Wearing his signature cap and a jacket, Mr. Jeffrey B. Rafil arrived at the main campus from the DNSC Carmen Campus for his interview. “Nakulbaan man ko, Ma’am,” he admitted before entering the room. But as the conversation progressed, so did his confidence.
Behind the initial nervousness was a decade of experience shaped by changing assignments, new responsibilities, and the evolving needs of Davao del Norte State College.
Sir Jeff, as he is fondly called by his colleagues, never planned a long-term career in government. While working at Columbia Computers in Davao City, a chance encounter with a former colleague introduced him to an opening at DNSC.
“Wala ko nag-expect nga maabot ko sa government. Nagkita mi ni Sir Rogie (Rogelio Masangkay) sa Columbia Computers sa Davao. Gi-inform ko niya nga hiring ang DNSC og E-Lib staff. Na-excite ko, mao to nga nag-apply ko by January, unya pagka-March, nagsugod na ko og work,” he recalled.
This opportunity became the start of a ten-year journey across different assignments, including the e-Library, Human Resource Management Office, Institute of Aquatic and Applied Sciences, and Supply Office.
Each assignment brought a different lesson. In the e-Library, he learned patience while managing students and computer facilities. In HR, he learned resourcefulness, using applications to streamline the preparation of payslips for a large number of employees.
“Gigamitan jud nako og diskarte para madali ang trabaho. Nigamit ko’g application para mapadali ang pagbuhat sa payslip para every month ready na jud siya,” he shared, revisiting how he applied his skills and found innovative ways to solve problems.
For Sir Jeff, adapting to different roles was also part of growing with DNSC. He has witnessed the College transform from a campus with a lot of open spaces and fewer facilities into a more developed institution. His current assignment at the DNSC Carmen Campus reflects another stage of that growth.
Now performing a security-related function at the campus, he is once again learning new responsibilities and adjusting to a changing environment.
Amidst the changes, what remained constant for him was his belief that work must be done properly. “Unsa atong ginabuhat affects the people and the organization as well. We are contributing to something bigger. This is my why, why I continued to be in public service, because what I do benefits students and communities,” he shared.
He carried this work ethic through every assignment, guided by a simple principle, “Maski asa ka ibutang, dapat flexible ka, kugihan ka, ug willing mu-accept og responsibilidad ug criticism once naa ka sa DNSC.”
His understanding of public service was also shaped by the people around him. He considers Sir Arnold Duping and Ma’am Leonida Piorac among those who inspired him through their example.
“Maski maabot na og gabii sa office, ilang mood dili gihapon mag-change. Trabaho lang, mu-smile gihapon. Makita nimo unsa sila ka-kugihan,” these colleagues reminded him that difficult tasks still deserve one’s best effort and attitude.
Speaking of effort, he believes it should not depend on whether someone is watching. As he puts it, “Every time nga naay task ihatag sa atoa, dili jud ta magduha-duha og buhat sa task. Trabaho ta masking walay nagtan-aw.”
As he looks ahead, Sir Jeffrey hopes to continue developing his skills and becoming someone the College can rely on. Ten years after an unexpected opportunity brought him to DNSC, Sir Jeff continues to move where the institution needs him.
The roles may change. The College may grow. But his work ethic remains the same: wherever he is assigned, he will do the work and do it well. Whether in a familiar office or a new campus, his measure of success has never been where he is assigned, but how honestly he carries out the work entrusted to him. (end, CNL)
