JUSTINE GUARDARIO, who claimed the 8th spot in the recent Civil Engineering board examination, said that he will serve the country.

The new engineer, who was a Department of Science and Technology scholar and who graduated cum laude at the Technological Institute of the Philippines in Quezon City, said he wants to repay those who helped him achieve his dreams.

“I told myself to give back first to those who helped me. I also want to keep training myself to be a good engineer in the field, continue learning, and to serve the community… I prefer to work for the Philippines,” Guardario said.

He said that landing in the top 10 of the exam, taken by 5,887 hopefuls, was a surprise for him and his family.

“I feel super grateful. At first, it was not sinking in because I really did not expect to become a topnotcher. I was just enjoying the review process,” he said.

In college, he was an active member of various student organizations and also taught his fellow students. He was part of an online study group tutorials, teaching math, science and other engineering subjects. This made him consider the possibility of joining the academe as well.

“That’s one of the things I love to do, to teach and offer tutoring services, skills that I developed (with my mentors) in the Math and Physics departments,” he said.

When asked for advice for aspiring engineers, Guardario said that they should enjoy the process of learning and must give their best during the test.

“You really have to prepare for it and believe in yourself,” he said.