LESTER Corpin Toledo thought of his late father when he decided to take up mechanical engineering at the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U).
The 21-year-old native of Biliran Province said his father, a public school teacher, served as his inspiration to pursue the course.
Two years after his father’s death, Toledo topped the August 2019 Mechanical Engineering Exams with a rating of 94.65 percent.
Aside from Toledo, fellow CIT-U graduates Reginald Luther Sinay, Noel Christian Dela Cerna and Damacino Sarte Jr. also ranked third, seventh and 10th in the board exams, respectively.
“I am very overwhelmed by the results! Although I hoped to be part of the top 10, I really did not expect to emerge on top, considering the level of difficulty of the board examination. I am just so happy and thankful for this wonderful blessing,” Toledo told Superbalita Cebu on Saturday, Aug 31, 2019.
Toledo said mechanical engineering was not his first choice.
“Back then, I really wanted to become a lawyer. It was only in high school when I was inspired to pursue engineering when my brother enrolled in a civil engineering program. I knew I wanted to pursue engineering, but I was not planning to really pursue mechanical engineering. I think it was just a quick decision that I had to make during enrollment (which is common for freshmen) and I just had to love what I chose to pursue,” Toledo said.
Toledo is the youngest of three children. His brother is an engineer, while his sister is a registered nurse. Their mother is a housewife.
Although he lost his father in 2017, he strove harder for his mother and siblings.
The CIT-U will recognize Toledo and his fellow topnotchers next week.
Though he has yet to receive any job offers, Toledo said he plans to secure a consultancy job in research and development.
Toledo urged aspiring engineers to work hard for what they want in life.
“Hard work beats talent! Always strive to be better every day by studying wisely. It is always the ones who strive harder who make history,” Toledo said. (FROM HBL OF SUPERBALITA CEBU / JKV )