While pursuing his civil engineering degree, Jude Bernard V. Miñoza faced a fire that destroyed family belongings, forced them to relocate, and disrupted his studies. Despite financial pressures that led him to tutor mathematics, the 23-year-old Cebu Institute of Technology – University (CIT-U) graduate topped the September 2026 Civil Engineers Licensure Examination with a 93.95% rating.
Miñoza ranked first among 17,062 examinees, of whom 6,337 passed. The Oct. 2 results made him CIT-U’s 97th first placer, months after graduating summa cum laude in May.
The fire destroyed money, identification cards, books, and school supplies, forcing his family to rebuild elsewhere. A DOST (DOST) scholar, Miñoza supplemented his allowance by tutoring college mathematics and accepting occasional online commissions.
His parents’ sacrifices strengthened his determination, especially after his older sister had to stop studying because of health circumstances. He eventually became the first among his siblings to finish college.
His preparation began long before formal review classes. He won CIT-U’s Mathematician of the Year competition in 2024, joined championship teams in intercollegiate mathematics contests, and practiced previous board examination questions.
Despite his academic achievements, Miñoza struggled with difficult engineering concepts, exhaustion, and self-doubt. He credited consistent practice, adequate rest, and guidance from professors and MegaReview instructors for his progress.
On Oct. 2, his younger brother woke him with news that he had ranked first nationwide. Miñoza initially suspected a prank until he verified his name on the Professional Regulation Commission’s official results.
“I struggled too. I doubted myself too. I got tired too. There were times when I had to stop and start again,”
Miñoza said, encouraging students facing academic difficulties to remain patient with their progress.
He dedicated his achievement to his family, teachers, friends, and mentors, emphasizing that progress takes consistency, guidance, and perseverance.
