"Do It Scared!": How This Aspiring Architect Learned to Love Civil Engineering and Passed the CELE

Sometimes, the path you didn't choose ends up showing you exactly what you are capable of achieving. For 25-year-old Engr. Vheejay S. Suing, a graduate of the Technological Institute of the Philippines - Quezon City (TIP-QC) and a passer of the September 2026 Civil Engineering Licensure Examination (CELE), the journey to earning his license began with a plot twist.

I never wanted to be a Civil Engineer, I truly wanted to be an Architect but due to circumstances I have no choice but to take Civil Engineering instead

he shares.

Despite the initial reluctance, Engr. Vheejay embraced the detour.

I did not want it at first but I have learned to love it along the way,

he reflects.

This journey taught me a lot of things... it made me discover the things that I’m capable of, that even with challenges I have to be persistent and keep going.

The 8 PM to 2 AM Grind and "PaQuteVeh"

Engr. Vheejay dedicated his life to board exam preparation from May 15 to September 2026. His daily routine required immense discipline: after attending his review center classes, he would study every night from 8:00 PM straight through to 2:00 AM.

To survive this intense schedule, he relied on a mix of conceptual understanding and humor.

• Instead of blindly memorizing, he created funny mnemonics, such as using "PaQuteVeh" to remember the hydrodynamics formula F = ρQva

• He solved countless problems using reference books and review center handouts to build what he calls "muscle memory" for formulas.

• He prioritized mastering the concepts behind the topics rather than just familiarizing himself with specific questions, making new problems much easier to tackle.

• When struggling with a difficult subject, he consistently went back to the basic concepts, watched video tutorials, and practiced on similar problems.

To avoid burnout and maintain his sanity during the grueling four-month review, he made sure to step away from his desk. He recharged by eating, playing video games, and engaging in physical activities like hitting the gym, walking, jogging, and playing basketball.

Overcoming the Heavy Weight of Self-Doubt

Despite his solid study habits, Engr. Vheejay was not immune to the mental toll of the review season.

The biggest challenge I faced was my own self-doubt—the fear that I wouldn't make it and the pressure of worrying that I would disappoint the people who believed in me,

he admits.

There were days when the pressure became too much. During these low points, he allowed himself to feel the weight of the moment.

Sometimes, I let myself cry it out alone, take some time to rest, and then find the strength to continue moving forward,

he says.

He also leaned heavily on his faith in God, and the unwavering love and motivation provided by his older siblings and his girlfriend.

Advice for the Next Batch of Passers

Engr. Vheejay operates on a strict rule of thumb for future takers: review for at least six hours a day, dedicating three hours purely to studying concepts and three hours to practicing problems. Most importantly, he emphasizes the power of prayer and trusting your own pace.

Looking back at his review phase, he recalls the overwhelming anxiety leading up to the exam.

My older siblings even advised me to take it easy and review lightly a week before the exam, but I didn’t listen because I kept thinking that I wasn’t prepared enough,

he shares.

As a result, I ended up exhausting myself, but guess what? I MADE IT ANYWAY!

His final message to future civil engineers perfectly encapsulates the grit required to pass the CELE:

To all future engineers out there, if you ever doubt yourselves or feel like you’re not ready, remember that it’s normal. Just SHOW UP! Do it scared! Do it unprepared! Do it exhausted! Do it stressed! Do it alone! Do it UNDER PRESSURE! Do it no matter how you feel! Your hard work will pay off.