AS a child, Joachim Michael Lim Espina watched his father Cebu architect Joseph Michael “Yumi” working in the office and the construction site, meeting clients and making drafts and blueprints.
It was clear what career he would prepare for.
“I wanted to try other degree programs but all my life it is this role, being an architect, that is the only thing that I want to do,” said the 23-year-old graduate of the University of San Carlos.
Joachim placed second in the board exams for architects with a score of 85.20 percent, a tiny difference from the 85.9 percent of the first placer from the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila.
Another Carolinian, Francino Paraz Delima, placed seventh with a score of 84.10 percent in the Architecture Licensure Examination.
The results were announced by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Friday. A total of 1,201 out of 1,964 examinees passed.
UST emerged the top-performing school after recording an 88.74-percent passing rate, equivalent to 197 passers out of 222 takers.
USC in Cebu came in second with 85.92 percent or 61 passers out of 71 examinees.
DEEP EXPOSURE
Joachim graduated cum laude in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Architecture, a five-year program.
Two years of apprenticeship followed in the family’s architecture firm.
The hands-on training, he said, exposed him more deeply to the world of architecture.
“You become well rounded. You gain experience in how to design, make estimates and blueprints,” he told Cebu Daily News.
Joachim said he plans to pursue a master’s degree in Japan and will be taking a comprehensive examination for it in Manila next week.
“If I qualify for the scholarship in Japan, I would come back to Cebu, help my family and serve my community,” he said.
THIRD GENERATION
Joachim belongs to the third generation in a family of architects.
His grandfather Cristobal received the Gold Medal Award from the Philippine Institute of Architects (PIA) in 1991.
Joachim’s mother Sandra Corazon is a banker. His father is dean of USC’s College of Fine Arts and Architecture, and a main proponent of the “Green Loop” concept of urban planning for a pedestrian-friendly, well balanced Metro Cebu.
His uncle Omar Maxwell and aunt Filna, along with Yumi, anchor the family’s firm Architects Espina, Perez-Espina and Associates in Cebu City.
Another uncle, Christopher, is based in Manila and was the dean of the College of Architecture in UP Diliman.
Joachim’s 22-year-old brother, Cristoph Maxle Ieoh, took up BS in Architecture as well and graduated this year.
Asked what advice he has for future exam takers, Joachim said there was no substitute for thorough study and training.
“You also have to pray hard. It gives you a sense of relief and you will find peace,” he said.
He said he was grateful to his family, friends, and teachers at USC-School of Architecture, Fine Arts and Design for their support and guidance.
The board examination was held in Manila, Cebu and Legazpi this June 12 and 14, 2015.