From Hard Work to High Honors: Engr. Hannah Mae Guimbongan’s Road to Top 1

Disciplined. Optimistic. Driven.

These guiding values lifted 22-year-old Hannah Mae R. Guimbongan from Mangayang, Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, to the pinnacle of success. According to Engr. Guimbongan, when she found out that she had not only passed but topped the 2024 Geodetic Engineers Licensure Exam, her disbelief quickly melted into tears. Those tears reflected months of grueling preparation and a deep gratitude to her family and faith, the twin pillars of her journey.

Reflecting on the announcement, Engr. Guimbongan shared being in Top 1 was beyond her expectation and would be lucky just to pass.

“Una, hindi ako makapaniwala kasi ang akala ko papasa lang ako, hindi ko inakala na may mas higit pa pala doon, at ‘yon ang mag Top 1. Nagulat ako sa resulta at naiyak dahil bigla kong naisip yung 4 months na pag rereview, naisip ko ang aking mga magulang,” she recalled.

Engr. Guimbongan credits her success to a simple mantra: “Discipline, positivity, and a desire to succeed.” Though she humbly says she wasn’t the smartest, this cum laude graduate built strong study habits, stayed positive, and kept her focus. Reminding herself to “delay gratification for great results,” her discipline and faith carried her through times of doubt and fatigue. She also expresses heartfelt gratitude to her professors and to NVSU for promoting a solid foundation of knowledge that has helped her reach her full potential.

Her goals go beyond personal success. She envisions her future as a licensed Geodetic Engineer as a chance to help resolve land disputes, promoting peace by helping people understand their land boundaries and history.

For current students and future licensure examinees, her advice is simple but profound:

“Una sa lahat, maging matiyaga ka at i-practice mo ang pagiging disiplinado sa lahat ng bagay hindi lamang sa pag aaral. Do your best and God will do the rest. Discipline over motivation, iyan ang mga kasabihan na palagi kong baon baon hanggang ngayon. Pangalawa, mag simula ka na habang maaga pa. Wag mong isipin na mahaba pa ang iyong oras para mag aral pagkatapos mong grumaduate.”

Engr. Guimbongan’s study routine was intense, to say the least. Her day started at 5 or 6 in the morning with a simple breakfast of coffee and bread, followed by hours of uninterrupted study until 11 in the evening, with just a short lunch break before she returned to her desk. Her afternoons were similarly packed, preparing for night review classes at Review Innovations from 6 to 10 in the evening. Once home, she would go over the day’s lessons, often studying until midnight. She recounts that throughout her review period, she maintained an average of only five hours of sleep per night—a testament to her dedication and resilience.

“Tumatawag ako sa aking mga mahal sa buhay. Iniiyak at itinutulog ko ang aking pagod. Ang break ko lamang ay linggo ng gabi kung kailan pumupunta ako sa simbahan. Pero pag kauwi ay nag aaral parin ako dahil ako ay nanghihinayang sa mga oras na lumilipas,” she stated, highlighting the importance of a strong support system from her family and loved ones and and having faith in God that provided her sense of comfort and guidance.

She describes the exam process as challenging, with long study days and the frustration of new material in each evaluation. Despite the struggles, she persevered, relying on her faith and God’s guidance, bringing pride and honor to her Alma Mater, Nueva Vizcaya State University.