In a stunning triumph of dedication and perseverance, Engr. Godfrey Queron Correa emerged as the topnotcher in the November 2023 Civil Engineers Licensure Examination (CELE), clinching the coveted first rank with an impressive 93.60 percentage rating. Despite the seemingly insurmountable challenges of the examination, Correa’s unwavering commitment to excellence propelled him to the forefront of success.
It was also a stunning feat for the Palawan State University under the administration of Dr. Ramon M. Docto and the Department of Civil Engineering, the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology led by the Dean, the faculty, staff and other faculty from the service colleges.
Engr. Correa is a proud product of Palaweño public school system having graduated from Sta. Monica Elementary School, Palawan National School, Palawan State University Laboratory Senior High School. Proof that quality education can be garnered from the schools where most of the local students go to with their diligent and dedicated teachers and administrators. It gives pride and hope to thousands of Palaweños.
Like many of his fellow examinees, Correa who graduated Magna Cum Laude, experienced moments of doubt in the lead-up to the licensure examination. A conversation snippet shared by his friend and mentor, Engineer Daniel James Molina, shed light on Correa’s initial uncertainty. “’Di ata kaya master AHHAHAH. Feel ko pangit performance ko,” Correa confided to Molina in a chat, expressing the common anxieties shared by candidates facing a rigorous professional examination.
Molina, a trusted friend and mentor to Correa since 2020, humorously recounted their exchange, highlighting the camaraderie between the two. “Inexpect ko na po na magta-top 1 siya base pa lang sa mga updates niya po sa akin. Masipag po talaga siyang mag-aral. At napapansin ko rin po na gusto niya talagang magtake ng board exam with flying colors,” Molina shared in an interview with The Philippine STAR. Despite Correa’s self-doubts, Molina, having ranked fourth in the November 2021 Civil Engineer Licensure Examination himself, never doubted his friend’s capabilities.
Correa’s exceptional performance, with a remarkable rating of 93.60 percent, positioned him as the frontrunner among the 6,180 successful civil engineering examinees who passed the licensure exam. His achievement not only underscores his personal triumph but also stands as a testament to the power of dedication, hard work, and the support of a strong network of mentors and friends.
In an exclusive interview with The STAR and we quote here, Correa shared the exhilarating moment of discovering the results of the CELE. “Saktong paggising ko po mga five mins pa lang bago lumabas ‘yong result then pagtingin ko napa-‘Hoy top 1 ako, hala top 1 ako’ ‘yon po. Nasigaw ko then ‘yong kadorm ko rin nu’ng makita namin na pumasa siya ay napasigaw at tumalon kami sa tuwa,” he recounted, capturing the raw emotion of achieving a lifelong dream.
Correa’s journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring engineers and underscores the importance of resilience and self-belief in the pursuit of professional excellence. As he takes his place at the pinnacle of success, Engr. Godfrey Queron Correa stands as a beacon of hope for those navigating the challenging path of licensure examinations, proving that with determination, even the most daunting doubts can be overcome.
The Palawan State University is due to award Engr. Correa an incentive amounting to P80,000 as a Rank 1 in the Board.
Credits and excerpts from The Philippine Star reports and FB Page of Engr. Godfrey Queron Correa
