Mark and Jeffrey Junco

Mark and Jeffrey Junco


The two brothers may squabble on just about anything under the sun but ask what binds them together and you will get a not-so surprising answer.

Both graduated from the school which has honed a thousand of highly skilled technicians. Boys turned into men, a wise teacher once said.

Elex graduate Jeffrey Junco (5th batch) and his younger brother Mark, a Mech graduate (6th batch) knew that the transition just paid off so well now that they are gainfully working in different companies.

Jeffrey once worked in MYSERVEL Manufacturing Company as a line supervisor. He was performing well despite some conflicts with the job. “No pain, no glory. (Give) your best as long as you are in the right path,” he said.

His dedication to work and performance catapulted him to his position where he gets to deal with people of all sorts. Said he: “Dealing with persons is not an easy task because they have different personalities.”

His unquenchable thirst for experience landed him a good paying job in Japan as a welder for three years. Now, he is testing the waters again as he pursues his application in Canada for the same job. “I already passed the interview and I am sure to get hired in BRANDT because their requirements fit my qualification,” he claimed.

For Mark, a visit to CITE again brings back all the good memories. “CITE has a big part in my life because without CITE I can't achieve all the blessings I have today.”

After his graduation in 1999, he worked in NORKIS YAMAHA as an auto mechanic assembler for one year. In 2006, he was sent to Malaysia for training in tool and dye. He frequented to Batangas for the same training.

When asked for success tips in the workplace, Jeffrey, who was within earshot, blurted out with his acronym: GOD which stands for greetings, own initiative, and deal with persons with proper conduct.

Both graduates have finally found their places in the corporate world. Their training paid off so well that one would not be surpr

ised that success like intelligence also runs in the blood.

James Penton

He owns a small corner in this place where he is always in the zone. He tinkers with some electrical equipment studying their minute detail like a mad doctor who doesn’t want to miss a heartbeat. Then he begins turning small knobs and pushing some buttons in precise fashion. Of course, as a calibration technician, accuracy is the name of the game and small mistakes put one at high stakes.

For James Penton, calibration is the air he breathes, his life he said. This 26-year old alumnus and ECE graduate whose job requires precision thinks of three things that qualify one to be a technician, “He should be methodical, honest, and conscientious,” he said.

He imbues all of these qualities, no doubt. Being methodical, he got from his supervisor, Ryan Sarabia. Being conscientious, from his unit head, Roy Zapata. “I got used to doing things my own way, but Mr. Sarabia tells me, not to do shortcuts and I see his great sincerity in doing his job,” he said. “With Sir Roy, he has a strict time frame and he gets things done with constant follow-ups,” he continued.

Seven years ago, James was an ordinary student, if by ordinary he means being in the honor roll in high school and a couple of plums on his freshman year in CITE. “Honestly, I learned to have study habits here and pay close attention to my spiritual formation.” Being a true-blue Boholano, he despises the “ija-ija, aho-aho” (to each his own) stigma and claims to have been helping others. A sponsorship under Penton Clan proves his generosity.

If calibration is indeed his trade, James has strong credentials which can hold a candle against anyone. He has gone to Japan and Singapore for some calibration training plus five local trainings related to the field. He speaks of calibration like the back of his hand. “Our awareness on calibration is not that strong. Some would consider calibration only for compliance and not by heart. They are not still aware of what calibration can do to quality, health, and safety.”

CITE Electrical Standard and Testing Laboratory or Cal-Lab became a second home for James. That is why when CITE decided to pull the plug on the Cal-Lab operation this year, James became sad. “We knew it was coming, but I never expected it to be so soon. Most companies nowadays wanted a one-stop shop. Our lab only caters specifically on calibrating electrical instruments only.”

James however claimed an upscale on the calibration needs in Cebu: “Many calibration labs in Manila are starting to expand their services here in Cebu.” Thus opportunities are flung open for those who have the expertise. “I will be leaving CITE on Saturday. I will be working with ATS, a Singaporean company, based in Manila. I really don’t want to leave CITE, but I can’t turn back from doing things I love most which is calibration.”

How about teaching? “I’m not competent. I’m not comfortable. I consider the teaching way up there. You need to be a good role model and I think I fall short of that standard.”

CITE will surely miss James Penton although he keeps his profile pretty low at all times. His absence will be greatly felt, but we always want to wish him well as he embarks on another journey across life’s stream. Is he also sizing up his career move? “I don’t restrict myself to a time frame. Anything goes with guidance from above, ” he ended with his usual throaty voice.

