MANILA, Philippines — Marc Zendrijk V. Pasumbal has achieved a rare double topnotcher feat in 2026, ranking No. 1 in the March Civil Engineers Licensure Examination (CELE) before placing No. 2 in the August Sanitary Engineers Computer-Based Licensure Examination (SECBLE).
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| Photo courtesy: Marc Zendrijk V. Pasumbal |
The 23-year-old engineer topped the March 2026 CELE with an impressive 94.10% rating and, just months later, secured the second-highest spot in the August 2026 SECBLE with an 87.35% rating.
In an exclusive interview with The Summit Express, Pasumbal shared his journey from earning two engineering degrees at Mapúa University to becoming a double topnotcher in two different engineering licensure examinations in the same year.
A native of Pinagkurusan, Alitagtag, Batangas, Pasumbal earned two engineering degrees from Mapúa University: a BS Civil Engineering specializing in Structural Engineering and a BS Environmental and Sanitary Engineering.
He graduated Magna Cum Laude in both programs and was also a Gold Medalist or Batch Rank 1.
Beyond his academic achievements, Pasumbal also excelled in engineering competitions, winning the Executives' Challenge XX and finishing 1st Runner-Up in the 9th Annual Intercollegiate Aggregates Quiz and the 39th National Civil Engineering Students' Quiz Grand Finals.
He also earned 2nd Runner-Up finishes in the 39th National Civil Engineering Students' Quiz NCR Region and 8th StructWhiz Challenge, while reaching the finals of several other national and regional engineering competitions.
Pasumbal said becoming an engineer had always been a dream, although he initially did not know which engineering field he wanted to pursue.
His interest eventually leaned toward Civil Engineering because of his fascination with buildings and curiosity about how structures are constructed. He also chose to pursue Environmental and Sanitary Engineering because he believed the two fields complemented each other.
Overcoming challenges
His journey, however, was not without challenges.
One of his biggest struggles was overcoming procrastination and his tendency to spend too much time on social media. Rather than trying to completely eliminate these habits, he learned to incorporate them into his routine as intentional periods of rest, which helped him avoid unnecessary guilt.
For his Civil Engineering board exam preparation, Pasumbal used techniques such as a Formula+Concept Outline Notebook, Quizlet flashcards, and spaced repetition. He also devoted more time to topics he found difficult or challenging.
When the CELE results were released, Pasumbal was actually asleep. His phone was on silent, and he had no one around to immediately wake him.
Upon checking Facebook after waking up, he saw the list of topnotchers and immediately spotted his name beside “Top 1.”
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| Photo courtesy: Marc Zendrijk V. Pasumbal |
Instead of screaming or jumping for joy, he said he was simply speechless.
The thought that immediately came to mind was: “I actually did it.”
From CELE Top 1 to SECBLE Top 2
But Pasumbal's journey as a topnotcher did not end with the CELE.
After the Civil Engineering board exam, Pasumbal took a few months to rest before beginning his preparation for the August 2026 Sanitary Engineers Computer-Based Licensure Examination.
This time, however, his mindset was different. He no longer felt the pressure to top the exam and initially viewed passing as his main goal.
Despite having an inconsistent review schedule and days when he did not feel like studying, he pushed himself to attend face-to-face review classes.
When the August 2026 SECBLE results were released, Pasumbal once again saw his name among the topnotchers—this time at No. 2 with an 87.35% rating.
The second achievement became even more meaningful for Pasumbal as several of his friends and fellow Mapúans also made it to the list of topnotchers.
He described the experience as particularly fulfilling because he was able to share the achievement with people who had been part of his journey.
What's next for Pasumbal?
Pasumbal has since begun working as a Structural Engineer at BG&E, where he started on September 28, 2026.
He hopes to continue developing his skills and establish himself as a competent structural engineer. He also plans to share his knowledge and experience as a part-time lecturer in the future.
For aspiring board exam takers, his message is simple: do not expect every day to be perfect.
“Make the most out of your board exam preparation journey because this is a significant phase of your life that will not just give you the title of ‘Engr.’ but will also shape and hone you into becoming a competent professional who is ready to transition into the real world,” he said.
“Also, not every day will be perfect, and there will be days when you simply will not feel like doing anything. This is perfectly fine because taking proper rests along the way is also part of the journey,” he added.
Congratulations, Engr. Marc!
— The Summit Express
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