SOME stories don’t just move you—they stay with you. That’s how I felt when I met Dr. Nelson Antijendra Silva at the Global Guild of Influential Leaders Awards on May 30, 2025, at Okada Manila (thanks, Dr. Christian Castillo, JD!). We were among the honorees that night, but it was his story—along with that of another awardee who was once a pedicab driver—that struck a chord deep within me.
Silva grew up in Iloilo. Life was hard for him, his parents, and his six siblings. He worked in the rice fields during the day, dreaming of one day lifting his family out of poverty. With little more than determination, he went to Manila, took a job as a security guard, and pursued an Engineering degree at the Technological Institute of the Philippines. He was barely sleeping, but he refused to give up.
After earning his degree, he worked in Saudi Arabia and rose through the ranks to become an Assistant Plant Manager. Still, he dreamed even bigger. He returned to the Philippines and pursued higher education—earning multiple master’s degrees and a doctorate. His dissertation, which focused on TESDA’s Security Services Curriculum, earned top academic recognition with a perfect grade of 1.00.
Today, Silva wears many hats. He is the President and Training Director of the Silverpoint Training Institute of Industrial Security, Inc. and the Chairman of the Philippine Society for Industrial Security—the largest security guard organization in the country, with over 50,000 members. He has also made a deep impact in education, having previously led Parañaque City College and helped many underprivileged students finish school and find decent work. He is a reservist of the Philippine Navy with the rank of Commander.
What’s remarkable is that he never forgets his roots. He continues to teach, develop training programs, and serve in civic organizations. His mission is clear: uplift others the way he once dreamed someone would uplift him.
Silva is a symbol of grit and genuine leadership. His journey—from guarding buildings to building futures—is a blueprint for anyone who dares to dream beyond their circumstances.
Does he have other dreams? I asked. Without waiting for his reply, I suggested that he could become a party-list representative for the country’s security guards. He smiled, as if acknowledging that it might just come true if he puts his mind to it. I guess nothing is impossible for a man like Dr.Silva.
