Filipino success stories often depict people going to far off places in pursuit of a better life, navigating through unfamiliar territory, and enduring homesickness to ensure a more comfortable life back home.
Such is the story of Anthony Ortega, a homegrown team member of AboitizPower subsidiary Therma South, Inc. (TSI), who became the company’s employee number one when he was hired in 2011.
A resident of Barangay Binugao, TSI’s host community, Anthony started out as a company driver and held the position for six years before becoming an Auxiliary Operator for coal handling in the Operations Team.
“Before joining AboitizPower, I had no stable job. I did anything just to earn money as long as it was legal. In one night of driving a tricycle, I earn around P400. But a chunk of that goes to basic necessities and the rest to my daughter in Compostela Valley. So there is barely anything left for me,” Anthony said.
When Anthony heard talks of a coal-fired power plant to be built in his community back in 2011, he was one of the advocates who strongly supported the project. This was how he met Willy Rodolfo of AboitizPower and learned that they were looking for a company driver.
Despite not having any idea what he was getting into or any expectations that he will be chosen out of all the applicants, he still applied for the position. He was hired on May 16, 2011.
“My attitude and behavior slowly changed during the time I was with sir Willy and [his boss], miss Ria. I learned how to align myself with the company values. I was also able to buy new shoes,” Anthony said as he reminisced his beginnings.
His time as a company driver also allowed Anthony to talk to different executives, which helped build his confidence.
Anthony became an auxiliary operator for coal handling in the Operations team in June 2017. From being a payong-payong driver to becoming the company driver and now an auxiliary operator, Anthony is a shining example of homegrown success stories. (PR)
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