From joke to reality: Son gets billboard for passing licensure exam

February 17, 2026 – 6:30 PM

Empty billboard surrounded by trees (wahyu_t via freepik)

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What began as a joke between a son and his parents turned into a billboard-sized celebration in

Pampanga

Newly licensed architect

Kenneth Marlan Lingat

was stunned after discovering that his parents had taken their playful banter seriously — erecting a full-sized billboard to congratulate him on passing the

Architecture Licensure Examination

Kenneth had told his parents that if he passed, he wanted a “big tarpaulin.”

“Sabi ko, kapag pumasa ako, maganda kung malaki ‘yung tarpaulin ko,” he said in an interview.

When he passed the licensure exam in January 2026, his parents made good on the joke and had a billboard installed in

Angeles City

Reports said that they did not spend on the initiative since the billboard space was owned by a family friend.

Kenneth said the billboard is proof he has fulfilled his dream of making his family happy and bringing them honor.

The post has earned 2,100 upvotes and two awards in the “r/pinoy” community.

“Ginawang literal ‘yung ‘edi i-billboard mo,’” a

Redditor

“Parents who are very proud. Why not?! Congrats to the new Architect!” another

user

exclaimed.

user

Pinoy

The phrase “edi ipa-billboard mo” has long been used as an expression among Pinoys, with it being used in different contexts. Examples include, “‘

Kung mahal mo, ed ipa-billboard mo

Meanwhile, to become an architect in the country, one must complete the five-year bachelor’s program, a two-year apprenticeship, and pass the Architectural Licensure Examination conducted by the

Professional Regulation Commission