Monday, March 03, 2008 View from the Top By Arch’t. Karl A.E.F. Cabilao, UAP
WHEN one sets foot on top of a mountain, the view before him is almost infinite.
This seems to be what two Cebuanos felt recently after taking the top positions in the January 2008 Architects Licensure Examination held in Manila. The two architecture, graduates of the University of San Carlos, are Junel Villanueva and Roden Adam Abella. They copped second and fouth places, respectively. And the opportunities are beginning to appear before them like stars glittering in the night sky.
Both Junel and Roden are willing to take things nice and slowly. Junel is currently working in the family office. Roden is employed under an architectural firm as a computer-aided design (CAD) draftsman. However, if door toward working abroad should open, it was the fourth placer who expressed willingness to take the break. “I would like to work abroad if given the chance. One of our reviewers advised us to be open for opportunities overseas so when we get back home after a few years, establishing our own practice would be easier,” Roden says.
On the other hand, Junel considers overseas employment as a “last option.” So far, he’s keeping himself busy working with his sibling on some projects here and in his hometown, Dipolog.
When the results were released via Internet early February, almost every one (including them) was pleasantly surprised. During the day the results came out, Junel received countless text messages of congratulations (for being No. 2) from friends. But it took him long before he finally believed in them.
Roden, for his part, also found the news about being No. 4, surreal. Well, who would ever think two “low-profile and average students” (as they consider themselves) like them would be among the top five board passers—they surmised!
While their families and friends rejoiced, it took quite some time for reality to finally sink in.
They both agree that this only shows that in achieving success, it is anybody’s ballgame. As long as one works hard and prays equally hard, good things are sure to come. They also found useful during their exam preparations, the training that they got from their mentors in college.
“The discipline that our teachers gave, us especially during our final year in college, really helped a lot during the exams,” reveals Junel.
These two young architects are indeed enjoying the view from the top. But they both know that they cannot just rest on their laurels.
They are determined to use this rare feat of theirs to erect a bright future ahead in their chosen profession.
