I come from a poor family in Batangas. My mother was widowed early and she struggled to raise her six children. Upon learning about CMSP from our neighbors, with a heavy heart, she decided to bring me, and my younger brother to the CMSP children’s home in 1992.

CMSP became my home for the next ten years of my life. It was where I was blessed with friendships that have lasted a lifetime. Where bonds are closer than real families. Through my years in CMSP, my values were formed and my faith was developed. And I owe a debt of gratitude to CMSP for the opportunity to finish my formal education from my elementary schooling through to my college studies until I gained by Mechanical Engineering degree from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Maragondon, Cavite.

At an early age, I resolved to study hard and help my family out of poverty. I would not say I was always the smartest in class growing up, but I would say I was pretty ambitious even as a young kid – I dreamed of being an engineer and I wanted to work overseas. I prayed for God to open doors and He did, beyond my wildest imaginings.

I could still recall how elated I was to learn that I was offered the job as Mechanical Site Coordinator in Qatar in 2007. I have moved from that job since and I am now based Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, still as a practicing mechanical engineer.

Along with opportunities in my career, I have also had the privilege to hold various positions with the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers since 2011 as its Secretary until I became its President in 2017. And most recently (2019), I was named “The Outstanding Mechanical Engineer” (TOME) in the field of Construction-International level by my alma mater, PUP Cavite.

But among all these recognitions, positions, and awards, one of my most treasured ones would be my CMSP General Membership which I received in 2016. My life has come full circle from a CMSP beneficiary, to an alumnus, to staff, to general member. And as I look back at my life, I am humbled that a boy from a poor family would not only be able to achieve his dreams, but also build on those dreams further and share with those whose dreams are still in completion.

Together with my beautiful wife, Mariel, who also happens to be a former CMSP child, and our four lovely children – JM, Mikay, Marco, and Miel, I pray that God will also do immeasurably more than all you ask or imagine just as he had done for me all these years.

Jay Roces

(Jay and Mariel are both former CMSP children and they recently donated the cost of one classroom for CMSP in Sipocot, Camarines Sur)