For Sheena Ortega Mecaydor, every blueprint began not with cement and steel, but with sacrifice, resilience, and faith. Born in a family of six, Mecaydor grew up witnessing her parents’ quiet strength amid unrelenting hardship. When her father passed away in 2010, her world shattered. She promised him before he died that she would take care of her younger siblings, and that’s what kept her going.
Her dream was clear: to become a civil engineer and help her family rise. Her mother was the first to plant that dream in her heart. “When she told me to take Engineering, I didn’t hesitate,” Sheena said. “Being poor didn’t stop me,” she said. She studied hard, applied for scholarships, and worked as a student assistant in her university library to earn her allowance.
Six months later, she received her first overseas job offer in the UAE—a decision that would change her life forever. Leaving home was not easy. “I wasn’t fluent in English, so it was hard to talk to people or express myself,” she shared. “There were months when I had less than 100 dirhams left after sending money home.” But she told herself—this is temporary.
When Mecaydor finally passed the Civil Engineering board exam after months of self-review, she didn’t celebrate with luxury—she went to work. “Before, I couldn’t even buy food for myself,” she said, smiling. “I wanted to prove to everyone that I could pass, especially to those who doubted me.”
Her early years abroad were marked by financial strain and cultural adjustment. “The Head of Department who hired me believed in me even when I had zero experience,” she said. That opportunity opened new doors, leading her to oversee major projects from start to finish and manage diverse teams across the Middle East.
Her professional milestones multiplied: a member of the ASEAN Engineer Registry, recipient of the Asia’s Outstanding Female Civil Engineer, and a TFT Watchlist Awardee for Top Engineers and Architects in the Middle East 2023.
Now a respected professional in UAE’s construction industry, Sheena is admired not only for her technical excellence but also for her generosity. She supports charity events in the Philippines and the UAE, mentors fellow engineers, and inspires young Filipinas to break barriers. “Every award I receive, I dedicate to them and to every Filipino who refuses to give up,” she said.
She even stepped onto a different stage—literally—winning the Mrs. Tourism Globe 2023, an international pageant for married women. Each recognition carries deep meaning for Mecaydor. “It’s not about fame or titles—it’s about honoring the sacrifices of my parents and proving that nothing is impossible,” she said.
“Every hardship is just part of the foundation for what you’re building.” Today, Mecaydor continues to build—not just skyscrapers and structures in UAE and other international locations—but hope, dignity, and inspiration for every Filipino who dares to dream beyond circumstance.