Romel Doming

In a very competitive company such as Fairchild Semiconductors Phils., Inc., what sets a CITE graduate apart from the others is more than just what meets the eye.

Batch 3 Electronics Technology graduate Romel Doming used tao walk in and out of the doors of Fairchild unnoticed as he was completing his On-the-Job Training in 1996. When he was hired by the company after his graduation, Romel’s career opened for him endless possibilities to better his life and his family’s.

“I’ve been through a lot of struggles before I (became) what I (am) now. Sa una, ma-problema ko sa weekly allowance nako,” reminisced this 30-year old alumnus from Cambinocot. “So nag-working student ko sa CITE,” he added.

He received P20 for keeping the CITE oratory clean and orderly during his free time which supported his daily needs.

Romel was the second from the eldest in the family. He always faces his share of challenges with courage, determination, and hardwork.

“We are very good in saying or writing our principles, (but) what matters most is the norms that one is practicing. By those good norms, we inherit it in ourselves and will guide us through,” he uttered.

From being a technician, Romel became a maintenance engineer and now an equipment engineer handling a group of technicians supporting the Test and Finish Area 1 at Fairchild. He also tutored off to Singapore for a technical training in 2001.

Romel was also able to help his two brothers, Roland and Edwin, finish their schooling.

Currently, he is planning to get a degree course in Electronics Engineering through the equivalency program offered at some universities.

A family man and a doting father to two kids, this hardworking fellow is now reaping the fruits of his hardwork of which he speaks highly of. “Don’t just work hard, work smart,” he quipped.

Joel del Riarte

He turned a piece of metal into a masterpiece by his hands, now he is turning rough stones into diamonds with his words. That’s Fra Cyril Maria dela Riarte of the Incarnate Word.

Fr. Cyril Maria or better known before as Joel dela Riarte officiated one of his public masses at CITE on July 5 after he was ordained to the priesthood on March 24 by His Eminence Cardinal Crese, Archbishop of Naples, Italy.

Joel dela Riarte was a Batch 3 graduate of Mechanical Technology. He received his Academic Excellence Award upon graduation and became a faculty member of CITE. It was then that he heard the “call.” He said, “I had longed for happiness – and so I was brought to a group founded by Fr. Buenaventure Valles and had realized the vocation of my life – to serve the Lord. God wants that I will serve Him closely to bring back the wavering flock of sheep to the church.”

The call has always become a mystery to this 31-year-old priest. He said, “Vocation is part of God’s plan for each one. Everyone has his or her own vocation. When you hear this calling, you must pay attention (to) it and most of all – pray.”

He continued, “You must not be afraid (of) the consequences (leaving the family, job, profession) and must detach yourself (from) the material things in this world. Christ said the he who follows me will not be confused.”

His love for CITE brought him back to his Alma Mater where he officiated one Friday mass.

“CITE – my home,” said Fr. Cyril said in elation. “Studying here in CITE is a good experience. The impression that struck me in this institution is the values formation and the family involvement in the formation.” he stressed.

To the students, he advises: “Students must study and pray…We should pray because God is talking to us in prayer. To sanctify ourselves is to sanctify our daily activities and sanctifying does not only mean competence and preciseness, but living with the virtue and obedience to God’s will. As the CITE motto wanted to impart, the students must do ordinary things, extraordinarily well,” ended Fr. Cyril.

Rodjie Obsequias

He was poor with numbers and he had a hard time coping with his majors before. But never did it stop him from getting to the top. Rodjie Obsequias believes that skills alone don't make a good worker, it's the work values which count the most.

His six years in a metal stamping company, Mactan Parts Technology Inc. proves it. "I started as a trainee doing filing and because of hardwork, I became a member of the maintenance team and got promoted as the general class leader in the Die Maintenance Section of the R&D Department," said he. He is now heading a staff of 8-10 in the upkeep of dies used for producing cassette deck mechanism and other audio-visual parts such as CD changer.

Despite being young for his position, this 26-year old Mechanical Technology graduate knows when to push the right buttons. "I had problems with some of my staff especially the older ones who sleep during their shifts or those who play computer games, but all I did is to communicate with them. Everyday we set a goal for our team. It takes a lot of self-discipline to reach that goal," he intoned.

Rodjie does not consider himself uptight with his new position. Being a doting father to two young boys, he understands when to crack the whip and when to keep it low. "We are expected to make very few mistakes and to look for ways to improve. Our Japanese employers demand the best from us. How I got promoted ahead of others? They know that even if no one is looking, I always give my best shot," he said.

