Engineer Alecar Sualog Prado now holds five professional licenses, two ASEAN engineering recognitions, and three undergraduate engineering degrees—but his journey started with a childhood dream of simply becoming an engineer.
Growing up in Buruanga, Aklan, Prado first imagined becoming a mechanic. By Grade 6, he became interested in electrical work, and by high school, electronics had captured his attention. That eventually led him to pursue BS Electronics and Communications Engineering at Iloilo Science and Technology University, nearly six hours away from home.
College was not easy. In his final semester, he failed two subjects and had to retake them during summer, causing him to miss his graduation ceremony. After finishing his degree, his retired mother struggled to finance his review in Manila.
Prado then faced another setback: he took the Electronics Engineer board exam three times before finally passing.
After his second attempt, he considered finding work instead of continuing. But his mother told him to keep going and pass the board first. With his parents’ support, he tried again—and succeeded.
His career began as an installer of CCTV and PABX systems, sometimes finishing projects around midnight and commuting home as late as 1 or 2 a.m. He later became a project engineer, designer, and consultant, continuously attending seminars and building professional experience.
Over the years, he earned licenses as an ECE, ECT, RME, and PECE, along with recognition as an ASEAN Engineer and ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer. After he graduated he then earned his REE License.
But he did not stop there.
After becoming self-employed, Prado returned to school and completed BS Electrical Engineering in 2022, finally experiencing the graduation ceremony he once missed. In 2026, he completed his third degree—BS Civil Engineering at Central Colleges of the Philippines.
He is now pursuing a master’s degree in Environmental Planning, hoping to contribute to environmental protection and development in his community.
For Prado, every license and degree carries responsibility, continued learning, and the sacrifices of the family who believed in him.
His message to students and board examinees:
Rest if you need to—but continue the dream.
“Fall seven times, stand up eight.” 🎓⚙️
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