Cebu grads top naval licensure exam

CEBU, Philippines - Three graduates of the University of Cebu are among the top 10 passers of the 2014 Naval Architect and Marine Engineer Licensure Examination conducted last September 23 and 24.

They are Marlette Flordeliz Natividad with an 87.70 percent passing rate (fourth place), Wilson Pegarido with an 87.60 percent passing rate (fifth place), and Clyde Rupert Escalona with an 86.50 percent passing rate (ninth place).

Natividad, a magna cum laude graduate, said prayers and hard work paved the way for success in the examination.

“I did not even expect to pass the exam kay lisod gyod kaayo and naa pay pressure kay magna kuno ko, pero sige lang gyod ko og pray and review,” she said. Aside from passing the exam, what also makes her happy is to making her family, relatives, and friends proud.

Pegarido, meanwhile, admitted being pressured because his elder brother placed second in the 2010 exam but he reportedly tried to set it aside. 

“Mas grabe gyod akong pressure kay ang mga tao magsige na og ingon nga dapat first placer ko para maapsan si kuya, pero wala nako gi-think. Ang ako lang is presence of mind, pray and pray lang gyod,” he said, adding, that he will be working with his brother after he will take the oath on October 24.

He said that he dedicated his achievement to God, family, and friends.

Escalona, for his part, said that while he was confident enough to pass, he never expected to land at the top.

“Kung feeling lang, yes nag-expect ko na maka-pasar pero maka-ingon gyod ko na very hard ang exam kay naay items na wala namo na-study-han,” he said.

Most of the examinees in the top 10 are from the Namei Polytechnic Institute in Mandaluyong City, including Rodel Dalawampu Maala (first place, 89.80 percent), Edmund Tejada Ramos (second place, 89.50 percent), Dondon Perez Mendoza (sixth place, 87.10 percent), Norwin Duran Dela Cruz (seventh place, 87.00 percent), and Lea Valle Barrameda (eighth place, 86.70 percent), Gerald Vincent Bughao Gardiano (tied with Escalona in ninth place, 86.50 percent), Ramon Angelo Salilican Chacon (10 place, 86.40 percent).

Ana Theresa Sibulo Mercado of the Mariners Polytechnic College Foundation-Baras placed third with 89.10 percent. – (FREEMAN)