San Ao, witness of the Iron City and the first waterproofing Engineer expert in Macau
San Ao, 64 years old, has been engaged in infrastructure engineering for more than 40 years. The reason he chose to engage in this industry is because in the past, Macau lacked diverse job options, except for some unprofitable industries such as pyrotechnics manufacturing, match manufacturing and shipbuilding. And 40 years ago, infrastructure projects had begun to build five-story buildings.
（San Ao in his youth was in the early stages of his studies）
“In addition, three generations of our family have been engaged in construction work,” San Ao said. His grandfather and father were both builders, and his grandfather was involved in the infrastructure project of Macau’s Jai Alai Stadium.
When he saw his father making money in this industry and became interested in engineering, San Ao followed his father’s footsteps into this field. He said: “My dad just threw me into the sea. If you like to learn, learn; but if you can’t learn, don’t swim up.” Since his father is a builder, after receiving some projects, he hired some mechanics. Initially, his father asked him to learn from the craftsmen on the construction site, starting with the most basic manual skills, such as plastering, carpentry and painting.
“It takes learning and practice to make you perfect before you can upgrade to a contractor.” His job is to assign different parts of the project to different technicians based on different industries and construction characteristics. He learned from his father how to assign work and write bills.
Construction is extensive and includes plastering, carpentry, painting, nailing formwork and plumbing. “Our construction covers all processes. Only workers who have these processes can build a building, no one less can do it,” San Ao said. “So when I started studying, I needed to learn all these processes to become a qualified contractor.”
（Project photos of San Ao when he was working in infrastructure projects when he was young）
This sounds simple, but it’s actually not easy. San Ao said: “When I was just starting out, I often encountered difficulties and got scolding from the master when I studied with the master”, he remembers, referring that although they say begginers are learning from them, they will not take the initiative or be willing to guide them “Only when the masters are in a good mood or interested, they may explain a word or two to you.” All he could do is use his observation skills to concentrate and carefully observe and imitate the masters’ actions, and remember the steps of the project. He said: “Fortunately, I had my father there at that time. If I didn’t understand something, I could ask him for advice.” He has been growing and learning slowly on the construction site and participated in the courses of the Construction Chamber of Commerce to absorb experience and improve himself. “After completing my studies, I started working on my own projects to make money”, says the engineer remembering the time he was attending the course ……
“Setbacks are common, and there will definitely be them.” At that time, Macau’s economy was not yet booming, and it took a long time to construct a building. It was “often impossible to get a job and make money”, San Ao said. “I have thought about giving up on engineering and switching to other industries, such as the knitting industry and restaurants.” The experienced engineer also worked in a restaurant, but later he still felt that construction engineering had a better future.
In 1997, Macau’s market was in a slump. No one was buying or constructing buildings. So, at that time, Macau’s engineering and construction industry was completely stagnant. Many people choose to go to Taiwan to work and make money, but in 2002, San Ao chose to follow a friend to Hong Kong to study waterproofing engineering for 10 years. At that time, Hong Kong’s economic development was opposite to that of Macau after its return to Chinese administration in 1999, and Hong Kong’s infrastructure projects at that time were very top-notch.
（Templates and steps for waterproofing projects）
“At that time, engineering projects such as mud and water painting were too popular, and only unpopular projects, such as waterproofing, could make a lot of money. That’s why I was determined to learn”, he mentions.
In 2005, planning his career as an entrepreneur he established “Nissin Construction and Decoration Engineering Company”. At that time, no one in Macau had done any waterproofing work, and no one knew how to do waterproofing, so many buildings often leaked. After returning to Macau in 2013, the rise of casinos in Macau increased the demand for waterproofing projects. “At that time, I was responsible for judging the waterproofing of the first and second phases of buildings in Venice, Sands, Galaxy, and MGM, as well as the waterproofing of the highest level of the Arc de Triomphe. At that time, I was the first person in Macau who could do waterproofing.”
（Engineering tool display-laser lamp）
Once Upon a Time Casino, Five Levels, Silver Leaf and nearby clubhouse. With the current development of high-rise buildings, construction engineering and waterproofing, San Ao is still carrying out related projects. Although he is now 64 years old, he keeps pace with the times, whether it is daily or engineering things and knowledge. He will update and pay attention to the latest news and technology, such as the latest engineering materials, laser lights, etc. “Lu Ban has a saying: right and wrong are determined by right and wrong.” The perimeter is determined by rules. “He will continue to learn the latest things and accumulate his own experience until the day he leaves. Before that, he wants to pass on his life and experiences to a child around him, so that she can better find his own way.
