MANILA, Philippines – What started as a simple goal to make it to the Top 10 turned into an unexpected first-place finish for 23-year-old Laurence Jazzel Mendoza in the August 2026 Sanitary Engineering Licensure Examination.
A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Sanitary Engineering from Mapúa University, Mendoza emerged as the No. 1 placer in the licensure examination, adding another milestone to his academic journey after graduating Cum Laude.
In an exclusive interview with The Summit Express, Mendoza shared that he initially dreamed of becoming a doctor. His career path changed when he discovered Environmental and Sanitary Engineering during senior high school and eventually developed a genuine interest in protecting the environment.
His journey toward the licensure examination was not without challenges. One of the biggest hurdles he faced in college was keeping up with academic demands while completing their thesis, which took nearly a year.
During his board review, he had to deal with pressure and fatigue. Instead of pushing himself to the point of burnout, he focused on maintaining discipline while making time for adequate rest.
His typical review routine involved studying for around five hours before attending evening review sessions from 6 to 9 p.m. He also reserved Fridays as a complete rest day.
Mendoza said he initially only hoped to land somewhere in the Top 10. He was particularly motivated to prove that graduates of Environmental and Sanitary Engineering could also compete among the top performers, especially after noticing that many previous top placers were civil engineers who also took up Sanitary Engineering.
When the results were released, he checked the Top 10 list first.
Seeing his name at the very top left him surprised.
His initial reaction was relief after an exhausting review period, followed by happiness and gratitude when he realized he had placed first.
Now a licensed sanitary engineer, Mendoza hopes to gain industry experience and continue learning beyond the classroom, particularly in environmental and sustainability-related work.
“I want to gain actual industry experience and continue learning outside the classroom. I’m particularly interested in environmental and sustainability-related work where I can apply what I learned while developing myself as a professional,” he explained.
His advice to future board exam takers is simple: “Be consistent, but don’t forget to rest. There will be days when you feel like you’re not learning enough, but trust the process, focus on what you can improve each day, and remember that rest is also part of preparation.”
For Mendoza, his achievement is more than a ranking—it is proof that it is possible to dream big, work hard and still be pleasantly surprised by what comes next.
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
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