Living with Spina Bifida, Rising as a Licensed Civil Engineer: Engr. Wilson Bryan Regalado’s CELE Journey

From the halls of University of the East – Caloocan to becoming a Registered Civil Engineer, Engr. Wilson Bryan Regalado’s story is one of resilience, determination, and unwavering faith.

Engr. Wilson’s journey was far from ordinary. Born with Spina Bifida (Lipomyelomeningocele), he faced lifelong challenges — neurological symptoms, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and loss of sensation in parts of his body. Even after surgery, these conditions persisted. Yet, instead of letting these obstacles define him, Engr. Wilson chose to rise above them.

Despite physical limitations, Wilson walked, strengthened himself, and pursued his dream of becoming a civil engineer. His motivation? Family, Humanity, and Environment. With his knowledge, he aims to design safe homes for families, create sustainable innovations, and build structures that serve communities.

The road wasn’t easy. Financial worries, slow learning, and repeated setbacks tested his resolve. There were moments of self-doubt and thoughts of giving up. But Wilson embraced a powerful mindset:
“Omne initium difficile est” – Every beginning is difficult.

He reframed failures as opportunities, adjusted his study system, and leaned on faith, friends, and mentors. After three attempts, November 2025 marked his triumph - earning the title Registered Civil Engineer.

Wilson’s advice to future engineers:

“Struggle doesn’t mean you’re weak; it makes you strong. Build your system for success—not just for the exam, but for life. Stay unshaken, keep your spirit sharp, and move ahead with unstoppable determination.”

His story reminds us that growth may be challenging, but every step forward brings us closer to the success we’re building.

ENGR. WILSON BRYAN H. REGALADO

UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST – CALOOCAN

2nd Runner-Up, Executive’s Challenge XVI, A National CAD Design and 3D Modeling Contest. March 13, 2021

Personal Journey

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and where you studied?

I am Wilson Bryan Regalado, a former Multimedia Head of Inhinyerong Sibil and a Registered Civil Engineer on the month of November 2025 on my 3rd Take. I studied Civil Engineering in University of the East – Caloocan Campus.

I was inborn, raised with a condition of Spina Bifida – specifically Lipomyelomeningocele. On this condition, hindi completely na nadeveloped yung spine ko sa lower part niya, in which may naform na fatty mass na nakadikit sa nerve ko, causing to stretch over time leading sa neurological symptoms which are: bladder and bowel dysfunction in which parati ako gumagamit ng diaper, and loss of sensation around buttocks and hamstrings. And even after my surgery which is tinanggal yung fats around the nerve, yung symptoms ko is still there like dala ko na siya in my entire life.

Other people having this condition, may difficulties sila in walking, to me is the opposite yet continuing to improve after surgery. Nakakalakad naman ako during my childhood until today but it requires strengthening in order na maging normal ang lakad ko.

2. What motivated you to pursue civil engineering?

- Three words: Family, Humanity and Environment.

- With my knowledge and continuous learning in my Discipline Civil Engineering, I will:

o Design a House for my Family.

o Help people to have Safer Homes and Infrastructures.

o Creating Innovation that is Affordable, Sustainable, and Structurally Safe for the World

Mindset and Challenges

1. What were the biggest challenges you faced during your student journey?

- During my college days, it is my thought where in financial kapag hindi ko napasa siya, masasayang yung pera dahil itatake ko siya ulit.

- Being a Slow learner in absorbing the concepts/topics

2. How did you stay motivated and focused despite burnout, pressure, or self-doubt?

- During nung nagrereview ako, I kept in my mind yung latin quote na “omne initium difficile est” which means Every Beginning is Difficult. I know to myself na nasa beginning phase pa lang ako in going to be a Professional.

3. Did you ever experience setbacks or low points? How did you bounce back?

- My setbacks or low point ko in my journey was treating mistakes/failures as a negative one. At that point, doon ako nagkakaroon ng self-doubts especially when it comes sa performance ko sa pagrereview. Always get low grade sa mga test, covering a topic na ina-abot ako ng 3-4 days yet hindi gaano absorbed because of the system na ina-aaply ko and sometimes there’s a thought of giving up.

- But whenever there’s an exposure nung mga mistakes/failures, I reflect myself on what are the things na kailangan ko ma-improve without a sense of emotional judgment. With my advises from my Friends, Colleague and Instructors, I turned mistakes/failures as an opportunity to learn and grow.

- Ina-adjust ko yung system ko kapag nagrereview, and having mindfulness when negative thought arises like in my experience: reframing thoughts, rest and having connection with God in difficult times.

- Growth may be challenging, but every step forward brings me closer to the success I’m building.

Advice to Future Civil Engineering students

1. If you could talk to your “student self” a year ago, what would you say?

- Wilson, I know it is hard to achieve on the things you want. Struggle doesn’t mean you’re weak, it makes you strong. If you’re tired, take rest, play some games for a moment.

2. Any final message to inspire future civil engineers?

- To students and takers, start build your system towards success not just only for the Exam, but also for your long-term success/achievement.

- Stay unshaken, keep your spirit sharp, and move ahead with unstoppable determination.