TVIRD security man shows children, peers how
He was only able to finish grade school – quite a feat
for a son whose father did not care about education for his children. At a young
age when children are expected to be with other kids playing, he worked in the
farm or out in the sea to fish instead. He cried many times as he pleaded to
his father to allow him to attend high school, but his appeals fell on deaf
ears.
for a son whose father did not care about education for his children. At a young
age when children are expected to be with other kids playing, he worked in the
farm or out in the sea to fish instead. He cried many times as he pleaded to
his father to allow him to attend high school, but his appeals fell on deaf
ears.
His experience made him vow that he will not let his children
suffer the same way he did; that no matter what happens, he will work hard so
that his children will be able to finish their studies. A tall order, it seems,
for a man who lost his wife, Rosalina, more than five years ago. Thanks to his
job as a security guard – a “Responder” – of TVI Resource
Development Philippines, Inc. (TVIRD), Francisco Cubol stands a chance of being
able to fulfill his promise. Assigned by the Armed Forces of the Philippines
to maintain peace and order in TVIRD’s host community in the mountains
of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, the Special Citizens Armed Forces Geographical
Unit Active Auxillary (SCAA) unit Cubol belongs to has, with TVIRD’s help,
provided him the opportunity and wherewithal to send all his children to school.
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Canatuan
SCAA Responder Francisco Cubol. His happy disposition in life is, perhaps, the reason why the results of his work are often very good, says his superior. |
Born 42 years ago from a fisherman-farmer father and a homemaker
mother in Masaw, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay province, Cubol has been assigned
in Canatuan, the site of TVIRD’s mining operations, since 2005. With his
salary, he provides for most of the schooling needs of his seven children, including
twins Cristina and Christine, 18 years old and in fourth year high school. The
two are working students, employed by a family friend in Cebu City, so that
they can earn their own school allowance. With Cubol’s guidance, the twins
hope to be able to go to college next year.
Cubol’s second child, 17 year-old Fernando, is still
in Grade 6 at the Canatuan Elementary School. This boy wants to study welding
or fabrication when he finishes high school. The third, Feriderico, 15, is already
in second year high school at the Siocon National High School-Canatuan Annex.
Cubol has two children Frinces, 12, and Reneliza, 10, studying in Tungawan.
The youngest, Frederick, 6, stays with him in Canatuan.
Being both father and mother to children, most in their teenage
years, is quite difficult for a working man like Cubol. His biggest problem,
he says, is that he lacks time and is having trouble trying to bridge the generation
gap between him and his offspring. Adding to his woes is his being ill equipped
to deal with teenage daughters whose questions in life could be best answered
by a mother. Nevertheless, Cubol feels he is on the right track in bringing
up his children.
He admits he has his own needs. “But I’ve learned
to sacrifice my own needs in favor of my children’s welfare,” he
says.
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Isaias
Blaza with his youngest child and wife Neneng say Cubol is a dependable friend. |
“He is a friend you can always depend on, in good times
or bad,” states friend and fellow Responder Isaias Blaza. “Just
tell him your problem or need, and he will help you.”
Paul Vincent Arias, TVIRD Security Manager, says “Cubol
is one of our Responders who does his job well. His happy disposition in life
is, perhaps, the reason why the results of his work are often very good. He
is also physically and mentally fit. He is able and always willing to learn
new things. He jogs frequently with me. This is his way of maintaining his good
health.”
And, as proof of his good disposition in life and work, Cubol
does not have a single negative case file at the company’s Security Office.
He has a good relationship with all his co-workers and with the managers, Arias
points out.
For him to be able to provide for his family well, Cubol resorts
to creativity. He has assigned a relative to take care of his rubber trees,
the income from which he uses to support his two children who are studying in
Tungawan. With the help of his children who are staying with him in Canatuan,
he has also ventured into vegetable gardening so he can earn extra cash.
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Paul
Arias, TVIRD Canatuan Security Manager, says Cubol is able and willing to learn new things. |
Cubol’s good work ethic, and reliable knowledge and skills
can also be attributed to the training programs being implemented by the company’s
Security Department and Human Resources and Administration Department (HRAD).
“Our security personnel are well taken care of,”
Gerry Marcellana, TVIRD HRAD Manager, says. “We orient him on the company’s
Code of Conduct, and on safety and housing policy. Cubol knows, too, where to
go to get access to basic services like water, light, and power or for health
services when he or a member of his family is sick.”
For his part, Arias said the Security Department has in-house
training programs not only to equip the Responders with skills and knowledge
related to their job, but also on ethics and respect for human rights.
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Above,
Cubol with youngest child, Frederick and below, eldest Fernando. No matter what happens, Cubol will work hard so that his children will be able to finish their studies. A tall order, it seems, for a man who lost his wife, Rosalina, more than five years ago. |
Somebody said that falling down does not make one a failure;
that staying down does. Cubol has fallen many times, but in as many instances,
has stood up. Because of the good examples he has shown as a father to his children,
as a worker, and as a friend to his superiors and peers, he will surely be able
to stand up again. And he will not be alone. (Lullie Micabalo)
