BRAVING stormy weather, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) alumnus Jonas Fabian Roque emerged as one of the topnotchers in the recent Real Estate Appraisers Licensure Examination (Reale).
The 41-year-old summa cum laude graduate of Benilde’s Real Estate Management (REM) program claimed that, despite his dedication to studying for the test, nothing prepared him for the anxiety brought by the torrential rains on exam day.
“I was anxious, unsure if the exam would be suspended, and with most streets flooded, transportation was a real challenge,” Roque recalled. “Thankfully, I arrived safely and stayed calm. One of the foundations of real estate is understanding location — and that day, I had to apply it in real life just to navigate the flooded streets of Manila.”
He shared eighth place with 14 other passers with a rating of 88 percent.
“Making it to the Top 8 is a humbling reminder that hard work and purpose can align, even through setbacks. This milestone is incredibly special to me because it reflects at least two months of reviewing and years spent learning and building a foundation during my 10 terms in the REM program as my third degree,” he said.
Jonas Fabian Roque is a summa cum laude graduate of Benilde’s Real Estate Management program. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The Mandaluyong-born Roque finished his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Computer Science at the University of the Philippines.
Now equipped with real estate broker and appraiser licenses, he recognized the significance of his field of expertise to the lives of Filipinos.
His future plans include setting up his own firm where he can integrate the knowledge and skills he acquired from his background in computer science, information technology, and creative work to offer innovative and value-driven services.
More than selling
“Real estate is more than just selling; it’s about solving real problems rooted in the need for safe spaces, secure homes, and land people can depend on,” he noted. “That’s the purpose behind getting licensed — to be part of those solutions.”
In his new career path, Roque drew inspiration from lawyer Carl Au, his mentor at Benilde, who made real estate laws easier to comprehend.
“As a visual and auditory learner, I still remember his voice explaining the concepts and the way his handwriting and presentation looked as he broke down the laws,” Roque recounted.
As a way of giving back to his school, Jonas will be attending the flagship event of the student organization Real Estate Group for Advancement and Leadership (Regal) in 2026 to support future Benildean real estate professionals through their licensure exam review.
Based on personal experience, he gave aspiring real estate appraisers some practical tips, such as completing mock tests, tracking one’s mistakes, and simulating the exam conditions.
“After each topic, answer related mock questions to understand how concepts are asked in multiple-choice format,” Roque suggested. “List items you got wrong or guessed, including confusing terms. Review this list weekly for better retention.”
“Practice answering mock exams, including shading, in both quiet and noisy settings,” he added. “Train your focus for actual exam distractions such as train and construction noises nearby.”
Study daily
He advised examinees to follow a study plan and base their review on the topic outline of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
“Study daily, not just to gain knowledge but to build discipline,” he said. “The key was consistency and showing up, even on days I didn’t feel at my best and had other things to juggle.”
Dreaming high by setting one’s sights on the topnotcher list is beneficial for examination takers.
“Shoot for the stars,” he advised. “When you aim high, even if you fall short, you’ll still be above the passing line. It’s better to land on a cloud than lie in bed with ‘what ifs’ and ‘what could have beens.’”
With 18 passers out of 23 takers, Benilde attained a 78.26 percent passing rate. This marked an increase of 11.59 percent from the college’s 66.67 percent passing rate in 2024.
Benilde School of Management and Information Technology (SMIT) Dean Joana Diñoso, DBA, a licensed real estate consultant, appraiser, and broker, lauded Roque’s accomplishment as a testament to the program’s innovative curriculum and teaching strategies.
“This is a monumental success not just for Jonas but for the entire SMIT community,” she said.