A CFC ANCOP Success Story of Faith, Formation,
and Fulfilled Potential
In the heart of Negros Occidental lies the quiet town of Hinigaran, where a young boy named Marlon Egang Gonzales was raised amidst hardship, humble beginnings, and early heartbreak. Orphaned at a young age and left with only his siblings to depend on, Marlon’s early life was anything but easy. But through faith, opportunity, and sheer perseverance, he rose beyond his struggles—proving that one’s future is not defined by one’s past, but by the choices made in faith and courage.
Marlon’s journey began in the classrooms and workshops of Hinigaran National High School. It was there where Marlon first held a welding rod, unknowingly setting in motion a path toward global opportunity. As a beneficiary of the Community-Based Training Program implemented by CFC ANCOP Global Foundation, an outreach initiative that brings technical education straight to underserved communities, opening doors to practical training that would become life-changing.
To make ends meet, Marlon worked relentlessly. He took on odd jobs, from welding in local shops to serving as a gasoline station attendant. Every peso he earned went to food, transport, and school expenses. Still grieving the loss of both parents and without anyone to lean on financially, he pressed forward, grounded by the hope that education would be his way out.
That chance came when he was offered a scholarship at Don Bosco TVET Center – Balamban, Inc. through ANCOP’s support. There, he enrolled in the Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) NC II program in 2023. Being away from home and adapting to a structured training environment tested Marlon’s resilience. But through the daily rhythm of spiritual formation, technical mastery, and Salesian guidance, Marlon not only honed his trade—he began to rebuild his identity.
He recalls, “Don Bosco taught me more than welding. It taught me discipline, honesty, and the value of living with purpose. I learned that no matter how hard your background is, your character will carry you to places your past never could.”
After graduating, Marlon landed his first job at a Local Ship Building company in Balamban, where he worked diligently for nearly a year. While he was grateful for the employment, he continued to dream bigger—to find work abroad, where better pay could help him support his siblings and save for the future. But the road to overseas employment was not easy.
Marlon underwent multiple trade tests and interviews, only to face one rejection after another. At times, the cost of processing documents became another insurmountable hurdle. Other times, he simply wasn’t chosen. Each rejection felt like a blow, but Marlon clung to his faith, drawing strength from the spiritual formation he received at Don Bosco.
Despite these disappointments, Marlon remained rooted in hope—and in service. Even while working full time, he generously gave back to the Don Bosco community by mentoring younger trainees. He volunteered after hours, sharing not only his skills but his story, becoming a source of inspiration for others walking the same hard road.
“Many of them remind me of myself,” Marlon says. “Some of them are away from their families, others are struggling financially. I tell them, if I made it this far, so can you.”
His quiet leadership and humility did not go unnoticed. In time, new opportunities began to emerge, once again with the help of Don Bosco’s wide network and ANCOP’s enduring support.
In May 2025, after years of preparation, persistence, and prayer, Marlon secured employment as a Ship Steel Fitter at SC Indra Sphere SRL in Romania. He is now one of the few trainees deployed abroad, proudly representing his hometown, Don Bosco, and the ANCOP community as a skilled Filipino welder in the global workforce.
“Someday,” he says, “I want to help others the way ANCOP and Don Bosco helped me. I want to sponsor students, fund scholarships, and give people the same second chance I was given.”
His journey affirms what’s possible when compassion meets opportunity, and when a young person, no matter how broken their beginning, is reminded that they are not alone. Through Marlon, we see that the true measure of success is not just how far one has come, but how many others one lifts along the way.
Marlon’s success story is a shining example of the mission of CFC ANCOP Global Foundation—to “Answering the Cry of the Poor” not just through material aid, but by empowering lives with dignity, faith, and lasting transformation. As we celebrate Marlon’s achievement, we are reminded that behind every scholarship is a soul saved, a family uplifted, and a future renewed. This is the impact of ANCOP. This is the power of hope in action