Rodjie has trained in die maintenance in Japan for one year. He also became a technical trainer for the same expertise in China for three months and an offer to replicate the training in Czech Republic is underway for him. Judging from his looks, no one would think that this small wonder has eight cost-saving Kaizen (ideas for improvement) awards tucked under his belt.

Any piece of advice to spare? "Mr. Ardiente (his adviser) used to tell us : what you are now is what I am before. I'd like pass on the thoughts. Work hard, have faith, and have patience," he ended.

Jessie Bato-on

Batch 8 Mechanical Technology graduate Jessie Bato-on (left) obtained the first patent of Sheet Picking System for an Imaging Apparatus for Lexmark printers in May.

This technology is integrated in a printer enabling it to pick up the lightest or the heaviest media or paper. Jessie designed the prototype while a colleague named Engr. Gil Vargas provided for its documentation and calculation.

“Customers’ demands made us think about this invention,” says Jessie who has been working for Lexmark Research and Development Corporation (LRDC) since his in-plant training.

Jessie didn’t strike any chord when he was still a student at CITE. His department head, Edwin Heredia, noted, “He was just an ordinary student before but obedient.”

This 26-year old inventor started his career at LRDC as laboratory technician. Now, he works in the Low-Mid Mono Paperpath Department where he continues to stand out in his field. He also took up his engineering course at the University of San Jose-Recoletos through its equivalency program and graduated in April 2007.

CITE is an important part of Jessie. “The style of CITE— theory and hands-on—contributes greatly to my achievement,” he asserts.

Jessie is handling three in-plant trainees from CITE who also speak well of their mentor in terms of work habits and competence. His secret? “Always put God in everything you do.” Now, that doesn’t need any patent, does it?ï

Raymund Saniel

Last summer, a father came up to me and told me how his son, Raymund, is doing well in his life right now. Raymund Saniel may not strike a chord to some teachers especially that there were scores of good students in his batch.

But for advisers and teachers who got a chance to know this lad, they would agree that this self-starter would go places someday.

Having graduated from CITE in 2001, Raymund applied as a board repair technician in Teradyne Philippines, Inc., the world’s leader in semiconductor test technology. He troubleshoots complex circuitry and works with board modules most of the time.

A persistent electronic technician whose passion is excellence in his job, Raymund was enlisted in a group which was tasked to fully restore a machine with no testing capability into a functional one. The hardwork paid off when he and a group of technicians completed the job before the deadline. The customer was impressed. Delighted by the result, Teradyne lauded Raymund’s group for the feat and sent them to a training overseas for seven months. In December 2003, Raymund set foot on Teradyne Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Single at 24, Raymund still lives with his parents whom he considers his inspiration for working hard. The money he saved during his training was spent for home improvement and multicab which he now uses for his service. He is also helping his elder brother finish college and pay for the tuition of a relative in high school.

Like a piece of good fortune, another training brought him back to the US in August 2005 to train on Ultra Flex System Modern Machine.

While some of his batchmates have pursued a better career option abroad, what made him stick to Teradyne like a soldering lead to a PCB? “I’m motivated to work. The company is transparent in (its) operation and has a very good benefit package for its employees,” he told me.

In working with some engineers who singled out technicians from them, he advises, “Show what you’ve got. Show them what you can do.”

He admits that his three years of training at CITE has provided him technical know-how that can tally with the skills of other graduates but what made CITE alumni stand out among the rest? “Our attitude towards our work and moral upbringing by our family.”

Raymund is planning to pursue a degree course in Electronics and Communications Engineering at Cebu Institute of Technology. With Teradyne’s offer to help him finish his studies he realized that “we should not be complacent of what we have achieved because there’s always a room to improve especially that technology is changing so fast.”

After working at Teradyne for five years, he said, “Love your work like a precious diamond. If you aim for a higher position, continue improving yourself. If you are earning more, then you can also help more people.”

Rodito Pitogo Jr.

It was not hard to spur a conversation with Rodito Pitogo Jr. This 23-year old Telecommunications Technology graduate has gone a mile in his career now that things have turned out well for him. When he came into the Development Office as a staff assistant in June 2004 (both of us belong to the same office), he was very shy and barely talked. Although his experience at Innove for his in-plant training exposed him to people, I could sense that he was still reserved. He walked silently in the office like walking on eggshells and went directly to a table set aside for him where he burrowed his head on paperworks.

There were four of us in a small office with quite different personalities. He said, "It was challenging to work with all of you." From Mr. Capuyan, he learned how to organize activities and deal with external customers. From me, he learned some tips in communication. From Mr. Millan, he learned confidence in his job. Rodito does the legwork especially for Mr. Capuyan and Mr. Millan. Ever enthusiastic, he has eye for details and as much as possible has wanted to get things perfectly done. Overtime, he learned the tricks of the trade and now improving much on people-skills. With just a little workout on polishing his diction, he can go places because of his guts and determination, I could tell.

