In one of his classes, Engr. Francis B. Gubangco, a professor in the University of the East asked Gabriel S. Ignacio why his name was not in the official class list. The student answered that the SM Foundation was still processing his enrollment since he was a transferee. The professor was both pleasantly surprised that to meet and interact with someone with whom he shared a common bond.
This started a rapport between the two. “I didn’t expect a professor who like me was also an SM Scholar. We both had a long talk, sharing our common bond. But it also made me conscious so I had to put more effort in this particular subject,” Ignacio shared.
Aside from being his professor, Gubangco also became Ignacio’s thesis adviser. “At first, I was nervous because of his reputation and an experienced engineer not only in academe but also in the engineering field. After a series of consultations with our lessons and our thesis papers, I discovered even more of his kindness and dedication as a teacher. He was so hands-on with our thesis giving advices applicable not only at work but also in real life. He was very understanding with my numerous mistakes but very encouraging with my output.
“It was simply that I encountered him as the best professor and thesis adviser. I wished to be like him.”
Both professor and student would share their experiences as SM scholars– events, the trips, and the opportunities offered by the SM Foundation to them. “With the things he shared, I could see how grateful he was to Tatang and how SM Foundation became a great part of his life said.
Ignacio is from Bagong Silang, Caloocan City. He is the youngest child of Mr. Ricardo Ignacio and Mrs. Monina Ignacio who passed on when he was 14 years old. He graduated last July 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering.
Despite financial difficulties, he was determined to finish his college education, taking to heart the lesson his mother had taught him: the importance of education. Thus, he applied for the SM scholarship with his classmates. Only three of them made it and he was the only one who chose to avail of the scholarship. “The scholarship offered by SM Foundation is very important for me because I knew that my family was not capable of enrolling me at a private university more so in an engineering course.”
As a scholar he availed of the opportunity to work during schools break and recalled he was able to make friends with co-scholars at SM Fairview Department Store. “It’s my most memorable experience as an SM Scholar since I am still friends with them and we continue to support each other with the things we achieve in life,” he said.
His professor and thesis adviser Engr. Francis P. Gubangco described Ignacio as one of his best students. “He had left a good impression and legacy to other ECE students and SM Scholars as well.”
A licensed Electronics and Communications Engineer, He graduated from Caloocan High School and became an SM scholar in 1993, one of the first 100 pioneering scholars of SM Foundation. He first matriculated at Adamson University and later transferred to New Era University.
After graduation in 1998 he worked at DVS Systems Corp., as a Design Engineer. While at DVS Systems, he went to UP Diliman to undergo training program for Science Research Specialist sponsored by DOST-Advance Science and Technology Institute. He also worked as part time professor at AMATel Caloocan and later applied at NAPOCOR Biñan Power Plant.
“But still I needed to earn more money that’s why I applied for a part time job at UE Caloocan. The chairman of the ECE Department gave me a part time position during weekdays 6-9 pm and Saturdays 7:30am-4:30 pm. After that semester he then asked me if I wanted to work as a full time professor because one of the professors availed of an emergency, I immediately accepted the position and the rest is history.”
When he got his job as a full-time professor at the University of the East-Caloocan campus, he stared helping his other siblings to obtain their college education. His brothers Patrick took up HRM at La Consolacion College and Walter took up BSIT in PUP Sta. Maria, Bulacan Branch. Patrick is now working as a Chef in Saudi Arabia and Walter is an IT Specialist in BGC, Taguig.
“I never dreamt of becoming a professor, but I think this is my destiny since I started to join the ECE Department in October 24, 1999. My Ultimate goal is to help other people to achieve their dreams and to become professionals in the future like me. I never stopped helping other people especially the poor ones. I am pleased to tell SM Foundation that since year 2000 up to present, I have been the Chairperson for the Committee on Outreach Program for the College of Engineering,” he said.
Gubangco wants to finish his Doctoral Degree in Production and Operations Management (DBA-POM) after which he will pursue other Doctoral in Information Technology.
