NEWS: CAPSU-Mambusao BS Food Technology program marks historic first with successful licensure examination passers

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By Leianne Grace Dianne V. Asuro and Marlita Mae M. Tolentino

PIONEERING FOOD TECHNOLOGISTS. Barientos and Lopez, CAPSU–Mambusao’s first-ever Food Technologists Licensure Examination passers.

The Bachelor of Science in Food Technology (BSFT) program of Capiz State University–Mambusao Satellite College recorded its first-ever board passers, posting a 50 percent passing rate in the August 2026 Food Technologists Licensure Examination.
Among the successful examinees were Lenie C. Barientos and Nikki L. Lopez, marking a significant milestone for the university’s BS Food Technology program.
Barientos, who graduated from CAPSU–Mambusao in 2023, passed the examination on her first attempt. She is a former faculty member of the BS Food Technology program.
Lopez, a 2025 graduate, successfully passed the licensure examination on his second attempt. He currently works as a Research Assistant at the Food and Industrial Technology Research and Development Center of Capiz State University.

Preparing for the licensure examination

In preparation for the licensure examination, both Barientos and Lopez attended the review program conducted by CAPSU–Mambusao. They also enrolled in a private review center and participated in an onsite pre-board examination in Cebu City to further strengthen their preparation.
Reflecting on the significance of the achievement, Barientos described becoming one of the program’s first licensed food technologists as a personal milestone that also reflects the collective efforts and support behind the BS Food Technology program.
“Becoming one of CAPSU–Mambusao’s first Food Technology board passers is a very meaningful and humbling achievement for me. As a graduate of the BS Food Technology program and a former faculty member, I feel that this accomplishment is not only a personal victory but also a reflection of the dedication, hard work, and support of the people who helped build and strengthen the program,” Barientos said.
Beyond reflecting on her own achievement, Barientos also shared lessons from her licensure examination journey, encouraging current BS Food Technology students to approach their preparation with discipline, consistency, and confidence.
"My advice to current BS Food Technology students preparing for the licensure examination is to start early, study consistently, and trust the preparation you have built throughout your college journey. Do not wait until the last few weeks before taking the exam to begin seriously reviewing. Make a realistic study schedule and focus on understanding concepts rather than simply memorizing information," Barientos shared.
Barientos’ reflections on the importance of early preparation, consistency, and confidence were echoed in the experience of her fellow board passer, Nikki L. Lopez, whose journey to becoming a licensed food technologist was marked by both challenges and perseverance. Having faced the examination more than once, Lopez emphasized how his first attempt became an important learning experience that shaped his approach to his successful second attempt.
“My first attempt taught me that I needed proper preparation, discipline, perseverance, and most importantly, faith in God. I learned from my mistakes and realized I needed to understand the lessons better, manage my time wisely, and focus more on the topics I found difficult. For my second attempt, I studied harder, stayed calm, trusted myself, and prayed for God’s guidance throughout the entire process. My first try became a valuable lesson that motivated me to keep going—and through hard work, determination, and God’s guidance, I was able to succeed in the examination,” Lopez said.
Lopez’s experience also highlighted the importance of having the right support and preparation throughout the licensure journey. Beyond the lessons he gained from his first attempt, he credited the various review programs and examination activities he participated in for helping him strengthen his knowledge, build confidence, and become better prepared for the actual licensure examination.
“The school review helped me build a strong foundation by refreshing the lessons and topics I had learned throughout college. The private review center gave me additional knowledge, techniques, and practice answering difficult questions, which made me more prepared for the actual examination. The Onsite Pre-Board Examination in Cebu City gave me a real feel for the exam environment and helped me improve my time management and confidence. All these experiences worked together and prepared me not only academically but also mentally and emotionally for the Food Technologists Licensure Examination,” Lopez added.

Nationwide examination results

The Professional Food Technologists Computer-Based Licensure Examination yielded 705 passers out of 1,063 examinees nationwide.
The licensure examinations were conducted on August 12–13, 2026, at testing centers across the country, including NCR, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Koronadal, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Palawan, Pampanga, Rosales, and Tuguegarao.
The examinations were administered under the supervision of the Board of Food Technology, headed by Chairman Anthony C. Sales, with members Remedios V. Baclig and Mary Grace R. Mandigma.

A milestone for the BS Food Technology program

The achievement of CAPSU–Mambusao’s first-ever BS Food Technology board passers also represents more than individual success, as it serves as an important indicator of the program’s capacity to prepare its graduates for professional practice. For BS Food Technology Program Head Dr. Edzil B. Lorenzo, the successful licensure performance provides both a source of pride and tangible evidence of the program’s academic and institutional development.
Reflecting on the significance of the milestone, Dr. Lorenzo emphasized its impact on the program’s credibility, student preparation, and ongoing efforts toward program recognition and accreditation.
“The first batch of Food Technology Licensure Examination passers is a major milestone for both the BS Food Technology program and CAPSU–Mambusao as a whole. For the program, it validates the quality of our curriculum, instruction, and student support over the four-year journey, demonstrating that our graduates are competent and ready for professional practice. At the institutional level, this achievement strengthens our case for program recognition and accreditation. Specifically, it provides concrete evidence of program outcomes aligned with CHED policies and AACCUP criteria, supporting our compliance with the AACCUP Technical Review Recommendation,” Dr. Lorenzo said.
Beyond regulatory compliance, this accomplishment enhances the program’s reputation, boosts student and faculty morale, and signals to industry partners that CAPSU–Mambusao produces globally competitive, licensed food technologists.
The licensure preparation process was facilitated by a team of licensed Professional Food Technologists (PFTs), including two FTLE topnotchers—Radelle Balad-on (Top 8, 2025 FTLE) and Alithea Jumawan-Balitaon (Top 10, 2024 FTLE)—who served as lecturers. Their firsthand exam experience allowed them to guide students through high-yield topics and effective test-taking strategies.
Beyond the guidance provided by licensed Professional Food Technologists and FTLE topnotchers, the program’s licensure preparation was further supported by faculty members with strong academic backgrounds and advanced training from leading higher education institutions. Their diverse expertise strengthens the review program and provides students with access to a broad range of knowledge and perspectives relevant to the Food Technologists Licensure Examination.
The program highlighted the academic credentials of members of its broader review team, noting their training and educational backgrounds from renowned institutions:
The review team was further strengthened by faculty with advanced training from leading institutions: three University of the Philippines Los Baños graduates—Marife R. Hilapad, PhD; Edzil B. Lorenzo, PhD; and Ana Rina Evalista, MSc; one Hiroshima University alumnus—Jason D. Braga), one West Visayas State University graduate—Lecel O. Bobier, PhD; and three from Visayas State University—Jared Genesis Cutamora, MSc; Clyde Dwyneth G. Leccio, and MSc; Bethel Jane Iligan, MSc).
Alongside institutional support, students also took initiative in strengthening their licensure preparation. Three of the four examinees from the recent batch enrolled at the Quantum Review Center, supplementing the university’s review program with external resources and additional preparation. This combination of institutional support and individual effort contributed to the successful licensure outcomes of CAPSU–Mambusao’s first Food Technology board passers.
The achievement of Barientos and Lopez marks a historic milestone for the BS Food Technology program, setting an encouraging precedent for current students and future graduates who aspire to become licensed food technologists.
Their success also highlights the growing role of CAPSU graduates in academe, research, and the professional food technology sector, with Barientos contributing to the education of future food technologists and Lopez pursuing research in food and industrial technology.