Cebuano in top 10 of architects exam

A son of a Chinese-Filipino couple engaged in the export business became the only topnotcher from a Cebu school who landed in the top 10 of last year’s Architect Licensure examinations.

Jason Anthony Sebastian Uy Chua, a 23-year-old graduate of the University of San Carlos and a resident of Beverly Hills, Lahug, Cebu City, ranked fifth with an 82.70 score in the board examination held in Manila last June 8 and 10.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) said 987 out of 1,947 had passed the Architecture Licensure Examination (ALE).

Topping the exam was Benjamin Penaso Casono of the University of the Philippines–Diliman who averaged 83.80 percent.

But while the top spots were dominated by UP and the University of Santo Tomas, USC of Cebu City was declared the top performing school with 42 out of 50 examinees passing the exams or 84 percent.

In an interview, Chua said while he aimed high he didn’t expect to make to land in the top 10 because the exam was difficult. Chua said he was told about the result by his classmate at 9 p.m last Thursday.

When he checked results on the Internet, Chua said he was on cloud nine.

“It still didn’t sink in that I was in the top five,” he laughed.

Chua is the third of four siblings. His father Wilson owns Fortune Baskets Phils., an export company in Estancia, Mandaue City. His mother, Janet is is the owner of CYPREA International, a furniture and fashion accessory firm in Pagsabungan, Mandaue City.

His elder sister helps run their business, while his elder brother is a contractor.

His father offered to teach him the business but Chua said wanted to help people own decent, inexpensive homes.

He said architects are also needed in urban developments.

Asked if supports the rise of more flyovers in Cebu City, the architect said no because it would not solve traffic congestion.

Chua said the solution would be a better public transport system like the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT), road widening and better sidewalks to encourage people to walk.

Chua finished his elementary and secondary studies at Sacred Heart School. He finished his five-year architectural course in USC Talamban, Cebu City in 2010.

He spent a two-year internship at Palafox Associates, an international renowed architectural firm in Manila owned by Filipino Jun Palafox.

Chua said he dreams of having his own architectural firm in Cebu City.