Dexter John Florida Perral and Christine Lagmay Vicentillo. (CONTRIBUTED)
Two graduates of Cebu universities ranked among the top 10 passers of the January 2016 Architect Licensure Examination (ALE).
Dexter John Florida Perral, a graduate of Cebu Institute of Technology-University, landed in 4th place with a rating of 81.70 percent while Christine Lagmay Vicentillo from the University of San Carlos ranked 7th with 81 percent average rating.
Both said they couldn’t believe at first that they were among the topnotchers.
“I was not an achiever during college days. I did not expect that I would be able to top the examination,” Perral said in a phone interview last night.
He graduated from CIT-U with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Architecture last March 21, 2015.
Perral will get a cash reward from the Department of Architecture of CIT-U, said department chairman Architect June S. Bayaton.
“We are very happy and it’s not that surprising to have a successful examinee. He (Perral) was diligent, dedicated and focused,” Bayaton told Cebu Daily News.
Perral said he just wanted to pass the ALE.
“I also want to give back to my parents who worked abroad before. I also want them to be happy,” the 21-year old topnotcher said.
His parents are retired medical technologists. He is the youngest of three children. His siblings are medical workers.
Perral said he employed three techniques during his review, which he did mostly in their basement. These were rewrite, familiarize, and memorize.
What is his advice to the future architects?
“I know it’s not easy but just have fun,” he said.
Vicentillo, for her part, said a friend had told her that she was in the top 10. But she had to see for herself, so she viewed the results posted on the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) website.
“Nagsige ko og hilak (I kept crying). I couldn’t believe it. Lisod baya jud siya (It was really difficult) because only five percent ra sa review ang nigawas sa exam and it was a blessing for me not just to pass but to also top the examination,” she told CDN.
After the examination, Vicentillo went to three waterfalls in Samboan town in southwestern Cebu to unwind.
Vicentillo graduated from USC in March 2014. She took review classes for six months, summarizing the concepts she has learned and using charts to better understand these.
She attributed her success not only to her hard work, but also to God.
“I am really thankful to the Lord for his mercy and grace,” she added.
Before the examination, Vicentillo said she went on a Visita Iglesia for one month. Among the churches she visited were those in Sibonga (Simala), Carcar City, Argao and Minglanilla.
“Don’t give up on your dreams until the very end and don’t forget to pray,” she said.
The examination was held last January 29 and 31. Out of 1,556 examinees, 866 passed the examination administered by the Board of Architecture. The results were released last night by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).