NARRATIVE REPORT

CE Practicum is part of our college curriculum that aims to train and orient CE students
about their future work and career. Wherein we are required to have our OJT in a limited face-to-
face scheme, this is a process which a worker acquires the skills necessary to do a task through
practical application. We had our practicum in an industry for a minimum of 240 hours, meaning
a total of 200 hours on site work and 40 hours online or work-from-home arrangement. The Civil
Engineering Practicum professor advised students to apply to various businesses that would
provide them with appropriate work experience in the field of building construction, estimation,
design, and management. It is ideal for us to be exposed to various job settings created to offer
a chance to experience and apply the theories and computation skills we acquired in school. This
will not only broaden our skills but also to increase our productivity since for the past years we are
in an online scheme so this is our first time to experience to learn, where we can actually experience
the reality of working. This will test our communication skills, teamwork, competence, critical
thinking abilities, decision-making and discipline.
Before the classes start for Mid-year, I already listed all the construction firm that are
accepting OJT applicants and also, I am with my CE college friends. We began by calling and
sending emails to the companies that we listed. Then we schedule a day wherein we will do a walk-
in application in companies that are near in our locations. Unfortunately, the SM-EDD are not yet
accepting applicants because they still have an on-going OJTs and some companies in Makati and
Parañaque are not accepting walk-ins or OJT applicants. So, our walk-in experience is either the
company have a full slot, doesn’t accept walk-ins and not really accepting applicants. The first
lesson when doing a walk-in, it is better to call the company first because in this way, we would
be able to know if they will accept a walk-in applicant or OJT applicants. This will save money
and time. Personally, I think it is better to do a walk-in rather than waiting for a response in the e-
mail because some companies are busy and might not notice the e-mails that the applicant is
sending. And this was a great experience for us because we were more familiarize on the modes
of transportation on the way to the companies that will be helpful when commuting. Basically, all
we did for the week before the class is inquiring for an OJT.
June 20, 2022 – Monday, was the day we did a walk-in to Ybalai Builders because they
said that they are accepting walk-ins and they really need an OJT applicant. When we are in the
conference room, an interview happened for each applicant, we were asked basic information
about ourselves and the location of our homes because this will help the Project Engineer on
assigning us in which site locations are convenient for his trainees.
We got accepted by the company and we will start immediately after we meet all the
supervisors per site and also, we will organize first the initial requirements for the school and the
company. Then we had our orientation with our CE Practicum course adviser, to inform us about
the policies, grading system, requirements that needed the signatures of the CE department. In
order for us to submit it to our respective companies and to start immediately by next week.
For the following days, we were scheduled to do the signing of MOA, this is very important
because the document’s purpose is to have a formal written understanding of the parties'
agreement. I recommend for the signing of MOA is to make sure that it has signatures for the front
and last page and make sure that it is an original signature not an e-signature because that is the
requirement of the legal offices. Then we start arranging the schedule of our days of on-site work
and office work and the Project Engineer assigned us to our respective sites that are convenient to
our home locations. After that we completed the initial required documents for the company and
it was agreed that we will start immediately next week.
During my first week of my OJT, I was nervous but at the same time excited since this will
be a great opportunity for me to broaden our skills and to learn new things on-site. We met our
supervisors via zoom meeting for each project site and I would say that they all look professionals.
At first, I was scared that they will be very strict with the rules but they are very approachable and
considerate. They entertain even basic questions and encourage us to ask more about the project
sites, in order for us to have a good time and to know the mode of transportation when going to
the site. They also gave basic tips for us to have a little idea on what we will do. The meeting was
more on the basic details about the project sites, knowing the names of the supervisors and project
engineers, and the exact location of assigned project sites.
My first day on-site, I make sure that I searched the exact location so I wouldn’t get lost
and to avoid being late on the first day. I also memorize the basic locations in Alabang so I know
what I will say when I’m commuting. Then I met my supervisor her name is Engr. Joyce C.
Villamar, she is a Field Engineer graduated from FEU-Manila. She shared with us that she also
experienced working at a high-rise building and she was a Rebar Engineer there. So, we start by
giving our names in order for us to know each other more. Then taught us what are the basic routine
of a Field Engineer and she hand to us the architectural and structural plan of the on-going two-
storey residential renovation. I start reviewing the plans to familiarize myself on the locations of
each room. Then our supervisor told us the encountered problems in the site and also the solutions
for it. On that day the Project Engineer, Engr. Mary Mae Quiban, is scheduled to visit the Project
site in Alabang. She asked us about what are the problems that are present in the site. It’s like to
test us if we are listening to our supervisor. We deliver it really well but we only miss one. She
also told us to do a breakdown of workers, it is simply getting the amount of manpower for that
day in order for them to track if the workers are working and present in the site, basically it is for
the progress reports.
