JEDDAH, 16 January 2008 — A 34-year-old Filipino offset operator in Jeddah has been named “Employee of the Year” by the Jeddah Graphic Center.

Roy Barcellano joined the company as a machine helper only in 1999, but outshone more than 300 of his colleagues in the first-ever award given by the 32-year-old company.

“I did not expect this award, but I’m very thankful that the management noticed my efforts. As they say, you reap what you sow,” Barcellano said in Filipino.

Asked to reveal his secret, the native of Claveria in the northern Philippine province of Cagayan, said: “I was not contented with being a mere helper, so I did not waste time to learn how to operate our modern machines. Normally, those who handle high-tech machines are sent to undergo training or attend a seminar, usually abroad.”

As if to make up for not sending Barcellano to train abroad, Jeddah Graphic awarded him a round-trip ticket to Dubai, plus a wrist watch and other valuable gifts.

JGC General Manager Ahmed Ali Al-Ghamdi, in an address to the audience during the recent award ceremonies, said: “It is a reality and without any exaggeration that the employees of JGC is worth more than the owners for its success. And for this reason we are honoring them. This is the first time and this will be the beginning.”

In an interview after the ceremonies, Al-Ghamdi also cited the company’s Filipino workers, more than 30 of whom received awards or recognition for loyalty, trustworthiness, hard work and dedication to their jobs. Twenty other expatriates also received awards.

“Filipinos are excellent workers. They are very good people, they work very hard, they are honest and trustworthy. I wish them good luck and I hope they continue their good behavior to give example to all other nationalities,” he said.

Joining the general manager in honoring their workers were company owner Abdulrahman Al-Ghamdi, executives Mohammad Zebib, Abdullah Yousof, and the legendary photographer Stuart Shrimpton.

Henry Soriano, a 27-year-old lamination operator who was among the awardees, said he was happy with his job because his employer and superiors were nice to work with. “As long as you do your work properly and maintain good relations with everyone, you won’t get in trouble,” he said.

The other awardees, based on length of service, were:

For 27 years of service: Abdul Rabbi Rasul Limpin, Deogracias Peña, Henry Soriano, Mauro Peraman, Hussein Kassem, Nizam Al-Deem Mosharf, Inam Ulhaq;

For 25 years of service: Muktar Qureshi, Reynaldo Angel, Prudencio Mansion, Gerardo Navarro, Rodrigo Franciso, Antonio Lumba, Cielito Tagle, Golzar Qureshi, Mohammad Saber, Mohammad Kaseem, Abdullah Yousef Agili;

For 20 years of service: Edgardo delos Reyes, Amadeo Lacra, Mario Cruz, Filoteo Gabuya, Augosto Inocencio, Rogelio Isip, Warlito Gabriel, Marvin Cabilso, Hassan Mazoqi, Mohammad Iqbal, Salem Salem Asili, Salem Omar Koleeb, Hassan Ayoub, Mohammad Zebib.

Given special awards were Deogracias Peña, Henry Soriano, Prudencio Mansion, Gerardo Navarro, Antonio Lumba, Warlito Gabriel, Roberto Limbauan, Joselito Malinao, Ramil Carillo, Lino Escosio, Honesto Boragay, Ramil Gallo, Rico Carlos, Benjamin Paule, Teodoro Buac, Jovito Bukas, Victorino Villedo Jr., Zahid Iqbal Sarwar, Abdullah Kalali, Amin Al-Theeb, Mahmoud Khatab, Ateeq Alrahman.