MANILA, Philippines – The University of Cebu (UC) Main Campus has awarded a brand-new car to Engr. Francis Charles Lauta for securing the top spot in the November 2024 Civil Engineer Licensure Examination (CELE).
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| Photo courtesy: Facebook/Francis Charles Lauta/GMA Regional TV News |
In addition, Engr. Lauta is set to receive a cash prize of P100,000 from the review and training center where he prepared for the exam.
In an interview, he revealed that he spent his early college years lacking focus but began taking his studies seriously in his fourth year—a shift that ultimately led him to top the recent Civil Engineering Licensure Exam.
However, Lauta admitted that he could not describe himself as a "good student."
“Dili ko tarong nga pagka estudyante. Typical, kusog mo-cutting (classes), duwa computer,” he said, which translates to “I wasn't a good student. Typically, I would often skip classes and play computer games."
At first, Lauta aspired to pursue architecture, but his late enrollment in college and the discovery of an entrance exam requirement prompted him to reconsider. Seeking alternatives, he inquired about engineering programs without an entrance exam and was introduced to civil engineering.
In his fourth year, when Lauta finally committed to his studies, he dedicated a year to thorough preparation at UC and the Gillesania Engineering Review and Training Center (GERTC), under the guidance of Engr. Diego Gillesania.
With the patience and guidance of his review instructors, Lauta was able to overcome his initial struggles with Math, eventually finding the subject more manageable.
"When I started ranking first in the pre-board review exams, being part of the last batch, I thought, 'Maybe there's really a chance, right? What if I just give it my all? What if I give my best?'" he said.
Lauta credits his success to both his hard work and his faith.
Congratulations!
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
