Ricardo Rotoras: A man of many talents gone too soon

DYNAMIC, charismatic, generous, and a family man-- those were how friends and family describe murdered university president Doctor Ricardo Enrique Rotoras was.

The 50-year-old Rotoras had been president of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) since 2006. He was also national president of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (Pasuc), the umbrella organization of the 112 state universities and colleges in the country, serving his fourth term since 2011.

Born on September 18, 1967, Rotoras was the youngest with two older sisters and four elder brothers. He was married to Zarah Rotoras with whom he had a son, Ericko the eldest, and two daughters, Ericka and Anicka.

As the youngest, it was said that Rotoras was a mama’s boy, a disciplined and respectful person who did not receive any slap of punishment from his parents, to the envy of his older siblings.

"Kani siya, bisag usa ka higayon, wa gyud ko kakita nga gibunalan sya kay respectful siya kaayo (Even once, I have never seen him beaten as punishment because he was so respectful)," Gene Rotoras, the oldest brother of Rotoras, said.

Gene added that even at such a young age, Ricardo Rotoras was always thoughtful and always thought of his family first.

Even after he became a father of three children, Gene said Ricardo’s traits still remained. He could be strict but Gene said Ricardo was good in guiding his children and taking care of them.

Gene also mentioned that Ricardo, before he died, planned to retire in 2020 so he can focus on his family and help his siblings.

Ricardo Rotoras obtained his doctorate in Engineering and specialized in Electrical Power Systems Economics from the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand. He completed his post-doctoral studies as a Research Fellow at North Carolina State University under the Fulbright-Hays grant.

From 2002 to 2006, Rotoras worked as the dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture in Mindanao Polytechnic State College (MPSC and now USTP), and was described as a "very hands-on dean who mentored or coached his faculty members to ensure that the students received the quality education that they deserve" by his colleagues.

USTP Cagayan de Oro Chancellor Ruth Cabahug, who met the late university president in January 1998 during the latter's doctorate studies in Thailand, said even during his years as a college dean, Rotoras had dreamed big for the college.

"Doctor Rotoras is brilliant, intelligent, charismatic, and he has this excellent skill in networking, socializing with people, his interpersonal skills is very difficult to match," Cabahug said, adding that during Rotoras' deanship, the Electrical Engineering and Electronic Engineering graduates fared well in the Professional Regulation Commission such that the MPSC was recognized as one of the top performing schools in the country.

She said before Rotoras became the president of the institution, the college has received the Globe Telecom Triple A Award, he established the stimulation laboratory and assisted actively the former MPSC president Montano Salvador preparation of the documents and lobbying of the conversion of MPSC into Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST), which was in 2009.

Rotoras, according to Cabahug, was also very active in external consultancies while bringing the name of the school, and in helping the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives with its strategic planning.

As the president of the university (2006), Rotoras put the concern and welfare of his students first, Vanessa Ascaño, the vice president for Finance, Planning and Development, said.

"He always makes it to the leadership trainings. He never misses that because it's the only time he can talk to the students and they're given that free time na walay (there are no) other officials, so the students can really talk freely to the president," Ascaño said.

The late university president's second love, according to Ascaño, is the faculty, adding that Rotoras made sure that they receive their compensation on time and without delay.

"If there are instances that the salaries will be delayed a day or two, he would tell us that we would not receive our salaries including his salary as a penalty for not processing it on time to give a message that everybody should be given equal importance in terms of compensation. That's how he values the faculty," Ascaño said.

She added that Rotoras was always aiming for everybody to become better, saying that he's the person who both sees the micro and the big picture of things.

"We can honestly and frankly say that he was the president who really knows the operations of the school no matter what area," Ascaño said.

During his term as the president, Rotoras was instrumental in making the MUST as the Center of Excellence in Information Technology in Mindanao and as Center of Development in Electrical Engineering and Mathematics in Cagayan de Oro.

According to Cabahug, Rotoras was also instrumental in bringing government agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, Congressional District (2ns District), and the Food Processors Association in Northern Mindanao to establish the Northern Mindanao Food Innovation Center.

The establishment of the Techno Park was also one of Rotoras' visions not only for the institution but also for Northern Mindanao.

"Once the Techno Park will be established, this will make Northern Mindanao even greater. Mindanao will not only be known purely as agricultural but also in manufacturing, electronics and even as a hub for knowledge workers," Cabahug said.

The Techno Park, an innovative economic zone, will be installed in Lourdes, Alubijid, Misamis Oriental where the USTP main campus was also located.

"We just hope that all his visions and aspirations will be realized even if he's gone," Cabahug said.

Outside from being a strict boss and innovative president, Rotoras, as Cabahug described him, was a very jolly and talented person and a sincere friend.

"O a personal level, he's a very good friend, he's very generous, he has a soft heart because he is very close to his mother," Cabahug said.

Ascaño, on the other hand, likens him as a psychologist due to his ability to see through his colleagues and his sensitivity to their problems.

"He can be very difficult because his standards are so high... but when you need a guide or help, he can be the most understanding boss because it's easy for him to know how you feel," Ascaño said.

She also sees him as the most objective person she knew, adding that he's the kind of person that can see ahead, "like he has this foresight."

A slave-driver at work, a blessing to his staff, and a sensitive and sincere friend, that's how Cabahug and Ascaño, two of Rotoras' colleagues, see and describe him.

On December 2, 2017, Ricardo Rotoras was shot dead by at least two men outside his house in a private subdivision after he arrived home from a party.

Six days after, on December 8, he was buried in Greenhills Memorial Park, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City. (With Cyrill Garcia, USTP intern/SunStar CDO)