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.