"I have become focused with my job and always thinking of how I can improve it," he told me. From a simple telephone call to a school campaign or to a simple office errand, he does them cheerfully. No wonder that in the turn of events, he became a class and club adviser, a tutor, a part-time instructor, in-charge of the customer feedback system for ISO, and now the new alumni officer of the school.

"Being the alumni officer is the greatest challenge for me since I have to start planning all the activities again," he said. Being able to decide on some things for this function gave him space to cultivate his creativity. "Of course freedom with consultation," he stressed. With his initiative, he began releasing alumni tracking slips dishing them out to DTS trainees. He made phonecalls to companies organizing the alumni chapter in NEC, Teradyne, Lexmark, and Lear. He spoke well on how alumni responded to his call, texts or emails that inspired him more to do better. "They were all supportive and happy that CITE (is giving a boost to the alumni)," he noticed. He also made a round of visits to the HR advocating the formation of alumni clusters.

Many would have questions in mind (including me) if he's ready and capable given his short length of exposure to the ins and outs of his new function. But with the support he was getting from our boss and a positive number of emails which flood to his inbox everyday from the alumni, it would be smooth-sailing for Rodito. He is planning to conduct a visit to the schools with active alumni offices to get ideas on how to go about with the alumni.

"We don't just gather the alumni for income-generating purposes but to see to it that we can still serve them through formative activities be it here at CITE or in Sugbu or Lahug," he said. A devout Catholic himself, Rodito felt that this should be the top priority of every alumnus as a product of CITE.

Nothing is ever stopping the new alumni officer from getting things done his own style. After all, if one puts his heart in his job, one can never go wrong. (February 2007)

Randy Binondo

Next to e-learning, CITE Wikipedia will become the buzz word among the students and a tool they can do without.

This “virtual site,” as its proponent Mr. Roy Zapata puts it, will become the home of the e-learning modules produced by CITE for its students and the information gateway for internal communication among the staff.

Almost two years in the making, it is designed after Wikipedia as a one-stop-shop information resource center. Wiki, a native Hawaiian word for “quick”, will lend its new meaning to information right under the fingertips.

Blink! gets a quick chat with CITE Wiki's programmer, Randy Binondo an EM-turned-IT graduate of CITE.

Blink: Anything new with this “CITE Wikipedia”?

Randy: It's collaborative. We can accumulate all the content and they can be enhanced and edited by different authors.

Blink: How secure is it?

Randy: It is secure although it is designed to show the source code.

Blink: How is the conversion going?

Randy: We are converting Safety, Mechanical and Elex modules.

Blink: Are we not spoonfeeding the students?

Randy: Not actually. It's now easy for the students to get resources. It's only their references.

Blink: Have you any foreseen problems?

Randy: Something to do with the content especially on the copyright of content and proper referencing.

Blink: How do you see this site down the road?

Randy: All will be dependent on this site. It's like you can't start the day without opening the CITE Wiki.

Blink: Are we ready for this?

Randy: I think yes.

Blink: What makes you proud of this project?

Randy: It (will) improve the ways of doing things for the staff and students.

Roel Palarao

Roel Palarao is graduate of Mechanical Technology in 2002. Single at 25, he is brimming with brio after being recently promoted as a grinding operator at Philippine Iino Corporation.

He started out as an operator in the automated inspection section but his competence in grinding catapulted him to a challenging job which now requires a great deal of precision and competence.

Having been with the company for six solid years since his in-plant training, he considers his one-year training on centerless grinding in Japan the best reward yet from his company.

Roel is financially supporting his younger sister who is in college in Ozamis City. He is also investing in agriculture in Mindanao with his father’s help and looks forward to a bounty rice harvest soon.

Sherwin Ople

He does not make promises but keeping one in his heart became a beacon of hope for those he loved the most. Never did it cross Sherwin's mind that one day, he will be able to keep that promise to his younger brothers and sisters.

Sherwin belongs to a brood of 10 to a housewife and a janitor in Tawason. That is why it was not easy for him to get through his schooling. He worked as a helper in an eatery owned by his aunt just to get by when he was accepted in CITE. His parttime job supported his meal and transportation allowance. In 2004, he graduated in Electronics Technology and secured a job at Functional Inc. where he had his in-plant training.

Sherwin worked as a service technician for banking equipment, platter machine, photocopier, and money counter which Functional Inc. distributes and services.

