By Princes Elaine Y. Espongja BA-ELS 4

Engr. Ivan P. Romero believes in Science and Faith.

Central Philippine University has been living its motto “Science and faith” for generations. This slogan transcended to the different generations of Centralians. One alumnus in the name of Engr. Ivan P. Romero is the living proof of this; “CPU taught me that science and faith can always go hand-in-hand. That you can always love and learn science without sacrificing your faith. For science discovers what faith has built.” For him, it is both the work of science and faith that qualified him to be the person he is right now.

Engr. Ivan P. Romero is an alumnus of the College of Engineering who took up Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and passed the 2021 Chemical Engineering Board Exam, and a Top 2 finisher in the 2021 Chemical Technician Licensure Examination. His initial decision to enter the COE in CPU was solely based on the institution’s outstanding history in the field of Engineering in the Philippines. Later on he knew that the decision he made was just a one of the reasons why he actually had accomplished his starting career as an Engineer. “Aside from being a Center of Development (COD) for Chemical Engineering education (only a handful in the Philippines which has COD/COE status), I believe in CPU’s Scientia-et-Fides formula of educating every Centralian. It offers different fields of engineering (two of which are firsts in the Philippines) which I considered to be an advantage since every department shared their facility and workforce. It also caters to other students’ needs such as the rights to compete in sports and other literary competitions, join in academic and special organizations, be part of the student council, and grow in Christlikeness,” he said.

Looking back at Engr. Romero’s college years at Central, he was actually an affable student leader. He is a proud affiliate of the different organizations in CPU. Naming a few were: Centralite 2020, Associate Editor (SY 2019-2020); The Navigators-CPU Chapter, President SY (2018-2019); Freshmen Engineering Student Council, President (SY 2015-2016); Junior Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers – CPU Chapter, Representative (SY 2017-2018).

He juggled his academics and extra-curricular activities while still keeping his pursuit steadfast. While pursuing his degree he met good people, “…while studying engineering is the opportunity to meet lifelong friends across all engineering disciplines. We celebrate every small victory and rise from every adversity – together. Plus, we can worship and praise God every Christ Emphasis Week (CEW).” Being said, the Central spirit indeed, leads us to meet people that will forever leave a space in our hearts.

However, life at Central was never that easy, much more to an Engineering student like him. “I guess I also struggled with the common struggles that every ChE student encounters: juggling academic and org lives, successfully defending the project study and plant design, submitting experimental and computational laboratories, and surviving six to seven-hour exams.”, according to Engr. Romero. That one piece of advice he can share to those students who find the same situation like him is the ‘3Rs: Reasons Reap Results’. If you feel like giving up, remember the reasons why you started because when you put efforts, you reap what you have sown (result). As we should really be motivated in order to move forward despite of the adversities that may hold us back. Just like Engr. Romero who found his motivation in the presence of our dear Lord, his family (Pamplona-Romero), friends (Parliamento, Oneshot, Tres Hijos, EExChE), teachers (especially to the faculty of College of Engineering and Dept of Chemical Engineering), and each and every one who believed in his capabilities as a God-fearing-son, friend, student, and a fellow to all Centralians.

His college years at Central was just the beginning of his journey on becoming a skilled man in the professional field. The struggles he had to go through were actually the institution’s way to launch him into the greater aspects of life and to finally become the man he aspired to be. Nevertheless, CPU was just preparing him and like all other Centralians, to be an alumnus who will exhibit the Central spirit even after setting foot outside their beloved Alma matter. The reality of ‘life after college’ was never that easy for him, too. And as what anyone has been going through, he also has experienced the worst during this pandemic, where ‘our plans were put on hold’ became a famed cliché. A cliché which enabled us to still live our lives with discreet hope for tomorrow.

It is in this pandemic that Engr. Romero thought he will be put into such dilemma while having no choice but to live in this reality. “It was probably one of the hardest exams I’ve been to, especially while we are still in a pandemic, despite how confident I was of my preparations. It was also during the October 2021 ChELE when we had the lowest national passing in recent years. I also empathized with my fellow batchmates who, despite the uncertainties and risks, bravely prepared and fought for their dreams even though they fell short, well maybe for now.”, Engr. Romero on recalling his board exam journey. For him, it was a matter of waiting and trusting God’s desire, “So, I rested for a while to recollect my whys, went back on my study table and lamp to study my notes, and trusted God that I will end strong. So yeah, I placed 2nd during the October 2021 LEChT.”

As he commences his career as a Licensed Engineer, he is now a Technical Management Trainee for the track of Junior Engineer of Customer Technical Services and Applied Research under the Market and Product Development Department of JG Summit Olefins Corporation located in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. This will mark as his new beginning after his five fruitful years at Central Philippine University. Thus far, his one step outside his beloved Central was just again another challenge to himself to take on new paths. Engr. Romero has so much more to achieve yet again as he planned on pursuing MS Energy Engineering at UP Diliman. He thinks of it as his payback time to our mother earth because he wanted to be a part of those people who find sustainable solutions to the lack of usable energies and renewable energies to lower energy consumption. Aside from this noble plan, he also wanted to concretize his dream of having a review center for aspiring chemical engineers in Iloilo in the near future. With his laid plans, that proves how dedicated Engr. Romero is, and we cannot wait what kind of future awaits for him.

God’s plan is always the best plan indeed, as Engr. Romero lives his life according to this bible verse; Proverbs 16:3: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and He will establish your plans.” Engr. Romero was also once a struggling student just like any other Centralians out there, but through his firm faith and attitude towards facing life’s uncertainties, he was able to cross the bridge and would definitely take on another one with God in him, always.