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IAMRAFI: Collaboration is Key
The Story of Ricky Morillo, Senior Project Engineer,
9 Years in Service
By Marco Paulo Trajano Deligero | April 24, 2018
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Engineer Ricky has been with Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) since July of 2008. He is responsible for the engineering projects, which includes the School Rehabilitation Programs (SRP) and the Gabaldon Restoration Program of the Education Development Unit (EDU) of RAFI.
His work includes supervision of project engineers, ensuring process are followed as well as on time, on budget and quality implementation of the project and other EDU-related engineering initiatives. And this year, he will be celebrating his first decade with RAFI.
From Working in Vietnam to RAFI
Engineer Ricky’s work experience include working in the roof material industry, as well as an underwater tunnel project crossing the Saigon river in Vietnam, where he also served as the Senior Site Engineer.
Ricky’s father is a lawyer, while his mother is an accountant. He considers his parents as his inspiration in pursuing a profession as an engineer.
Being with RAFI for 10 Years & Counting
When asked why he stayed in RAFI for almost 10 years, Engineer Ricky simply replied that he found his purpose while working in the organization. He believes that his current job, as the Senior Project Engineer, is his own way of helping different communities.
“It is really tiring when you help different communities, but it’s all worth it when they appreciate your work. And knowing that my work has really helped them, that alone already compensates for the difficulty and exhaustion caused by the responsibility of my job.” Engineer Ricky said
From the Seminary to RAFI
He was a seminarian before he became an engineer, but he opted to go out of the seminary because he felt that it wasn’t his calling.
“I think my work now is an answered prayer because before I left the seminary, I told the Lord that I am very much willing to continue serving Him in a different way like through serving communities and community development.”
On School Rehabilitation Programs and Gabaldon Restoration
After super typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda, the late President, Roberto ‘Bobby’ Aboitiz ordered the replacement of damaged school buildings with new ones, rather than just repairing it.
Engineer Ricky also believes that the restoration of Gabaldons is very important because these are considered heritage structures due to its history.
“Gabaldon is a great symbol of the education system of the Philippines, it is the beginning of the public school system in the country, a heritage brought by the American era.”
On Working with RAFI
For Engineer Ricky, working with RAFI is more passion-driven because he thinks that it is the initiative to help people, rather than financial rewards, that really matters most to him.
He also said that building a school should be everyone’s concern and not just of the local or national government, because everyone is practically affected by the lack of classrooms.
“I firmly believe that Filipinos should care more about the lack of schools or classrooms because these schools will be used by the children of our beneficiaries, and these children are the country’s future.” Engineer Ricky said.
Challenges Encountered: Educating the Community
Engineer Ricky said that in order to successfully implement a School Rehabilitation Project, it involves the capacitating of the whole community. He also said that they make people understand that RAFI is an organization whereby projects implemented include long-term plans for the children and the communities who are in need.
One of the pre-implementation steps done is capacitating RAFI-EDU partners: the local government unit, communities, and the families, to ensure that they will understand the purpose of the project and appreciate the whole process.
“In order to fully implement our projects, our partners should understand what we [RAFI] are doing, and explain that we use our funds in the most efficient way possible.”
A Good & Clean Reputation Will Go a Long Way
Engineer Ricky added that RAFI’s good reputation makes the job easier.
“It is easier to make people understand about RAFI because of its good reputation, rooted in the values of our Founders, Don Ramon Aboitiz and Don Eduardo AboitIz. That is why, as the living brand ambassadors of the organization, we should act with integrity to keep it that way, in fact, we need to enhance it.”
On Leaving a Mark
When asked on how he wants to be remembered, Engineer Ricky said with all humility, that it is better to ask his colleagues.
Through a message online, the Executive Director for the Education Development Unit, Ernie Alix said that he admires Engineer Ricky’s professionalism and loyalty to the Foundation.
While Ma. Rizza Labao, the Senior Program Officer for EDU, said that Engineer Ricky is a very generous person, and works with a heart.
“I will always remember him as someone who always advocates the RAFI brand of collaboration. Sir Ricky always reminds us how RAFI works, and how social development works.” Labao said. “He would always say that we need to collaborate with everyone for that is how RAFI works.” She added.
Labao also noted that, Engineer Ricky is a person who lobbies for innovation and continuous improvement, and whenever there are set backs, he is someone who would remain positive and patient to the changes that might arise.
Simple Life And Community Service
With the late Roberto ‘Bobby’ Aboitiz, Ricky learned humility, and that first impression of children towards their environment is very important, for it will have a huge impact in their lives.
“Sir Bobby was very down to earth, I even remember the time when he asked ‘why are we helping only the elementary students?’ That is the time when I learned that Sir Bobby wants children to learn in the most holistic way possible.”
“That whenever [the] children see their first few social environment, which is the school, it would give them a positive perspective of the world, and will eventually help them grow to have a positive mindset about life.” Ricky said.
People He Admires
Engineer Ricky believes that the foundation of a good team is based on its ability to collaborate and the understanding amongst its members. Hence, he admires the EDU team for their collaborative efforts to make a project successful.
“One person I admire is Ernie Alix, he is like Sir Bobby as well, he is not distant, and is very much accommodating, he is a brother to me; he guides me in some of my decisions, and keeps me and the whole team motivated, he is a good leader.” Engineer Ricky said.
He also expressed his admiration to his previous team leader, Anton Dignadice, whom he considers as a good friend, and colleague.
His Message to the EDU Team
When asked to give a message to his team, the Education Development Unit, Engineer Ricky said that they should keep their passion burning.
“The fire to serve the people should always be there, we as a team, should keep the fire burning, because I think, there is no easy thing to do in this world…”
“That is why we should always pray for each other and trust each other, collaborate whenever needed, and set our minds to commit ourselves to continue being of service to people, and the communities we serve.”
“When we start thinking this way, all our concerns will be gone.” Engineer Ricky said.
His Greatest Motivation
Family has always been the greatest motivation for Engineer Ricky, everything he does is for his family and children.
“My daughter Mary Suzanne, now 12, and Ricky Joseph, now 7, are my motivation. I will do everything for them both to finish school and be a good example of humility and honesty in our society.”
“To my wife, Suzette Morillo, thank you for being patient about everything, thank you for understanding the nature of my work as project engineer, I know I am away from my family most of the time but you continue to be very supportive. I love you.” Ricky said.
He also said that from the beginning he knows his role in the organization, and will continue to do everything to serve the communities, and its beneficiaries.
“Everyday, I travel and meet different people; people who can be a source of inspiration, or sometimes, lessons. And I hope, my story would be a good source of inspiration for many. Thank you for this opportunity. I am glad and happy.” #IAMRAFI
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“My daughter Mary Suzanne, now 12, and Ricky Joseph, now 7, are my motivation. I will do everything for them both to finish school and be a good example of humility and honesty in our society.”
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“To my wife, Suzette Morillo, thank you for being patient about everything, thank you for understanding the nature of my work as project engineer, I know I am away from my family most of the time but you continue to be very supportive. I love you.”
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