0.05 Away From the Top 10, But Exactly Where He Needs to Be: The Story of Engr. Jogendyr Estilore Buyan

When the results of the September 2026 Civil Engineers Licensure Examination were officially released, one score stood out not just for its brilliance, but for the profound lesson behind it: 91.90%.

For most examinees, achieving a score above 90% is a dream milestone. But for Engr. Jogendyr Estilore Buyan, who poured nearly ten full months into preparation, that score came with a bittersweet twist. The cutoff for the coveted Top 10 spot was 91.95%—a difference of just 0.05.

A fraction of a single percentage point. A margin so razor-thin it placed him as the examination's 11th Placer, carrying the weight of a hundred "what-ifs."

Yet, instead of letting that 0.05 define his journey as a disappointment, Engr. Buyan's story has become a powerful testimonial to resilience, gratitude, and the true meaning of success in engineering.

Choosing a Different Timeline

Engr. Buyan's journey began with a bold, difficult choice: while most of his batchmates moved ahead to take the board examination, he made the conscious decision to wait. He extended his review for one more cycle, choosing to give himself more time to learn, build his confidence, and master the material.

That decision ushered in ten grueling months of sacrifice:

• Patience over speed, trusting his own personal timeline rather than rushing to match others.

• Countless sleepless nights, prioritizing problem sets, structural concepts, and review modules over leisure.

• Overcoming self-doubt, choosing discipline every time fatigue set in.

He wasn't just preparing for an exam; he was laying down a permanent foundation for his career.

The Weight of 0.05

When the final results came out, seeing 91.90% brought an undeniable sting. Missing the top rank by just 0.05 was a moment of honest vulnerability. "Ang lapit na..."—a sentiment felt deeply by anyone who has ever poured everything into a single goal only to come up inches short of the spotlight.

"I won't pretend that it didn't hurt. It did," Engr. Buyan shared, acknowledging the disappointment that comes with missing a target after 10 months of total dedication.

But sitting with the results brought a shift in perspective. A test score, no matter how close to perfection, cannot capture the true measure of character:

• It does not measure the days chosen to study through exhaustion.

• It does not measure the mental fortitude built during moments of doubt.

• It does not measure the grit required to score 91.90% in one of the most competitive licensure exams in the country.

"I Missed Top 10 by 0.05, But I Didn't Miss the Dream"

The ultimate takeaway from Engr. Buyan's journey isn't the 0.05 gap—it is the victory that remains.

Ranks and list toppers capture headlines, but the ultimate goal of the board examination has always been the title. That 0.05 difference did not take away the knowledge gained, the character built, or the ultimate achievement: earning the right to put "Engr." before his name.

As the 11th Placer of the September 2026 CELE, he didn't miss the dream. He is officially Engr. Jogendyr Estilore Buyan, Licensed Civil Engineer.

To every aspiring engineer fighting through their own review journey, feeling the pressure of timelines or narrow misses, his story serves as a reminder: Your worth is never defined by a margin. Trust your timeline, honor your efforts, and keep building.