By Jovit D. Caballero

As the sun sets and darkness gradually takes over the sky, a young boy sits on the sidewalk, doing his assignments by the light of a lamp post. Each time he looks up, he sees his mother across the street, working tirelessly to sell balut so he can have school allowance the following day. The constant struggle and scarcity of resources made this boy’s life feel perpetually off-balance.

The way he recounts his story vividly demonstrates his clear memory of his life journey. Sir Nelson delos Reyes, our Assistant Vice President for Engineering Services, was born without many privileges. Raised by a housewife and a laboratory assistant, he grew up in the streets of Sampaloc, Manila, where life often resembled a movie scene. The family constantly faced frat wars, and their home was frequently used as a passage by strangers during chases. Despite these challenges, the family always managed to have fun and build close bonds.

During his childhood, his father always ensured that he and his three siblings had bonding time on Sundays, even with the family’s small savings. They often watched movies at a drive-in cinema and strolled through Luneta Park and along Roxas Boulevard. At school, Nelson consistently made the honor roll and always defended his younger brother against bullies—a trait he believes he inherited from his protective father. Although life was hard, things were going well for their family until an unfortunate turn happened in his high school years.

In his third year at V. Mapa High School, his father was diagnosed with lung cancer due to heavy smoking. After a year of treatment and battling the disease, his father passed away, leaving his mother to raise the family on her own. Devastated by the loss, a compassionate neighbor introduced them to the community priest. This connection opened an opportunity for his mother to serve the church through her cooking, and in return, the family was provided with a place to live within the church premises which gave them a sense of stability and support during a difficult time.

They all understood that life would become even more challenging from that point forward. Driven by determination, the four siblings sought scholarships to help cover their college expenses at the University of Sto. Tomas. Fortunately, Nelson was awarded two scholarships: one that required him to serve time at the church where they were living, and another that required him to maintain a specific average grade and serve in the school’s scholarship office. It was during this period that his mother decided to sell balut on the streets at night. After school, Nelson would accompany her while his siblings took care of household chores. Each customer, especially those who were evidently wealthy, became an inspiration for Nelson to persevere and dream big.

One specific incident significantly fueled Nelson’s determination to work even harder. Due to his shy nature and difficulty with socializing, Nelson often missed his duties in the school’s scholarship office. During one of his semester enrollments, he was scolded by the scholarship administrator in front of many students, accused of only wanting the money and not fulfilling his duties as a scholar. In that moment, Nelson felt his world stop; he could only hear his inner voice telling him how cruel and unfair the world could be for someone like him. Motivated by this experience, Nelson dedicated himself to his studies even more, which paid off as he consistently made the Dean’s List and graduated with flying colors.

Immediately after graduation, he studied for the board examination and passed a few months later. Just a month after that, he secured his first job at a structural consulting firm, and almost a year later, he moved to Caltex. The next year, he obtained a similar position at a different company, but unfortunately, the Asian Financial Crisis of 1998 led to unforeseen layoffs, including his own. His unemployment lasted for another year due to the crisis, but he finally got back on track in 1999. During his tenure at DCCD Engineering Corporation as a contractual employee, he was assigned to the pavement condition survey of NLEX. He was later transferred to the LRT Line 2 Project as an inspector but decided to leave before the project’s completion in 2002. By this time, Nelson realized that his stints at various companies were quite brief. This realization prompted him to reassess his career goals and seek opportunities that would offer long-term growth and benefits.

This realization took effect when he joined Unilever Philippines as a protégé to the Civil Engineering Department Head, who oversaw the construction of factory plants nationwide. Over nearly fourteen years, driven by his relentless will to progress, he rose to become the Engineering Manager for Southeast Asian projects. It was also during this period that he married his wonderful wife and began to build his own family. After this lengthy tenure, he felt his growth had stagnated and sought new opportunities. He then joined Makati Development Company as a Project Manager for an ongoing Ayala Mall construction. In 2018, after two more years, he found an opportunity with NLEX Corporation and seized it. He was initially hired as the Project Supervisor for the C3-R10 Construction and SFEX Widening Projects. In 2021, he was reassigned to his current role as the Assistant Vice President of the Engineering Services Department. Soon, Sir Nelson will be appointed to serve in MPT Asia in Indonesia, which he sees as a new opportunity not only for himself but for his family as well, as he plans to take his wife and two teenage children with him.

Sir Nelson’s journey is rich with stories of juggling his responsibilities between family and school, current goals and future plans, and professional life and fatherhood. As our interview concluded, he shared a deeply personal story that demanded more of his strength and resilience than any other challenge he had faced.

In January of 2023, his wife, Florence, was diagnosed with stage 4 blood cancer, a crushing blow that deeply affected them both as professionals and as parents. This diagnosis set off a determined effort to explore every available treatment option and seek out the best possible support to help her through this challenging fight. By the grace of God, after a year of battling the disease, Florence was fully healed. This experience not only strengthened the family’s bond but also tested their faith. It also made him realize the importance of dedicating more time and effort to his family, particularly in guiding his children.

As he reflects on his journey from streetlight to spotlight, balance has always been a constant pursuit. Sir Nelson’s story illustrates how finding balance isn’t merely about managing responsibilities but about nurturing the core of what truly matters — family, faith, and fortitude. In achieving this balance, he has not only advanced in his career but also strengthened the bonds of his family, demonstrating that the true measure of success lies in the ability to maintain harmony amid life’s challenges.

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