FROM being a student leader, John Lewis Lagaña Pabilona is now a licensed civil engineer who recently ranked fourth in the licensure examination administered by the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC).Pabilona, 23, of Barangay Tangub, earned 92.9 percent rating and was among the 5,836 out of 13,781 who survived the examinations conducted on May 1 to 2, 2022.A graduate of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, Pabilona said he chose the perfect review center in preparation for the examination.“The review center has guided me throughout my journey, and provided and delivered the most effective study materials relevant to the examination,” he said.But engineering was not his first choice as he wanted to pursue Education since he has a passion for teaching.“I do not regret pursuing Civil Engineering and I believe this was actually the best course for me,” Pabilona said, adding that he dedicated his success to everyone who believed he could reach greater heights and to those who tirelessly supported him in any way they could have.Passing the exam was not easy, the new engineer said, saying that procrastination and oversleeping became his greatest challenges.“I bought dozens of books and references with high hopes of finishing them all within four months, yet, I finished only fragments of a few,” he recalled.With his success, he expressed gratitude to UNO-R for the guidance, support, and opportunities it provided him that has ultimately molded him to who he is and what he has reached right now.“To Civil Engineering students, try to invest in yourself as early as now (and) learn skills which are beyond academics and engage in activities which would serve beneficial to you in the future,” he quipped.