From balut vendor to electrical engineer, this Dubai OFW pays it forward

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – For 56-year-old Melchor Salem De Roma, life is a teacher – and now, he is giving back.

From a “magbabalut” (balut vendor) as a child in his hometown of Pakil, Laguna to an electrical engineer in the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) for the past 15 years, there’s no stopping De Roma.

He has been instrumental in the upgrades of more than 50 Filipinos in Dubai into the field, teaching and training them in his capacity as an official of the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines (IIEE) to enable them to pass the Special Professional Licensure Examination (SPLE).

“Life can be challenging and hard sometimes, but those hardships and challenges makes us stronger. I feel very fortunate to have a family that supported me from the very beginning. I may not be a talented person, but I consider myself incredibly lucky to have received blessings beyond my dreams. That’s why I want to give back and share these blessings with others,” he said.

Balut vendor

Peddling balut at night, delivering pan de sal in the morning and selling “dirty” ice cream during the day, not to mention fishing at Laguna De Bay and farming, was his way of helping make both ends meet back then.

His father, an X-ray technician at a hospital, did not make much to provide them with a comfortable life.

“There were times when we did not have food on the table or money for our school allowances,” De Roma said. They were six siblings in the family and their mother stayed at home to take care of them.

“Life was tough, but through mutual support and my father’s unwavering belief in the importance of education, we persevered. We all managed to finish college and become professionals, proving that resilience and unity can overcome even the hardest challenges,” De Roma said.

Success and then opportunity

Despite a less-than-stellar academic background marred by failing grades and a lack of influential connections, De Roma was accepted into his dream company, the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR).

He eventually became head of the Laguna Substation and led the Operation Planning, Control, and Scheduling division within the district.

In 2004, he successfully completed his master’s degree in business administration. In 2011, he went to Dubai to work at the DEWA when privatization reshaped the Philippines’ power industry and an overseas recruitment agency encouraged him to explore opportunities abroad.

During his DEWA stint, and on to these days, De Roma became deeply involved with the IIEE – Dubai. He also elevated his professional standing by becoming a licensed professional electrical engineer, earning the ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer title, and passing the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

“My dedication was recognized when I was named the Most Outstanding Chapter President of the IIEE. I also received accolades from various groups,” he said.

Paying it forward

Since 2019, De Roma has been volunteering every weekend to help Filipino electrical engineering graduates in the UAE prepare for the SPLE.

“As chairman of SPLE, I have helped between three and eight Electrical Engineering graduates each year become Registered Electrical Engineers—23 in total to date. I have also assisted 20 high school or vocational graduates in obtaining their licenses as Master Electricians. Additionally, I have encouraged and supported 10 individuals in advancing their education to become Electrical Engineering graduates through the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) program,” he said.

One of his most memorable achievements happened in 2025, when De Roma mentored eight individuals to pass the board exam for registered electrical engineer.

He achieved the highest number of passers among all IIEE chapters and produced the sole topnotch examinee.

He also guided 18 aspirants to a 100% passing rate in the registered master electrician exam across two consecutive years: nine in 2019 and another nine in 2023, with one ranking third.

“To this day, I continue conducting SPLE review sessions. Although it’s a free service that takes up my weekends and occasionally requires me to spend my own money, I feel deeply fulfilled and happy. I believe everyone has a purpose in life, and this, I truly believe, is mine,” says De Roma.

“I want them to be professionals. Education is a continuous thing. There are more opportunities if you are a professional.” — JMA, GMA Integrated News