An inspiring story of determination. From 75% final grade to Civil Engineering topnotcher. Students, it is not too late for you!
With a whopping rating of 91.55% and landing on the 10th spot on the Civil Engineering Licensure Exam.
One may assume that this topnotcher easily sailed through academics.
However, there's more to him than meets the eye.
Engr. Christopher John Peralta De Vera, known to his friends as "Tope or Toper," hails from Lamut, Ifugao.
Why is this an inspirational story?
- From Laumt Ifugao
- Ranked 10th
- Civil engineering
- Saint Mary's University
- Father died, the sole provider of the family
- Mother, unemployed
- His caregiver aunt is supporting his school fees
- Eats "lugaw" (porrige) to survive
Before setting his foot towards college, he admits that civil engineering was not a course on which he had set his sight.
He was actually contemplating pursuing accountancy.
However, on the day that he enrolled at Saint Mary's University, he paused and thought to himself about what he wanted to be ten years from then.
When he imagined his future self, it made him realize that engineering was really his calling.
So although Tope wanted to become an accountant at first, he ultimately decided to take up civil engineering.
But while he already had a dream course in mind, there were one other hurdle he had to go through – finances.
In his last year of high school, Tope's dad passed away.
The brunt of losing his father only amplified the unfortunate financial situation his family was experiencing.
His mother takes care of the family and is unemployed.
The good thing is that his aunt, who works in the US as a caregiver, paid for his college tuition.
According to him, Tita Lydia continued to stay by his corner until he could accomplish his goals.
With his finances taken care of, Tope was ready to face college.
Just as he expected, the life of an engineering student wasn't all rainbows and roses.
He aimed to be included on the Dean's List during his first year.
But despite his earnest efforts, his grade didn't make the cut.
He let go of his dream of becoming a dean's lister and focused on passing his subjects.
But life really wanted to test Tope's resilience.
He received a final grade of 75 in two other subjects!
Admittedly, he recalls how he was bothered by seeing final grades of 75.
However, he used this experience as a motivating factor to push through, continue and see the bigger picture – passing, graduating on time, and being a full-fledged engineer.
And in June of 2020, he did just that.
He finally graduated and fulfilled the dream of his late dad to finish his studies.
Asked about a tip he could share with his aspiring engineers, Tope was quick to answer, "Enjoy!"
But challenges continue to hound him after graduation.
During his review, financial problems tested him again.
He didn't have enough funds to get him through the days leading up to the board exam.
In fact, he frequently eats adobo with barely a little meat in it and saves it up for lunch and dinner.
There was even a time when the only thing that he could afford was porridge.
Despite these struggles, Tope braved through.
He wouldn't let his growling stomach get in the way of him becoming a licensed engineer.
Unfortunately, things didn't get better for him.
Three weeks before the exam, he fell ill.
He couldn't pick up his notes to study, and the pressure of the nearing exam was making him sicker.
However, Tope knew that there was nothing else he could do but rest and relax his mind.
So that was exactly what he did.
When he finally recovered, he got right back to reviewing and catching up.
In the end, his efforts were rewarded, as on the day of the board exam, Tope found it pretty average.
He, however, was dismayed because plenty of terminologies were included.
But overall, he didn't have a hard time answering the questions in all three subjects.
After the exam, anxiety took over.
Though hopeful, Tope was uncertain if he would top the exam, fearing that he might have missed something.
Or that the difficulty he experienced in the first subject will cause him to fail.
Then shouting and delight were all over their house that 1 am on May 12 as he found out that he had passed the exam.
Excitement, congratulatory messages, and prayers flooded his notifications.
But after 30 minutes, he and his family did not forget to pray.
After that fateful day, opportunities were aplenty for Tope.
Big companies contacted him two days after the release of the results.
Currently, he decided to rest for a while and enjoy his time with his family and friends in his hometown before he works full-time and does his part for the society.
Engineer Christopher John Peralta De Vera is an image of success.
Yet, he has always been more than that.
He is a living testament to life doing its wonders.
An image of steadfastness amid troubles.
Engineer De Vera is not just a man of success.
He is Tope, a dreamer who managed to get through it all.
To know more about Engr. Tope's student life, board exam experience, and more read through his interview with GineersNow.
My Student Life
Why did you choose this course? Who or what was your inspiration?
Civil Engineering was actually NOT my first choice in college.
When I was in high school, I was planning to get a BS in Accountancy as my course.
I can't remember exactly what was the turning point why I took Civil Engineering.
I only remember the moment when I was thinking and imagining what I would look like in the next 10 yrs, and in the end, I enrolled in Civil Engineering in college.
Maybe it's God's plan for me to take Civil Engineering.
