CONCEPCION, Tarlac – The Municipality of Concepcion has a new reason to celebrate as one of its own, Arianne Mae Tapnio Magat, brought honor to the province by clinching the Top 2 spot in the July 2026 Licensure Examination for Interior Designers (LEID).
The 24-year-old pride of barangay Alfonso proved that excellence runs in her blood, scoring an impressive 88.00%—a mere 0.05% shy of the top spot, which was claimed by Diane Kirsten Redeña of the University of the Philippines Diliman with an 88.05% rating.
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced on July 22 that 381 out of 432 examinees passed the rigorous board examinations, translating to an 88.19% national passing rate.
She is a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, Magna Cum Laude. A consistent scholar from elementary to college, she was class valedictorian at Montessori School of St. Nicholas in Capas and graduated with highest honors in both junior and senior high school at Wellspring High School, Inc.
The middle child of three siblings, she is the daughter of food business entrepreneurs who worked hard to support her studies.
A Thomasian Triumph
Magat, a proud graduate of the UST, stood out not only individually but as part of a stellar batch of Thomasians. Out of 83 examinees from UST, 81 passed, giving the university an outstanding 97.59% passing rate.
She also shared the Top 10 spotlight with two fellow Thomasians: Cristina Mari Adarlo who placed 7th with 86.65%, and Maria Veronica Therese Magallanes who secured 10th with 86.45%.
The Journey: From Pandemic Screens to Board Room Glory
Magat’s journey to the top was anything but ordinary. She began her college life in front of a computer screen, attending Zoom classes during the height of the pandemic. As a scholar from Grades 7 to 12 and a Santo Tomas Academic Scholar throughout her college years, she knew she had to be intentional about maintaining her academic standing.
“My first year was not easy, especially that everything was purely online,” Magat shared to Tarlakenyo.
“During the final period of the last term, I experienced an illness that affected my performance. I was really afraid of losing my scholarship, but thankfully, my grades were reconsidered.”
In her second year, she stepped out of her comfort zone and joined the UST Interior Design Innovators as Documentation Head, later becoming the organization’s Auditor in her third year. The workload became so challenging that there was a time she almost gave up, even sacrificing a competition just to maintain her scholarship.
One of the most unforgettable struggles she faced was during her thesis—a deeply emotional and challenging process that, she says, reminded her that “setbacks do not define the end of your journey and that life is not always perfect.”
Gearing Up for the Boards
After graduation, Magat chose to rest and spend time with her family before diving into review. Then, she rented a place near her review center in Quezon City and enrolled in face-to-face classes at CDEP, knowing that traditional classroom setting suited her learning style best.
Her study routine evolved through trial and error, with printing reviewers, making flashcards, highlighting books. But what truly made a difference were her study buddies.
“My friends and I had Gizmo Quiz nights every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday,” she recalled. “Since it felt like a game, it made studying more enjoyable and motivated me to stay consistent. I even reached 2 million XP!”
She also enjoyed practicing the drawing portion of the exam, honing her skills in rendering, perspective, alcohol markers, and watercolor with the guidance of her mentors.
A Surreal Victory
When the results came out, Magat immediately searched for her name on the list of passers. Seeing her name there brought immense relief and gratitude. Then she checked the Top 10.
A video posted in her social media account of the moment showed her with her parents, tears streaming down her face as she realized she had made it.
“I was completely shocked. I even shouted, ‘Kasama ako!’ because I never expected to be part of it, especially not Top 2. It felt surreal. I was shaking and my tears didn’t stop pouring,” she recalled.
“I knew at that moment that everything I went through was worth it. Looking back, it was a reminder that if it’s God’s will, things will turn out more than what we prayed for.”
A Vision for the Industry
Now a licensed Interior Designer, Magat sees her achievement not as the peak but as the beginning of a long journey ahead. She aims to gain more experience and continue learning, hoping to contribute to a future where the interior design profession in the Philippines is more widely recognized and valued.
“Based on my experience, many people are still surprised that Interior Design has a board exam,” she said.
“Interior design is more than just choosing colors or decorating spaces. It is about creating environments that are both functional and meaningful—spaces that improve the quality of life of the people who use them.”
Advice to Aspiring Designers
To future board exam takers and incoming students, Magat offers this piece of advice:
“It is okay to feel scared. I also experienced a lot of doubts from the start of my review up to the waiting period of the results. What kept me going was the support and prayers of my family and friends, and my faith in God.”
She added, “The first step will always be the hardest, but once you start, we must keep going and aim higher. It is okay if you do not know everything yet. Growth takes time. Just like a seed, you will not see results immediately, but with patience, guidance, and perseverance, you will grow.”
A Bright Future Ahead
IDr. Arianne Mae Tapnio Magat’s success serves as a beacon of hope for every student who dreams of reaching greater heights, proving that no dream is too big and no obstacle is too great when one is armed with hard work, passion, and faith particularly her devotion to St. Jude Thaddeus and St. Joseph of Cupertino, whose intercession she sought throughout her review and board exam journey.
For the Concepcionenses, she is more than just a topnotcher—she is an inspiration. And as she embarks on her professional journey, one thing is certain: her name will continue to shine, not just as a topnotcher, but as a designer who creates spaces that matter and a daughter of Concepcion who continues to make her hometown proud.
