Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation(MSEUF) marked another history as Melvin Durante Alas-as and Renzon Daraway Pagkatipunan top notched the Civil Engineer Licensure Examination administered by the Philippine Regulatory Commission(PRC) in November 2021.
Alas-as, Batch 2019 summa cum laude, ranked 6th with a rating of 91.50% and Pagkatipunan of Batch 2020 ranked 10th with a rating of 90.80%. Both belonged to the 2,374 out of 6,474 (36.67%) who passed the exams as announced by the PRC on Nov. 25, 2021, eight working days after the last day of the board exam.
Meanwhile, in an online interview, the two top notchers shared their edges in pursuance of the titles. “I think my biggest edge among the other examinees is my strong foundation in Mathematics.
With it, I was able to have a deeper understanding of engineering concepts and principles,” Alas-as briefly shared. “My biggest advantage among other examinees is that I am focused, determined, and consistent in my preparation for the board exam, all of these were driven by motivation and inspiration foreseeing myself as one of the top notchers of the board exam”, Pagkatipunan said. “I know there are other takers that are good and better than me but I didn’t let myself get carried away from that thought, I started to believe in myself of what I can do and bring my best during the board exam, and now I managed to put myself into the top 10 of the Civil Engineering Licensure Examination,” Pagkatipunan added.
Moreover, the two also state that their success also encounters drawbacks back in their review throughout the pandemic. “I have struggled most with dealing with my will to study during the pandemic. Waiting for almost two years without even knowing when will the Examination continue is torturing,”
Alas-as shared “This pandemic brought confusion and uncertainties to us upcoming takers of the board exam. Every postponement of the board exam breaks my momentum of studying, if you can imagine there are another 6 months of delay and there’s nothing you can do. That’s when the time I started to question myself if I would continue reviewing or better to start applying for a job,” Pagkatipunan said.
In addition, they also claim that they dedicate their success to the people behind the milestone. “I dedicate this success to my parents Nanay Marites and Tatay Rogelio, as well as my siblings, who were so supportive of me. It also goes for all my friends, classmates, and professors who always believed in me.” proudly claimed Alas-as “Firstly, I dedicate this milestone to myself, back when I was in college, I fell short of graduating with Latin Honors, and now, with this achievement, I was able to redeem myself from that downfall and prove something to myself that I can do more,” Pagkatipunan said.
“Next is my family, they are the ones who give their full support of any kind to me right from the start, up to this moment. I proudly represent my family name Daraway and Pagkatipunan. Thank you very much!,” Pagkatipunan added. “Next is my friends, thank you for your unending support and for putting your trust in me that I can do all of this,” Pagkatipunan also added.
On the other hand, the two also credited MSEUF as a contributor to their milestone. “I spent more than 12 years of my life as an Envergan, so I would not be the person that I am today without the University.
The University has equipped me with the right knowledge, provided me with a strong support system, and more importantly, it has instilled me with a passion for excellence,” Alas-as claimed. “Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation contributed a major part to my success. This school served as my training ground and taught me discipline and hard work.
My instructors were very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. Our Dean, Dr. Guillermo M. Rago Jr., and the College of Engineering ensure that all of its students are keeping them on the right track,” Pagkatipunan proudly shared. Aside from Alas-as and Pagkatipunan, there are 11 other Envergan passers namely Jonas Symon M. Abraham (May 2020), Marielle B. Bernal (May 2018), Tristan D. Epifanio (May 2019), Grazio R. Javierto (May 2019), Johnery E. Lachica (May 2020), Arwin F. Lacuarin (May 2019), Peter Paul B. Ong (May 2019), John Carlo M. Opis (May 2019), Adeline Vianka O. Sy (March 2015), Joseph Q. Toco (May 2019), and Kenneth John S. Zabalerio (May 2019). MSEUF obtained a passing percentage of 37.14%, higher than the national percentage of 36.67% even as the University’s passing percentage for the first takers was 40.00%.
The members of the Board of Civil Engineering who took the licensure examination are Engr. Praxedes P. Bernardo, Chairman; Engr. Pericles P. Dakay and Engr. Romeo A. Estanero, members.
Before the oath-taking as full-fledged civil engineers in the PRC, the University prepared a traditional testimonial event in virtual mode with a grand motorcade for the topnotchers and passers to be scheduled after the official oathtaking.
