What began as a decision to work after high school instead of going straight to college has led a 26-year-old from Agusan del Norte to the top of the September 2026 Registered Master Electrician Licensure Examination.

Ramon Joshua Silva Carpio, a graduate of Nasipit National Vocational School, ranked first in the nationwide examination with a 90 percent rating.

But topping the exam was never part of Carpio's expectations.

When the results were released, he was on his way home from work and initially checked the list simply to find out if he had passed.

“I really didn't expect it,” Carpio said in an exclusive interview with DZRHTV. “I just looked for my name, and I was overwhelmed when I found out that I was the top one.”

Carpio chose to work after high school instead of immediately pursuing college because of financial difficulties at home. He eventually spent seven years working in the electrical field, gaining the practical experience that would later help him qualify for the licensure examination.

His path to becoming a licensed professional was not easy.

He had to balance his job with his review, while his work assignment in Iligan City also meant traveling more than 200 kilometers for review-related requirements.

“That was really the most difficult part for me — balancing work and review because you have responsibilities at work, and your time for reviewing is limited,” he said.

Carpio also admitted that he struggled with self-doubt before the examination.

He had performed well in school and was an honor student, which added to the pressure he felt to succeed.

“There were a lot of people telling me, ‘You can do it. You will pass. You might even become a topnotcher,’” he recalled.

But during the actual examination, Carpio said there were moments when he was already convinced that he might fail.

He found some of the questions unfamiliar despite reviewing thousands of practice questions.

“I told my family already not to expect anything because I thought I was going to fail,” he said.

His years of work experience helped him navigate the technical portion of the exam, while the Philippine Electrical Code proved more challenging because it required a deeper understanding of rules and provisions.

Carpio ultimately earned 86 percent in the Philippine Electrical Code portion, contributing to his overall topnotcher rating.

He also credited his wife, family, colleagues and review center for helping him through the process. Before taking the exam, he said he prayed and asked simply to pass.

“During the exam, I really had a lot of doubts about myself,” he said. “What I did was pray and trust in God.”

Now a registered master electrician, Carpio hopes his story can encourage other young people who may not have the opportunity to immediately pursue college.

He emphasized that while a college education can open more opportunities, there can also be alternative paths for those who develop their skills and remain committed to their chosen field.

“In my case, the problem was financial, and I didn't want my parents to struggle because of my education,” he said. “There is an alternative way if you really want it and if you are passionate about what you do.”

Carpio also hopes for stronger government support for technical-vocational education, particularly through updated learning materials, equipment and more opportunities for hands-on training.

His next goal is to continue working while exploring opportunities to pursue a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering