As Aboitiz Construction strengthens its commitment to being ‘Engineered for Excellence,’ it empowers its Kaubans by exposing them to opportunities and encouraging them to take on challenging tasks outside their comfort zones.
Similar to how Aboitiz Construction expanded its business horizons by launching its new business segments, ACI Plus for maintenance services and ACI Rentals for fleet and asset solutions, our Kaubans are also given the opportunity to upskill and broaden their experiences. Two Kaubans shared their respective journeys of personal transformation and how they are using their growth to contribute to the company’s success.
Apprenticeship to Leadership
To begin with, Ian Dumaguin joined the company through its Apprenticeship Program with only one goal—to learn.
“Through the apprenticeship, I rotated across departments and project sites, gaining a broader perspective of how operations, engineering, safety, and quality aligned to deliver successful outcomes,” Ian shares. “That experience allowed me to appreciate the interconnectedness of every role in achieving project excellence.”
His discipline and humility led him to become a Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) Inspector upon completing the program—a role that went beyond technical expertise and required leadership.
He helped in leading the team in the construction of the Big E Facilities Project—the new Lemon Square manufacturing facility—which is one of the company’s most recent flagship initiatives. While these opportunities challenged his abilities, they also raised his standards when it came to the quality of his work.
Currently, he serves as a QA/QC Inspector III across various Aboitiz Construction project sites in LIMA Estate, Batangas, signifying his continued contribution to the team. Looking back on his journey, he values not just the promotions he has earned, but also the person he has become in the process.
“I came to understand that quality is not simply about inspection; it is about integrity, ensuring compliance, and reinforcing trust with our teams and clients,” he says.
The Process of Becoming More
On the other hand, Carl Angelo Cruz is a registered electrical engineer whose career began as an Electrical, Instrumentation, and Controls Technician, eventually advancing to a Process Performance Engineer in his previous company. This role demanded rigorous plant operations, including graveyard shifts and extensive fieldwork.
Although he found the work both fulfilling and intellectually challenging, Carl felt his personal and professional growth had plateaued. Seeking new challenges, he transitioned to the Maintenance Services business segment, now known as ACI Plus, where he found the holistic development he was looking for. Today, he is the Project-in-Charge for the maintenance operations of ACI Plus at Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. in Davao City.
“Transformation is not about changing who you are. It’s about expanding who you can become. And for me, ACI became the platform where I stopped being just an Electrical Engineer, and started becoming more,” Carl says.
This role meant moving from the client side to the contractor side, dealing not only with theories but also with real-world challenges—breakdowns, pressure, safety risks, budget constraints, and tight deadlines.
This change also transformed him on a personal level, giving him more time for himself and his family as a father. He underscored the importance of maintaining balance in all aspects of life.
“On a personal level, I’m happily married and now have a baby. Stability and growth matter more to me than ever. But transformation also taught me balance. Growth is not just about career progression. It’s about becoming better – in all areas of life,” he says.
Aboitiz Construction places high regard on its Kaubans, reaffirming its commitment to delivering quality projects for its partners and stakeholders. In line with the Aboitiz Group’s GTNEXT phase of its Great Transformation, the company remains steadfast in upskilling its people. By doing so, Aboitiz Construction continues to live out its tagline, “Engineered for Excellence,” as it aspires to become the country’s premier construction and asset management services provider by 2030.