Carlos Miguel Mariano: Top 1, civil engineers licensure exam

He also graduates magna cum laude.

Carlos Miguel Mariano’s goal is truly and not just a dream to be Top 1 in the April 2025 Civil Engineers Licensure Examination. “I was manifesting it since the very start of my review.” (Photos: Carlos Miguel Mariano Facebook)

Many people have experienced rejections in various aspects of life.

One of the rites of Carlos Miguel F. Mariano, 23, of General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite.

But for Carlos, he considers rejections as redirections.

His father is a school photographer and his mother is a full-time housewife.

He is the third of six siblings.

Si Carlos Miguel Mariano ng PLM ang Top 1 sa April 2025 Civil Engineers Licensure Examination. Photo: The Torch-General Mariano Alvarez Technical High School Facebook

Nagtapos si Carlos ng Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Major in Structural Engineering, sa Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila noong September 5, 2024, bilang Magna Cum Laude.

Top 1 naman siya sa April 2025 Civil Engineers Licensure Examination.

Nakakuha siya ng 93 percent rating.

CARLOS MIGUEL MARIANO INIATIALLY WISHES TO STUDY AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Nakapanayam si Carlos ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) last May 19, 2025, via Facebook Messenger.

Pagtatapat niya, noong nasa Senior High School pa lang, ang first choice niyang kurso ay aeronautical engineering.

Paliwanag niya kung bakit: “Since based on my research that time, that course has the most reasonable salary expectations and is not yet ‘saturated’ population-wise.”

Ang malungkot nga lang nang magkokolehiyo na siya: “Hindi ko naituloy yung course na Aero Eng sa Philippine State College of Aeronautics [PhilSCA] due to their late schedules.

“I am a Department of Science and Techonology scholar and required na ma-finalize yung university na ilalagay sa contract—kaya hindi ko na nahintay yung enrolment sa PhilSCA.”

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Noong time na iyon naman, ang original choices niyang pasukang university ay ang University of the Philippines sa Diliman, Quezon City, at Polytechnic University of the Philippines sa Sta. Mesa, Manila.

“PLM was my third choice.”

At kung bakit hindi siya nakapag-enroll sa dalawang university na top choices niya: “I wasn’t able to take UPCAT since nawala yung test permit.

“And hindi ko na rin na-try mag-enroll sa PUP dahil nagkakaubusan na raw ng slots.”

Hindi na-discourage si Carlos.

“It felt like these rejections were actually redirections that led me to the best future in store for me.”

CARLOS MIGUEL MARIANO’S COLLEGE JOURNEY

Nang mag-aral na si Carlos sa PLM, naging main challenge para sa kanya ang layo ng biyahe from Cavite to Manila and vice versa.

“After pandemic, nagkaroon na ng face-to-face classes and medyo nahirapang mag-adjust sa dorm life na required maging independent.

“After staying in the dorm for a year, nag-commute na lang ako tuwing may F2F classes nung 4th year since konti lang yung days na may klase.”

Gayunpaman, naroroon pa rin ang mga inconvenience.

“The hassle part is may mga classes na 9:00 P.M. yung end, so may times na around midnight na ako nakakauwi.”

Hindi naman niya gaanong naging problema ang mga gastusin sa pagkokolehiyo.

“Na-survive ko ang challenges ng college life, thanks to my scholarships from DOST and Gokongwei Brothers Foundation [GBF].

“I’m eternally grateful to these organizations since I was able to be self-sufficient in paying my bills and other necessities.”

CARLOS MIGUEL MARIANO’S DILEMMA WHILE REVIEWING FOR BOARD EXAM

Nang kukuha na si Carlos ng board exam, nagkaroon siya ng maliit na problema.

“Dahil online lang lahat ng review centers na kinuha ko, the challenge is mainly yung environment sa bahay.

“Hindi kami mayaman, wala akong private room to review.

“Malaking distraction yung may nanonood sa Netflix or anime habang nagre-review.”

Natatawa niyang pag-amin, “Tho na-enjoy ko naman makinig or manood habang nag-aaral, ha-ha-ha!”

Mas inisip na lang ni Carlos ang mga benefits ng pagre-review sa bahay.

“Meron akong nanay na mag-aasikaso ng food and other daily needs.

“Mas controlled ko yung time ko dahil hindi na need pumunta sa F2F classes ng review centers, etc.

“Pinili ko na lang ding i-timing yung aral ko sa times na wala masyadong distractions na sumasabay.”

