Around 500 engineering students from De La Salle University (DLSU) Manila joined the PowerConvos, a lecture series of Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Meralco Power Academy (MPA) organized to equip the next generation of energy professionals with valuable insights on career readiness and engineering excellence.
The discussions were frontlined by Meralco leaders including Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN) President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel V. Rubio, Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Networks Froilan J. Savet, Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga, and MGEN Human Resource Head Eillen P. Lopez, who shared valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of the energy industry and the opportunities available to the next generation of engineers.
Beyond providing students with practical insights on navigating the transition from the classroom to the workplace, the MPA’s PowerConvos in DLSU Manila also served as a platform to share lessons and values — including resilience, being street-smart, and pursuing work with passion — that help professionals overcome challenges, adapt to an evolving industry, and build meaningful careers in the energy sector.
For his part, Rubio said: “You will have opportunities to build impressive things. But scale and complexity should not be the only measures of success. The deeper question is whether what you build improves people’s lives.”
The students also learned about Meralco’s initiatives in driving continuous improvements in its distribution system.
“People appreciate our work because the lights stay on. That is the real purpose behind everything we build and operate—and why we continuously take the initiative to innovate, advancing technologies such as our Advanced Metering Infrastructure and Smart Grid. Engineering excellence is ultimately measured not by what we design, but by the value it creates for people,” Savet said.
As a key power industry player and the country’s largest distribution utility, Meralco also highlighted the value of leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement in achieving organizational goals and creating meaningful impact in communities.
“Technical expertise is essential, but equally important is the ability to communicate effectively, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and remain committed to serving the public. These are qualities that help transform good engineers into impactful leaders,” Zaldarriaga said.
MPA’s PowerConvos give students the opportunity to engage directly with industry practitioners, executives, and specialists who share current industry trends, real-world experiences, and career insights. These engagements enable participants gain a deeper understanding of the evolving energy landscape and the competencies needed to succeed in the profession.
Through initiatives such as PowerConvos and its sustained partnerships with academic institutions, MPA continues to help bridge the gap between education and industry, equipping aspiring engineers with the knowledge and inspiration needed to become future leaders of the Philippine energy sector.