My first estimation is about the tiling and ceiling. Our supervisor tasks us to do it by getting
the area per room of both ground floor and second floor and we can base our data in the CAD
plans that are provided. To be honest, I really don’t have any idea at first because it is very new to
me and I needed to understand the tasks so I can do the task right. So, I consult to my supervisor
if what I’m doing is right. Then I ask more questions about the tasks so I can have a better
understanding to it. Unfortunately, the data are wrong because I forgot to convert the mm2 to m2
but I take note of my mistake so it wouldn’t happen again. I also try to do the task of getting the
manpower but it is really hard given that the workers are moving room per room so I will get
confused on counting them. The next estimation is about the Rebars, Stirrups, Concrete, and
Formworks. Our supervisor taught us how to estimate these and gave the basic information about
the rebars commercial size and lengths, concrete cover- sizes for ground, beams and columns, and
slabs. Then she let us do it on our own but still we had our mistakes. I finished the tasks but it is
not perfect or right. It still needs a little practice. I made a lot of mistakes at my first day but I take
it as a learning because this is for me to change it for the next tasks.
For my second week of OJT, my task is to do an inspection of openings, footings, grade
beam. Estimation of CHB and Plastering and lintel beam. Volume of concrete for plas walls, CHB
wall, and grade beam. It is overwhelming because it is my first time to do all of these tasks. It was
not easy but it is very fun to do it given that I can actually see and touch what I’m solving for the
estimation. Our data for the estimation should be acquire from the actual measurement in the site.
Having a tape measure is very recommended when doing inspections. In my experience of doing
the inspection, I was guided by our supervisor on what will I inspect and she taught us that we
should know how to read a structural plan in order for us to checked the size of rebars, the correct
spacing of stirrups, and to see a fixed tire wire. For the manpower, I am getting the hang of it
compared to my first week of doing it. Because I ask for some advice or tips to our supervisor and
her process of getting the manpower is very easy and fast. So, I try getting it just like how she does
it. I also met our foreman, Sir Boni, he is the one who guide us in the inspection of openings and
getting the manpower. He taught how we will approach every subcons and introduce them to us in
order for us to have an idea who will we asked when it comes to getting the manpower. I also learn
that when we are in a construction site, we should know the basic Tagalog construction terms. For
example, biga- beam, halo-concrete mix, buhos- concrete pouring, tansi- nylon string, asintada-
CHB Laying, and palitada- plastering etc. I also got to experience a toolbox meeting with the
foremen and subcons. For our office day, I was taught how to do a BOQ and segmenting of
expenses. I was able to learn that there are functions in excel that will be useful. I was able to
understand the tasks with the guide of our Project Engineer, Engr. Roland Paul Villanueva and
Engr. Mary Mae Quiban. I also met the architects of Ybalai. This week was full of learnings and I
take note of everything so I will know what should I improve for the next days and this will be
helpful for me for the next tasks.
For my third week of OJT, we checked if the markings of wall-setting out are the same
measurement as the plan to start the CHB laying and plastering for the library and its openings. I
also experience to do concrete sample testing, for this task I was really excited because our
laboratory courses were taken in an online scheme. I get to witness a concrete testing and learn
that being a witness is very important and was able to see the first test results. There are types of
fracture: conical, cone &split, columnar, shear, shear wedge, cone & shear. For our office day,
Engr. Quiban gave us a task of quoting. Quotations of certain products that are needed for the
project sites. We should find a supplier and ask for quotations. The purpose of quotations is to see
if the company will be over the budget or not. Also, this is to compare the quotations of other
suppliers. In my experience, finding a supplier in the Philippines for a product that are advanced
is hard. Given that the products are being made by other countries but I ask for some advice to our
Project Engineer and also to the Architects. For me to understand the standard when choosing a
supplier and also their quality of products. I got to do the progress report of the site by taking
pictures of every room’s progress, by getting the percent accomplishment of activities, and Floor
Mapping by reflecting the activities that are done on-site and listing of issues and concerns.
 For my fourth week of OJT on the office day, I was task to do a quotation for ceiling
materials, power track and power dock. I learn the meaning of quotation and its purpose. In this
activity, it tests my communication skills to other suppliers and how well I can find a good supplier.
When on-site I was task to do a Monitoring of payments per subcon and cutting list, I was able to
make a summary of payments using excel for an easy monitoring of their contracts and I was able
to understand on how to do a cutting list and how to do it in CAD. CHB Laying inspection,
Inspection of openings. For the inspections, I was able to inspect the spacing of Horizontal and
Vertical bars and was able to understand why is there a requirement of spacing on the CHB Laying
and as for the openings I was able to see some mistakes in the openings and I identify it if it needs
a CHB Laying or Plastering. Estimation of Masonry wall and Bond Beam, Estimation of plastering
& CHB laying, Estimation of Cement, Sand, Gravel. For these tasks I was able to estimate the
rebars needed, stirrups, concrete, formworks for bond beam, I was able to estimate the plastering
and CHB of the masonry wall, and I was able to get the materials needed for Cement, Sand, and
Gravel. For all the tasks, I was asked to do it by myself for my supervisor to see if I have learned
something for the past weeks. I actually did it by myself and I was able to understand all the
estimation but still I had some minor mistakes in the estimation so I take note of that for my future
task and the book of Max Fajardo really helped me in understanding the estimation.
For my fifth week of OJT, I did a checking of change order in the plan for this task I learn
that sometimes in a project there could be changes that are requested by the clients and it is up for
us engineers to do it and still be being on the budget and also avoiding to be delayed. Estimation
of Drywall, Estimation of Metal track, Estimation of Metal studs, Estimation of Panel Boards for
the Drywall for this estimation we were taught by our supervisors about the dimensions of Metal
track, metal studs, and panel boards and asked us to estimate it on our own because these will be
installed in the site for that week so we have to see how many metal tracks, studs, and panel boards
that will be used. I was able to understand what are drywalls are for. I was able to estimate all the
given materials by using the actual measurement on-site. I learn the word ‘cladding’. Estimation
of Concrete, Horizontal bars, and Vertical bars, Panel boards for Plaswall. I was able to estimate
the volume of concrete, number of horizontal and vertical bars, number of panel boards that was
used by the subcon-structural. I was also task to do the Structural Progress Billing and Concrete
Testing for Plaswall. I was able to understand that when evaluating the billing of structural, it
should not get delayed because the salary of workers will also get delayed. And the estimation that
I did was very helpful for the billing because I was able to get the billing progress of structural for
the Plaswall system by making the previous estimation as data for the billing. For the concrete
testing, I was able to witness the process and result of the testing again. I was able to easily
understand the estimation because I was able to see what it looks like and how will they install it
on-site. I also did a Billing of Quantity of electrical, for this task based what I did on the change
order that happened and I compare the prices if the company are still on the budget or not. I also
asked for help to other OJTs because they already have an idea how to do a BOQ and our
interaction really helped me a lot in understanding the BOQ. I really recommend to ask a lot of
questions to supervisors and also to other interns because it will broaden your knowledge on things.
For my last week of OJT, I was assigned to do the Estimation of painting works. I was able
to estimate the painting works for the site by getting the total area of all the walls both ground floor
and second floor but I can’t get the total number of paints because the painting specification is not
provided so I assumed the total number of coats then multiply it to the total area to get the number
of paints. The book of Max Fajardo is one of my guides to do this task. Then we did the monitoring
of payments per subcon and the requested materials or ROM. These monitoring are very important
because the payments are needed to be tracked to see if we are not exceeding on the budget. As
for the ROM, I was able to understand on how an Air Table works and was able to know what
materials that are on-site, to be follow, and cancelled. I learned that if there are too many requests
of materials per subcon, there will be a partial delivery or 50% of their requested materials. I also
did an inspection of beams, columns, drywall, honeycombs, and soil. For the beams and columns,
we were taught about on why are the columns in a specific room are not yet being demolished,
what are bond beams are for, and also the non-shrinking grout was discussed and I understand that
the non-shrinking grout is not only to prevent the gaps between beams but also to avoid the
formation of honeycombs. For the inspection of drywall, I was able to witness the installation of
metal track, studs, and dry wall but before that we measure first the layout if it’s the same as the
plan to avoid mistakes when the installing is being done.
One of the keys to success is intelligence. It is ours and cannot be taken from us. But
knowledge alone won't guarantee success. It must be applied correctly. To achieve our goals, we
must persevere in everything we do. I gained a lot of knowledge during my training, including how
to enhance my overall personality in terms of sociability and outlook on life. I had come to the
conclusion that, just as at work, challenges in life require us to look for the best answer. Without
our coworkers, co-trainees, and employees, we couldn't resolve the issue. It's similar to the proverb
"No man is an island," which means that in order to get through life's challenges, we can't rely just
on ourselves. I became familiar with the construction management routine over the days of my
training. But, like in real life, we were unable to avoid making errors. Nobody is flawless; I recall
making a mistake once, but instead of blaming me, they showed me how to perform the task right.
As they say, we learn a lot from our mistakes, thus sometimes the more mistakes we make, the
more we learn the lesson. I'll therefore put everything I've learnt from my OJT experience to use
in the near future. I feel as though I have undergone a true transformation as a result of this training.