From Rejection to Redirection: How a former Pilmico scholar pivoted from failure

If there is one failure Dominic De Leon is thankful for, it was when he lost the presidency of the student council elections during his senior year of college. 

Dominic, who is often called “Doms” by his friends, was an active student leader throughout his college career, even saying that he spent more time in the council than studying. While his peers were busy looking for potential internships, he was fully dedicated to his presidential campaign, which he ultimately lost.  

His summer term was fast approaching, yet there he was without a student council position or an internship. As he desperately searched for a company he could apply to, he came across Pilmico, who was still accepting interns during that time. He did not mind the distance between its Feedmill in Capas, Tarlac, and his hometown in San Fernando, Pampanga. Doms then sent his resume, which he later found out had impressed the supervising engineer. 

“Literally, when one door closes, another opens,” that is how Doms described the beginning of his journey with the company.

He shared that he had many valuable learnings from his two to three months of internship, but it was his last day that left a lasting impression. While riding the company service on his way home, he talked to other employees, including the Human Resources personnel who hired him for the internship. During the ride, she encouraged Doms to apply for the Pilmico Scholarship. 

“If there’s any memorable experience I had, it was that interaction with Ms. Gie Ann (from HR) during the last day. Swertihan lang din na nakasabay ko siya sa service kasi naki-hitchhike lang ako, then nabanggit niya ‘yung scholarship. Thankfully, nakuha ko ‘yung scholarship for my entire last year of college plus board exam review and fees,” Doms shared. 

(If there’s any memorable experience I had, it was that interaction with Ms. Gie Ann (from HR) during the last day. It’s out of pure luck that I hitchhiked in the service then she mentioned about the scholarship. Thankfully, I became a scholar for my entire last year of college plus the board exam review and fees.)

Doms is now in his 5th year with Pilmico as a Meats Maintenance Mechanical Supervisor. He’s experienced wins and challenges, both of which continue to motivate him.

Doms De Leon is now on his 5th year with Pilmico as a Meats Maintenance Mechanical Supervisor at Tarlac MeatMasters.

“I’ve learned that growing is really about your people skills and people management skills, how you treat yourself, and how to manage your stress,” he added.  

If anything remained the same for Doms throughout the years, it’s that failures and redirections do not hinder him from achieving his passions. Instead, it only motivates him to do better. He also reminds other team members to rely on the Aboitiz Values in times of challenges, just like he had always held them at his core. “During your hardships, remember the Aboitiz Values (teamwork, integrity, responsibility, innovation); those are the guiding values that will help us grow and guide us. If ever nahihirapan tayo sa work, may konting challenges and confusions, just remember the Aboitiz Values, and they will guide your way,” he said. 

(During your hardships, remember the Aboitiz Values (teamwork, integrity, responsibility, innovation); those are the guiding values that will help us grow and guide us. If ever we’re finding difficulties at work, when we face slight challenges and confusions, just remember the Aboitiz Values and they will guide your way.)