"Gusto ko pong i-prove na kaya kong maging engineer kagaya ng ibang nakakapasa sa board..." - UB board topnotcher

Baguio City, Philippines – Every board exam taker has his reasons why he wants to pass, and for Dominador Caampued Tuscano Jr., it is to prove himself he can become an engineer.

Tuscano, a UB alumna and cum laude, is the top 10 of the February 2024 Sanitary Engineers Computer-Based Licensure Examination, obtaining an 81.78% rating.

In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, the topnotcher conveyed that while he always wanted to be an engineer due to his deep interest in drawing and Mathematics, he never expected to top the board exam. What he wanted was only to get the license and secure a decent job.

Overcoming challenges to prove something

Preparing for the licensure examination was not easy for Tuscano due to financial constraints and having to travel at least one and a half hours thrice a week for his review. In spite of this, he remained undeterred, especially with the support of his family and friends. But above all, what kept him going was the desire to prove something to himself.

“Gusto ko lang pong i-prove na kaya kung maging engineer kagaya ng ibang nakakapasa sa boards and I think ako pa lang po ang unang engr. sa pamilya namin kaya gustong-gusto kong pumasa,” he expressed.

Preparations for the board

Working his way to becoming a full-fledged sanitary engineer required him extensive reading and focus on lectures and repetitions of concepts.

“I believe my preparations are similar to those of most students preparing for the exam. I've enrolled in the review center, which is Intense Review Center in Manila, diligently studying the lectures provided by the review center, undertaking numerous readings and repetitions, and, of course, prayer,” he said.

When asked about his advice to the next sanitary engineers board exam takers, the top 10 said: “Siguro po gawin kung hanggang saan ang kaya. Exceed your limitations, repetitions, and prayers.”