Apart from good salary and commissions, what else made Sherwin stick to the job for five years?

"I was challenged with (the nature) of my work. Everyday I meet different work problems and troubles (with regard to the products) and talk to people who are bank managers and supervisors," he said.

Among Sherwin's service clients are all Cebu branches of Banco de Oro, China Bank, SM money counters, UCPB, and Tsuneishi Technical Services, Inc. He also frequents in Ilo-ilo, Bacolod, and Davao since Functional Inc. covers the Vismin areas.

Sherwin is supporting two of his siblings in college. One is taking up Nursing and the other one is taking up Education. Both are twins and are now on their third year at the University of Cebu.

"It pays off. It was not a plan to help them get through college, but I realized that I wanted them to have a good future," Sherwin proudly said.

The joy it brings him seemed inexplicable that he looks forward to every single day in his work. In the near future, he wanted to pursue an engineering course and put up an internet cafe for business.

"I believe that if you are responsible, you can achieve whatever dreams you have," he revealed.

Sherwin can be contacted through his e-mail address: bhadz43@yahoo.com.

Karl Michael Misa

His gift of gab usually overshadows his skills but it's all different now. Karl Michael Misa has turned the tide and learned to play by the rules to get ahead in his career. This 23-year-old techie faces new challenges as an IT Helpdesk Technician at Western Wats, a leading provider of survey research data collection.

In a no holds barred interview, this Batch 11 IT grad unlocks his heart and rattles off his thoughts which always remind us of his genius well articulated.

CITE: The last time we heard about you was that you were in a call center?
KARL: I was with SYKES for 11 months as a Technical Support Specialist and then I transferred to Convergys as a Customer Service Specialist in charge of billing and troubleshooting.

CITE: You are now connected with Western Wats. What made you change your heart?
KARL: It's more of an IT job. CITE taught me how to have that technician's mind.

CITE: What are you into?
KARL: We help address IT and computer-related issues...Our job includes routine maintenance of server and telephony dialer. We create accounts, activate services and other windows log-ins on a remote computer.

CITE: I am not into IT, but what makes this job special?
KARL: It's a service job. It's not the pay which is important. It's the satisfaction you get when you know you made other people's lives easier.

CITE: Was it tough for a technician graduate like you?
KARL: We may not have graduated from universities but we have the goods. We have what it takes to compete in the industry against bachelor degree holders."

CITE: I usually ask our graduates this question: Are you taken care of by the company?
KARL: I would say yes. My immediate boss, who is an Irish is taking care of us. I think if you get to do things needed to be done and they are pleased (with your job) then they will really take care of you.

CITE: You are glib. How do you deal with irate customers?
KARL: I've learned phone diplomacy. I let them go. Just let them. If you can fix the problem, fix it. That's all it matters to them.

CITE: Do you also get frustrated?
KARL: A lot.

CITE: That's tough. How do you take a breather?
KARL: Airsoft. It's a peer combat sport. We play in a abandoned rest houses or game sites. I also play soccer.

CITE: Have you any weird experience?
KARL: One time I was about to eat and suddenly my cordless phone rang, I had to stop and answer it by all means. Another one when I was doing (my personal necessity), you know, I had to take the call and give instructions. (laughs)

CITE: Let's do a flashback. You were having problems with attendance when you were still a student of CITE.
KARL: Oh, yes. It's still one of my greatest challenges until now because I'm a night person. I don't have regular hours of sleep.

CITE: Was CITE easy on you?
KARL: The lessons in CITE are not easy. They're complex. But no one should fail academically because of its strong support system---the tutorials, the faculty... especially teachers who have been through the same program. The only problem will be is that---will the students be willing to resolve to finish in three years?"

CITE: Many students prefer Information Technology when they come to CITE. What do you think is the reason?
KARL: IT is a well-advertised course. Opportunities are a lot. Students might think IT is simple--- with a push of a button or just answering e-mails but it's difficult because you are not allowed to make any margin of error. Each mistake costs a lot to the company!

CITE: What do you advise?
KARL: When parents ask me about how to get to CITE, I would suggest that they ask their sons what do they really want to focus because IT in CITE is a broad course. They should have a knowledge where it counts.

CITE: I see that you are pursuing an IT degree through the equivalency program offered by CIT.
KARL: I figured out that I may have some stuff I learned from school, but I'm going to need that diploma. When our director said, 'your pay raise depends on what is in your resume,' it got me. I had to play by the rules.

CITE: How do you see yourself years from now down the road?
KARL: I want to be a freelance software developer and be a consultant.

CITE: Thank you for making us proud.
KARL: Thank you, sir.