AMAN Engineering Office, the 2004 Outstanding S.M.E. in Camarines Sur awardee, reached another high point in its already remarkable corporate story as one of its young and dynamic employees placed 2nd in the recently concluded Philippine Licensure Examination for Architects conducted by the Philippine Regulations Commission in Metro Manila.

Photo Caption: THE PRIDE OF AMAN ENGINEERING office and Bicol - Top 2 in the Licensure Exam for Architecture - Arch. Crescencio P. Rodriguez, Jr. proudly poses here with the logos of his two companies - Aman Engineering office and Enjoy Realty & Development Corp. at the background.

        Crescencio P. Rodriguez, Jr., a 2004 graduate of Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (formerly the Bicol College of Arts and Trade), who has been with the company since April 2004, bested, save for one, all the other 470 hopeful architects who took and passed the exams including those coming from the top universities in Manila.

        It is a homegrown talent's feat that is worth recognizing especially for a company that puts premium on its people as its greatest assets and casts its lot with that of the Bicolanos and the Bicol region.

Aman Engineering
        Aman Engineering is the builder of many innovative and compelling real estate development projects here in the region like the Parkview Village and Haciendas de Naga.

        Parkview village is a development initiative in barangay San Felipe that, with the Naga City Ecological Park just beside it and downtown Naga not far away, can take pride from the peace and glory of nature within it that seems to culminate at the said beautifully landscaped park and the proximity of a vibrant metropolis.

        Haciendas de Naga, meantime, is a 105 hectare world-class integrated community in barangay Carolina master planned by no less than Palafox Associates, Asia's No. 1 architectural firm and the only Filipino firm which made it to the World's Top 100 Architectural Firm. According to an official corporate statement, it features upscale residential estates with Spanish, Mediterranean, and Balinese themes, organic farms, parks, brooks, picnic areas, zen and meditation gardens, a nature-themed place of worship, commercial shops, health and wellness centers, sports facilities, proposed educational institution, a pioneering underground system for electric, telephone, and cable connections clearing the emergent community of wires and unsightly connections, and a 9-Hole Tropical Golf Course and Country Club.

        It is, in the words of Engineer Emeterio L. Aman, president of the company, a "lifestyle and a place to live, learn, play, spend leisure time, engage in health and wellness activities and immerse in leisure farming.''

        "It is a development planning that follows the principle of balanced coexistence of man and nature" said its ever high-spirited head who is also the current president of the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry and organizer and concurrent President of the Chamber of Real Estate Builders Assxiation (CREBA) Naga-Bicol Chapter.

        Among its other famous projects are the Mother Seton Hospital Annex and the beautiful Siervas de Maria Convent & Dispensary at Lagonoy, Cam. Sur which it efficiently constructed in record time way ahead of its completion deadline and also recently at the Main Siervas de Maria Congregation House at Quezon City.

Building dreams
        Aside from building reliable and exquisite houses, communities, and edifices, Aman Engineering is said to be also into "building dreams."

        "It is concretized through its bar-raising professionalism, exceptional attitude, and admirable deeds applied not only on its projects and on its dealings with its clients, but also on its affairs with its employees." expounded Raul Alicaway, a former scholar and alumnus of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) who now works as the Chief Executive Officer of Enjoy Realty and Development Corp. (ERDC), sister company and Sales & Marketing arm of Aman Engineering.

        Over the years, according to the ERDC CEO, the company has taken corporate social responsibility to its core not just by building environment, society, and culture-friendly communities and development projects, but more so by sincerely taking care of the concerns, welfare, and development of its workforce and other stakeholders.

        He said that this is the reason why the whole Aman Engineering, especially its management and technical team, was very elated to learn that one of its hardworking members made it to the top of the June 2006 edition of the Architects Licensure Examination.

        No doubt for them, Crescendo P. Rodriguez, Jr. is the man of the hour.

"Take your exam seriously"
        When asked what it takes to pass the Architecture Licensure Exam, much more top it, Rodriguez, Jr. said: Take your exam seriously..."

Photo Caption: THE MENTOR & THE MENTEE. Architecture Exam Second Placer Crescencio P. Rodriguez Jr. together again here with his long-time boss & mentor, Engr. Emeterio L. Aman while discussing his projects as Aman Engineering office’s new lead Architect for Haciendas de Naga.

        Seemingly, those were four simple words coming from a man who had just taken hold of an achievement that can be considered of monumental proportion and a milestone for the Bicolanos.

        Nevertheless, humility still presides in him. Even though he is truly thrilled and proud of what he has accomplished. Crescendo P. Rodriguez, Jr. apparently remains authentic.

        470 out of 1105

        1105 hopeful architects participated in this year's Architects Licensure Examination which transpired at the MLQU in Metro Manila. It was a three-day event which judged those who were worthy to become the next generation of licensed Filipino architects, and those who were not. The first day was to verify their mastery of the theories; the second was its application; and the third on planning and design.

