When Jesus Rupert Manacsa looks back at his life, he still remembers the moment his dream slipped away. He wanted to become an engineer—but his family couldn’t afford the tuition. At 18, he told himself he would take whatever course was possible, finish it, and find work quickly. Marketing wasn’t the plan. It wasn’t even a passion.
But life had other ideas.
Today, Rupert is a Certified Marketing Professional, a business educator, and a mentor shaping the next generation of business students at National University Laguna. His path wasn’t linear—but it became meaningful because of what he learned along the way.
“My course wasn’t my first choice—but I learned that purpose can grow where you choose to commit.”
After finishing his Business Administration degree, Rupert found himself lost. He didn’t know where to go, and the course he took felt like a compromise, not a calling. His first job placed him in government work—far from the marketing world he had yet to understand.
He moved to a school shortly after, and that’s where something clicked. Teaching marketing to students made him realize that he couldn’t guide anyone if he wasn’t practicing it himself.
“I told myself I needed to practice marketing, or else everything I studied would be wasted,” he says.
He applied for a role at a newly opened calibration laboratory as a Marketing Assistant—his first real marketing job. The branch was new, under pressure, and needed someone who could help it grow.
It was overwhelming.
But it changed his life.
“What keeps me passionate is helping clients solve their problems—not just selling a product.”
Rupert discovered that he loved the human side of marketing. He enjoyed speaking with clients, understanding their needs, and helping them find solutions. For him, the sale wasn’t the goal—impact was.
That mindset fueled him through the toughest challenges. Whether he was dealing with technical industries like engineering, construction, or calibration services, one thing stayed constant:
Marketing works best when it genuinely helps people.
This purpose-driven approach made every small win feel meaningful.
The MBA That Was ‘Just for Compliance’—But Became His Turning Point
Rupert never thought he would go back to school. After college, he told himself: “Ayoko nang mag-aral.” But a former dean insisted that he enroll in an MBA program.
He reluctantly agreed.
His goal?
Just pass the first semester, then stop.
But when grades were released, something inside him shifted.
“The lowest grade I got was 1.50—and it shocked me. That was the moment I said, ‘I need to finish this no matter what.’”
He became the Public Relations Officer of the MBA and SGS programs, gained confidence, and eventually realized that academic work was something he excelled at. He began seeing himself not only as a marketing practitioner but also as a mentor and leader.
Today, he’s preparing for the next chapter:
his Doctor of Business Administration.
What started as an obligation became the foundation of his new identity.
“I realized I’m more effective in the academe—and I want to lead the next generation.”
Rupert made a bold pivot from corporate to teaching. He wanted real, formal teaching experience in his field—and discovered that the classroom was where he belonged.
He lights up when he talks about his students.
He sees teaching as leadership:
an opportunity to shape mindsets, influence careers, and bring real-world experience into academic spaces.
Being a professor is now his proudest achievement.
From Lost Graduate to Certified Marketing Professional
Earning his Certified Marketing Professional (CMP) credential didn’t just validate his skills—it boosted his confidence as a marketing educator.
Today, he teaches with authority. He leads academic activities with clarity. And he continues to encourage colleagues and students to pursue certifications like CMP and AMP.
The certification didn’t just add three letters after his name—it gave him legitimacy, pride, and a renewed sense of purpose.
His Message to Anyone Feeling Off-Track in Their Career
Rupert is very clear about one thing: you don’t need to start with the “perfect” path to build a meaningful career. He didn’t choose marketing at first, but he chose to commit to learning—and that decision changed everything.
For professionals who feel unsure about where they’re headed, he offers a simple reminder:
“You don’t have to start with passion. Sometimes you develop it as you learn, improve, and gain confidence.”
His journey shows that you can shift directions, pick up new skills, earn new credentials, and find a place where you can excel. What matters is being willing to start, follow through, and take opportunities that help you grow.
