Isa si Daffodil L. Sagucio, 53, sa mga pumasa sa April 2024 Civil Engineering Licensure Examination.
Residente siya ng Vintar, Ilocos Norte, at ang napangasawa niyang si Eddie ay isa ring engineer.
Nakapanayam si Daffodil ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) last July 29, 2025.
Pagbabahagi niya, 11 times siyang kumuha ng board exam.
At by the time na nakapasa si Daffodil at naging ganap na engineer, 52 year old na siya.
Aniya: “Eddie passed the boards also the same time as me.
“He also took the boards multiple times before passing.
“We have three children, the first one is a nurse who is Top 8 during his board exam, the second one is a civil engineer and master plumber, and the youngest one is still studying aeronautic mechanic.”
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WORKING MOM’S DREAM IS TO BECOME A POLICEWOMAN
Nagtapos si Daffodil ng Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering sa Northwestern University sa Laoag noong March 1993.
Kuwento niya: “I really wanted to pursue criminology as my course and become a policewoman.
“Kaso, my parents wanted me to be on a different path and that’s why I studied civil engineering.”
Naging smooth naman ang kanyang buhay kolehiyo.
“My family supported me in every step of the way during my education.
“I can say na ang mga problema ko lang noong nag-aaral ako ay academics lang.
“Hindi naman ako nalalayo sa mga ibang estudyante in terms of how I survived college kasi yung support system ko, like my friends and family, were always there for me.”
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WORKING MOM’S HARDSHIPS DURING REVIEWS
Nagsimula ang struggles ni Daffodil nung kumuha na siya ng board exam.
“Ang pinaka-main challenge ko during the many times I have took the board exam was work-life balance.
“Especially noong maliliit pa mga anak ko as I have to work in the morning and study in the evening.”
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Bukod sa oras, may epekto rin daw kay Daffodil ang kanyang edad.
“Kasi 1993 pa ako nag-graduate and I passed last 2024.
“That’s 31 years already and a lot have changed sa curriculum.”
Dagdag pa niya, “With my age, nahirapan na rin akong mag-memorize lalo na sa mga formula.”
Pero sa tulong ng kanyang asawa at pamilya, mag nagkaroon siya ng oras sa pagre-review.
“Sa last board exam na na-take ko, we have to alternate with house chores along with my husband and my children to make time for reviewing.
“Kasi yung schedule ng online class is 6:00 pm-9:00 pm.
“My husband usually helps me with solving solutions kasi mas magaling siya sa math.”
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WORKING MOM DID NOT EXPECT TO PASS ON HER 11TH TRY
Sampung beses siyang hindi nakalusot sa pagsusulit. Pumasa siya sa 11th take.
Anong reaksiyon niya nung lumabas ang resulta ng board exam?
“We were on the way home from Manila to the province when my co-worker texted me ‘congratulations.’
“Sabi ko, paki-delete yung message kasi hindi naman ako nag-e-expect na papasa ako.”
Ang nasa isip niya noon, “Parang this is just another board exam na I failed.”
Kaya laging gulat niya sa sumunod na message ng co-worker.
“Nag-forward siya sa akin ng screenshot of the board exam results, and andun yung pangalan ko!
“Sobrang iyak ko sa tuwa!
“Sa hinaba-haba na ng panahon, ibinigay na rin ni Lord yung pinakamimithi ko na lisensya.”
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WORKING MOM WAS ENCOURAGED BY HER CHILDREN
Inialay ni Daffodil, una sa lahat, ang kanyang tagumpay sa Panginoon.
“Dahil binigyan Niya ako at ang family ko ng good health sa araw-araw.”
Labis din ang pasasalamat niya sa mister: “Na sumabay sa aking mag-review.
“Fortunately enough, pumasa na rin siya sa board exam after multiple takes.
“Sa mga magulang ko na walang sawang sumuporta sa amin in all aspects, sa mga kapatid ko and their family who’s always encouraging me.”
Labis din ang kanyang pasasalamat sa mga anak: “Na laging nagsasabi sa akin na, ‘Mag exam ka lang, Mommy, wala namang mawawala sa ’yo.’
“’You don’t really fail when you don’t pass the exams, you fail when you stop trying.’”
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WORKING MOM: TRY AND TRY UNTIL YOU SUCCEED
Sa ngayon ay employed si Daffodil sa local government unit ng Ilocos Norte.
Payo niya sa mga hindi makakapasa agad sa licensure exams: “Always have faith in God, and as common as it may seem, try and try until you succeed.
“Focus on reviewing and set aside extracurricular activities for the meantime.
“Also, don’t forget to pray for guidance whenever you face challenges.”
Nagbigay rin siya ng excerpt mula sa kanyang favorite quotes: “Its not being best, its about being better than you were yesterday.
“Everyday is a chance to grow even in small ways. Focus on your progress not perfection. Celebrate your wins no matter how small, because that means you are moving forward.
“Remember, life isn’t a race against other; its a journey of becoming the best version of yourself. Keep going, you’re doing great.”
Sa huli, nagpasalamat siya sa PEP sa opportunity na mai-share ang kanyang story.
“I hope this will inspire the next generation of students to work hard and do well on their chosen course.”
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