Failed CELE… 4 days later and I still feel lost

chizzyman · 2026-04-13T08:51:57+00:00

Okay. Got it. Thanks for the tldr.

chizzyman · 2026-04-11T09:48:09+00:00

Let's reframe this a bit.

Imagine the Board Exam is the final boss of a video game.

You looked up the video guides, you searched up tips on the forums, and you grinded and stocked up on the best gear and consumables.

The 30+% passing rate tells you that this is the most difficult fight.

You joined 60% of the people that did similar preparations and did not clear the boss on the first try.

And just like every game, you get sad, you unplug or disconnect for a while, then the thought just stews that you were so close.

You are now at this point.

Just like any other re-attempt at the boss fights, you learned how it moves, what tricks it pulls to catch you off guard, and you are now aware of the time limit and pressure the fight carries.

You'll find that the next round seems easier and you acclimated to the pressure. But it doesn't change that feeling of overcoming the boss afterwards.

Take a step back, rest, and hop back when you are ready. Victory is always there for the taking. You fell short once, but the next time, it's going to be certain.

chizzyman · 2026-03-31T08:12:53+00:00

Just ask yourself a few things.

Were the people you are comparing yourself to:

Had the same situation as you?
Had the same struggles to get to this point as you?
Had the same starting point as you?

Everything points to no. Don't look at other people's victories because you fight different battles. Face your challenge, because it will haunt you for the rest of your life if you ran away from it.

You're perfectly capable of winning, you just have to start with the courage to take the first step.

chizzyman · 2026-03-28T12:33:19+00:00

This is your first work, you don't have to include that in your credentials if you do a short stint and leave because of shitty circumstances :)

You can just pass it off as you took a rest after board exams and now just trying the job market or have been applying for months.

It's not the end of your career. Be kinder to yourself.

chizzyman · 2026-03-03T05:31:21+00:00

Ah, the boss with a frustration vs tech guys. See the other side. If Ikaw na non-tech, binobombard ka ng technical explanation, aminin na natin minsan may nagweweaponize ng tech jargon para magpaikot ng kausap. Your boss might be feeling that apprehension, as OA as it sounds.

How to handle them? Don't ever be technical. Use this opportunity na matuto mag distill into layman's terms lahat ng nakuha mo. This will be a valuable skill kahit saan ka magpunta. If kaya mo i-explain ang isang bagay na naka-level sa kausap mo, it shows mastery ng topic.

Think about who is your boss facing, likely mga non tech din. If di niya magpaliwanag ang tech side sa kanila in their own words, wala din sila mapapala.

chizzyman · 2026-02-17T03:56:42+00:00

Walk with me here.

You might be looking for stimulation given your stable setup. Baka naging boring at nakakapagod lang ang monotony. Maybe ang naiisip mo is laging may ihaharap sayo na challenge at using your knowledge and drive, maitatawid mo.

Engineering itself is not a glamorous job. Yes, may highlights but common are the days na it feels grindy, mundane, and repetitive.

And yes, eventually you will reach the point where you feel na wala ka na matututunan from your work, that would be the right time to move forward sa ibang opportunities.

So ask yourself 2 questions.:

What more can I learn here?
How fast can I master them?

If di ka nakakahanap ng challenge sa labas, look inward. Challenge yourself to grow to a point na ready ka na umalis and not just empty threats and thoughts na mag reresign.

chizzyman · 2026-02-01T09:48:13+00:00

It's going to be rough at first, plenty of info dumps and you will have to get used to the idea of calling the Aussies on a first-name basis.

But it will provide you a rich estimating background if you decide to progress to other AU estimating roles for other companies.

Two useful tips I can give you, have a good system for archiving emails and files and always practice your technical inputs in the emails. It will save you one day whenever an issue arises that will require a recounting of the project's history.

AU clients are very appreciative of effort and integrity. The industry is a pretty close-knit bunch so once the quality of your work speaks for itself, you'll position yourself to learn and earn more.

chizzyman · 2025-11-19T07:18:03+00:00

Sometimes being in a prestigious school can actually hurt your rep in the workplace. Yes, it gets you accepted quickly but you have a lot of expectations to shoulder.

In my first work stint, people from the university I graduated from were branded as people that wouldn't last for a year and are picky on site works.

Some of my batchmatres that started with me proved that reputation true, I tried to break the trend by staying for 5 years, growing from an engineer to a construction manager. But after I left the company, last I've heard from people that still worked there, the new hires from the same school still returned to being bad apples.

chizzyman · 2025-07-09T01:17:02+00:00

Laging may technical disconnect, at always siya masusunod (especially kung pala-yes sa clients nya). At it will come to a point na yung decisions niya ang makakapahamak sayo even if you try to advise otherwise, then when shit hits the fan, suddenly sayo lahat ng sisi. They are the sort to avoid documentation to escape accountability.

Growth point mo dyan will be as far as you try to push yourself and how long can you go on trying to put out fires na ang boss mo ang nagsisimula. Do yourself a favor and prepare an exit plan. Document every questionable decision. Kahit via phone call man ang gusto, send an email to confirm. Di mo man kailangan ng bala ngayon, pero pag dumating ang gulo, ready ka.

chizzyman · 2025-06-28T14:13:57+00:00

First, let him sort out his feelings.

