THIS year’s Architect Licensure Examination (ALE) topnotcher Benson Heinrick Booc Go said drawing was not his hobby as he believed he was not as talented as most would expect architects to be in drawing; however, he said, the idea of pursuing architecture as a career came to him when he drew his dream house when he was in fourth grade.
The drawing “wasn’t nice, but it sparked the idea,” Go said.
He later realized that he enjoyed planning spaces and buildings because he believed these things affect how people live.
“As I continued pursuing architecture during college and even up to now, I am still discovering things I want to do. I want to be able to contribute to the built and developed environment, not only to make things look beautiful, but mainly to make life and living more efficient,” Go said.
Go said that even if days have passed since the result of the 2021 ALE was announced, he still could not believe that he topped the licensure exam.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet. But I’m really truly grateful. Every time it comes to mind, I’m just really in awe of how God’s goodness and grace never cease to amaze (me),” he said.
Go recalled that he went along with his friends to a parking lot right after they took the first part of the examination. They all shared their frustrations because of the difficulty of the exams, he said.
Prayer’s power
The group, however, found refuge in prayers as right after the second and last day of the exams, they again gathered and prayed together before they went their separate ways.
Even at home, he said, when friends and family asked him about the exams, he would
just laugh, and he would often tell them to “hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.”
Despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic in his preparation for the ALE 2021, Go said his faith in God gave him the strength to continue.
Pandemic’s effect
Aside from the uncomfortable feeling of wearing a face shield during the actual exam, Go said the biggest challenge he had when he was still preparing for the exams was not being able to spend as much time with people whom he wanted to be with and not being able to see or help his batchmates.
He said ever since he started reviewing, he had been wearing a baller that has the word “faith,” a gesture of his trust and faith that the Lord was in control of his fate for the 2021 ALE exam.
Carolinian success
Go and his three fellow graduates of architecture at the University of San Carlos in Cebu City landed on the Top 10 of the 2021 ALE.
Go took the first place with an average rating of 83.50 percent, while Mark Anthony Veloso Flordelis snagged the second spot with an average rating of 83.40 percent.
Magdalena Beatriz Lepiten Arriola and Gerard Luague Borbon also ranked sixth with an average rating of 81.60 percent.
Go said he dedicated his success to God, the “sole reason” he passed, and to the many people who encouraged him and prayed for him.
As of now, he said, he does not have any concrete plans but plans to help in the family business.
“I will continue to seek God for His will in my life and allow Him to lead me,” he said.