CARLOS MIGUEL MARIANO on BOARD EXAM

Aminado naman si Carlos na nahirapan siya sa board exam dahil sa terminologies.

“After the first day, I have three sure mistakes in one subject—all questions are terms na madaling i-Google.

“Dahil dito, feeling ko sobrang baba na ng chance na mag-Top 1—which is my goal from the very start.

“Nawala talaga yung focus ko nung na-confirm ko yung mali ko.”

Ang breakdown ng scores ni Carlos Miguel Mariano sa CELE. Photo: Carlos Miguel Mariano Facebook

Kaya ang paaalala niya sa mga kukuha ng board exam:

“Hindi dapat sine-search ang problems hanggang hindi tapos ang last subject, ha-ha-ha!

“Thankfully, nakapag-mental reset ako before taking the last exam on the second day.”

CARLOS MIGUEL MARIANO’S GOAL IS TO BECOME TOP 1

Pagtatapat ni Carlos, goal niya ang maging Top 1 sa board exam at hindi pangarap lang.

“Yes, my goal—rather than a dream—is to take the top spot on the board exam.

“I was manifesting it since the very start of my review.

“Although as I stated earlier, medyo kinabahan talaga ako while waiting for the results due to the three sure mistakes that I have.”

Ang screenshots ng naging manifestation ni Carlos Miguel Mariano na magiging Top 1 siya. Photo: Carlos Miguel Mariano

Confident naman umano siyang makakasama sa Top 10.

“Dahil halos lahat naman ng tanong, except talaga sa terms, ay nasagutan ko nang maayos.

“Na-recognize ko yung traps, plus nakapa ko yung mga unfamiliar questions—pero hindi na ako confident sa Top 1.”

CARLOS MIGUEL MARIANO’S REACTION UPON LEARNING HE’S “NUMBER 1”

Nang lumabas na ang resulta ng board exam, sobrang overwhelmed ni Carlos nang malamang siya ang nanguna.

“I was not expecting to see my name on the top. Sobrang saya na napasigaw pa ko nung after kong i-refresh yung PRC website to confirm na tama nga yung name na nakalagay sa taas, na ako yung number 1.

“Iniisip ko pa nga na baka may ibang Carlos Miguel Mariano na nag-take, ha-ha-ha!

“Although naging sure naman ako dahil ako lang yung from PLM.”

Maagang lumabas ang result ng board exam nina Carlos kumpara sa recent trend na madaling-araw ng day after the announced release date of results.

“It was around 9:00-10:00 P.M. on May 6, naglalaro pa ako ng ML [Mobile Legends] nung na-release yung result.

“I’m not sure if I’ll go AFK [away from keyboard] and focus on the result or finish the game, ha-ha-ha!

“The ending, I just went AFK.”

Carlos dedicated the victory, first and foremost, to God.

“Since I credit all those redirections to Him. I’m thankful that I trusted His plans for me. You can tell that not all prayers are answered, since there maybe a better future ahead for you.

“Also, to my parents, who had humble lifestyle yet was able to have three college graduates.”

Two of their siblings graduated Magna Cum Laude, and two are also civil engineers, including him, who is still a topnotcher.

“Highlighting the fact that we almost studied together, I am so proud of them the same way they are proud of me because of this achievement.”

WHAT’S NEXT FOR CARLOS MIGUEL MARIANO?

Carlos is currently preparing for his future career as a licensed civil engineer.

“I’m planning to conduct my return of service for two years in Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, one of my scholarships.

“The plan for the near future is to finish this return of service and decide the path I want to take then.”

There is also a good reason why he is sharing his life story.

“Although I recognize that people may feel sadness upon rejections, I want my story to be a reminder that these rejections may be redirections for a better future.”

He reminds those who experience rejections: “It’s okay to be sad about rejections, but don’t stop pursuing your dreams.”

His advice to those taking board exams is that having a positive mindset in life is very important.

“Many takers are unable to focus on the review due to various reasons.

“However, we will not be able to continue improving ourselves if we only focus on these negative reasons.”

And to the young people who also want to become civil engineers, Carlos’s word of wisdom for them:

“Always find the reasons why you started, look for the bright side on your current situation, and use your ideal future then make it as your inspiration.

“Considering that the recent CELE has the lowest passing rate in the past decade, based on statistics, it is important for future CELE takers to focus more on their preparations.

“Keep going, future engineers!”