“It has always been like this. I was always underrated. I was always an underdog. Maybe it is how it is for me…”
Engr. Orpheus Monasque Linaza, Jr., a mining engineer from University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City, admits that he wasn't "excellent" and was an irregular student during his undergraduate years studying Mining Engineering. He didn't receive any awards or recognition during his nearly five years in college, but astonishingly, he became a Top 5 achiever in the board exam.
 |
| Photo courtesy: Facebook/Outsmart the Board Exam |
His testimony can be read on the Facebook page of Outsmart The Board Exam.
“I spent five long years on a 4-year course. Muntik na ngang mag six HAHAHA. I’ve been an irregular student since the first semester of my first year and dahil jan, it triggered a domino effect hanggang sa wala na talagang pag asang maka graduate on time. Never din ako naging dean’s lister sa 5-year stay ko sa college. I obtained a QCPA of 2.04—an average rating for a very average guy,” he said.
“Personally, I really don’t mind titles and recognitions basta alam ko lang na I am learning eh. Pero there were times talaga na you feel like you exerted enough effort naman pero di nagrereciprocate pabalik sayo ang outcome.”
“It has always been like this. I was always underrated. I was always an underdog. Maybe it is how it is for me.”
Then came the August 2023 Mining Engineer Licensure Exam where he indeed placed in the top 5 with a rating of 85.85%.
“Not until the result of MELE 2023 came out. Again, I knew I exerted enough effort in preparation for the boards—way beyond, even. Pero I also knew na just like before, di naman mag rereflect ang effort ko sa actual results so di na ako nag expect,” he said.
“Surprisingly, for the first time ever, my efforts finally paid off! I saw my name, di lang sa list of passers but sa topnotchers! Nag top 5 pa nga HAHAHAHA. Posible pala no? Determinasyon lang at sakripisyo ang puhunan.”
“I may not have the brightest mind among the bunch, pero I am sure that I’m the most ambitious and dedicated. Being an engineer does not necessarily require pure intelligence, but a sincere interest in the topics and a commitment to the process,” he realized.
In addition to expressing gratitude to the author of the review book he read, Engr. Rucel Britanico Virata, he also left a message for fellow aspiring engineers, considering himself as an "average guy" and an "underdog" in their class or batch.
“To the aspiring engineers who are reading this, know that your academic standing won't define your future as long as alam mo sa sarili mo na you are learning. If ever man na mag fail ka, which is very inevitable in life, then FAIL FORWARD.”
Congrats, Engr. Orpheus!
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
