INSPIRATIONAL TALK
2002 PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF CIVIL ENGINEERS
NATIONAL CONVENTION
By: Dr. Primitivo C. Cal
Selected by the Professional Regulation Commission as the Most Outstanding Civil Engineer for 2002

First of all, let me thank the PICE National Board for their endorsement that led to my selection as the PRC Outstanding Civil Engineer for 2002. It is a special award, one that I will always treasure because it has emanated from my peers, my fellow civil engineers. I recognize how discriminating we can be when it comes to assessing the performance of our own kind. I also recognize that there are probably other civil engineers out there with equal, if not better, technical accomplishments than mine but are not just known to the Institute. An even if known, their service to the Institute is probably below the requirement of the Board to merit an endorsement for the award.

In connection with service to PICE, I had the privilege of providing services in various capacities. Perhaps, the more significant ones in relation to the award were in my capacities as Executive Consultant and Legal Counsel of the Institute. I am grateful primarily to Past President F. F. Cruz for being responsible for these engagements. My thanks also go to succeeding presidents, namely Bobby Rasuman, and Apend Sison for renewing my contracts. Although I resigned for personal reasons as Executive Consultant and Legal Counsel at the end of 2001, incumbent President Manny Bonoan continued to avail of my services for which I am grateful to him. I was also fortunate to be a part of the team of Immediate Past President Apeng Sison when the PRC selected the PICE as the Most Outstanding Accredited Professional Organization for 2001.

Now, to my task of giving an inspirational talk. What should be covered in an inspirational talk? One option is to relate my story but I do not want to do this because I would appear to be a braggart. Another option is to talk about opportunities that are open to aspiring civil engineers but I consider its benefits as less substantial than sharing with you a formula to become a successful civil engineer. As a planner, I was tempted to prescribe the system’s approach as the formula for success, consisting of the following stages: (1) Set a goal; (2) Formulate the courses of action; (3) Implement the courses of action; and (4) Evaluate results. Success may be then defined as achieving the goal.

This is a logical process. Take the first stage, that of goal setting. A goal is the end state that you want to reach to reach. Without it, there is no way of knowing if you have succeeded or failed. The second stage is the heart of the process as it determines the tasks that are necessary in the attainment of your goal. The tasks will likely include some preparatory activities such as acquisition of knowledge or skills to enable you to perform the identified tasks. The third stage entails doing the identified tasks. Lastly, evaluation is assessing if the results of your actions will lead you to the achievement of your goal. The outcome of the evaluation will determine whether or not it is necessary to make adjustments with your plan and plan implementation or even go back to goal setting if you find the original goal to be unrealistic.

Instead of expounding on this process, I have decided to share with you the various lessons and principles that I have gathered through the years. The first tenet is “Continuing Education.”

To create favorable situations, I found that continuing expansion of knowledge yields good dividends. Success entails doing something and doing something well is not possible without good preparation. I therefore see to it that I keep abreast with the latest state-of-the-art in my field. I read books and journals and attend conferences, conventions and seminars.

The second tenet is “Doing things to the best of one’s ability.” When I was with the then Bureau of Public Highways Regional Office in Cebu, just after I became a civil engineer, I was fascinated by a slogan pasted on strategic places in our office, which read “Do your work well so that nobody else can do it any better”. I thought at the time what an excellent slogan it was. I do not subscribe to it now because I found that it would make you either vain or unhappy. Vain because it conditions you to think that the things that you have done are always the best, although it is better left for others to judge. Unhappy, because you can always find someone who can do things better than you. So my philosophy is “Do things to the best of my ability”. I cannot be expected to go beyond my potential. But having said that, I must also say that I always strive to enhance my potential; hence, the importance of the first tenet, Continuing Education.

Another principle that I found important may be illustrated by an office poster that reads something like: There are only two rules in this office: (1) The boss is always right; and (2) If you think that the boss is wrong, go to Rule No. 1. Of course, this should not be taken literally. The boss can be wrong. To me, it means respecting and following the decision of your boss because, after all, he is the one ultimately accountable for the work result. It does not mean blind obedience or that you do not give contrary opinion. In fact, you must always express your honest views. But it is your boss prerogative to accept, modify or reject your view. This principle is similar to the “Chain of Command” rule of the military. I must point out that this rule applies to the technical and not legal and moral aspects of decision-making. You should disobey illegal and morally wrong orders. In fact, any wrong-doing must be reported to authorities concerned.

“No man is an Island” is another slogan that encapsulates another principle that I wish to share with you. We need other people to succeed and even simply to survive. Civil engineering works require the involvement of many people in various areas of specialization. Therefore, be a team player. Help others to perform their tasks better. Remember the strength of a chain is measured by its weakest link. Develop inter-personal skills through the attendance of courses and seminars on Human Relations and by being active in professional and civic societies, and group sports. These extra-curricular activities would also expose you to different leadership styles which would become handy should you be put in a leadership position.

Give attention to your health. There are several bumpy portions on the road to success that would put you in physically and mentally stressful situations. You should be in excellent health to deal with these situations. A physical and mental fitness program must therefore be a part of your routine.

Make God and family parts of your definition of success. Allocate enough time for your family. This is something that I did not do well when I was much younger. I was so pre-occupied with career development that I basically left child rearing to my wife. I am now just experiencing the joy and satisfaction of joint child rearing on my youngest daughter, who will just be turning 6. Her much older sister and brothers had been deprived of such fatherly attention during their childhood. I do not want you to follow my footsteps on this aspect. Also devote appropriate time to spiritual needs. Worldly success is nothing if you lose your seat in heaven due to neglect. You would even feel better if all accomplishments are dedicated to the service and glory of God and obtained in accordance to his will.

Finally, give back to the profession what you have gained from it. Share your know-how and experience with your fellow civil engineers by writing books and/or technical papers and giving lectures. Serve PICE as it has been serving you and the CE profession. Your attendance of this convention shows that you are not neglecting this particular aspect of professional life.

It is on this note that I end my speech. I do hope that I succeeded in inspiring you.

To one and all, more power and mabuhay.