Ranking Top 8 with 87.60% in the January 2026 Architect Licensure Examination (ALE), Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) architecture graduate Ar. Ella Mae Andrea Baylon Villacorte pledged to prioritize quality over convenient shortcuts in Philippine public works.

Villacorte stressed the profession’s duty to safeguard public safety in a field where negligence can prove fatal, committing to transparent, people-centered quality designs.

“As architects, we are expected to uphold the integrity of the profession… it is also our responsibility to protect public safety. In an industry where negligence can cost lives, I commit to upholding strict standards, making ethical decisions, and ensuring every design and detail prioritizes the people who will use these spaces.”

She expressed her commitment to using her platform to elevate the architectural standards, a drive that fueled her review process.

“The most important mindset that kept me motivated to push through is that we are not just studying only to pass the board exams, but to become better architects in the future.” 

Reflecting on her five-year journey at AdDU, Villacorte rooted her cultivated discipline and passion from the demanding nature of the field, which required her to sacrifice time to meet the expectations of being an architect.

“I gave up time with family, with friends, and often with myself. I sacrificed my leisure time and even sleep to finish plates and tasks. However… it taught me that every achievement is backed by countless hours of perseverance, resilience, and sacrifice.”

Preparing for the board exams proved daunting as she transitioned from work back to a rigorous study environment, admitting that managing the sheer volume of materials and battling “imposter syndrome” were her significant mental hurdles.

“In a field that demands perfection, managing mental health challenges and imposter syndrome requires self-awareness… I reminded myself that I should not pressure myself on perfection but on learning and growth. It is important to recognize even the smallest progress.”

Villacorte also urged current architecture students to find strength in their “why” when deadlines and doubts pile up.

“Architecture will break you, but it will also mold you. Everything you learn and experience in university prepares you for what lies ahead.”

Overall, AdDU recorded a 96% institutional passing rate in the January 2026 ALE, with 24 out of 25 examinees passing, significantly higher than the national passing rate of 82.09%.

The January 2026 ALE was conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) at testing centers nationwide, with 1,998 out of 2,434 successfully passing the boards.