GOVPH

In the world of public service, we often celebrate the grand ideas, the policies, and the leaders who stand in front. But sometimes, the greatest stories are quietly written by those who remain in the background, the ones who power the system without applause. Mr. Cornelio T. Mabera, a driver at the Department of Science and Technology Region VI (DOST VI), is one such soul, a man whose hands are calloused from labor, whose eyes see every detail, and whose heart has never wavered in serving the people.

His journey began humbly in 1989, as a Job Order Utility Worker and Messenger, doing errands and supporting office staff with simple tasks. He had no college degree, no titles, no connections. But what he had was grit, kindness, and an unbreakable will to learn.

He drove vehicles, yes but he drove something far more profound, a hope for a better life, for himself, his family, and his community.

In the Silence of the Night, He Chose to Begin Again

While others clocked out and rested, Cornelio chased a dream that had long been put on hold. At 33, an age when most feel settled into their fate, he made the bold decision to return to school. Still in his worn-out uniform, his body aching from a full day’s work, he entered a night classroom not with pride, but with quiet resolve. His classmates were mostly younger. His books, heavier than the exhaustion he carried. But his reason for being there outweighed every discomfort: he wanted to grow, not just for himself, but for those he served.

In 2003, he achieved what once felt like an impossible goal, he earned his high school diploma. For many, that might have been the finish line. But not for Cornelio. The very next year, he enrolled in a vocational course for Automotive Mechanics, pushing through rigorous TESDA training in preventive maintenance and electrical servicing.

He studied late into the night, even after long drives and days under the scorching sun. He asked no one for praise, only for the chance to learn. Because in a world that too often tells people like him to “know their place,” Cornelio quietly carved out his own not through privilege or luck, but through sheer persistence.

And so, in the stillness of the night, while the world slept and no one was watching, he chose to begin again, and never stopped moving forward.

A Mechanic, A Builder, A Father of Innovation
Cornelio wasn’t just a driver. Over the next three decades, he became the heartbeat of operations repairing engines, welding broken parts, fixing lights, restoring plumbing, repainting walls, and even cultivating the office garden. His work saved the government hundreds of thousands of pesos, simply by doing things himself, out of love for his second home—DOST.

In 2009, he was promoted to Administrative Aide IV, and in 2024 to Administrative Aide VI, a rare progression for someone who started as a utility worker. He was also entrusted as the Assistant Head of the General Services Section, all while remaining the personal driver to the Regional Director. He often drove high-ranking officials and dignitaries but no matter who sat in his car, he treated everyone the same: with respect, humility, and quiet pride.

His Tools Were Love and Loyalty

One of the vehicles he cared for was acquired in 1996—an old, tired workhorse. Many thought it had reached the end of its service. But because of Mr. Mabera’s tender, meticulous care, it still runs smoothly today, serving the Aklan Provincial Science and Technology Office. Just one example of the thousands of ways Cornelio extended the life of equipment and built resilience into government operations.

One oil change may seem small but multiplied by four vehicles, four times a year, and done in-house instead of in a shop, he generated more than ₱100,000 in annual savings. When DOST vehicles broke down before the 2024 Regional Science and Technology Week in Antique, he refused to let the event fail. With bare hands and ingenuity, he sourced spare parts, fixed the Ranger pickup himself, and avoided delays that would have cost the office thousands and embarrassed the agency. He was the reason the show went on.

Integrity That Money Cannot Buy

In his 33 years of service, Mr. Mabera never took shortcuts. He gathered at least three quotations for every repair, ensuring transparency and cost-efficiency. He helped develop the iRequest system for vehicle maintenance, ensuring fair and traceable service. He answered calls even while on travel, always available, always calm, never once demanding recognition.

When politicians visited or campaign seasons arrived, he remained politically neutral, quietly committed to fairness and non-partisanship. His silence wasn’t absence, it was dignity. He stood for the country, not for personal gain.

Quiet Giant in the Shadows

Cornelio lives simply. He chose public schools for his children, reminding them that education is not about the price, but about the purpose. In the office, he conserves power, water, and supplies every peso counts. He trains others without condescension, listens without judgment, and protects resources as if they were his own.

In a time where titles often outshine values, he reminds us all: “You don’t have to be in power to be powerful. You just have to serve with love.”
His contributions to science and technology may not come from a lab, but from something just as important- the soul of a man who refused to say “that’s not my job.”

A Story That Deserves the Nation’s Honor

Today, Cornelio Mabera stands as a nominee for the Dangal ng Bayan Award, the highest recognition for exemplary public servants. But truthfully, no medal, no plaque, no citation can ever measure the true weight of his life’s work. How do you put a price on sacrifice? On years of missed meals, sleepless nights, silent endurance, and relentless loyalty to duty?

Cornelio gave more than service. He gave himself, his time, his strength, his dreams. For over three decades, he never asked for applause, never lobbied for promotion, never waited to be seen. He simply showed up. Day after day. Rain or shine. With a heart that never wavered.

His story is more than a personal triumph. It is a tribute, a quiet, powerful love letter to every driver, janitor, technician, utility worker, messenger, and security guard who, like him, keeps the machinery of government and of our nation moving, even when no one is watching. They are the first to arrive, the last to leave, and often, the easiest to overlook.

If there is justice in recognition, then this moment belongs to them too. Cornelio Mabera’s life tells us this, “ true greatness doesn't shout, it drives, it sweeps, it stands guard, it serves. And sometimes, it wears a faded uniform, keeps a humble silence, and chooses dignity over praise. (By Dave M. Masirag, Office of DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations)