He walks to work to save money for his review tops the engineering board.
Imagine getting to work sweating because of having to walk 30 minutes to get there?
For Engineer Ralph Tusoy Ecat, walking 30 minutes to work to save for his review is nothing compared to the delight of passing.
And destiny never denies resilient individuals, as he ranked 4th in the 2022 Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam.
He scored a mark of 94.80%.
Summary of Inspirational Story
- Ranked 4th (94.80%)
- Mechanical Engineer
- Parents are farmers
- Scholar of DOST
- Bohol Island State University
- He walks 30 minutes every day to save money
- Working at a machine shop
Since Ralph’s grade school years, he has always shown an interest in science and technology.
He was so intrigued about the universe and how everything came to be.
One question he remembers asking himself is, “Why is an iron flying in the sky?” (He was referring to an airplane.)
And though he labeled it as part of his silly childhood questions, this was the main reason why he chose Mechanical Engineering.
He wanted to satisfy the curiosity of the kid inside him.
For Rap, taking Mechanical Engineering is not just a noble decision but the fulfillment of his childhood whim.
However, he also knew that studying engineering isn’t a small feat money-wise.
Their household budget, which his farmer’s parents largely finance, would be severely compromised.
But Rap was not one to give up easily.
He was already set on becoming a mechanical engineer and would do everything in his power to reach that goal.
So while still in high school, he started looking for scholarships that would help him out in college.
Fortunately, he came across the DOST-SEI scholarship and managed to pass the exam.
His parents were so proud and happy when he was awarded the scholarship, which meant they wouldn’t have to worry about getting him through college anymore.
Armed with this generous financial aid, Rap enrolled in his dream course at Bohol Island State University. And it was everything he thought it would be.
For the first two years of his college life, things were going great for him.
He was enjoying his subjects, mainly College Physics, Engineering Mechanics, Trigonometry, and Solid Mensuration.
He even made it to the dean’s list!
It was safe to say that Rap enjoyed college for the first few years.
But he wasn’t without academic struggles.
His grades weren’t really of flying colors.
He even had the experience of getting a 3.0 in one subject.
He deemed himself a “typical engineering student” who would get average grades.
Despite this, on May 20, 2020, he finally graduated college.
And if there is one piece of advice he would give, it is to find a way to be passionate about your course.
After all, it is a rare opportunity to prove to your parents that their sacrifices are worth it.
Immediately after his college graduation was when reality dawned on him, life was hard.
With no more financial aid to support his needs, Ralph had to start looking for a job so that he could enroll in a review center.
He applied at a machine shop in Bohol, where he was assigned to become a part-time cadet engineer.
He learned about machining jobs there.
He was also assigned to do administrative work.
To help him save faster, he chose to walk 30 minutes every day going to work.
After a year of saving, he finally got to enroll at a review center three months before the board examination.
He enrolled with his batchmates, and this really helped him build his eagerness to learn because he got to see them burn midnight candles with him.
Despite the extra boost, though, Ralph still found the licensure exam difficult. There were some concepts that really racked his brains and tested his analytical skills to the fullest.
When he walked out of the board exam room on the final day, he was losing hope of even passing.
But then the results came out.
After looking at the results, his hands started trembling.
He did it! He woke his mother and father and shared with them the great news of how he’s now an engineer!
For future board examinees, Ralph mentioned how reverse engineering helped him.
And in his own words, “The way of doing so is to study your calculator, master it, and it will be your best friend.”
Ralph believes that Engineering is life.
It drives the whole world.
Having said this, Rap surely knows how crucial and integral this line of work will be to society.
It is a challenge that he is willing to partake in.
And a role he is willing to shoulder.
This may be overwhelming, but Engineer Ralph Tusoy Ecat is more than ready.
Student Life
Why did you choose this course? Who or what was your inspiration?
Since my elementary years, I have shown so much interest in Science and Technology.
I am amazed about how the universe work; the galaxies, the stars, the planet where we live, and everything that surrounds us makes me wonder how it works and it comes to be.
Looking back on those childhood years when I wonder why a soaring iron in the sky (an airplane) flies or those childhood questions I want to answer drives me to make a habit of reading stuff about Science.
And for these reasons, I choose Mechanical Engineering out of passion and to fulfill my childhood wonderings.
What are your favorite subjects in your entire engineering study? How about least liked subjects?
My favorite subjects are:
- College Physics
- Engineering Mechanics
- Trigonometry
- Solid Mensuration
- Calculus
- Machine Design
- Power plant Engineering
- Machine Shop Practices
My least liked subjects are:
- Probability and Statistics
- Engineering Accounting
- Engineering Economy
- Electrical Circuits and Programming
Have you had any subject failures or disappointing academic performance, to the very least? If yes, what did you do about it? How did you cope?
I have the experience of getting a 3.0 grade in college (that’s our passing grade).
My grades are not really “flying colors.”
Just typical grades of an engineering student.
I only got high grades during the first and second years.
But the rest of the time was only average grades.
Any topnotcher study tips that you think others should emulate from you?
Study the fundamentals, and everything will follow. It is like a chain reaction of learning while doing it with passion and love for what you are learning. (3D’s)
Do the Basics.
The key to understanding every concept is to start from scratch.
Learn the very foundation of almost every engineering subject, which is Mathematics.
Learn the very basics of algebra, trigonometry, and geometry, and calculus will follow.
Make it a habit of solving a certain word problem without giving up or being tempted to see the solution (Even practicing it solving ten problems a day will make a difference).
It will sharpen your analysis and visualization of Engineering problems.
Do it from scratch.
The essence of Engineering is to apply a certain scientific principle to something that benefits mankind.
We can relate to this in our studies in solving engineering problems especially like, for example, in Machine design.
Start your analysis of its very basic principle on how that stuff works, and start asking yourself what is the working principle of that certain machine.
Make it a habit of reading or watching informative videos about how things work.
It will help widen your visualization of a word problem and will make it easy for you to apply the formula and what’s more promising is that you can make the formula itself from “scratch.”
Do it with a Prayer.
For all these things to work, accompany them with a prayer.
Never forget that all the knowledge in the world is tiny dust compared to our Creator.
Before opening your notes or solving those staggering engineering problems, spare a minute to give thanks to the Lord and humbly ask for guidance on your study.
Say a little prayer, and God will give you the vastness of His blessing; I always believe in that.
What is the best engineering school advice that you can give to other students?
My advice that I will impart to engineering students is to love your course.
Find a way to give a passion for it.
And all other things will follow.
Have a certain mindset to give the best shot in your 4-5 years of study in engineering.
This is because it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to show your parents that their every sacrifice since childhood is worth it and draw a smile to their faces.
My Board Exam Experience
What were the greatest struggles that you experienced while preparing for the board exam? What did you do to overcome them?
It was a challenging year since my graduation because of the pandemic. Financial struggle is what I experienced, so I decided to apply for a Job at a certain machine shop in Bohol.
There, I was assigned as a Part-time Cadet Engineer, where I learned Machining jobs such as Turning and Face Milling. Also, I was assigned to do administrative jobs such as preparing Job orders.
It was a hard time for me at that time because I had to walk for 30 minutes every day to the workplace to save my money for my review.
Did you enroll in a center for your review? Do you recommend doing so? Which one did you go to?
I recommend having a review center as a preparation for the board exam.
After almost a year of having a job, I decided to enroll in a review center.
This is together with my batch mates to prepare for the three months before the board examination.
Nothing compares to studying in a group because it will build your eagerness to learn, seeing your fellow reviewers burning their midnight candles.
How did you find the board exam? Easy, average, or difficult?
I found the board examination a difficult one, some of the concepts might be simple to see at first, but it needs you to break your limit on your analysis skills.
What were your expectations after you took the board exam and before the results were out? Did you have a feeling that you would be at the top?
I didn’t expect to be at the top.
All I think is that it is good enough just to pass the board exam and become the Engineer I want to be.
What did you do the first minute you discovered you topped the board exam?
A minute after discovering that I topped the board, my hands still tremble with happiness.
First, I woke up my Mama and Papa, who were sleeping at that time (the results were ruled out at 10 in the evening).
I told them that I got 4th Place in the board examination.
I felt their happiness from the heart.
Who do you owe your success to?
This success I owed to my parents, to my Mama and Papa.
As sickly boy during childhood, they have done their best to take care of me and give me their full support for what I want to be.
This success is nothing compared to the happiness I drew in their hearts.
Share your most effective study habits.
My motto in studying is “Solve and solve and solve” and “Read and read and read.”
Nothing is more effective than consistency and passion.
Try your very best.
Even though it will consume so much time solving difficult problems, it will pay off because it sharpens your analysis skill (Try practicing it in a 21-day challenge).
Give 5 important tips (in bullets) for future board exam takers who aim to become topnotchers.
1. Make College a training ground.
Start building your fundamentals, especially in your prime in college.
Just remember TAG (Trigonometry, Algebra, Geometry).
You might encounter difficulties, but everything will pay off once you master the fundamentals.
Make college a training ground, don’t mind the failures and frustration as long as you keep on track with your study and learn from your mistakes.
2. Take Note of Important Formulas.
During our review, the first thing we did as we arrived at the dorm was to stick very important formulas near our sleeping bed.
Every time before sleep and as soon as I woke up, I tried to scan those formulas for me to remember them easily.
With this, we also practiced memorizing it with mnemonics.
3. Solve All you Can with a Backup.
During the review, make it a habit to solve all you can. Solve every reviewer or reference that you have in hand.
None is more effective than widening your grasp of all the possible board problems.
But it comes with a backup “Looksfam” familiarizing board problems will enhance your memorization skills and also will do the trick.
But always remember that the “Looksfam method” is just a backup, still focusing on developing problem-solving skills.
4. Have Enough Sleep.
During the review, I used to sleep for 6-7 hours, just enough to be efficient during the day.
The disadvantage of studying so hard without proper sleep is that it will make you feel lousy during the day and will surely degrade your study efficiency.
Advice is to have a proper study-life balanced schedule. Make just to ensure that you have time to eat, study well, sleep, pray and make sure you have your “Bebe Time.”
(Just kidding, my dorm mate used to include that in our daily schedule ?)
5. Reverse Engineering.
The board exam is a multiple choice type of exam, so the trick is to do some reverse engineering on the choices to get the correct answer. The way of doing so is to study your calculator, master it, and it will be your best friend.
My Family & Love Life
Describe your family, parents, siblings (and children if applicable)
My family is a simple typical Filipino family.
My Mama and Papa are both farmers, which I am very proud of.
They are very supportive, caring, and loving parents.
My Mama and Papa used to tell me to study hard when I was just a little kid so as to become the future I wanted to be, and it’s a memory I always reminisce about in my childhood.
As the eldest of three siblings, my younger brother and sister used to call me “Kuya” they are ever supportive and kind, and I am happy to have them in my life.
Did your parents encourage you to study engineer?
My parents just supported whatever I wanted to be. And they did encourage me not in any course but to give it all your heart of what am I gonna choose to be.
Are you in a relationship? or it’s complicated?
I am in a relationship❤️ with my sweet and caring future Electrical Engineer.
The Future
Describe engineering in one word.
Life
Why is engineering important in our society?
Engineering drives the whole world. Just watching the airplanes fly and the cars transport people/goods will make you realize how engineering connects people and the world.
— End of Interview —
What you need to know about mechanical engineering school in the Philippines
Mechanical engineering school in the Philippines is a great choice for students interested in engineering and design.
The curriculum is challenging and provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the field.
There are many different types of mechanical engineering programs in the Philippines, so it is important to do your research to find the one that best fits your interests and career goals.
In general, most programs will require you to take courses in calculus, physics, and chemistry, as well as design-related coursework.
If you want to study mechanical engineering in college, there are a few things you should know.
- First, you’ll need to take a lot of math and science courses.
- Secondly, you’ll need to get experience with design and manufacturing processes.
- Third, you should be prepared to work on projects as part of a team.
- Fourth, it’s important to be able to communicate your ideas clearly.
- Finally, you’ll need to be able to use computers for modeling and analysis.
If you want to become a mechanical engineer, you will need to get a degree from an accredited engineering school.
There are many different types of mechanical engineering programs, so it is important to do your research to find the one that is right for you.
In general, most programs will require you to complete coursework in physics, math, and engineering principles.
You will also likely have the opportunity to participate in hands-on projects and internships.
What is mechanical engineering?
In general, mechanical engineering is the application of physics and math to the design, analysis, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems.
It is one of the oldest and broadest of the engineering disciplines.
Mechanical engineering is concerned with the design, manufacture, installation, operation, and maintenance of anything that contains moving parts.
The discipline has a wide scope and incorporates several other specialist areas, including thermo-sciences (heat transfer), tribology (friction and wear), materials science, structural analysis, and dynamics.
As well as being involved in the design and development process, mechanical engineers are also responsible for managing production in factories, quality control testing at every stage of manufacture to ensure products meet safety standards, and for carrying out maintenance on finished products.
The basics: math and physics
Mechanical engineering is the branch of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science to the design, analysis, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems.
It is one of the challenging engineering disciplines.
The field requires a solid understanding of core concepts, including mechanics, kinematics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, energy, materials science, and structural analysis.
In addition to these core concepts, mechanical engineers use tools such as computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and product life cycle management.
This will help Filipino engineers to do the following:
- design and analyze manufacturing plants
- industrial equipment and machinery
- heating and cooling systems,
- transport systems,
- aircraft,
- watercraft,
- robotics,
- medical devices
Pretty much anything that moves!
Mechanical engineering school: what to expect
Aspiring Filipino mechanical engineers can expect a well-rounded education that touches various aspects of engineering, physics, and mathematics.
Many schools in the Philippines also require students to complete liberal arts coursework as part of their degree program.
Pinoy students can typically expect to spend five years completing their undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering in the Philippines.
During their studies, mechanical engineering students will take classes covering topics such as statics and dynamics, thermodynamics, materials science, and fluid mechanics.
Filipino students will also have the opportunity to participate in hands-on labs and design projects. In addition, many programs offer opportunities for students to gain real-world experience through internships or cooperative education programs.
Pinoy graduates of mechanical engineering programs are prepared for careers in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and energy production.
The coursework: classes and projects
Any Filipino students considering a career in mechanical engineering in the Philippines should be prepared to take a variety of classes in mathematics and physics.
Likewise, more specialized courses in areas such as thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.
Pinoy students should also be prepared to work on projects both alone and in teams.
Most programs will require students to take core classes in topics such as dynamics, statics, mechanics of materials, and electricity and magnetism.
These classes build a strong foundation that will be used throughout the student’s career.
Filipino students should expect to spend time both in class and out of class working on problems and projects.
In addition to the core classes, students will also take classes specific to mechanical engineering.
These might include courses on thermal-fluid sciences, manufacturing processes, machine design, and controls and instrumentation.
Filipino students should expect to gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in these courses.
Extracurriculars: clubs and competitions
There are many extracurricular clubs and competitions available to students at mechanical engineering schools in the Philippines.
These activities can help students learn more about their chosen field of study and prepare them for a career in mechanical engineering.
Some of the most popular clubs and competitions include the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
These organizations have their representative office in the Philippines and offer Filipino students the opportunity to participate in the design, build, and racing competitions.
Joining one or more of these organizations is a great way for students to gain real-world experience in mechanical engineering.
It can also help them make connections with professionals in the field, which can be beneficial when seeking internships or jobs after graduation.
They also provide scholarships, networking opportunities, and access to industry resources for Filipino mechanical students.
Job prospects after graduation
Mechanical engineering is a branch of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for the design, analysis, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems.
It is one of the oldest and broadest of the engineering disciplines.
The demand for qualified mechanical engineers is high, and job prospects after graduation are excellent.
Salaries for mechanical engineers are among the highest of all engineering disciplines.
In addition to traditional industries such as automotive, aerospace, and heavy machinery, there is a growing demand for mechanical engineers in emerging industries such as nanotechnology, renewable energy, and biomedical devices.
With a degree in mechanical engineering from a top school, you will be well-positioned to take advantage of these opportunities and launch a successful career.
Conclusion: What you need to know about mechanical engineering school
Suppose you are considering becoming a mechanical engineer like Engineer Ralph Tusoy Ecat. In that case, it is important to do your research and make sure you are prepared for the schooling and career ahead. With hard work and dedication, you can be successful in this field.
In conclusion, mechanical engineering school is a great way to further your education and career in the Philippines.
With the right amount of dedication and hard work, you can become a successful mechanical engineer, just like Engineer Ralph Tusoy Ecat.
If you’re a Filipino student considering going to mechanical engineering school, be sure to give your full time and energy and choose a mechanical engineering school that is right for you.
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