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| Logo of Philippine Regulation Commission, UE Recto & España, Manila |
After graduation, I immediately took a review for my Licensure Examination then went back to my hometown for at least a month rest. Before taking up my Board Examinations, I had already some job applications with different companies and series of interviews but I was still unfortunate. Sometime in Rainy October, 1992 was the day of our Board Examination at University of the East-Manila. Everybody was excited but the tensions are floating in the air especially upon entering the examination room. It was a very strange feeling and experience since passing a Licensure Examination is the first step to full stardom as a Certified Mechanical Engineer.
The examination was divided into three categories; General Mathematics (40%), Design of Machine Elements (30%) and Power Plant Engineering Design (30%). It took an eight long hours to finish the test. And you were allowed to bring as many Mechanical Engineering text books for your reference but only four books can be brought in front of your seat. You were allowed to change text book as often as you want provided it will be asked permission and checked by the examiner. Scientific Calculator was also allowed but it should be scanned by the examiner before using it. This is the system of Licensure Examination during our time.
After six months of waiting the result, it was come to my disappointment that I failed the exam. The passing grade during that time was 70% but I got a very disappointing 69%. I only passed one category which is the General Mathematics (77%) but not enough to cover the other two categories which are 67% and 60% respectively. It was considered to be my first major down fall because my hardships for more than five years was gone with the wind. It was almost two days of sleepless nights and not even ate for at least a day. It really hurt me too much and I can’t afford to stand on my conscience because of the hard earned money that my parents spent for me to school. It took more than a week to recover for this first major failure in my life. My parents asked me if I want to review again but I declined them, instead, I forced myself to get a job and decided to take a second shot at my own expense.
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| Paper Mills Company |
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| My working career started in a Paper Mills Company |
My professional career started in Dasmariñas Paper Mills Incorporated (DPMI) in Sitio Bucal, Dasmariñas, Cavite as a Staff Engineer. The company during that time was under construction. The site was still undeveloped. Paper Machineries from abroad were not yet arrived. The site was very far from our home in Manila so I stayed in at the "barracks" for a week then went home during weekend. Due to work requirement, I stayed inside the company all days and nights to monitor the construction works and in-charge in the night operation. The company assigned me as the Highest Ranking Officer during the night and holidays with additional allowances and benefits for more than 3 months.
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| Paper Machines (Dryers, Coach Rolls....etc) |
In this company, everything in my part was a first time. It was the first time that I am controlling my own life. It’s my first time also to drink some alcoholic drinks and having friends with different types of people from all walks of life. Since most of the time I was the highest officer of the night, I can freely do what I want during the night. Here in my first job, I learned that Too Much Companionship or "Sobrang Pakikisama" makes other people abusive. Due to my friendly attitudes, I can control all of them in a way that they become my friends and even the company guards were at my side. I felt I am uncontrollable every night. I can do whatever I want since I knew that all of them were on my side and protecting me even though against my will and the company. Beside some bad moves, I did not forget my job responsibilities to the company and never lost their trust in me.
There was an incident that I had proved that TRUST given to me by the company. It was a Holy Week vacation and the management assigned me to stay as a Resident Engineer. So, I spent my long week vacation in the plant. One holiday morning, the guard called me by radio that a visitor was outside the plant. At first, I didn’t care since I had instructed the guard that nobody will be allowed to get inside without any official business or authorization from the management. Then after a few minutes, the guard came to my office and told me that those people on a car are forcing them to open the gate and according to them they were the owner of the company. So I went to the gate and faced them in a professional and gentle manner. I explained to them the policy of the company but still insisting to enter the plant without showing any authorization papers because they were the alleged owner. Then after some hot discussions, one of them called one of the top managers of the company and let him spoke to me. It was then that I knew that these people were not just the stock holders but the owner of the company. Well, it was very shameful but proud of it because I had done a good job. I gave them the usual respect and ordered the guards to escort them until they left the plant. The following working days in a meeting with the managers, they had congratulated me for a job well done and it was worth the TRUST they've given me.
After three years of honest service to the company, I resigned for a personal reason that I wanted to explore my knowledge and to gain more experiences in the Field of Mechanical Engineering. I’m still young that time that I wanted to grow. So, I can say that this company was one of my major foundations and stepping stone towards the success of my chosen career. I learned a lot from this company and developed myself as a strong person that can now stand alone and face any realities of life.
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