Mary Joyce Villaflor, 29, a former social media specialist at SunStar Cebu, is the only Cebuano to pass the 2026 Special Professional Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (SPLE-PT) and also secured the 5th place nationwide.
From Media to Teaching
Villaflor, a Mass Communication graduate from Saint Theresa's College, left SunStar Cebu to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Taiwan. In Taiwan, she built a career in the corporate sector before the opportunity to teach arose, which redirected her life path. What she initially considered a temporary career shift became her vocation, inspiring her to obtain a professional teaching license.
Balancing Work and Exam Prep
Preparing for the SPLE-PT while working full-time abroad was a major challenge, but Villaflor remained determined through discipline, perseverance, and faith. According to Villaflor, after the exam, she believed she would not pass and was surprised to learn she placed fifth.
A Dream Fulfilled
For Villaflor, this achievement fulfills a personal dream and her mother's long-standing wish to see her become a teacher. She now hopes her story will inspire aspiring teachers and fellow overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to embrace unexpected opportunities and trust the journey.
“Do it scared,” she said.
