When people talk of the best and leading universities in the country, Manuel Luis Quezon University is right up there with the usual names on the list.
For the last decade, MLQU has stood out like a sturdy brick and mortar tower while silently producing graduates who excel in government, public service and other vocations and industries. They are the same unheralded graduates who have topped bar exams and other government licensure tests.
Now under fresh management after it was acquired by New San Jose Builders Inc. (NSJBI), MLQU and its new leadership headed by its president, Dr. Isagani Germar, believes it is time the school restores its old glory and academic ascendency, and give recognition to whom it is due.
“The MLQU has a rich history of excellence, and under the new management we felt like we need to bring back the glory to our campus once again, just like an old song that says ‘We can make it happen, happen again, we can make it, we can make it again,’” Germar stressed.
Results of last year’s licensure examinations for Civil Engineering highlighted the university’s resolve to bring pride to the institution, as two Quezonians placed in the top 10.
In simple ceremonies, MLQU feted board passers Archimedes Martinez, who was eighth with a 92.65 percent average, and Raphael Pedroso, whose grade of 93.25 percent was the third-highest but was not considered official based on the Professional Regulation Commission’s “retakers” ruling.
The school rewarded Martinez with P1 million for the honor he brought the school, while Pedroso received P50,000.
MLQU officials said this is just the start of a long journey of its students toward excellence and success, and the school is committed to helping them reach their dreams.
During the same event, MLQU also recognized recent graduates from its law school and school of accountancy who passed the bar and board exams this year.
The university is also beefing up its faculty with educators of highest qualifications and integrity while improving its facilities and constantly innovating.
Futures at stake
Both topnotchers had interesting stories to share that night, as they revealed the challenges, struggles and “demons” they needed to conquer to reach that moment of success in their lives.
Martinez, who hails from Cagayan Valley, was a typical student—a carefree and negligent young adult who thought he had all the time in the world.
Martinez’s father had little faith in him, thinking that he would not take his studies seriously. For a moment he was right, as “Archie,” as he’s known to friends, found himself in a bit of trouble on his second year.
Martinez later found himself hooked on gambling, after friends introduced him to glitzy casinos and online bingo joints all over the city.
Entering his third year, Martinez had to quit school, as he gambled away the money meant for his tuition fees. For some time, he managed to pretend to be enrolled, but his sister later found out the truth. He had no choice but to abide his father’s order to return to the province and live there.
His long sabbatical made Martinez realize that life is no gamble. He feared winding up like his childhood friends, who labored so hard because they chose not to finish school.
So after a year, Martinez was able to convince his father that he really wanted to earn a degree in Civil Engineering. He returned to MLQU and vowed to finish what he started.
When asked if he knew he could pass the board exams, Martinez gave a confident answer. “I knew from the start that I will pass it, but I never expected to be in the top 10.”
Out of 6,998 examinees last year, only 2,514 passed, and Martinez and Pedroso hurdled the test with flying colors.
The two credited their professors and the school for equipping them with the right teaching, motivation, environment, and facilities they needed to succeed in the board exams.
“Aside from long hours of review, our professors have inspired us so much, they have given us all the instruction and pieces of advice. In the process, they have become our idols, because they are accomplished people in our society, and we thank MLQU for making sure that we were in good company,” Martinez said.
Both topnotchers had no clue MLQU was giving them a reward, and they claimed it would be another surprise for their parents who also, played big roles in their success.