By Karren Jay G. Asgar
During the Filipino-Australian Foundation of Queensland, Inc. (FAFQI), Ilonggo Association of Victoria, Australia, Inc. (IAVAI), and Philippine-Australian Foundation, Inc. (PAFI) Victoria Scholarship Awarding Ceremony on January 23, 2026, Mr. Melvin Espiga personally attended and delivered a message, sharing his journey as a former work student and inspiring students to persevere in their studies, remain grateful for the support they receive, and one day pay it forward to the Centralian community.
Central Philippine University (CPU) has long been a home of learning and values, where students not only gain knowledge but also develop principles that guide them throughout life. One of its hallmark programs, the Work Student Study Program, reflects the University’s commitment to empowering students and providing opportunities for those who demonstrate both academic potential and a strong desire to work toward their goals. Within this environment of learning, growth, and service, countless Centralians have discovered their paths, including a remarkable alumnus from Estancia, Mr. Melvin Espiga.
A proud member of batch 1973, Espiga earned his Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in Accounting. During his college years, he worked as a Library Student Assistant at the Henry Luce III Library for four years.
“As a working student, my determination was intense,” Espiga recalls. I am the youngest of 12 siblings, and we lived on an island called Bayas Island in Estancia, Iloilo. I honestly thought that I would never be able to attend school. I asked my sister to allocate her first salary as a substitute teacher to pay for my enrollment.” Despite the challenges, he persevered and sought guidance from Atty. Modesto Rico, the former Work Student Coordinator. After rigorous training, Espiga was one of the 13 successful trainees assigned to the library.
He fondly recalls the practical struggles of student life. “In the past, my family would send dried fish instead of money, which I would convert into cash. Even my professors would regularly buy dried fish from me.”
Mr. Melvin Espiga with his loved ones, sharing love, laughter, and support.
After graduation, he joined the Philippine Commercial International Bank (PCIBank) in February of 1974. The following year, he was promoted to OIC of the PCIBank Central Market Moneyshop. He rapidly rose through the ladder of young, dynamic, and service excellence-oriented executives, having been promoted again in 1980 to OIC of the PCIBank Supermarket Moneyshop. Through his proactive management underpinned by exemplary commitment to customer service excellence, the Moneyshop won the Moneyshop of the Year Award in 1984 and 1st Runner-up in 1985. In 1987, he was again promoted to Branch Operations Officer of the PCIBank Valeria Branch. He remained in that role until June 1992, when he had to resign to prepare for his family’s migration to Australia on July 31, 1992, to join his wife’s family, who had already settled well in Melbourne.
Espiga is married to Francisca “Frances” Cerdana. They married in 1978 and have 4 children. Frances was worried about their financial situation because of the yearly arrival of a child. “I will look for solutions, I will convert my cooking hubby into business,” Espiga assured Frances. As there was no Google at the time, he discovered the recipe for Corned Beef through trial and error until he got the recipe very close to Libby’s Corned Beef. He named the business after his wife’s name, Frances Food Products selling Corned Beef, Corned Pork, Beef Tapa, Pork Tocino, Chicken Tocino and Embutido. “In one year’s time of business operation, we were able to buy a house,” Espiga proudly asserted.
The Espiga family’s migration to Australia, put an end to Espiga’s promising banking career and successful entrepreneurial ventures. Espiga’s life in Melbourne, Australia, however, continued his journey of dedicated service and leadership far beyond his student years.
One month after arriving and settling in Melbourne, he joined the Ilonggo Association of Victoria, Australia, Inc. (IAVAI). He served the Association in various capacities: as Auditor from 1993 to 2012, President from 2013 to 2017, and VP-External Affairs from 2018 to 2024.
He also joined the Philippine-Australian Foundation (Victoria), Inc. (PAFI) as a founding member in 1992. Currently, he sits on the Board as one of its Directors. His wife, Frances, is also a member of PAFI.
Espiga’s commitment to helping others, particularly deserving students, was highlighted during the first joint Scholarship Awarding Ceremony of PAFI Victoria and the Ilonggo Association of Victoria, Australia, Inc. (IAVAI), and the Filipino-Australian Foundation of Queensland, Inc. (FAFQI), hosted by CPU on January 23, 2026.
Likewise, Espiga’s entrepreneurial interest also continued. He joined a group of Filipino entrepreneurs who expressed interest in setting up money remittance and bank-to-bank services to the Philippines in partnership with a bank in the Philippines. The group established Allsafe International Pty. Ltd. and delegated Espiga to deal with PCIBank to provide exclusive bank-to-bank services and receive money remittances from Filipino-Australians to the Philippines. He was designated as the Operations Director and later appointed as the Managing Director of the Company.
Due to the Australian Government’s drastic changes to anti-money laundering legislation, which adversely affected Allsafe’s operations and service viability, Allsafe was constrained to cease operations.
Notwithstanding his roles with Allsafe, Espiga continued to work with the Public Transport Corporation, a company owned and operated by the State Government of Victoria to provide train, tram, and bus services. He retired on August 19, 2017, after 24 years of continuous service. One of his retirement benefits is a lifetime pass for him and his wife to travel free on all trains, trams, and buses anywhere in Victoria.
In his speech, Espiga recounted how he and his wife joined IAVAI the day after arriving in Melbourne, Australia, in 1992, eventually becoming officers. “As a former work student myself, I felt the hardship experienced by some work students,” he said, inspiring the establishment of a P5,000 annual food allowance per scholar approved by the IAVAI Board. From 2011 to January 2025, this program helped over 335 working students at CPU.
Espiga also highlighted the replication of this scholarship model by PAFI Victoria, made possible through the support of donors like Rufo Paredes of Victoria, Australia, and Cid Cabalum of Chicago, USA. “Today marks the start of PAFI joining IAVAI and FAFQI in looking for donors for the scholarship program. The more fundraisers we hold, the more grants-in-aid we can provide to CPU’s deserving students,” he said.
From humble beginnings in Estancia to shaping educational opportunities halfway across the globe, Melvin Espiga’s story is one of resilience, generosity, and steadfast belief in the power of perseverance and community support.