national topnotcher From an average student to a

With perseverance and determination, Engr.

Archigine Agleham Labrador, a graduate of the University of Saint Louis, topped the May 2022 Licensure Examination for Civil Engineers.

In his Facebook post, he stated that his unique name ARCHIGINE was derived from his parents’ professions: his father being an ARCHItect and his mother being an enGINEer, who were also products of USL.

Labrador likewise mentioned that he was never a valedictorian nor graduated cum laude, but he strived hard to achieve his goal despite getting 75 (from 3 subjects) in his Transcript of Record (ToR).

During his college years, he was a dancer who joined different contests in and outside the University.

He shared that before the list of examinees was published, he did not sleep, hoping that the results would be published in the middle of the night. His delight at finding out he had placed first led him straight to his mother’s bedroom, where he proudly informed her of their victory.

Being a top 1, he feels a blend of pride and gratitude, but he has stressed the need for humility which he learned from the University. For him, being top 1 is not only carrying his own name but the schools where he graduated.

He shared in an interview that doubting himself was his major setback prior to the examination. Since he was never a top student, he was skeptical of his chances of passing or even placing in the top 10. Still, by studying diligently and persistently, he managed to create another milestone for the University, community, and his family.

After the examination, Labrador was hopeful to be part of the top 10 since he was confident in the two subjects they had taken. Moreover, this was unsuccessful without his alma mater, USL, which further molded his intellectual ability. A massive salute was given by Labrador to his instructors for providing high-quality education.

Further, he shared that the late Dean of the School of Engineering, Architecture, and Information Technology Education, Engr. Ronald Villaverde, told them that students should make the most out of their stay at the University. He even added that USL really prepared them for the board exam since the quizzes and exams given by the University were more challenging compared to the actual licensure examination.

Having a sense of fulfillment in sharing knowledge with others, Labrador said that he eyes to open a review center in Tuguegarao City for Civil Engineers. He inspired everyone by saying that you do not lose if you’re the one who is learning and absorbing what instructors teach.

From his stories of low and high, Labrador enlivens that setbacks are just stepping stones to great things. USLWB