LEGAZPI CITY– Shanna Mae Brecia Goyena, an alumna of Bicol University ranked 2nd out of 1,980 passers in the January 2023 Architect Licensure Exam with an average of 83.80 percent.
Shanna is the eldest child of Melvin M. Goyena, a Dean at Daraga Community College and Carie B. Goyena, a housewife. She was a consistent honor student since grade school.
According to her, she did not expect but aimed to be one of the topnotchers.
“I was aiming for the top because I wanted to pass. And aiming for the top was a motivation. Kasi our late director in the Institute of Architecture always said na if we aim for the highest, we will surely have a place secured. Mapa top 1 talaga or placer or passing the exam,” she stated.
She also shared that she faced so much struggles and challenges especially during the review process but acquiring help from other people helped her make it through.
“Thankful ako sa company namin na hinayaan nila ako mag review for the whole 6 months and sa mentor ko na naging hands-on sa pagtuturo sakin on-site. During review, my friend who is a June 2022 passer handed me her notes and reviewers which made everything easier. I got to explore more than the basic knowledge that was given to me,” she added.
Building something out of nothing is what fascinates Goyena that makes her want to do more. Which is why she wants to innovate spaces that can be of great help to users.
“The lack of housing in our community is alarming since shelter is a basic need. So having a license is the first step of serving and giving back to the community as iskolar ng bayan,” she said.
Goyena has this advice to aspiring architecture students and future architects in the making.
“You’re not just architecture students. Put more faith in yourselves,” said Goyena. I Aimee Mae Gizelle Sesno
