By Jovit D. Caballero

On a stormy midnight in 1995, 10-year-old Ivan was sleeping on the floor with his sibling when suddenly he felt water behind his back. They immediately rushed to see what was happening, until they realized that it was too late to get out of this potentially life-or-death situation. Since that time, Ivan has acquired the courage necessary to confront any challenges life may throw his way.

Ivan Philip Balingit, our 40-year-old Innovation and Enhancement Senior Specialist from the Technology Division, hails from San Fernando, Pampanga. He was born to a mother who worked overseas as an OFW and a father who served in a far-flung local government. Since their early years, Ivan and his older sister have relied solely on the guidance of their auntie and grandmother for support. Their father only returned home on weekends or every other week. Growing up without their parents has always been a challenge, testing their strengths at every turn. This arrangement did not alter Ivan’s demeanor; rebellion never crossed his mind. In fact, the weekly gifts of food or pampering from his father served as motivation for him to excel and remain a top student in the school’s star section.

Following their survival of that tragic event, the entire clan relocated to the family’s modest residence in Sindalan, Pampanga. However, due to limited space and concerns about the proximity to their original home, which was still at risk of another disaster, the family moved to another aunt’s house in Malolos, Bulacan. This move brought about a shift in their dynamics, especially since, being Kapampangan, they were unfamiliar with the Bulakenyo culture and language. They also felt the need to adapt and integrate with their aunt’s family. Feeling the need to repay his aunt’s kindness, Ivan volunteered to assist in the delivery and sale of chicken and pig feeds.

During high school, Ivan battled with feelings of isolation and loneliness due to his differences and lack of height. To deal with this, he engaged in various extracurricular activities to boost his confidence and demonstrate his capabilities despite his stature. He excelled as the 3rd in command of the Cadet Officer’s Candidate Course (COCC), earning respect and authority within the school community. Additionally, his exceptional social skills led to his acceptance into multiple groups, including the school theater, street dance troupe, knights of the altar, drum, and lyre band, and even the basketball varsity team. Despite his numerous roles, Ivan maintained excellence in academics throughout his high school tenure.

In college, the family returned to Pampanga, and Ivan enrolled at Angeles University to pursue Electronics and Communications Engineering. Wanting to experience real-life challenges, he took on a part-time job as a fast-food service crew near campus, working four hours every day, seven days a week. His hard work paid off, earning him the title of “Best in Kitchen” multiple times. This employment provided him with financial assistance for some of his school-related costs, ultimately facilitating his graduation with commendations. Subsequently, he moved to Manila to prepare for the board examination, where he crossed paths with his future spouse, Remi, who happened to be staying in the same dormitory as him at that time.

Regrettably, Ivan did not pass his licensure exam. Yet, he remained resolute that this setback would not define him or deter him from his aspirations. Despite lacking a license and significant experience, Ivan sought various employment opportunities while supporting his growing family. He secured a position as a warehouse clerk at a well-known shopping mall and then applied for a role as a search engine optimization specialist. Recognizing that these roles would not suffice to provide for his family, Ivan gathered the courage to take a risk and journey to Singapore in search of better opportunities. Unfortunately, due to limited funds, he was unable to secure his dream job.

Upon his return, Ivan secured a position as a digitalization contractor with the Registry of Deeds for a year. Following this, he dedicated five years of service as a maintenance engineer for large format copier machines at Copylandia. Armed with insights into the printing business, Ivan and Remi embarked on establishing their own copy center, coinciding with their second pregnancy. However, after four years of operation, the business came to a halt. Despite feeling deeply disheartened, Ivan persevered, driven by his commitment to his wife and children. In the midst of these challenges, he chanced upon a job opening at NLEX Corporation, a fortuitous encounter for which he holds immense gratitude as his immediate superiors placed faith in him, acknowledging his potential even as he openly admitted his lack of experience for the position.

Recalling the harrowing midnight of Typhoon Mameng, Ivan recounts how he, along with his family and relatives, sought refuge on the second floor of their home as floodwaters surged. Amid heavy rains and fierce winds, they witnessed the unprecedented devastation caused by the raging waters and lahar from the Mt. Pinatubo eruption four years prior. Realizing they could never return to their former lives, they bore witness to the distress of their neighbors, all clamoring for help as the flood continued to rise. With morning approaching, they were compelled to create an opening in their roof and ascend to higher ground. Amidst the chaos, they eventually found a route to safety, navigating through hazardous electrical and telecommunication lines. Although they lost their homes, they emerged grateful that no lives were lost in the tragedy, a testament to their courage, resilience, and faith.

At present, Ivan is ensuring that his past experiences contribute to his role as a strong father to his three children, demonstrating bravery during tough times and persisting without surrender. Indeed, like a relentless storm, he weathered the darkest of nights, experiencing a remarkable resurgence of hope. And just like the forceful eruption of Pinatubo, Ivan has proven that he possesses an unyielding presence capable of sparking a positive aftermath.

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