TARLAKENYO– In a striking display of academic excellence and partnership, a couple from Tarlac State University (TSU) has achieved top honors in the October 2026 licensure examinations for chemical professionals, bringing pride to their alma mater and the province.
Raisa Gwen Salak and James Emil Matthew Canlas, both graduates of TSU’s BS Chemistry program, secured top rankings in their respective board exams. Salak clinched the Top 1 spot in the Chemical Technicians Licensure Examination (CTLE) with a rating of 95.00%, while Canlas placed Top 4 in the Chemists Computer-Based Licensure Examination (CBLE) with a score of 93.85%.
Their achievements are part of a larger wave of success for TSU. The university recorded a 100% passing rate among first-time takers for the CBLE, contributing to an impressive 87.50% overall institutional passing rate, which significantly surpassed the national average of 76.49%.
In the CTLE, TSU posted a 72.41% institutional passing rate. In total, the university produced 21 new licensed chemists and 21 new chemical technicians.
The couple’s journey to the top is as remarkable as their exam results. Salak, who graduated Magna Cum Laude and as department Salutatorian, and Canlas, the first Summa Cum Laude from TSU’s BS Chemistry program and department Valedictorian, have been partners in life and in their studies since their second year in college.
Their academic paths were not initially set in chemistry. Salak had aspired to become a medical technologist, while Canlas had wanted to pursue physics. However, their choice to study at TSU set them on a different course—one that ultimately led them to each other and to national recognition.
In an exclusive interview with Tarlac Forum, the couple shared how their relationship helped them navigate the rigors of board exam preparation.
Canlas recalled reassuring Salak: “Alam ko naman po kasi na kahit anong mangyari, papasa po siya.”
Salak, in turn, credited their shared degree for their mutual understanding, saying, “Same kami ng kinukuhang degree, so gets namin ‘yung hirap ng isa’t isa.”
When asked for the secret to balancing love and success, Salak offered a simple yet heartfelt answer: “Kung hahanap sila ng jowa, ‘yung kagaya ni James.”
The Capas Information Office celebrated Salak, a resident of Barangay Lawy, as a source of immense pride for the community.
Capas Mayor Roseller “Boots” Rodriguez also extended his congratulations: “Sana marami pang batang Capaseño ang mangarap nang mas mataas dahil sa’yo. Congratulations, Raisa! Proud na proud ang iyong Mayor!“
In a statement, TSU lauded the pair, calling them an inspiration to the next generation of aspiring chemists and chemical technicians.
The success of Salak and Canlas, alongside their fellow new licensed professionals, stands as a testament to the dedication of TSU’s faculty and the hard work of its students. Their story is not just one of romance, but of two individuals who, through their shared passion for science, found the perfect chemistry for success.
