Around 500 engineering students from De La Salle University-Manila gained valuable career and industry insights as the Meralco Power Academy brought its flagship PowerConvos lecture series to the university’s Taft campus.
Organized by the Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company, the event aimed to strengthen the students’ career readiness while inspiring them to pursue excellence, leadership, and meaningful service in the rapidly evolving energy sector.
Leading the discussions were Meralco PowerGen Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel V. Rubio, Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Networks Froilan J. Savet, Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga, and MGEN Human Resource Head Eillen P. Lopez.
The speakers shared real-world experiences, professional lessons, and practical advice on how aspiring engineers can successfully transition from the classroom to the workplace.
Beyond technical knowledge, the students were encouraged to develop resilience, street smarts, strong communication skills, and a genuine passion for their chosen profession—qualities considered essential in navigating challenges and building meaningful careers.
Rubio reminded the students that engineering success should not be measured solely by the size or complexity of the projects they undertake.
“You will have opportunities to build impressive things. But scale and complexity should not be the only measures of success. The deeper question is whether what you build improves people’s lives,” Rubio said.
Students also learned about Meralco’s continuing efforts to modernize and improve its distribution network through technologies such as Advanced Metering Infrastructure and Smart Grid solutions.
Savet emphasized that engineering excellence ultimately lies in the benefits created for customers and communities.
“People appreciate our work because the lights stay on. That is the real purpose behind everything we build and operate—and why we continuously take the initiative to innovate,” he said.
“Engineering excellence is ultimately measured not by what we design, but by the value it creates for people,” Savet added.
As the country’s largest private electric distribution utility and a major player in the power industry, Meralco also highlighted the importance of leadership, collaboration, communication, and stakeholder engagement in achieving organizational goals.
Zaldarriaga said technical expertise alone is not enough to become an effective and influential professional.
“Technical expertise is essential, but equally important is the ability to communicate effectively, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and remain committed to serving the public,” he said.
“These are qualities that help transform good engineers into impactful leaders,” he added.
MPA’s PowerConvos provides students with direct access to industry executives, practitioners, and specialists who discuss emerging trends, workplace realities, career opportunities, and the skills required to succeed in the energy sector.
Through PowerConvos and its continuing partnerships with academic institutions, MPA seeks to bridge the gap between education and industry while preparing aspiring engineers to become the next generation of leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers in the Philippine energy sector.
