Nico Anthony F. Tejano of the College of Cebu-Primary just lately clinched the highest spot within the February 2025 Mechanical Engineering Licensure Examination. | Contributed Pictures
CEBU CITY, Philippines — On an in any other case peculiar day, 23-year-old Nico Anthony Ferenal Tejano sat in his lounge, moments away from taking a shower. The air was nonetheless, the tv buzzed within the background, and his thoughts was elsewhere till an impulse led him to verify the outcomes of the Mechanical Engineers Licensure Examination.
Just a few clicks later, his breath hitched. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. After which, he noticed it.
On the very high of the checklist was his identify.
“Prime 1 ko! Prime 1 ko, Ma, Pa, Ate, Prime 1 ko!” he screamed on the high of his lungs. His household, momentarily surprised, erupted into cheers. They hugged, jumped, and cried with feelings crashing into their tiny lounge in Purok Talong, Tuyan, Metropolis of Naga, Cebu.
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That is the story of a younger boy who grew up taking part in road video games, fixing spontaneous math issues, and finally conquering one of many hardest licensure exams within the nation.
A childhood rooted in curiosity, studying
Not like many engineers who discover their ardour later in life, Nico’s love for numbers started early. As a toddler, he had a knack for recognizing patterns. Numbers weren’t simply classes at school, they have been puzzles ready to be solved.
His aggressive streak received him transferring to tutorial quiz bowls, robotics contests, and even a rocket-launching competitors in India, the place he proudly represented the Philippines. His curiosity flourished additional when he made it to the Science class at Naga Nationwide Excessive College, the place he was uncovered to superior STEM coaching.
“My progress as a scholar who loves Arithmetic, Sciences, and Robotics with assistance from my alma mater led me to the pursuit of this subject [engineering]… With all these, I can say that my pursuits have been aligned with the sector of engineering,” he shared.
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However behind the medals and certificates was a household that sacrificed the whole lot for his training.
Nico, the center baby of 5 youngsters, was raised by a loyal homemaker and a father who labored as a cockfight handler. Cash was tight. At instances, the burden of monetary struggles threatened to derail his goals. However scholarships turned his lifeline, easing the burden and permitting him to give attention to his research.
He regarded as much as his older sisters, each faculty students who graduated with honors. Watching them persevere regardless of hardships, he made a silent vow: he would do the identical.
And he did—graduating Magna Cum Laude from the College of Cebu-Primary Campus with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
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The street to changing into a topnotcher
The journey to the highest was grueling. Whereas nonetheless in faculty, Nico enrolled at Alcorcon Engineering Evaluate Middle, juggling his last semester with intensive overview periods.
After commencement, he imposed a strict routine: 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. of relentless self-study. His novels collected mud on the shelf; his social life light into the background. Each minute was spent mastering engineering ideas.
“I purpose for the purpose I’ve set as I wish to give it my the whole lot to hopefully depart no room for regrets,” he mentioned.
However self-discipline alone wasn’t sufficient to stave off exhaustion. Some nights, equations blurred on the web page. Some mornings, self-doubt gnawed at his resolve. At any time when that occurred, he turned to his religion.
“I flip to God and ask for His steering and sustenance to maintain me going. There are issues we will management and issues we can’t. I do my greatest to regulate what’s inside my scope, however for the remaining, I entrust them to God as a result of He’s ready,” he shared.
The three-day licensure examination examined the whole lot he had ready for. However the true battle wasn’t simply in opposition to the questions—it was in opposition to anxiousness.
“I barely slept, perhaps two hours at most. Once I entered the examination room on the primary day, my nerves have been at their peak. However as quickly because the take a look at started, I prayed and composed myself,” he recalled.
To remain targeted, Nico adopted a technique: reply the questions he was positive of first, depart the tough ones clean, and return to them later.
“At any time when I’m unsure, I depart it clean and transfer on to what I do know to keep away from losing time. Then, as soon as the whole lot’s answered, I’m going again to the tough ones. I additionally overview my solutions thrice earlier than and after shading, simply to make certain,” he mentioned.
When the outcomes have been launched, he anticipated nothing greater than a passing rating.
However destiny had greater plans. He wasn’t simply an engineer—he was the highest engineer within the nation.
From scholar to Engineer
With the highest spot secured, Nico now seems to be forward to the longer term.
For now, he intends to realize expertise regionally earlier than exploring alternatives overseas. With a number of job gives on the desk, he’s weighing his choices fastidiously, guaranteeing that his subsequent step aligns along with his long-term objectives.
However past employment, he envisions one thing better—a profession that not solely shapes his future but in addition permits him to offer again.
“I like being in academia, and I’m additionally deeply invested within the energy plant business. On the identical time, I’m interested in different areas of Mechanical Engineering and hope to realize publicity to those numerous fields sometime,” he mentioned.
Recommendation to future board takers
For Nico, excelling within the board examination isn’t nearly memorizing formulation, it’s about really understanding them.
“Topnotchers take the time to know the rules behind equations quite than simply committing them to reminiscence,” he defined. “This deeper understanding permits them to use their data extra successfully in several conditions. In addition they use a number of assets, conduct their very own analysis, and transcend what overview supplies present to strengthen their grasp of the topic.”
And for many who really feel like giving up?
“Give it your all, as a result of laborious work will actually repay,” he inspired. “Simply because it’s not taking place now doesn’t imply it gained’t occur in any respect. Keep targeted, keep dedicated to your objectives, and belief the method. Most significantly, at all times ask God for steering, energy, and knowledge to maintain you going.”
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