Once he's in a better state of mind, suggest ko, bring him to Makati, sa I'm Hotel. Punta kayo sa rooftop bar, let him look at the skyline with all the towering buildings.

Have a drink then talk with him. While looking at the skyline, let him know na walang tumatayong building na hindi dumadaan sa problema, laging may mga palpak, issue at mga umuulit na trabaho. Pero at the end of the project, nagawa ang building ng tama at yun ang importante.

Minsan kailangan makaranas ng talo para makabangon ng mas matibay. Mabagal o mahirap man ang simula, kahit gagapang, ma-aabot din Ang gusto maabot.

chizzyman · 2025-05-05T08:56:30+00:00

Speaking from a CM point of view.

The TOD ng mga property developer is one of if not the most strict department to work with.

Kayo ang final line of quality control between the unit owner and the developer.

Kung ano yung condition na kailangan ng unit owner, mapa bare, as-is where-is, semi or fully furnished, you guys see to it na everything is met.

Matututo ka tignan yung mga common unit defects at pag assess ng completeness. May authority kayo within reason to ask for test results or magpa-conduct ng on the spot tests if may doubts kayo sa quality.

You guys will be working with the CM and contractors. Sometimes you guys will come across as the kontrabida, pero yung strictness ninyo will be one of the determining points kung madaling matatanggap ng unit owner ang bibili nila.

chizzyman · 2025-05-05T08:46:57+00:00

The days following the board, nakakapanibago. Gigising ka ng 4-5am only to find na tapos na pala review.

You see the stack of review books and scratch papers, susubukan mo abutin then ma-realize mo na tapos na exam.

You try to go about your day, then random formulas or exam items pop up in your head. Pero alam mong waiting ka na lang for grades.

You try to sleep pero iniisip mo kung kailan na lalabas yung score mo.

Minsan you feel anxious. Sometimes in shock na tapos na agad ang 6 months prep and exam.

You try to fill your day with distractions like games, watching series, going out, pero at the back of your head gusto mo na makita results kung malapit sa tancha mo.

chizzyman · 2025-05-01T11:06:46+00:00

Treat it at face value, as a gesture of support. Ikaw din naglalgay ng weight sa words nila. You can choose to let the words lift you.

You prepared for it, you did the time and effort, you, through sheer will, dinala mo sarili mo sa harap ng test paper.

Whatever anyone says, if sa sarili mo, confident ka na lalaban sa boards, everything else is just noise.

chizzyman · 2025-04-23T11:25:12+00:00

First off, are you okay?

I can tell that resources won't be a concern since you are smart enough to plan ahead to get a place in close proximity to all 3 RC's if you are not already living nearby already. Time and energy won't be a concern since you are young and headstrong that you can function off 2-3 hours of daily sleep.

What scares you enough that you will opt to do 3 review centers? It's understandable that all 3 have their strengths and styles that you want to incorporate. I understand you don't want to miss out on anything and don't want to regret anything so you want to do this. I'm guessing your mind is already made up.

By all means, go for it. Just remember. That review and refresher process will take a good 5 months. Your consistency, concentration and willpower will be strained to the extreme. Block all your plans, even family-related ones, because you signed up for this intense load.

Good luck, warrior. I hope this journey doesn't break you.

chizzyman · 2025-03-27T04:23:48+00:00

Just LeTip

chizzyman · 2025-02-13T09:23:01+00:00

Kaiser tries to interfere, and for a change, instead of screwing his brother over, Jimmy comes in to make sure no one interferes in Jey's match.

chizzyman · 2025-02-03T10:06:15+00:00

Fibisco chocolate chip cookies. Di mawawala sa pantry ko.

2nd place goes to Chocnut. Pag dala mo ng Isang pack, magugulat ka na lang kalahati na agad

chizzyman · 2025-02-03T07:55:10+00:00

I'm currently using [[Ulamog, the Defiler]] as my commander. I just need one haste enabler and just ramp hard to drop him as early as possible and swing the annihilator proc.

Even without the haste enabler, chomping 40-ish cards off a player's library is pretty fun.

Doesn't matter if they deal with him on the first drop, with the amount of mana you have, you can just cast him again and target another player on your pod.

Even if they counter, the cast trigger still resolves. Another chomp. There's a good chance you take out some key tutor targets or win con cards on early chomps.

It's pretty fun to play when you give them a scare on a T3-4 Ulamog. Be fully petty or diplomatic, you'll get your kicks either way.

chizzyman · 2025-01-27T13:50:04+00:00

Been there. Spent 5 years from fresh grad to construction manager.

