“The winner ain’t the one with the fastest car. It’s the one who refuses to lose.”
That quote, by late NASCAR racing legend Dale Earnhardt, Jr., has inspired Jerome Bundalian throughout his life. Especially during the challenges.
“I lost my father to cancer when I was four years old and didn’t have the same advantages as my peers, but my mother always taught us that success isn’t about what you’re given, but what you make of what you have,” says Jerome, a field service engineer with Ford’s customer service division in the Philippines.
“My mother didn’t have a fixed salary after my father’s death, but we were fortunate to have a great support system of family and friends,” Jerome says. “She taught us to face life’s challenges with courage and make the most of what we had. We had eviction notices, and we didn’t have enough money for tuition fees, but she told us that if you have the will to live, you will find a way.”
And he did. Through a combination of educational assistance and part-time jobs, Jerome graduated from University of Santo Tomas in mechanical engineering. After graduation, he worked at Toyota as a technical engineer for four years, before taking a job at Ford. Now, as a field service engineer, Jerome currently supports dealerships in delivering service and repairs. He also plays a pivotal role in training and coaching service teams.
"My goal is to help every technician become a Ford expert," he says.
Joining the Blue Oval is an homage to his father’s love for Ford cars.
“My father’s first car was a first-generation Ford Laser,” he says. “My early life with my dad was a vibrant mix of gasoline fumes, burnt rubber, and delicious cooking. It was when I found my love for cars.”
Outside of work, Jerome is an adrenaline junkie who loves testing the limits of vehicles, especially cars. He spends his weekends tuning the suspension setup on his car as he competes in amateur slalom and gymkhana events.
“Racing excites me and allows me to appreciate the craftsmanship and engineering behind a car,” he says.
Jerome dreams of being part of a vehicle manufacturer's racing team one day – a dream that combines his passion for cars with the excitement of competitive racing. It’s a leap from what he’s currently doing but he also believes that life is full of surprises.
Just like what Jerome’s favourite F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo once said, “Sometimes you’ve just got to lick the stamp and send it.”
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