When the Professional Regulation Commission released the results of the March 2026 Licensure Examination for Electronics Technicians, CITE had every reason to celebrate. One of its own, John Roy Rigodon, claimed a place on the national leaderboard with an outstanding 90%, earning the rank of fourth placer. But behind that remarkable score is more than academic excellence. It is the story of grit, grounding, and guts named John Roy.
John Roy Caballes Rigodon, a Batch 32 graduate of the Diploma in Electronics Engineering Technology, officially became one of the top examinees in the country.
But those who knew his story were hardly surprised. A consistent academic achiever, class chairman for three years, recipient of both the Best in Technology Award and the Merit Award, and a National Certification holder in Electronic Products and Assembly Servicing, Mechatronics, and Computer Systems Servicing, the 23-year-old gentleman from Candaguit, Sibonga had long embodied intellect and excellence.
Beyond the classroom, he also pursued causes close to his heart, serving as an active member of an NGO that champions human rights and sits as a trustee for another NGO that advances environmental and human rights causes.
“Excellence is a function of hard work. You have to be a student of life and learn every day.”
That was Roy’s no-frills answer when asked how he prepared for the licensure examination. But his preparation ran deeper than that. His difficulties in life helped him sharpen not only his content mastery but also his worldview. More than just a passion for learning, Roy credits his achievement to his roots.
Born as the eldest of six children, Roy grew up in a family that relied on modest and often uncertain means to make ends meet. Their livelihood came from whatever they could earn through fishing, peddling shakoy and rice cakes, and selling home-cooked viands. Despite these humble beginnings, Roy carried with him a strong determination to rise above hardship through education.
His perseverance opened a door when he qualified for a four-year scholarship grant from the Department of Science and Technology. With this opportunity, he enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering program at Cebu Institute of Technology–University. For a time, it seemed that his path was steadily unfolding toward that dream. But life took an unexpected turn.
During his third semester, the combined challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastation brought by Typhoon Odette made online learning increasingly difficult. Faced with circumstances beyond his control, Roy was forced to stop his studies.
Refusing to be defeated by setbacks, Roy made the courageous decision to begin again. In 2022, he applied to CITE and entered the Electronics program, where he was granted a three-year UAQTEA scholarship under the diploma program.
Roy has already shown strong potential as a future instructor. During his 15 months of in-plant training, he served as a laboratory assistant and was even entrusted to help facilitate classes for fellow students—an early sign of both his competence and his ability to guide others.
After graduation, Roy took on various jobs while continuing to accept special project assignments from CITE, including serving as a Math instructor for its one-year Production Technology course. Even while working, he remained steadfast in his goal, committing himself to an intensive eight-week review in preparation for the licensure examination.
“I made it through hard work and through the intercession of St. Joseph of Cupertino and Blessed Alvaro del Portillo,” he shared.
In the years ahead, Roy hopes to continue pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering and build on the strong foundation he has already laid. One of his greatest aspirations is to work aboard a ship as an Electro-Technical Officer, a path that is already beginning to unfold through an offer he has received.
John Roy Rigodon is more than a topnotcher—he is a torchbearer of what it means to be a CITE graduate: brilliant, grounded, and ready to make a mark on the next generation.
To John Roy and to all the 2025 Electronics Technicians passers, congratulations!
Your triumphs today will become the lessons and inspiration of tomorrow.