Ilonggo Trailblazer in Pennsylvania: The Remarkable Journey of Alex Soqueña

Armed with nothing but faith in God, grit, and the skills he learned on the farm as a young boy, Alex Soqueña's life story evokes the heroic spirit of Greek legends—combining the resilience of Odysseus, the artistry of Orpheus, and the determination of Artemis.

Born and raised in the humble village of Lanag, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, Philippines, Soqueña—now 52 and a father of two—transformed his modest beginnings into a life of triumphs. From toiling in the fields and driving a jeepney in Metro Manila to becoming an engineer for international mega-projects, and eventually a pioneering force in the U.S. forwarding industry, his journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

A proud alumnus of Sta. Barbara National Comprehensive High School, Soqueña supported his studies by working on his family’s farm. With determination and persistence, he pursued a degree in Electrical Engineering at the Western Institute of Technology (WIT) in La Paz, Iloilo City, graduating in 1995. He overcame his father Pastor's initial doubts about the length and cost of the course through perseverance and hard work.

His career took off immediately after college when he was selected to help build the 18 villas for world leaders attending the 1996 APEC Summit in Subic Bay, Philippines. This high-profile project earned him recognition within engineering circles and paved the way for international opportunities.

In 1997, Soqueña was recruited by Scottish-American contractor Buddy Quin to work for J. Ray McDermott, an offshore construction and engineering giant later acquired by McDermott International. He served as a certified terminator in the testing and commissioning division of a $247-million project in Dubai. Over the years, his work brought him to 42 countries, handling critical roles in major oil and gas infrastructure projects.

“God has been really good to me,” Soqueña said. “I never spent a single centavo of my own money while working abroad.”

Despite global success, family remained at the heart of his priorities. In 2007, Soqueña migrated to the United States with his wife Cheryl, a registered nurse, and their son, now serving in the U.S. Navy. They later welcomed a daughter and settled in Enola, Pennsylvania.

His first job in the U.S. was with D&H Distributing, a technology and consumer goods distributor. But it wasn’t long before Soqueña discovered a new passion—international forwarding. He launched Magcor International Forwarder’s-Pennsylvania, a local branch of the New Jersey-based balikbayan box company, proudly Filipino-run, that ships goods from the U.S. to the Philippines.

“In this business, I manage my own time,” Soqueña explained. “With faith, nothing is impossible with God.”

Each day, Soqueña, together with his trusted aide Carlos, picks up and delivers balikbayan boxes across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He credits St. Michael the Archangel and a religious necklace gifted by a customer—bearing the image of the Immaculate Conception—for keeping them safe on the road.

Recently, the pair narrowly avoided a serious accident on the I-95 South ramp near Port Chester, New York, when a speeding vehicle came within inches of a collision. “I know God was with me at that moment,” he shared in a heartfelt social media post. “Thank you, Lord, for keeping me safe always.”

Beyond business, Soqueña is known for his generosity—often surprising neighbors, colleagues, and his alma mater with gifts. Though he humbly declined an invitation to speak as an inspirational guest at his former high school, his story continues to inspire many.

Soqueña comes from a family of achievers. His older brother Melvin is a teacher in Iloilo, while his sisters—XZ and Verenice—work as accountants in Iloilo and Coquitlam, Canada, respectively.

With a life shaped by faith, family, and fortitude, Soqueña stands as a proud Ilonggo trailblazer in the U.S. “I’m always proud of my achievements,” he says. “And I fear nothing with God on my side.”