philippines held in July 2026.
The examinees, namely Julianne Ambre R. Palaganas, Ma. Kristel G. Amodo, Nicole Angelli Ramos, Julian Thoneo Cua, Christian A. Ocampo, and Heindell Peterson A. Nebab, emerged as the top performers from the group.
In an interview, Cua expressed surprise at the result, noting that he found the examination difficult and did not expect to place among the top performers.
โIโm very happy and grateful to say that I passed the TOPCIT and made it to the top. All the hard work and effort was worth it,โ he exclaimed.
The TOPCIT is a computer-based evaluation developed in South Korea to assess the practical skills and problem-solving skills of students, IT specialists, and software developers, measuring participantsโ practical capabilities in technical and business areas of ICT.
The 75-question, 1,000-point examination recorded an average competency level of Level 2 (Advanced Beginner) among the 34 participants, with competency levels ranging from Level 1 (Novice) to Level 5 (Expert).
According to IT Instructor Mr. John Haroldd B. Dalida, the students were encouraged by the Commission on Higher Education, DWCL, the IT department, and their instructors to take TOPCIT as a way to measure their competencies beyond the classroom.
โTOPCIT gives them an opportunity to assess their IT competencies and see how prepared they are to apply what they have learned,โ he said.
Despite the examinationโs broad coverage, varying year levels, unfamiliar topics, and limited preparation time, the students pushed through with independent review using materials provided by Dalida.
โ[The exam] should not be the end goal. I see it as one of the starting points in encouraging our students to continuously develop and validate their skills,โ he stated.
Serving as proctors alongside Dalida were Engr. Cherilyn F. Babila, Program Head, IT Custodian Mr. Oalden Morales, and Mr. Marco Garcia.
The examination was conducted simultaneously nationwide, with selected third- and fourth-year BSIT students of DWCL participating alongside other institutions.