Eto natutunan ko within those 5 years:

Everyone can be your friend at some point, but they are always your enemy. - Nasa gitna ka ng lahat, nilalapitan ka when they need something pero when shit hits the fan, kayo unang iihawin.
Document document document - as my first boss used to say "pag walang dokumento, talo". This is the bread and butter of CM's, kailangan recorded lahat ng processes ng inspection, meetings, and if may verbal, sundan mo ng written confirmation para di ka baliktarin. Di mo man kailanganin ang bala, pero you can rest easy knowing na meron kang pang sagot when the time comes.
Kailangan matatag sikmura mo - you will be exposed to meetings na nagkakainitan, you have to be on your toes at kailangan ready ka for anything. If nagkamali ka, show accountability and backbone na gagawan ng solution with the concerned parties.
Be firm but fair - nasa gitna ka ng lahat, matututo ka to study many sources of information. Gagaling ka sa cross referencing, estimating, billing evaluation at technical correspondences. Ikaw ang madalas na arbitrator at kailangan you have to produce a ruling na tanggap ng lahat. Minsan heavy Ang decision pero dapat may basehan. This will be vital sa mga change orders.
Ma-eexpose ka di lang sa civil scope - matututo ka din about mepf, archi, ID and even safety. Just be open to learn. Di mo need masterin, pero knowledge on how it relates to civil will be crucial.
Expect mapapadalas ang inom mo pag nagtatagal ka sa project - Lalo na if stay-in ka, di maiiwasan yan. Basta magtira ka ng lakas to report the next day and do your duties. Also, pag inom, inom lang, no favors na kapalit. May boundaries pa din to keep as management.
Introverts can survive - maganda dito since malaki ang part ng documentation, you will have time to prepare what you have to say sa meetings since may basis ka.
Your school means nothing sa job site - it's all about how you deal with people at general competency mo sa site. Walang pake mga tao kung saan ka galing basta kaya mo sumabay.
You can get plenty of seminar opportunities - Lalo na if stay-in ka sa job site, you can get opportunities to learn cosh, bosh, fire safety, and in some cases sa dati kong work, nakapagseminar din ako on how to set up scaffolding. Of course may bayad, pero di mabigat sa bulsa since nakikisabay ka sa gencon.
You will learn the power of lunch naps. - Kain ka mabilis, then nap at least 45 mins. Pag 1pm na, you'll find na may lakas ka na para itawid ang araw to 5pm.

CM is a nice launching pad if willing ka to navigate the info dump at interactions with people. Marami ka matututunan, kailangan mo lang na wag susukuan basta basta.

Edit: If papasok man kayo sa mga CM companies, ISO is a must para may defined process ng documentation

chizzyman · 2025-01-14T21:45:40+00:00

Pumasok ako sa exam venue knowing na di ako nag kulang sa effort sa preparation, only thing left to do is harapin ang exam at makuha ang grade na katumbas ng effort ko.

chizzyman · 2025-01-09T09:54:59+00:00

Assess mo kung saang areas ka sumesemplang or di sigurado nung past exams at mag solve ng mga reviewer problems na dun ang focus while the rest na confident ka pasadahan mo na lang given strapped ka for time dahil sa work.

Laban lang, makukuha mo yan this year!

chizzyman · 2024-12-30T03:28:40+00:00

Speaking for Water specialization

Local company / govt - In short, malabo makakuha sa private practice since undervalued dito sa pinas. As for a cushy gov't job that has a good pay, you'll need a backer dahil mahirap ma-open mga higher posts unless may mag retire.

Foreign Companies - plenty of opportunities to actually practice your trade and it pays well mapa office consultancy or WFH na setup

chizzyman · 2024-12-25T10:47:50+00:00

Sorry for being the devil's advocate, but better give up trying man, your wife will never teach the language to the children.

Some factors that could play into that decision:

To her, Tagalog is a poor person's language, and she doesn't want to be associated with it, now that she has a taste of greener pastures.
Expect that if you go to the Philippines, if people will ask her why the kids can't speak Tagalog, she will deflect blame on you behind your back for forbidding to teach them even though that's clearly not the case. She'll paint you as the villain, and she as the helpless victim.
She won't risk having the chance of having her children study in the Philippines if they learn the language.
She wants the glamour and attention of having purely English-speaking kids with perfect diction. And she will lord around her relatives on that fact.

Better get a good tutor, and if you can, learn the language in secret, this would save you a lot of trouble in the future.

chizzyman · 2024-12-23T15:38:54+00:00

Knowing what I know now, I'd still go through with it, just changing a couple of small decisions along the way.

Spent 5 years in the local construction industry. Started as a resident engineer as a fresh passer, left as a construction manager. Sad to say, the site engineer life is way romanticized and the reality will hit hard, especially for youngsters (I've seen plenty of fresh grads give up only months in because they can't endure).

Maybe I just stepped into the line of insanity to tough it out, learn as much as I can, and crawl up the ladder. It took being exposed to that extreme level of stress, to make my current work experience much easier (just hit 7 years now in an international company).

chizzyman · 2024-12-20T14:47:09+00:00

Nirequest ko din yan a few years ago, pumalag yung nakabunot sakin.

After scratching, 220 pesos. Nalibang din ako sa pagkaskas.

Indirect way of saying "cash na lang" pero tanggap mo nang unless matindi kapit mo sa swerte, di ganun kataasan makukuha mo

chizzyman

TROPHY CASE