by Ethel Clemente Fernandez

	Reynaldo Robilios with his wife Kat and daughter Zi

In the childhood home of Reynaldo Robillos, P.Eng., the constant hum of a sewing machine was more than just background noise, it was the heartbeat of his family’s resilience.

The youngest of seven boys, with one younger sister, he was raised by a hardworking mother who gave up a potential career in accounting to work from home as a dressmaker.

“My father did not have a regular job. My mother supported the family by working as a dressmaker, a profession I greatly admired. I grew up beside her sewing machine as she worked,” Rey recalls.

Her quiet strength deeply impacted Rey as he watched her skilfully turn fabric into beautiful clothing. He learned from his mother that patience and precision were not just sewing skills but were also essential life skills.

As a child, he once wanted to become a dentist to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Dr. Narciso Robillos, one of the very first dentists in their town, but a drafting course in high school steered him into engineering. At the time, his understanding of engineering was limited to civil engineering only, and he was unaware of the other disciplines within the field.

“I wasn’t sure what type of engineer I wanted to become, I only knew I wanted to become one,” Rey recalls.

After passing the entrance exam at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Rey and his mother consulted with staff from the College of Engineering. They recommended Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE) as a promising path. He took their advice and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in ECE.

After graduating from college, he began his engineering career at the Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) in Cavite, where he worked for a kitchen furniture manufacturer exporting products directly to Japan. He spent over two years there before moving to a Korean electronics company that produced two-way radios.

Later, Rey joined his eldest brother’s growing business in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. This opportunity gave him valuable management experience and allowed him to explore the diverse cities of the Southern Philippines. It was also during this time that he met his future wife, Kath.

In 2005, a college friend invited Rey to work as a Telecom Engineer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With his friend’s support, he started his professional journey in electronics and communications engineering, taking on various roles that helped him build extensive experience in telecommunications. Over nearly a decade abroad, Rey developed strong technical skills in wired and wireless communication systems as well as fibre optic technology.

During this time, he also played a key role in hiring nearly 300 telecom engineers and technicians from the Philippines. While working overseas presented challenges, Rey found it fulfilling to contribute to the careers and lives of fellow Filipinos.

He moved to Canada in October 2014 through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), with the support of his brother who lives in Winnipeg.

“I was fortunate to enjoy the late autumn weather for a few weeks before experiencing my first snowfall, which was amazing,” he recalls.

He soon realized that life in Canada, though full of opportunity, was not always easy.

In his very first week, he found part-time work at a garment factory, putting his sewing skills to good use. A month later, he landed a job as a clerk at Superstore McPhillips, one of several survival jobs that helped him get by. He also worked briefly as a labourer at Paramount Windows & Doors.

He eventually earned a permanent role as a Planner at Shaw Communications. This job allowed him to return to his true passion, showcasing his expertise in telecommunications.

When Rey arrived in Winnipeg, one of his first steps was to visit Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba (EGM) to ask about the requirements to become a licensed engineer. But like many newcomers, his immediate priority was financial stability and supporting his family back home, so he put his engineering goals on hold and focused on building a new life.

For several years, Rey worked at Shaw in a stable role he thought might be enough. But in 2018, he accepted a voluntary departure program to explore new opportunities. That decision led him to a position at Manitoba Hydro Telecom, an opportunity that reignited his goal of becoming a licensed engineer.

Realizing the career advantages that came with professional licensure, Rey returned to EGM and reapplied for registration. With guidance from the updated assessment process, and after consulting with his supportive managers at Manitoba Hydro, he chose to complete five university courses in lieu of the standard exams.

Rey earned his Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation after nearly eight years of persistence, while working full-time.

“I am deeply grateful to my managers for their unwavering support, especially during the times I attended classes. I also appreciate the company’s financial assistance. I believe that being open-minded, communicating effectively, and being resourceful are key to discovering alternative solutions that align with our ultimate goals,” he says.

Alongside his professional growth, Rey began volunteering with the Filipino Members Chapter (FMC) of Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba. Starting as a volunteer reaching out to members and helping with events, he gradually took on bigger roles serving as treasurer, councillor, and in 2023, as chair.

During his leadership, he helped grow member engagement despite post-pandemic challenges, organized community volunteer efforts with Harvest Manitoba and the Christmas Cheer Board and strengthened partnerships with other Filipino organizations. His efforts helped renew enthusiasm within the chapter, even encouraging previously hesitant members to take on leadership roles.

“As I ended my term as chair and ex-officio in March 2024, I felt a profound sense of honour and appreciation for the privilege of serving the Filipino Members Chapter (FMC). I’m sincerely grateful for the steadfast support, meaningful engagement, and commitment of our members, especially our senior and professional peers, along with the committed volunteers who consistently contributed to our chapter’s success,” Rey concluded.

Ethel Clemente-Fernandez is a professional engineer registered in the province of Manitoba. She is an active member of the Filipino Members Chapter - Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Manitoba (FMC-APEGM).