For a two-time board examination topnotcher, the preparation for a licensure exam did not start after graduation, rather on the very first day of his college life.
King Nixon Castro Mabanta, the latest addition to PSU’s roster of topnotcher, turned into an instant celebrity after clinching the Top 1 spot in the June 2025 Architect Licensure Examination “The very first day I stepped at PSU duon na nag start ang preparation para sa board examination. Nagkaroon ako ng realization na hindi lang pala nakukuha sa time or dami ng inaral o ni-review mo, ang mga lumabas na exam questions ay sa site mo lang ma-eexperience,” Architect Mabanta said.
The new architecture ‘king’ said he was about to sleep when results from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) came out and he could not believe the adrenaline rush when it dawned on him that he earned the highest average of 88.10 percent among 1,352 passers and 2, 075 takers in the country.
Mabanta is a graduate of PSU Urdaneta City Campus in 2019. He made a buzz in 2023 when he landed Top 2 in the Licensure Exam for Master Plumber. Not resting on his laurels, he plunged into the architecture exam in June and emerged the Top 1.
“When I was younger, sumasama-sama ako sa lolo ko na isang carpenter. Ako yung ngpupukpok-pukpok. Pag may papel naman, ako yung nagdo-drawing with crayons, not knowing that its a foreshadowing that I would someday be an architect,” he quipped.
Nixon’s parents, an accountant mother and business father, lauded their son’s latest feat.
“Masaya at nagpapasalamat kami sa Panginoon. Bilang isang magulang, masaya ako na natupad ang pangarap niya. Kahit mahirap ang buhay, full support kami. Nagpapasalamat din po ako sa Pangasinan State University, sa mga officials, sa mga teachers niya at sa lahat ng tumulong kay Nixon,” Mr. Cesar Mabanta, the father, said.
Mabanta is presently doing his research and practicing his profession as a master plumber.
When asked of his plans, he said he is torn because he wanted to work in the academe but he would also want to practice his profession.
𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗿. 𝗘𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗠. 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗦𝗨 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 are jubilant with the latest feather in the cap.
“The success of our Architecture Department in Urdaneta City is a manifestation of our commitment to providing quality education, innovation and helping our students grow not just in skills but as future global leaders,” Dr. Galas said.
The President recalled that in just a span of three years, PSU has produced two Top 1 in licensure examinations- one in Fisheries Technology in 2023 and for Architecture this 2025, not to mention the numerous Top 10 clinchers in various board examinations, throughout the years.
Based on PSU’s Institutionalized Motivation System known as Board Topnotcher Awards, passers who clinched the Top 1 spot in licensure examinations are given a monetary incentive of P150,000. However, ever since the challenge was posed in 2022, the top management pooled resources and came up with P500,000 as incentive for the Top 1 Fisheries Technologist two years ago. The management has yet to finalize their ‘gift’ to the Top 1 Architect.
Urdaneta City Campus Executive Director Dr. Roy Ferrer, College of Engineering and Architecture Dean Dr. Rex Basuel, Architecture Department Chair Arch Kenneth Ciriaco, Fabrication Laboratory Manager Arch. Jumar Balicao and the CEA Department teaching force warmly welcomed Architect Mabanta on June 19, 2025 as he visited and thanked his alma mater.
For students wanting to pursue Architecture, Nixon advised them to step out of their comfort zone and enjoy the ride.
“Architecture is not a walk in the park. It’s a tough course and you need to be trained in patience, perseverance and humility. Parents of Archi students should likewise understand that difficulties are temporary. They need all the support they could get. Pag nag-graduate naman, they are guaranteed of a higher chance of getting a job,” the topnotcher said.
Take it from the ‘king”
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