From Failing Multiple Subjects to Topping the Board Exams: The Journey of Engr. Brian B. Delatorre, 8th Placer in the November 2025 CE Board Exam
In the world of civil engineering, stories of triumph often begin with challenges—and for Engr. Brian B. Delatorre, ranking 8th Place in the November 2025 Civil Engineers Licensure Examination is the culmination of a journey defined by resilience, faith, and unwavering determination. A proud graduate of the University of Southeastern Philippines, Engr. Brian’s path toward becoming a civil engineer took root long before college. Growing up in Bulacan and later studying in Davao City, he carried with him a deep love for numbers, nurtured through countless mathematics competitions from elementary to high school. But even the strongest passions can falter.
ENGR. BRIAN B. DELATORRE
8th Place, November 2025 Civil Engineers Licensure Examination
University of South Eastern Philippines
In the world of civil engineering, stories of triumph often begin with challenges—and for Engr. Brian B. Delatorre, ranking 8th Place in the November 2025 Civil Engineers Licensure Examination is the culmination of a journey defined by resilience, faith, and unwavering determination.
A proud graduate of the University of Southeastern Philippines, Engr. Brian’s path toward becoming a civil engineer took root long before college. Growing up in Bulacan and later studying in Davao City, he carried with him a deep love for numbers, nurtured through countless mathematics competitions from elementary to high school. But even the strongest passions can falter.
Finding His Way Through Struggles
When Brian entered college, the dream began to feel distant. He struggled academically, failing multiple subjects and eventually falling two years behind after failing Structural Theory twice. He admits that during these years, he lost motivation, turned to gaming, and let go of his goals.
“This changed me to reflect and have goals in life… so I wouldn’t repeat the same mistakes again,” he recalls. Regaining his footing, he started delivering top scores once more—proof that once you rediscover your purpose, momentum follows.
The Road to the Board Exam
Brian began his review journey in July 2024 through online classes, but motivation didn’t come easy. It wasn’t until November 2024—when he moved to Cebu for face-to-face review—that he finally found his rhythm.
His study routine was structured and strategic:
Starts at 7:30 AM, studies by 9:30 AM
1 hour study, 30 minutes rest cycle
Ends at midnight, sleeps at 1 AM
Uses breaks intentionally to restore energy and focus
“This cycle is very optimal… one day you will remember all of your review,” he says.
For resources, he relied heavily on his laptop and the Elite Training of Mega Review, especially under Sir Bruce, Sir Angelo, and Sir Kit.
He also developed his own color-coded system—green, blue, red, and pink—to categorize difficulty. The toughest questions, marked in red and pink, were saved in Word files, revisited daily, and mastered over time. Many of these exact concepts appeared in the board exam itself.
Challenges, Faith, and the Power of Support
Despite his disciplined routine, Brian faced significant obstacles. Financial struggles forced him to take tutoring jobs just to sustain his needs. Academically, he started nearly from zero—especially in HPGE and PSAD—and he feared that MSTC, the most challenging subject, would prevent him from reaching topnotcher status.
But the biggest challenge came emotionally. He chose to skip the April 2025 exam after realizing he was not ready—leaving him alone while all his classmates passed.
“I felt back to zero. No classmates, no friends…”
It was during this period that faith carried him through. In Cebu, he found Grace Point Christian Fellowship, a church that supported him through prayer and encouragement. Slowly, he built new friendships, found a new support system, and rediscovered his passion through group studies and teaching fellow reviewees.
Climbing Back Up
With renewed strength, Brian pushed forward. Every struggle, every hard question, every quiet night spent studying became fuel for his momentum. He kept reminding himself:
“One day babangon ako sa kinalalagyan ko ngayon.”
And he did. Not only did he rise—he soared to Top 8 nationwide.
Words of Wisdom for Future Engineers
Brian’s transformative journey has become a guide for aspiring civil engineers. His top advice includes:
1. Put God first.
“Pray, pray, pray.”
2. Never study straight for too long.
Follow the 1 hour study + 30 minutes rest cycle to prevent burnout.
3. Build your personal library of hard questions.
These will sharpen your understanding—and may be the key to topping the exam.
Looking back, he would tell his younger self only one thing:
“Consistency, even if you are alone. Sacrifice today, success later.”
A Message of Hope
To every future civil engineer, Engr. Brian Delatorre leaves a powerful reminder:
“Never Give Up and Keep Moving Forward.
Whatever happens, God never left your side.
Fuel yourself with hope—your victory will come.”
Personal Journey
1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and where you studied?
I’m Brian B. Delatorre from University of Southeastern Philippines. Also I came from Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School in Davao City during Senior High and Felizardo C. Lipana National High School in Bulacan during my Junior High. Mentioning as well where I grow in Sta. Rita Elementary School in Bulacan.
2. When did you start preparing for the board exams?
I start preparing for the board exam last July 2024 online review after I graduated but I am not motivated to study yet so moving forward to Nov 2024 I go to cebu to f2f study.