        After months of grueling preparation and a few more weeks followed by anxious anticipation, only 470 aspirants were able to prove themselves and passed. And one of them was Crescencio Jr., the silent yet brilliant Bicolano, who again proved that probinsyanos should never be underestimated.

A simple and quiet person
        According to this admirable go-getter, the first to know about his exceptional achievement was his family. Crescencio Sr., a government employee and Leticia, a dedicated full-time mother were truly proud of their son. His brothers Domingo, Roderick, Jose Mario, Leo and Levy were also ecstatic for their brother. He said that there was even one moment when they began to ask, "Is this a dream?"

        Indeed it was not, for their son, their brother has done something remarkable —hurdling probably the toughest test of his young career with flying colors at that!

        Crescencio Jr., however ironically described himself as simple and quiet, somewhat a man of introspection. "I enjoy the simple pleasures in life like watching shows on cable, playing games with my playstation, enjoying a game of soccer, or just being with myself and my loved ones" he said.

        "I am also fond of reading architecture magazines," he continued.

        According to his associates at work, he is a quiet, down-to-earth, and unassuming guy whom they can easily get along with. On the other hand, his superiors and mentors portrayed him as a fast and efficient worker whom they can always depend on.

        "He is the dependable pistol equipped with a silencer," one coworker even declared.

Wanted to become an architect ever since
        Rodriguez, Jr. recalled during an interview that when he was at the Camarines Sur National High School, he already envisioned himself as an architect in the future. "I was fascinated with building plans and perspectives. I knew I wanted to become an architect someday." said he.

        He did just that. He entered Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges in Naga with only one course in his mind - BS in Architecture.

Student Leader
        Like most of us, however, Rodriguez, Jr. also experienced timidity and shyness, things he wanted to rid himself of. Determined, he participated in different extra-curricular activities in college. And thus began his exploits as a leader and also as a follower, where he learned and experienced many valuable lessons in life.

        He began by becoming a City Youth Councilor in 2001. Later, he found himself volunteering in the NAMFREL Quick Count which happened on the same year. The organization where he was probably most dedicated was with the UAPSA (United Architects of the Philippines Student Auxiliary). In there, he became the vice-president ('01-'02), a vice-chairman for a fund raising project ('02), and eventually its president (02-'03). He also was once a deputy assembly director in the 8th UAPSA Arki Camp in 2002.

        The beaming young man further remembered that while in school, he could be considered a perfectionist because he was someone who would not want to submit a 'less than perfect plate’. Maybe that was one of the reasons behind him becoming the recipient of "The Best Architectural Thesis Award" when he graduated in 2004. That summer, he passed the TESDA Competency Exam for Draftsman General 1 and in 2005, became a registered Master Plumber.

Joining Aman Engineering
        One of the highlights of his career was in 2004, when he joined the Aman Engineering and Enjoy Realty & Development Corporation, considered to be one of the fast-rising companies in Bicol. He became an apprentice and worked on several projects for the company.

        This was the time when the optimistic new graduate was able to practice the theories taught to him in school. "I believe that the school is necessary because it lays down the foundation through the theories. Yet experience and application is most essential if not the most important because it is where you are tested on how much you really know about your craft," he opined.

Destiny marks its way
        One interesting experience connected to that so-called "application of his learning" happened when he worked with his father and brother who were doing an electrical wiring for a condominium in Metro Manila. It occurred within the five-month period when he was reviewing for the exam.

        According to him, because of that exposure, he was able to familiarize himself with the interiors and exteriors of the condominium. When he took the third part of his exam (3rd day), the task was, well, to do a plan for a condominium!

        It would seem that destiny was marking the way points for him and that he was silently treading the signs. But for the young topnotcher, many people have also become the embodied beacons of light which have helped and inspired him through the years - like his family for their unconditional love and support; Engineer Aman, his wife and corporate treasurer Marilyn San Pascual-Aman, and Engineer Henry Pabines for their valuable advice about life and work; his colleagues at Aman Engineering and Enjoy Realty and Development Corporation for their friendship; his loving and understanding girlfriend for having been always there for him; and many other who aided him along the way.

        He dreamt of becoming a full-fledged architect. He is about to become one soon and unexpectedly, he ranked 2nd in their qualifying exam.

        He will be the Lead Architect for vertical structures at Haciendas de Naga, his next project for Aman Engineering. Many other projects are soon to be given to him.

        He wishes to stay here in Bicol because, like his mother company the Aman Engineering Office and his boss and mentor Engineer Aman, he believes that his beloved region has a bright future ahead of her. He also hopes to pass another exam soon - this time, the one for aspiring environmental planners.

        Crescencio P. Rodriguez, Jr. shall soon be a full-fledged architect during their oath-taking this August. He shall be officially considered to be among the creme-of-the-crop, the brightest stars, and the top young guns in their batch. People in attendance during that ceremony will probably exert more effort to have a glimpse of him. The whole country will take notice. He shall honor his family, his region, his schools, and his company for simply being there. His dream shall be fully realized. There will be one less timid and shy person in the world that day. Then, his oath-taking, for certain, will be a joyous one.

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