From "Dark Horse" to Top 3: How Engr. Ericson Abalos Built His Road to the September 2026 CELE Topnotcher Spot

When the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) released the September 2026 Civil Engineers Licensure Examination (CELE) results, the list of topnotchers featured a story that proves academic titles in college do not define an engineer's ultimate destination. Among the thousands who took the test, Engr. Ericson Abalos of PHINMA University of Pangasinan secured the Top 3 rank nationwide.

His journey is not one of effortless genius, but rather a masterclass in curiosity, relentless volume, and radical consistency.

1. Starting Behind the Baseline

Engr. Abalos freely describes his college self as a "typical student without any honors," facing failing marks and acknowledging that he was never a naturally fast learner. His entry into civil engineering wasn't even his first independent choice—math was his passion, and accountancy was on his radar, but he heeded his parents' encouragement to pursue civil engineering.

When official board preparation began in April 2026, he moved to Manila for six months of full-time review. Living away from home for the first time meant adjusting to independence while fighting self-doubt.

2. The Blueprint for Consistency: Strategy & Discipline

Rather than relying on passive reading or memorization, Engr. Abalos structured his preparation around actionable strategies:

• Volume and Focus: He prioritized solving a massive volume of practice problems daily, using the Pomodoro technique to curb phone distractions and maintain sharp focus blocks.

• Active Support Circles: He relied heavily on study partners, using mutual quizzing and explanations to solidify complex structural concepts.

• Relentless Clarification: Refusing to leave any topic unclear, he intentionally sat right beside the classroom door so he could immediately approach instructors after lectures.

3. Turning Setbacks into Momentum

Even during the review period, success didn't come immediately. When he missed the top ranking list during his first pre-board examination, he used the initial disappointment as fuel to work harder, stay curious, and refine his mastery of fundamental concepts. Driven by thoughts of his family's sacrifices, he maintained discipline through burnout.

I was once just an ordinary student who wasn't on anyone's radar, but consistency, curiosity, and grit changed everything. If a dark horse like me can reach the top, you are more than capable of doing it too." — Engr. Ericson Abalos, Top 3 (September 2026 CELE)

4. Advice for Future Engineers

Engr. Abalos shares three core principles for future board exam examinees:

1. Stay Relentlessly Curious: Avoid superficial answers or formula memorization; always ask why and how.

2. Choose the Right Circle: Surround yourself with peers who challenge, test, and uplift you.

3. Compete Only with Yourself: Focus entirely on being better today than you were yesterday, without comparing your timeline to others.

Padayon, Future Engineers!