3. What motivated you to pursue civil engineering and to aim for the top?
Civil Engineering has been my dream ever since elementary. I joined math competitions from elementary to high school. But when college started, I lost motivation because I struggled to study in first year, made many bagsak subjects (3 Failed 4 Drop 1 INC). Since then, I just played games and didn’t mind my grades anymore—not until 3rd year, in Structural Theory, when I failed twice (the reason why I was delayed two years in college). This changed me to reflect and have goals in life so I wouldn’t repeat the same mistakes again. Yes, I got the best scores in class again and continued until I graduated. This fueled me to aim for the top in the board exam. Sabi ko na kaya ko pa to itop, may chance pa ako.
Study Habits and Strategies
1. How did you structure your review (daily routine, schedule, or approach)?
My main routine is when I wake up at 7:30am, I muni-muni for 1 hour and take a bath and eat for 30 minutes. Then I start studying at 9:30am. I do the cycle of 1 hour study and 30 minutes rest interval so that I can process my learnings smoothly without fatigue and sakit sa ulo. This is the reason why I scroll FB reels and YouTube videos or eat my favorite food to increase my dopamine so that when I return to study, I am 100% ready and efficient. This cycle continues until 12am. Then I sleep at 1am (6 hours and 30 minutes is my normal sleep). And I repeat the routine again.
2. What review materials or techniques worked best for you?
I use a laptop all the time when I study. Elite Training from Mega Review made me the most progress in my review and taught me new techniques. Especially Sir Bruce and Sir Angelo. Special mention to Sir Kit as well.
3. How did you handle subjects or topics you found difficult?
I have code colors: green, blue, red, and pink (green means easy, blue means difficult but can solve, red means challenging—need to looksfam, pink means terms). The blue ones will be resolved again one day in my review, and the red ones I always save the questions that I find difficult in Word docs (same goes with terms) and review them day by day until I master them. It’s amazing that I answered most of them during the board exam.
Mindset and Challenges
1. What were the biggest challenges you faced during your review journey?
The biggest challenge I faced during my review is financial—number one—where I needed to do tutor services in order to sustain my needs. Thanks to Mega Review and the Tutorial Center, I am blessed to be part of their scholars.
Second is when I started studying… I really didn’t know HPGE, meaning I started from scratch talaga. My PSAD was not yet fully structured—it needed months of mastery. My MSTC was my baon talaga, but when I found out that the hardest part on trend CE board exam is MSTC, it scared me a lot. What if di ako matop dahil sa MSTC?
During my early review, I always got trapped in questions that intimidated me, making me fear and worry if I can top the board exam.
2. How did you stay motivated and focused despite burnout, pressure, or self-doubt?
When I started studying in Cebu, I first looked for my Church, and I found Grace Point Christian Fellowship. This Church helped me surrender all my weakness, fear, and doubt. They prayed over me during my review and for the board exam.
I stayed motivated because of my family. They are the reason I don’t give up. Mega Review was also there to guide me and motivate me not to worry.
3. Did you ever experience setbacks or low points? How did you bounce back?
Yes, I had my low points in life. All of my classmates took and passed the board exam in April 2025, but I chose to skip the April 2025 exam because I was not ready yet. When all of my classmates returned home, I was left alone with no classmates, no friends, and felt like back to zero review.
But I said to myself that I will never give up. Na one day babangon ako sa kinalalagyan ko now. I prayed a lot during my low times and yes, I gained friends over time, I gained confidence over time, and yes my passion came back—this time through group study and teaching with my co-reviewees here in St. Clair Appartel Cebu City. This fueled me that soon I will achieve my pangarap in life na ma-top sa board exam.
Advice to Future Takers
1. What are your top 3 review tips for future board exam takers?
My top 3 review tips for future board exam takers are:
1. God first at all times—pray, pray, pray.
2. Never ever study straight (like 2 hours straight or 3 hours straight). It will burn you out and make you sick the next day. Just study 1 hour and rest 30 minutes (like TikTok, reels, ML). Repeat the cycle again and again. This cycle is very optimal and one day you will remember all of your review.
3. Make your review very productive by saving all hard questions in a notebook, notes, or Word doc. Because one day these will save you, by remembering all of your hard times—and will be one of the reasons you will pass the board exam or even top it.
2. If you could talk to your “reviewing self” a year ago, what would you say?
I will remind him that the true goal is consistency even if you are alone. Sacrifice today, success later.
3. What mindset should future engineers have as they prepare for the board exam?
My Topnotch mindset for future engineers is perseverance and grit—that you can do it no matter what happens in your life. Give your very best and your best execution in the board exam. The best that even you feel in your soul that you will aim for the top.
4. Any final message to inspire future civil engineers?
My quote “Never Give Up and Keep Moving Forward” is so powerful that whatever happens, do not forget this because God never ever left you by your side. Fuel yourself with hope that one day you will bring victory not just to yourself but to your loved ones as well.