MANILA, Philippines – At just 22 years old, Axle Jacob Rodelas Parales of Pinagkawitan, Lipa City, Batangas has already carved a story of resilience that inspires far beyond the walls of Batangas State University (BatSU) – Alangilan.
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| Photo courtesy: Konsehala/Bokala Venice Manalo/BatSU/Facebook |
A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Axle recently secured 3rd place nationwide in the Naval Architect Licensure Examination, a triumph built on faith, sacrifice, and unrelenting perseverance.
Based on The Summit Express exclusive interview, Axle did not begin his college journey with certainty.
His original dream was to become a seaman, but financial limitations led him to an unfamiliar course that blended engineering and architecture. Despite struggling with math and drawing at first, he embraced the challenge with a personal promise to improve. That leap of faith changed his life.
College was marked by hardship. Living in a dorm with limited resources, Axle often survived on cheap meals: pritong bangus na sitsirya, instant coffee, and a single can of sardines stretched through the day.
To earn extra money, he washed dishes at a nearby lugawan each morning for months. Through scholarships, small sidelines, and the steady support of his family, he endured.
“During my college days, things were never easy, I had to live in a dorm, which wasn’t an easy decision since we weren’t well-off financially. To survive, bumibili ako tig 7 pesos na ‘Pritong Bangus na sitsirya’ at kapeng panulak para masabi lang na kumain.”
“Most of the time, umaasa din ako sa isang delata na ‘555 Afritada’ na dapat kumasya sa buong araw. Araw-araw puyat, pagod ang katawan at utak sa pag aaral kasabay na ang pagtitiis sa napakabagal kong laptop.”
“Luckily, may kapitbahay kami sa dorm na nagtitinda ng lugaw, so I asked if I could wash dishes and utensils they used for selling. For several months, gumigising ako maaga to earn 150 pesos for two hours of washing every day, which helped me save a little.”
“My mother raised me to be wise with money, so through saving, doing side hustles, and maintaining my grades to keep my scholarships, I was able to survive college despite all the challenges.”
“And I’m deeply grateful to my father and brother, who never failed to sincerely give me an allowance whenever they could,” he shared.
His board exam journey was equally demanding, financially and physically. He studied nearly 16 books, endured exhausting review sessions, and faced three grueling exam days.
Yet, he anchored everything on faith, discipline, and balance across subjects rather than mastering just one.
When he learned he had passed, and even topnotched the board exam, Axle’s joy was rooted in family. His father could finally rest, his brother could start saving, and his mother could enjoy the peace she long deserved.
As he now searches for work, Axle holds fast to the faith that carried him through. His message to future board takers is simple but powerful.
“For those who want to take the board exam, all I can say is believe and trust in the Lord, and be responsible and diligent in your studies.”
“Stay focused and create your own study schedule. I was someone who used to have the lowest grade in school, but I made it, so you can too,” he said.
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express