Starting it right

THOUGH he wanted to become a chemical engineer or a chemist, good fate brought him to the office of the Bureau of Immigration manning people and handling aliens in this city.

After serving BI Cagayan de Oro City as alien control officer for nine years, Florentino Diputado, 59, welcomed his transfer to Davao City in February this year.

Despite the distance from his family, Diputado sees to it that he maintains his constant communication with his three sons, namely: Ronald Leoniv, 30, nurse and now pursuing law in Xavier University in CDO; Florentino Jr., 25, who is presently taking MBA at the College of Holy Spirit; Jemar, 22, a former SK chairman; and his wife, Ana Marie, accounting officer of the city government of CDO.

"While I'm here, I always monitor what my children are doing," he said. He goes home at least three to four times a month, and visits his family, whom he considers as his most precious gem.

Diputado is a native of CDO, born on October 16, 1953. He had his elementary years in Cagayan de Oro City Central School and finished high school and college in Xavier University, where he took up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Economics.

"Ang gusto gyud nako niadtong high school magkuha ug kurso (What I really wanted in high school was to take up a course) that deals with sciences either chemical engineering or BS Chemistry. I wanted to become either a chemical engineer or a chemist because I was good in Chemistry during my high school days," said Diputado, sharing his fresh knowledge on elements, mixtures and all stuffs related to that subject.

Even though he was a scholar, he said he had not pursued taking up his dream course since there was no chemical engineering in CDO during his time. He said if he should have really insisted for it, he would go to Cebu or Silliman where the course was available.

"Pero kay pobre man mi unya di man maka afford akong parents, niana sila diha na lang ka. Mao nang sila na lang nag buot but I did not like it (his course)," he said.

He believes that "Man proposes, God disposes" and realizes what his fate has brought him now.

He said it boils down to a fact that even how much one wanted for something, if it isn't really meant for you, it won't be yours. But as long as one is doing the best he can, the Creator has always had something best kept inside and one has to work for it hard, even harder, in order to reap just as equally perfect as what one initially wanted to be.

Diputado obtained his law degree from Xavier University. He later took up Masters in Business Administration at San Beda College.

Diputado became the budget officer of the city government of CDO, assigned to review barangay budgets. He then applied with the BI and was assigned in Cebu in 1998 as technical assistant. Still with BI Cebu, he was designated as chief of the boarding section for ocean vessels.

He then became the alien control officer of BI Cagayan de Oro City from 2003 to February this year. With much trust and confidence, he was assigned to man the employees of BI Davao City as alien control officer.

"The task is very challenging but I still manage to do my duty accordingly," he said.

A man of principle he is, Diputado considers life as joining a marathon. It may be a long run but reaching the finish lane is what matters most.

"If you want to end up good, then you start it right. Kung mag sabay ka sa mga runners, unya mamumo ka. Dili na ka kabangon. Don't rush things, you do them one at a time," he said.

When you happen to meet this man, you might find him strict but as you get to know him well, Diputado is a kind-hearted man with strong faith in God.