Former American President Barack Obama couldn’t have said it any better: “In the 21st century, the best anti-poverty program around is a world-class education.” We don’t have to look very far to prove his statement—it’s happening right here in the country, with Rose Ann Carmona being a perfect example.
Now an associate process automation engineer brimming with potential at JG Summit Petrochemical Corporation, there was a point in Rose Ann’s life where she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to pursue the career that she always wanted. Just a little over a decade ago, the prospect of not being able to finish college due her family’s financial situation weighed heavily on her mind.
Chemical Engineer Rose Ann Carmona at the JG Summit Petrochemical Corp. plant in Batangas.
As a college freshman in 2009, part of her tuition came from her older brother, who was kind enough to share part of his stipend that he received as a scholar. Then, two years into her schooling, came the opportunity that would change Rose Ann’s life: she was selected for the GBF-JG Petrochem STEM Scholarship for Excellence. For the final two years of her Chemical Engineering course at Batangas State University, she was freed from the burden of having to worry about her family’s income. “This opportunity inspired me to grow. It helped me achieve my career goals by reducing my stress over the lack of money so I could focus on a well-rounded college experience,” said Rose Ann in a feature in Legacy, a special edition magazine celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation.
A video prepared for the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation's 25th anniversary in 2017.
In the same publication, John Gokongwei Jr., JG Summit Holdings founder and chairman emeritus, said, “We have to strengthen our hold on our science and engineering courses. Many people are pursuing law and medicine; most don’t seem to want to take up science courses. Maybe they think these courses are too difficult. But that’s the only way to help our country industrialize. This is why the GBF is committed to supporting education, particularly in science and engineering.”
Focusing on STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education, the GBF STEM Scholarship for Excellence (SFE)—the program that Rose Ann became part of—was launched in 2011. True to form, Rose Ann, who graduated high school with the first honorable mention award, became a dean’s lister in college, a university scholar, and graduated in the top 20 percent of her class in 2014. By November of that year, she had passed the tough PRC board exams—she was now a licensed chemical engineer.
GBF scholars Rose Ann Carmona, Melvin Rigodon, and Cherygold Caminian are all licensed chemical engineers at JG Summit Petrochemical Corporation.
In just four years, she’s made steady progress at JG Summit Petrochemicals Corporation. She started as a cadet engineer before moving up to junior process engineer, and then up to her current role, where her many responsibilities include the “development of the operator training simulator for the aromatics extraction unit, support on the current operator training simulator for the naphtha cracker plant and projects, the plant information management system, providing technical services in areas such as daily routine maintenance, engineering tasks, user training, as well as participating in safety programs and inter-departmental activities like incident investigations and ISO audits.”
It may sound like a lot, but Rose Ann is able to handle it in stride; after all, her previous hardships never got in the way of her personal goals. With gratitude she says that JG Summit Petrochemical Corp. has been supportive not only of her, but of the entire staff, supporting their career advancement through training sessions and providing the tools and resources needed to do their jobs well. “I’ve acquired valuable knowledge and technical support skills, as well as key competencies and associated behaviors required to deliver execution excellence,” she says with confidence.
Thanks to a fulfilling career, things are on the up, not only for Rose Ann but for her family, as they’ve been able to purchase a home with Rose Ann’s and her siblings’ earnings. Rose Ann has been on an inspiring journey, one that shows that with determination, fortitude, and firm resolve, dreams can come true. For the youth of the country who share a similar background to Rose Ann, the students who “are constantly fighting for the right to receive an education,” never give up hope. Demonstrate your grit and strength of character and there’ll be individuals, corporations, or organizations such as GBF eager to lend a helping hand.
JG Summit Petrochemicals Group, 9F-11F, Robinsons Cyberscape Gamma Building, Topaz and Ruby Roads, Ortigas Center, Brgy. San Antonio, Pasig City, 1605. You may reach them at (632) 397-3200 and (632) 230-5000, or visit jgspetrochem.com for more information.
For more information on the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, please visit www.jgsummit.com.ph/gokongwei-brothers-foundation. You may also call (02) 451-8888 loc. 1118 or email Katherine.Manalo@gbf.com.ph
