MANILA, Philippines – Some dreams refuse to fade with time, and for Paul Jonathan Rafin Tumaneng, the dream of becoming a civil engineer patiently waited for 26 years before finally becoming reality at the age of 48.
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| Photo courtesy: Paul Jonathan Rafin Tumaneng |
Born and raised in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Tumaneng first stepped into the engineering profession through Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE) at Mapua Institute of Technology, a course he chose not because it was his lifelong passion but because it was the most practical choice at the time.
“I chose BSECE because it was in demand then,” he shared, “but my dream has always been to become a licensed civil engineer.”
In an exclusive interview, Tumaneng shared his story with The Summit Express, opening up about his long journey of sacrifice, perseverance, and rediscovered purpose.
His dedication to academics quickly became evident when he took the April 2000 Electronics and Communications Engineering Licensure Examination (ECELE) and achieved an impressive national ranking, placing Top 9 among thousands of examinees.
The achievement opened doors to a stable professional career, eventually leading him to work abroad as a network engineer where he spent 16 years building a life, supporting his family, and gaining valuable experience in the global workforce.
Despite professional success, the dream he once set aside quietly lingered in his heart, waiting for the right moment to be pursued again.
After the passing of his parents, Tumaneng made a life-changing decision to retire early from overseas work and finally pursue the childhood dream he had postponed for decades.
He enrolled in the Civil Engineering program at Northwestern University in Laoag City, beginning a second academic journey that required both humility and courage.
Returning to school after many years proved challenging as he had to deal with outdated credentials, adapt to a modern academic system, and accept the unique role of being the “kuya” of the class as the oldest student in the batch.
“I had to adjust to a new school schedule and the reality that I was the oldest among my classmates,” he recalled, embracing the experience with determination and humility.
Preparing for the Civil Engineering Licensure Examination required intense discipline as he took online courses, relied on self-study during his final year, and even isolated himself from family for three months to focus entirely on his review.
“The biggest challenge was the feeling that there was never enough time to cover all the topics,” he admitted, describing the pressure and commitment required to succeed.
When the results of the March 2026 Civil Engineering Licensure Examination (CELE) were released and his name appeared among the passers, the moment was both quiet and profound.
“I made a quick prayer of gratitude, sighed in relief, and hugged my wife and son,” he said, savoring the long-awaited milestone that completed a journey more than two decades in the making.
Now a licensed civil engineer with plans to teach in the future, Tumaneng hopes his story will inspire others to pursue their own dreams regardless of age or circumstance.
“Dreams do not expire; they awaken the moment you decide to pursue them.”— The Summit Express
