From Rejection to Redirection: How a former Pilmico scholar pivoted from failure

If there is one failure Dominic De Leon is thankful for, it was when he lost the presidency of the student council elections during his senior year of college. 

Dominic, who is often called “Doms” by his friends, was an active student leader throughout his college career, even saying that he spent more time in the council than studying. While his peers were busy looking for potential internships, he was fully dedicated to his presidential campaign, which he ultimately lost.  

His summer term was fast approaching, yet there he was without a student council position or an internship. As he desperately searched for a company he could apply to, he came across Pilmico, who was still accepting interns during that time. He did not mind the distance between its Feedmill in Capas, Tarlac, and his hometown in San Fernando, Pampanga. Doms then sent his resume, which he later found out had impressed the supervising engineer. 

“Literally, when one door closes, another opens,” that is how Doms described the beginning of his journey with the company.

He shared that he had many valuable learnings from his two to three months of internship, but it was his last day that left a lasting impression. While riding the company service on his way home, he talked to other employees, including the Human Resources personnel who hired him for the internship. During the ride, she encouraged Doms to apply for the Pilmico Scholarship. 

“If there’s any memorable experience I had, it was that interaction with Ms. Gie Ann (from HR) during the last day. Swertihan lang din na nakasabay ko siya sa service kasi naki-hitchhike lang ako, then nabanggit niya ‘yung scholarship. Thankfully, nakuha ko ‘yung scholarship for my entire last year of college plus board exam review and fees,” Doms shared. 

(If there’s any memorable experience I had, it was that interaction with Ms. Gie Ann (from HR) during the last day. It’s out of pure luck that I hitchhiked in the service then she mentioned about the scholarship. Thankfully, I became a scholar for my entire last year of college plus the board exam review and fees.)

Doms is now in his 5th year with Pilmico as a Meats Maintenance Mechanical Supervisor. He’s experienced wins and challenges, both of which continue to motivate him.

Doms De Leon is now on his 5th year with Pilmico as a Meats Maintenance Mechanical Supervisor at Tarlac MeatMasters.

“I’ve learned that growing is really about your people skills and people management skills, how you treat yourself, and how to manage your stress,” he added.  

If anything remained the same for Doms throughout the years, it’s that failures and redirections do not hinder him from achieving his passions. Instead, it only motivates him to do better. He also reminds other team members to rely on the Aboitiz Values in times of challenges, just like he had always held them at his core. “During your hardships, remember the Aboitiz Values (teamwork, integrity, responsibility, innovation); those are the guiding values that will help us grow and guide us. If ever nahihirapan tayo sa work, may konting challenges and confusions, just remember the Aboitiz Values, and they will guide your way,” he said. 

(During your hardships, remember the Aboitiz Values (teamwork, integrity, responsibility, innovation); those are the guiding values that will help us grow and guide us. If ever we’re finding difficulties at work, when we face slight challenges and confusions, just remember the Aboitiz Values and they will guide your way.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How did Dominic De Leon’s journey with Pilmico begin?
After losing his college student council presidential bid, Dominic found himself without an internship during his summer term. In a last-minute search, he applied to Pilmico’s Feedmill in Capas, Tarlac — despite living in San Fernando, Pampanga. His resume impressed the supervising engineer, earning him a spot. What began as a desperate backup plan turned into the defining turning point of his professional life.

Q2. How did Dominic come to receive the Pilmico Scholarship?
The opportunity came through a chance conversation on his last day as an intern. While hitchhiking on the company service vehicle heading home, he happened to ride alongside an HR staff member who encouraged him to apply for the Pilmico Scholarship. He was awarded the scholarship, which covered his entire final year of college plus his board exam review and fees.

Q3. Where is Dominic now and what does his role involve?
Now in his fifth year with Pilmico, Dominic serves as a Meats Maintenance Mechanical Supervisor at Tarlac MeatMasters. His journey from intern to supervisor reflects consistent growth driven by resilience and adaptability. He credits both his professional wins and his challenges as equally important forces that continue to push him forward in his career.

Q4. What personal lessons has Dominic drawn from his experience?
Dominic believes that real professional growth goes beyond technical skills. People skills, stress management, and how one treats oneself are just as important. He also sees failure not as a dead end but as a redirection — the loss that seemed devastating at the time ultimately opened doors that shaped his entire career path with Pilmico.

Q5. What values does Dominic credit for guiding him through difficulties?
Dominic leans on the Aboitiz Values — teamwork, integrity, responsibility, and innovation — as guiding principles during challenging moments at work. He actively encourages fellow team members to do the same, believing these values provide clarity and direction when facing confusion or adversity. For Dominic, they are not just corporate principles but a personal compass he carries into every challenge.