Mark Allen Armenion, a former market porter from Cebu City, has made headlines with his extraordinary achievement in the Mechanical Engineering board exam. In February 2022, Armenion secured the second rank with a remarkable score of 95.70 percent. His journey to success, however, was filled with challenges and perseverance.
Armenion, the youngest of four siblings, grew up in a family with modest means. His mother sold charcoal in Carbon, and his father was a cook, but they were not living together. Despite the financial hardships and family struggles, Armenion remained determined. He worked as a porter at Warwick Barracks, Carbon Market, balancing his job with his studies.
His academic path was not smooth; he faced failures both in elementary and high school. Nonetheless, Armenion enrolled at the University of Cebu – Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue and later transferred to UC-main, continually striving to excel despite the odds.
This perseverance paid off when Armenion excelled in the board exam, though he admitted to feeling slightly disappointed for not securing the top rank. His motivation stemmed from his parents’ support and his desire to overcome financial constraints.
Nearly two years later, The Summit Express caught up with Armenion, who is now working as a site engineer at Cebu 2 World Development, Inc., and also teaches part-time at Alcorcon Engineering Review Center.
Armenion’s story is a testament to the power of determination and hard work, demonstrating that regardless of one’s background, success is attainable with dedication and effort.