SCAA man epitome of honesty, integrity, dedication
Just recently, this young father of two returned a wallet containing cash to its owner who left it at the TVIRD Clubhouse where he was the guard-on-duty. Last month, he returned a beautiful silver bracelet he found at the same place.
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Above, SCAA Sergio Tabanes, Jr. (left) receives a Human Resources and Administration commendation letter from Paul Arias TVIRD Canatuan Security Force Department Manager. Below, Tabanes with wife Marilyn and sons Mark and Sergio III. “He is a loving son, brother, husband, and father,” Marilyn says of Tabanes.
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“It takes courage and honor to be as honest as our Tabanes,” Paul Vincent Arias, manager of the SFD, proudly says.
The son of a farmer and tuba (coconut wine) gatherer, Tabanes is a member of the Special Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (SCAA), a mostly Subanon indigenous people security group commissioned by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to keep the peace in Canatuan.
“We raised our children to be honest at all times; to sweat out every single centavo they will spend to feed or clothe their children,” Gloria, Sergio’s mother, says. “When he was a young boy I always reminded him and his brothers to return lost things they found in school, be it a pencil or a book. He and his siblings grew up learning from us his parents that it is bad to steal; that they should never get things that aren’t theirs even if we were the poorest in our village.”
Tabanes relates that he has found money and other valuable things in public places. He either gave the items to the owners or to people he knows can be trusted to do that for him. He says he never brought anything to his family that he did not earn through his own labor.
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Tabanes (third from right) with his wife Marilyn (fourth from right) and other SCAA personnel and wives during the completion of the Alternative Learning System program they attended. “We were taught how to read, write and count,” he relates.
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His honesty is reflected in the performance of his duties as security personnel. “He would not abandon his post even if the next guard were late to report,” Jaime Cortez, SFD Operations Officer, says. “He also sees to it that he goes around to thoroughly inspect the area where he is posted. This was how he found the wallet,” Cortez adds.
Johnny Aledan, also a SCAA, has only good words for Tabanes. “He takes care of his friends and is thoughtful,” Aledan avers. “He always shares what he has with them. During emergency situations, he is ready help all the time not only to his friends but also to his neighbors. I am proud to be one of his friends. He takes his work seriously; full of initiative. He switches the lights off when he sees that the utility person on duty is busy. Really his integrity, devotion to friends and dedication to his job are unquestionable!”
Rosana Sotomel, who heads the housekeeping service provider for TVIRD Canatuan staff house says Tabanes is friendly and approachable. “You will not hesitate to ask for his help because he will always find time to accommodate your request. He is very courteous.”
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The Tabanes clan, Segio Jr. with mother Gloria, father Sergio Sr (in light blue), and brothers. “A rare man to find nowadays.”
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Marilyn, 21, Tabanes’ wife of three years, says her husband is thoughtful and close to both his and her parents. “Palagi niyang iniisip ang kapakanan ng mga magulang at mga kapatid niya (He always has the welfare of his parents and siblings in mind),” she says. Tinutulungan niya ang pag-aaral ng mga nakababata niyang kapatid. Ganon siya, mapagmahal na anak, mapagmahal na kapatid at mapagmahal na asawa at tatay (He helps his younger siblings go to school. He is like that: a loving son, a loving brother, a loving husband and father).”
When asked what he thinks of his job, Tabanes was quick to reply: “I am happy and contented with being a SCAA working. I am just an elementary graduate, but I was given the opportunity by the military to be part of the SCAA. TVIRD helped me by providing me this chance so my wife and I could study under the Alternative Learning System, which the company undertakes in Canatuan with the Department of Education. Under this program, we were taught how to read, write and count and if we pass the Accreditation and Equivalency Test we will be accelerated to a higher level of education, depending on the ratings we got. We will have the chance to enroll in the secondary or tertiary level of education.
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Tabanes is always his best inside and outside the basketball court. In left photo, he can be seen at the top center in a game between his team, D’ Defenders, and D’ Analyzers (Assay Laboratory), the eventual champions. At right, Tabanes with his Athlete of the Year trophy; he excelled not only in basketball, but in darts and table tennis as well.
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“I’m proud to help secure a company that nurtures its employees and the people working for them,” Tabanes continues. “Our salary and benefits as SCAAs are higher compared with our counterparts in other private companies in the Region, thanks to the support given by TVIRD. The company also has staff development programs for employees and community residents, including those who are working for the company like us. Here, our professional growth is given importance.”
“People like Tabanes are hard to find in an environment where many are poor and wanting,” says Yulo Perez, TVIRD Vice President for Philippine Operations. “He is worth emulating. That is why TVIRD Canatuan Management however sees to it that people working for the company are well taken care of. While benefits are provided for, staff development programs are given weight so that people will grow and develop professionally to prepare them for the time when the mine ceases its operations; when it is time for the company to leave Canatuan.”
Undoubtedly, it will be people like Tabanes who will thrive and succeed. (Lullie Micabalo)