"Kasi Board Exam Ang Dapat Matakot Sa Inyo!": How This Shifter Became 1 out of 75 UPLB Passers
Every civil engineering student knows the grueling path to earning those two letters: CE. For Engr. Allyssa Marie D. Dimaano—fondly known as Awy, and one of the 75 proud passers from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in the September 2026 Civil Engineering Licensure Examination (CELE)—the journey was paved with program shifts, thesis backlogs, and a relentless fight against self-doubt. Rather than a perfect, seamless review season, her story is one of relatable struggles and strategic resilience.
Every civil engineering student knows the grueling path to earning those two letters: CE. For Engr. Allyssa Marie D. Dimaano—fondly known as Awy, and one of the 75 proud passers from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in the September 2026 Civil Engineering Licensure Examination (CELE)—the journey was paved with program shifts, thesis backlogs, and a relentless fight against self-doubt.
Rather than a perfect, seamless review season, her story is one of relatable struggles and strategic resilience.
A Dream Worth Shifting For
Engr. Awy didn't start her college life in the engineering department. She spent a year studying BS Computer Science from 2021 to 2022 before making the brave choice to shift.
"I shifted to BSCE because I just can't let go of my dream to become a civil engineer"
she shares.
The transition brought immense challenges, but she leaned into the difficulty. "Civil engineering is not an easy program to take, but I like being challenged," she reflects. "Kahit na ilang beses akong pinaiyak nito at nagkaroon ng doubt sa sarili, alam ko sa sarili ko na gusto ko 'yung ginagawa ko at na-eenjoy ko siya. Ang importante naman kasi ay na-eenjoy mo 'yung ginagawa mo kahit nahihirapan ka."
The Relatable Struggle: Thesis vs. Board Exam Review
Like many recent graduates, Engr. Awy found herself caught in the chaotic overlap between finishing her undergraduate degree and preparing for the board exam. She enrolled in a review center in mid-May, but the true, distraction-free grind didn't begin until July.
"At the start of review, it's really hard to focus since until end of May, inaasikaso ko 'yung thesis ko," she recalls. "
This resulted sa patong patong na backlogs. Kaya rin napilitan ako magpuyat because kailangan ko mahabol mga backlogs ko."
This was a massive adjustment for her, as she was someone who rarely pulled all-nighters during her undergrad years. The exhaustion was real:
"Lagi akong tulog kahit saan, miski sa review center," she admits.
Finding the Right Rhythm
Instead of forcing a routine that didn't work, Engr. Awy listened to her body and pivoted. When her 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM morning review schedule left her too exhausted to absorb information, she made a strategic change.
"Kalagitnaan ng review ay nagpalipat ako from morning to afternoon schedule (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM) kasi gusto ko talaga makinig sa mga lecturers ng review center ko instead of falling asleep sa class,"
she explains.
Her new, highly disciplined routine looked like this:
6:00 AM to 11:00 AM: Answering refresher sets and handouts.
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM: Attending review center classes.
6:00 PM to 10:00 PM: Answering problems from CE Reference Volumes 5 and 6, ensuring she took breaks in between.
Her method for retention was strict but effective.
"I made sure to answer everything without looking at my notes. Also, pomodoro is the key para hindi maburnout,"
she advises. When she hit a wall with difficult subjects, she didn't just memorize formulas. "I focused on understanding again the basics, bago ko ulit balikan 'yung mga topic na nahihirapan ako," she notes.
Bouncing Back from Pre-Board Failures
The review season tests mental fortitude just as much as academic knowledge. Despite her rigorous schedule, Engr. Awy faced a major confidence hurdle:
"For some reason, I did not pass any pre-board exam sa review center," she reveals.
But instead of letting it derail her, she anchored herself to her core purpose.
"I did not let it affect me"
she says, noting that she kept pushing forward with a simple mantra:
"Para sa pamilya, para sa bayan, at para sa sarili."
Words of Wisdom for Future CEs
Looking back, Engr. Awy has a powerful message for examinees who are currently drowning in handouts and anxiety.
"Please don't be so hard on yourself,"
she urges.
"Hindi mo kailangan i-master lahat ng topic kasi sobrang dami non. The importance of reviewing is not to prove perfection, it's to notice that you are growing, learning, and you're not as clueless as yesterday. 'Wag ka rin maguilty if puro tulog ka. It will help you rest your mind para mas makapagreview ka nang maayos."
To those feeling the crushing weight of the upcoming CELE, she leaves behind an iconic piece of advice that perfectly captures the fighting spirit of a true UPLB engineer:
"If natatakot kayo, pwede 'wag? Kasi board exam ang dapat matakot sa inyo! Kidding aside, remember na this is not just about passing the board exam, it's about proving to yourself na kaya mong gawin lahat kahit natatakot ka... Believe in the effort you've put in, and trust that you're more ready than you think. Fighting and good luck, future civil engineers!"
Engr. Allyssa Marie D. Dimaano ranked among the passers of the September 2026 CELE and is the former PICE-ACIP UPLB SC Vice President for Internal Affairs (2025-2026).