MANILA, Philippines – Three board examinations. Three Top 10 finishes. One unwavering commitment to excellence that transformed a Cebuano engineer into a rare triple board topnotcher.
Engr. Carlo B. Galicia, a 30-year-old engineer and educator from Talisay City, Cebu, achieved the distinction after placing second in the July 2026 Master Plumbers Licensure Examination (MPLE) with an outstanding 91.10 percent rating.
With the latest result, Galicia completed a rare distinction by finishing in the Top 10 of three different licensure examinations over nine years.
His remarkable journey began in May 2017 when he placed ninth in the Chemical Engineer Licensure Examination with an 82.10 percent rating.
He returned to the list of top examinees six years later after placing 10th in the September 2023 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LET) with a 92.80 percent rating.
His second-place finish in the July 2026 Master Plumbers Licensure Examination completed an extraordinary three-exam journey spanning engineering, education, and plumbing.
While many would consider such achievements the pinnacle of success, Galicia sees them as blessings rather than personal triumphs.
"It's a blessing, and regardless of what place you get, it's something extra that has been given to you," Galicia said in an interview with CDN Digital.
"For me, that's already something to be deeply grateful for," he added.
Instead of allowing his accomplishments to define him, Galicia said they constantly remind him that there is always room to grow.
"It's really very humbling to know that you did that well," he said.
"But there are still so many things I have yet to learn and so many skills I have yet to master. I think that's what keeps me grounded."
That same mindset guides him inside the classroom, where he teaches Senior High School students at Talisay City National High School while also handling master's level classes at Cebu Institute of Technology-University.
His journey has become a powerful lesson for his students that learning does not end after earning a degree, passing a board examination, or achieving professional success.
Cebu Institute of Technology-University celebrated its alumnus, saying his achievement reflects the discipline, perseverance, and commitment to continuous learning that continue to shape generations of Teknoys.
The university also praised Galicia for pursuing mastery with humility and inspiring others to aim higher through his example.
Galicia's story is a compelling reminder that lasting success is not measured by how many times you reach the Top 10, but by the humility to keep learning, the discipline to keep improving, and the perseverance to pursue excellence throughout life's journey.
— The Summit Express
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