Long before he became the second highest scorer in the November 2025 Philippine Nurses Licensure Examination, Carl Andrew Soliva was a quiet grade school pupil at La Consolacion College Bacolod, listening intently to stories about St. Augustine. He did not know then that those lessons—rooted in truth, self-reflection and faith—would shape the discipline and mindset that would guide him through one of the most rigorous licensure exams in the country.
Soliva, now a graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of St. La Salle, said the foundations of his success can be traced to his early formation at LCC Bacolod.
“I believe one of the key experiences that laid the foundation for my success was learning about the story of St. Augustine from my dedicated teachers,” he said. “His relentless search for truth, his unshakable faith, and even his honesty about his own shortcomings taught me to stay curious and trust God. These values have guided me all my life.”
Those values carried him through long study nights and the pressure-filled months leading to the board exam. Soliva said that while external expectations were high, his greatest pressure came from within.
“Since the pressure was internal, I embraced it,” he said. “I reminded myself constantly that this was for my future patients, my family, friends, and alma maters. That sense of purpose helped me push through moments of doubt.”
At the core of his study strategy was a habit he had already developed as an LCCB pupil: active listening.
“Copying notes was never my priority. I always wanted to fully absorb what my teachers were saying,” he said. “Understanding—not memorizing—was the approach I carried all the way into my review classes.”
Soliva said that the school’s culture of curiosity, its emphasis on compassion, and the tight-knit support system of classmates and organizations also helped cultivate his work ethic.
“LCCB fostered an environment where striving for excellence was the norm. The friendships we built were my emotional safety net,” he said. “Being surrounded by people with the same discipline and dedication gave me silent confidence.”
As he steps into the next chapter of his career, Soliva is keeping several paths open: teaching as a national lecturer, pursuing bedside nursing, entering graduate studies, or eventually fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a doctor. “My immediate plans center on self-growth and giving back to my family,” he said.
For current LCC Bacolod students, Soliva shared a message rooted in the same Augustinian values he carries with pride:
“Maximize every opportunity to embody our core values—they are the true keys to longevity and success,” he said. “Truth should drive your pursuit of knowledge. Excellence should guide your discipline. Let your compassion and sense of service give meaning to your work. With faith as your compass, everything else will follow.”
Sr. Flolyn S. Catungal, OSA, President of La Consolacion College Bacolod, congratulated Soliva for bringing honor to his alma mater.
“We celebrate Carl’s remarkable achievement with deep joy and pride,” she said. “His success is a testament to the strength of his character, the values he nurtured at LCC Bacolod, and the grace of God at work in his life. May he continue to be a light of hope, compassion, and excellence in the nursing profession.”
For Soliva, the message is simple: the LCCian foundation is strong—students only need to trust in it. “The values we learned at LCCB were not just lessons,” he said. “They became my habits, my mindset, and eventually, my path to success.”