More than being a newly minted mechanical engineer, Davao City topnotcher Marjun Espinosa is a case for hope. 

The University of Mindanao alumnus, who placed second in the recently announced August 2025 licensure exam, believes in the power of learning as a collective, and knows that there is magic behind doing what most aren’t willing to. 

In a conversation with GMA Regional TV News, Marjun’s humility and service-oriented outlook stood front and center, spotlighting his knack for the learning-by-teaching approach which helped him and his peers in ways more than one; and his impassioned goal to be a homegrown professor at his alma mater. 

“I am so very happy, hindi pa talaga nagsi-sink in, ang bilis ng pangyayari,” said the 24-year-old Davaoeño during the interview, a broad smile on his face, sharing that he had sleepless nights in anticipation of the results. 

COMMITMENT, DISCIPLINE

Passing a licensure exam with a 41% national passing rate is no easy feat, let alone rank second overall.

For Marjun, who earned a 92.30% exam rating– just a shade below the overall topnotcher– consistency during the review season is the primary ‘must’, studded with a relentless self-discipline and commitment. 

“Your commitment will bind you to your goals, while your discipline will keep you going,” shared the Davaoeño, “maging consistent at maging committed. Have that self discipline, and above all, don't forget to pray to the Lord.” 

Another advice he wants aspiring mechanical engineers to take from his feat is the idea of being willing to do what many won’t be willing to– a nugget of wisdom he received from one of his lecturers in review school. 

“Tumatak talaga sakin yung sinabi ng lecturer namin na kung gsuto mo mag-top, o pumasa sa board examination, kailangan mong gawin yung mga bagay na hindi ginagawa ng iba. Malaki yung naging impact nun sa akin, kasi it changed my perspective ng pagrereview,” he said. 

This particular tip served as a necessary push for Marjun to turn up a notch. It fueled him to study more and use every bit of spare time he had to deepen his learnings by engaging in peer sharing sessions. 

“I would teach some of my dormmates on Sundays because I believe that the more na tinuturo ko sa iba yung nalalaman ko, the more na nagre-retain yun sa akin,” he said. 

“Kaya I did extra studies, sa mga concept na hindi masyado pinag-aralan o nabibigyan ng oras ng mga reviewist,” added the Summa Cum Laude graduate, who prepared for almost a year from “master concepts to solving as many problems as possible.”

His books, modules, and reviewers became his closest allies for more than five months, while reading notes and solving problems became part and parcel of his daily routine from sunrise to sunset. 

“Gumigising ako 7 am, tapos nagbe-breakfast, starting 8 tuloy-tuloy na po. Yung examination mismo kasi, 8 am until 2 pm. So kailangan doon din talaga ako nag-aaral para ma-simulate ko yung board examination (schedule),” he said. 

‘PROF. ESPINOSA,’ GIVING BACK 

“Five years from now, I see myself in the academe teaching engineering students,” Marjun said with conviction. 

He said that being a professor at his alma mater has “always been my plan and passion,” as he’s always had that urge to impart knowledge and help future engineering students at the University of Mindanao fulfill their dreams. 

During the interview, Marjun spoke of this goal with undeniable fervor, like raving about a lifelong north star. 

“Feel ko lang talaga na dun talaga ako made-develop and magiging progressive. I don’t want to see myself na magtrabaho sa isang company o industry na very mundane yung tasks tapos stagnant ako,” he shared. 

For him, teaching is more than just a vocation. It is also his means to broaden his horizons and improve his outlook in life. 

“Pag nagtuturo kasi ako, parang lumalawak din ang pananaw ko sa buhay– parang tuluy-tuloy yung learnings ko,” he added. 

SUPPORT SYSTEM

Marjun wants to share this feat with a community of people that has been with him through and through, such as his parents and girlfriend. 

“This success is for my family they never failed to nurture me, ang pagmamahal ng magulang ko at girlfriend ko, at lahat ng mga taong mahalaga sakin. Sila ang nagbigay ng inspirasyon sakin to do more and be more.”

He also has inspiring words for those who did not make the cut.

“Para sa mga kaibigan kong hindi pinalad, I hope hindi kayo mag-stop sa dream nyo na maging engineer talaga. I hope someday makita ko yung mga pangalan nyo… it is a mixed feeling, sakin masaya ako kasi nag-top ako pero mahirap tanggapin para sa iba. Pero, ika-nga ng isang lecturer namin, you are just delayed not denied.”