Image from MagTV
When you look at Mr. Edwin N. Aroma’s resume, you would see
Janitor Metropolitan Cleaners Cebu 1969-1973 under Business and Employment. However,
in spite of it, he proudly declares it.
Edwin N. Aroma was once a low profile Cebuano janitor but is
now living in California. Above that janitor line however are strings of former
employments and current business enterprises. Currently he owns multiple business
ventures that are situated almost everywhere. Behind his very impressive
achievements is this young boy who once dared to dream.
Edwin was born to a fisherman and a school teacher in Cebu.
As their family grew, her mother had no choice but to stop working to attend to
the children. However, the family barely gets by with the income of his father.
When he graduated high school, he wants to be an engineer. However, his father
could not afford college for him. “I didn’t know how to farm nor to fish. I
really wanted to study, and make something of myself. So, I asked my father to
give me 20 pesos, so I could travel to Cebu City and find a job,” Edwin said.
“I applied for so many jobs, and finally found an agency that needed janitors.”
For four years, he has served as a janitor sweeping streets,
alleys and offices while taking his accounting majors at the University of the
Visayas. In spite of his current job, he prides himself as a scholar and also a
student leader. When he was elected as a university senator, some school mates
of his saw him sweeping an alley with the others. Word spread like wildfire
about it. Yet, Edwin was not embarrassed. He went on until he finished his
degree.
After passing the CPA exam, he was hired as an auditor for
Carls J. Valdez and Co in Cebu. Then he became an auditor for San Miguel and
Mandaue Printers. While working, he continues his studies finishing two degrees
in Management and Economics. He also gained a master’s degree in management
engineering. In 1982, he left for Jakarta to act as an accounting manager of
P.T Hartaty Jaya Plywood. This company was on the verge of bankruptcy. Later
that year, the owner died and Edwin assumed the position of general manager. He
transitioned the company and was able to make it profitable. He quit his job by
1986. While working still, he earned another master’s degree in Business Administration
from the University of Singapore.
Returning to the Philippines, he invested his savings for a business.
He decided on a mango farm in Cebu. Now he has three plantations in the area
and another one in Bohol. He is considered one of the biggest mango growers in
the country. Aside from that he also plans avocado and jackfruit. His
technique, “I buy idle lands and plant them with trees. I make these idle lands
productive, help provide employment for the barrio folks, and, at the same
time, help in the ecological development of the country. I am happy to feel
that I am helping in the economic development of the country.”
In 1986, he went to the US and established numerous
businesses. He is president and owner of Trans-World Services Inc. He also owns
the Prime Appliance Rentals Inc., based in Los Angeles. Aroma is also a
managing partner of Worldwide Empire Funding Inc., based in Delaware; and is
controller of All Valley Washer Service Inc., based in Van Nuys, California. In
the Philippines, he is president of Imgime-Aroma Mango Ranch in Cebu and Bohol;
president of Socsargen Realty & Development Corp., based in General Santos
City in Cotabato; and president of Capital One Financial Solutions Inc., based
in Cebu.
He has received numerous awards, among them “Outstanding
Club Leader,” Kiwanis Club of Phil-Am Los Angeles; “Distinguished Kiwanian,”
Kiwanis International; “Outstanding Civic Leader,” Pamana Awards; “Outstanding
Club President,” Kiwanis Club of Phil-Am Los Angeles; “Kiwanian of the Year,”
Kiwanis Club; and “Club Builder of the Year,” Children First Foundation Inc.
In spite of his successes, Edwin informs his children and
friend that he was a janitor. In spite of the varied obstacles, he continues to
dream, set high goals and achieve it. Now, he is truly marked as one successful
man.
P.S. To those doing the 52 Week Money Challenge and 52 Week Money Challenge Version 2, it is Week 8 already! Did you deposit the next amount yet?
P.P.S Want to know more about investing, savings, stock market and more, check out my reference here. You can download free ebooks and resources too.