Humble Beginnings – Our story

After spending half of my life at sea as a seafarer, 7 years Chief Engineer and an experienced Technical Superintendent and Crewing Manager, I came ashore with more than just sea stories—I brought with me a lifetime of hands-on experience, a deep respect for ships and machinery, and a desire to keep serving the maritime world completely.
Our journey began in a small workshop in our backyard with just a second hand toolbox, a welding torch, and a whole lot of grit. We didn’t have a fancy logo or a marketing budget — just grease under our nails and a promise to show up, fix it right, and never leave a vessel stranded.
Starting a business from scratch wasn’t easy; we even do not have a bloodline of businessman or entrepreneur. I just traded the engine room for a small workshop, and the hum of a ship’s heart for the quiet uncertainty of finding that first customer. The skills were there— fixing, and maintaining every kind of marine engine and mechanical system you can think of—but the phone didn’t ring right away. Knowing the work and finding the work—those were two very different things. Most days, I came home with no jobs and grease on my hands, wondering how long I could keep going.
But through it all, I had one steady voice beside me: my wife. While I worked to build the business, she prayed over it. When I was discouraged, she reminded me why I started. Her faith never wavered, even when mine did.
That’s the time, just me and my wife, hit the pavement hard. From Navotas to Alabang, Manila to Makati we went from one ship management office to another across Metro Manila, knocking on doors, handing out calling cards and company profiles we printed ourselves, sometimes being told “we’ll call you” — most times, nothing at all. Some days we wondered if we were crazy trying to break into an industry built on relationships, reputation, and big names — three things we didn’t have.
But we kept going. Every “no” got us closer to that first “maybe.” And eventually, we found it — one vessel needing urgent repairs and a company willing to take a chance on a couple of hardworking nobodies. We showed up before dawn and stayed long after dark, pouring everything we had into that job. We didn’t just repair the engine — we proved our worth.
That first successful job didn’t just pay the bills — it lit the fire. Word spread, one captain to another, one company to the next. More ships followed. More sleepless nights, and eventually, more hands joined us — all cut from the same cloth: hardworking, no-frills, and proud of honest labor.
We never forgot what it took to get here. Every vessel we touch is a reminder of that long road across Metro Manila — and the promise we made from the start: to earn every job, every client, and every ounce of trust.
This company was built in the quiet seasons—through faith, persistence, and the belief that honest work will always find its place.

With all my heart and with full of gratitude,
C/E Arnalon Estrella Camilo
HEPE MACHINERY REPAIR AND SHIP SERVICES LTD.CO
Owner/General Manager