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**Renowned Filipino Civil Engineer from Humble Origins Wins Prestigious International Award**
Alfonso Betita, a highly respected Civil Engineer currently working in Qatar, has been recognized with the prestigious Filipino Times Watchlist Award. This accolade celebrates top Filipino professionals in the Middle East and highlights Betita's remarkable journey from impoverished beginnings in the Philippines to achieving international credibility and global peer respect through his engineering work.
**Early Life and Sacrifice** Betita's family lived in significant poverty in Palawan. His parents, both born before World War II and never finishing school, relied on a small farm and small businesses (like a rice stall and laundry work) to feed him and his three siblings. Their simple home had no rooms, just shared space. Meals were often just dried fish and vegetables, with treats like isaw or adidas being a luxury. "We struggled a lot with our lives at that time," Betita recalled. His mother's back-breaking labor eventually led to Parkinson's disease and her passing, a debt he acknowledges as a driving force behind his success.
**Academic Achievement and Initial Career** Demonstrating consistent academic excellence, Betita earned a full five-year scholarship in Civil Engineering at the Technological Institute of the Philippines – Manila. While initially finding the subjects difficult, he discovered purpose in the challenge. "Saving, protecting and preserving lives through the civil engineering works and structures that we make… is something to be really proud of," he said. To fund his education, his parents made tremendous sacrifices, selling their farm. "Only a few engineers are able to achieve them," Betita remarked about these sacrifices. After graduation, he worked locally for nine years as a Quality Manager.
**Overseas Career and Major Setbacks** Seeking better opportunities, Betita embarked on a 25-year journey as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). His career began in Taiwan, spending almost six years working on the monumental Taiwan High Speed Rail project. He later worked assignments in Malaysia and Ethiopia, contributing to the Beles Multi-Purpose Project. Despite these achievements, his tenure in Ethiopia ended in devastating setback when the project was canceled, leaving him jobless for 11 months. This period coincided with his small grocery business in Calumpit, Bulacan, being destroyed twice by floods, leading to bankruptcy and the eventual foreclosure of his home. "My business went bankrupt and my house was taken by the bank," he recalled.
**Resilience and Global Recognition** Facing immense hardship, Betita looked for new opportunities abroad and rebuilt everything from scratch. His perseverance and faith sustained him. This time, he rebuilt his career stronger and wiser, eventually landing his current position in Qatar where he now lives with his family. Over his 25 years overseas, he earned highly advanced engineering-level recognitions, including ASEAN Engineer, Chartered ASEAN Engineer, APEC Engineer, and even Licensed Professional Engineer in Nevada, USA. "These are advanced engineering-level recognitions," he explained.
**The Award's Significance and Continuing Legacy** When first hearing about The Filipino Times Watchlist Awards, Betita hesitated to apply due to the distance from his work and the incurred expenses. "I was adamant at first because it was far from where I worked and I would incur expenses," he said. However, receiving the award was profoundly significant. "After getting the award, I felt that my achievements got more recognition not only through social media," he shared. "I think I am getting more respect and more self-confidence because of the fact that I am a TFT Awardee." "For the Philippines, it helps promote our professionals as world-class," he stated proudly. "For my family, it is an honor." Today, he serves as a mentor and lecturer, sharing his knowledge and ensuring the safety of future structures. "To the Filipinos, I give back by being a good engineer… and ensuring that every structure that I am involved with is safe," he affirmed.
From walking three kilometers to school in Roxas, Palawan, to overseeing global infrastructure projects, Engr. Betita's story exemplifies how resilience, hard work, and dedication can build a legacy far beyond the structures he engineers.
