Mapúa MCL alumnus ranks 7th in February 2026 Mechanical Engineers Licensure Exam

By: Rachelle Anne A. Abel, Francis Dominic D. Fernandez and Fery Heart M. Sulpico 

Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) alumnus, Engr. Aldrich M. Buloron, ranked 7th among the top ten highest scorers in the February 2026 Mechanical Engineers Licensure Examination. 

Engr. Buloron shared his routine for preparing for the board exam, saying he would wake up at 8:00 AM to review relevant terminology before his 9:30 AM review class. Afterwards, he would answer 100 to 150 problem-solving items from 2:00 PM onwards and by 8:00 PM, he would already be reviewing notes from review classes and reading supplementary concepts from books or the internet. 

His review routine, however, was not smooth sailing; the immense amount of support from his loved ones also came with a lot of stress and pressure on him to perform well, flooding him with a single question: “What if I fail them by not being a topnotcher?” He soon realized that while everyone believed in him, he was busy doubting himself. To help combat his self-doubt, he increased his problem-solving rate from 60-80 items up to 100-150 problems per day. 

Engr. Buloron also credited his success to his four years of studying at Mapúa MCL, which prepared him for the licensure exam by building and strengthening his fundamentals. Engr. Buloron shared “I believe it made my review journey easier, because I didn’t have to start from scratch. I started my review backed with necessary fundamentals to help me study more complex topics and gain my advantage.”  

According to Prof. Alexander Hamilton S. Atienza, the Program Chair for Mechanical Engineering, Engr. Buloron’s achievement reflects not only individual excellence but also the strength of the institution’s academic foundation. He emphasized that producing topnotchers serves as a testament to the program’s rigorous standards and signals to the industry that Mapúa MCL graduates are well-prepared to lead from the moment they enter the workforce. 

Prof. Atienza also highlighted that success in the licensure exam is rooted in both discipline and community. Graduates undergo months of intensive preparation, mastering technical competencies while learning to manage pressure through simulated exams. More importantly, they rely on a strong support system among fellow Mapúa Malayans, transforming what could be an individual struggle into a shared pursuit of excellence. 

“When one of our own rises to the top, it is a victory for the Mechanical Engineering program, the MITL, and the entire Mapúa MCL community. This achievement is more than a high score; it is a validation of the potential we recognized in him from day one,” Prof. Atienza added. 

When asked about his advice to current engineering students and future board exam takers, Engr. Buloron shared “Stop following me or anyone else, and start following yourself.”  He also added, “Find your own path, move at your own pace. When you feel lost, seek guidance. When things get hard, take a rest — but don’t stop.” 

This achievement aligns with the institution’s ongoing support of the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education, ensuring its students and graduates are industry ready.