FOR ROD KENNETH LUBONG, BOILER CODE ADVOCACY is a way of carrying forward the lessons of past failures so engineers can help prevent the next one. (Given ASME’s own history, we may be biased, but it is hard not to see that as a noble pursuit.)
“Boiler and pressure vessel codes are not just technical documents. They are the accumulated essence of incidents, failures, journeys, and decades of engineering judgment that is distilled into practical tools now,” Lubong said.
Lubong’s advocacy began early in his career, when he worked for a boiler manufacturer in the Philippines. According to Lubong, the company was the only Filipino-owned ASME-certified boiler manufacturer in the country, an experience that gave him a close look at both the rigor of global standards and the gaps that can exist when engineers, inspectors, and operators are not fully familiar with them.
“I saw firsthand how Filipino engineers were kind of not familiar with ASME code,” Lubong said. “So I decided to advocate for boiler code education as a way of protecting life, property, and the public through sound engineering practice.”
As president of the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) Camarines Norte Chapter, Lubong is well-positioned to be the driving force on that advocacy. Drawing inspiration from ASME’s technical divisions, he said, PSME adopted divisions of its own back in 2017.
“We have a boiler technical division I’m part of where we regularly conduct seminars about ASME code for our engineers to learn more about it,” he said.
His leadership tendencies manifested early on, he said, but the first real taste of it came as a student council leader in college, when he represented about 4,000 students. The experience taught him a lot about making decisions that have real impact.
“Leadership isn’t just about taking charge,” he said. “It’s also about listening, organizing diverse viewpoints, and working collaboratively toward a shared goal.”
Biomass Boilers and Coconut Shells
Mechanical engineering itself was a twist of fate for Lubong. His first choice was civil engineering, but an absence of DOST-SEI accredited programs in his area led him to choose mechanical instead, he said.
He doesn’t regret the decision. “I found myself enjoying it—working on the machines, the innovations, and everything in between,” he said.
One of the projects that helped shape Lubong’s career took him far from home. While working for the boiler manufacturer, he was sent to South Africa as a field engineer for the installation and pre-commissioning of two ASME-stamped “S” biomass boilers in Johannesburg. It was the company’s first footprint in Africa, his first foreign assignment, and, for him, a significant turning point in meeting global standards.
“It was a proud moment because it showed that the Philippines could produce ASME-compliant boilers for [an international client],” he said. The boiler, used by Central Edible Oil (Pty) Ltd., was intended for steam or power generation at the facility.
Closer to home, Lubong worked on biomass boiler technology more directly connected to local resources. In a region known for coconut production, Lubong and his team persuaded a client to use coconut shells as boiler fuel instead of the initial plan for fossil fuels.
“It’s a project that helps the community,” Lubong said. “We designed boilers for coconut shell fuels. The resources are within the area, and it will also help provide additional livelihood to the coconut farmers.” The project, published in a PSME journal, won an award after being presented at a conference.
Whenever he gets a chance, Lubong returns to Camarines Norte for a vacation from the city. He enjoys the quieter pace of province life: white beaches, oceans, surfing, local concerts, and time with family.
“Boiler and pressure vessel codes are not just technical documents. they are the accumulated essence of incidents, failures, journeys, and decades of engineering judgment that is distilled into practical tools now.”
—Rod Kenneth Lubong, Static Equipment Engineer, Fluor Corporation
Looking Ahead
Lubong shared that corrosion engineering is next on his horizon. He’ll be presenting a technical paper at the International Metals and Engineering Conference in June 2026 around his understanding of how materials degrade under high temperature, pressure, and aggressive water or combustion environments.
“I’m particularly fascinated by how it applies to boilers and energy systems,” Lubong said. The paper he submitted addresses the fireside corrosion of biomass boiler tubes, including how biomass fuels affect corrosion. “It’s an important aspect of boiler safety, reliability, and life cycle performance,” he said.
And his work leading PSME Camarines Norte will continue as well.
Growing up in the area, Lubong saw firsthand how limited opportunities can push young engineers out. The province only has one state college offering a mechanical engineering degree, and after graduation, about 85 percent leave the region in search of opportunity, based on the chapter’s data.
“As president, my main motivation in supporting our engineers find their footing in the profession,” he said, adding that at this stage of their careers, guidance, mentorship, and exposure are critical.
“So we create opportunities in the chapter,” he said. “And by creating these opportunities for learning, membership, and professional engagement, we help young engineers avoid common missteps, instill in them strong ethics and safety-driven mindsets, and we encourage them for long-term involvement in the profession.”
Lubong added that practical guidance and mentorship is what many are looking for over technical development. In that sense, he finds inspiration in the resources ASME provides.
“ASME really has a lot of resources for every age, for every stage of the career,” he said. “That’s what I hope PSME can also achieve.”
For societies to engage with a global audience, it’s important to meet engineers where they are culturally and professionally, Lubong said.
“Engagement is strongest when [we] communicate with empathy, relevance, and a genuine commitment to developing people,” he said.
Sarah Alburakeh is strategic content editor.
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