A professor in a crop top is far from an everyday sight, but Professor Juan S. Manlangit Jr.—fondly known to his students as ‘Sir Heavenly’—turned it into a reality. His bold promise to wear a crop top not only went viral across Far Eastern University (FEU) Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing (IHSN), but also revealed a deeper narrative of confidence, dedication, and a teaching philosophy that fueled the Batch 2024’s TamNurses remarkable success in this year’s Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam (PNLE). 

An unwavering belief

When the TamNurses of Class 2024 achieved an astounding 99.82-percent passing rate on the November 2024 PNLE, Sir Juan S. Manlangit Jr. proudly wore a crop top the next day the results were announced as a promise to his students. 

Professor Manlangit is a well-seasoned teacher with 17 years of reaping knowledge both locally and internationally. In February 2023, he began teaching at the University.

With a balance of humor and discipline, he quickly became a beloved figure among his students.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, he mentioned that he understands the frustrations and rants his students tell him because he also went through their struggles. 

“Since I’m very approachable, some students vent [out] their struggles, stress, and anxiety to me. I really talk to them because I’ve experienced it too—I was a student once,” he expressed.

One of the most memorable moments during the review sessions was hearing how his teaching deeply resonated with his students. 

"This is kind of funny, but they tell me, ‘Sir, during our review, it feels like we are hearing your voice.’ Nagha-hallucinate na yata sila (I think they’re hallucinating)," Manlangit said. 

He recalled a student sharing their exam experience, saying, “When I was answering questions, it felt like your voice was whispering to me.” 

For the TamNurses of Batch 2024, the professor became an important figure in their review for preparations of the board exams. He was not only their mentor but also their cheerleader.

“Spending years in college with them is like having your own kids, helping them start to walk and eventually carry their own bags to school independently,” Manlangit stated.

During exam preparations, he made an effort to stay connected. He checks up on the students and tries to motivate them.

“It’s important to stay connected with them, to support them through their highs and lows, even after graduation,” the professor said. 

Beyond the classroom set-up with piling hours of lectures and review sessions, he created a safe space for his students to be encouraged and had confidence in their ability to succeed. 

Cream of the crop (top)

The idea to wear a crop top came as a playful yet sincere challenge to Batch 2024. Rooted in his admiration for their potential, Manlangit saw the garment as a symbol of his faith in their abilities.

“I thought of relating it to the common idiom used in school, ‘cream of the crop,’ which refers to the best and top students who are on the list of the ‘cream of the crop.’ Since I am one of their teachers, I have assessed and observed that this batch is excellent,” he explained.

Manlangit even disclosed that he personally prepared the outfit himself to keep the surprise intact. 

“Akin siya, ini-ready ko siya as a promise. Gusto ko sana humiram kaso malalaman diretso ng lahat kasi sa Nursing community, kilala ako. Mawawala [na ‘yung] sense of surprise (It is mine, I prepared it as promised. I wanted to borrow, but everyone would find out right away because I’m well-known in the nursing community. The sense of surprise will be gone.),” he shared.

Despite the initial nerves—and the fact that a professor wearing a crop top is something you don’t see everyday—he embraced humor and humility, determined to honor his word and celebrate his students’ success.

“Akala ko nag-lockjaw ako nung sinuot ko ‘yon, but that’s a promise (I thought I got a lockjaw when I wore it, but that’s a promise),” Manlangit expressed.  

While for Sir Heavenly, the decision to wear a crop top was not just about embracing a fashion trend; it was about showing his students that he will be there throughout their journey and wholeheartedly guide them as they vow to receive their well-deserved registered nurse's titles. 

“When I promised to wear a crop top, it wasn’t just about a fashion statement. It was about showing my support, motivating them, and reminding them that they were the best,” he explained. 

He had been following their journey throughout their studies and recognized their potential to excel. In his eyes, the crop top was a fun way to express his pride in them—his "cream of the crop."

The success of Batch 2024 represents not only a victory but a celebration to be written in one of the books. It was a historic mark for the Nursing community to produce well-rounded nurses and aim for a high passing rate. 

“It’s common to celebrate top students, but this time, it’s different. It’s ‘all for one aim.’ It represents the quantity and quality, it represents IHSN-Nursing, it represents FEU, it represents us, and it showcases to the world the excellence of TamNurses,” the professor said.

For the newly licensed TamNurses, Professor Manlangit congratulates them as they have shown the world the pride and excellence of a Tamaraw and affirms that he is proud of them.

Hence, for the future TamNurses PNLE takers, he addressed his fellow co-faculties, encouraging them to teach their lessons with clarity and effectiveness while wholeheartedly supporting the students with genuine care, dedication, and passion. With this, he believes that achieving a 100-percent passing rate is entirely possible.

With a remarkable passing rate for this year's PNLE, Batch 2024 indeed deserves recognition and celebration for their hard work and dedication in clinching their 'Registered Nurse' titles. This achievement showcases that a good foundation of support systems from educators will lead to the path of success, where doubts and worries are outcasted. As the board passers enter a new chapter, they carry the pride, success, and confidence of being entitled as the 'cream of the crop.'

- Franzine Aaliyah B. Hicana
(Layout by Ysh Aureus/FEU Advocate)