Looking back over the past years of his life, Engr. Ofero A. Capariņo, a native of Talisay, San Fernando, Masbate recalls his childhood days and narrates how he humbly earned his success. Ofer as he is fondly called by his colleagues and friends is the eldest among the five siblings. He was born in a family whose farming is the primary source of income.

His parents recognized the value of education and as the usual parents would do, Ofer was sent to Buenavista Barrio Elementary School where he finished his elementary grades in 1971. He entered at the Buenavista Barrio High School in 1972, however the school's operation was not sustained. There were other schools in his province but because of lack of financial resources he was forced to stop for five years and helped his parents to earn a living.

He devoted his time in producing coconut wine or tuba and sell them at the market. Aside from this, he also engaged in buying and selling of kitchen utensils, clothes and other items to their nearby barangays to provide additional income for their family. Ofer did not mind the scorching heat of the sun, the exhaustive long roads that he needs to walk just to sell products and to make additional profit, hoping that one day he can go back to school and continue his studies and to achieve his dream of having a degree someday.

Valuing education

In 1977 he enrolled at the University of Manila (UM) to continue his secondary course with the help of his aunt who owns a restaurant. He was hired as a dishwasher and a companion of her aunt's adopted son in exchange for education. This gave him the opportunity to continue his studies. Because of hard work, perseverance and dedication, he finished second year high school with flying colors.

In 1978, Ofer returned to his hometown. After three months of staying in the province, he found a studio center in San Fernando which offered him free in-house training in photography and later hired as a stay-in photographer/developer in exchange for high school studies. He grabbed the rare opportunity and enrolled as a junior student at the San Fernando High School and because of his outstanding academic performance, he graduated as the class valedictorian in 1980.

Ofer always dreamed of having a better life for himself and his family. After receiving his high school diploma and amidst the difficulties of life, he prioritized his education. He took and passed the COCOFED scholarship program examinations to pursue college. Through the COCOFED scholarship program, his dream of obtaining a college degree was realized and this opened him to many opportunities for further education and trainings. He graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in 1985.

Career at BPRE

A year after finishing his BS degree, he was hired at BPRE (formerly the National Postharvest Institute for Research and Extension) as an artist-illustrator. With great potential and capable of handling higher responsibilities, he was allowed by BPRE to take a 10-month Diploma Course in Professional Studies in Education - Agricultural Training and Education at the Wolverhampton Polytechnic in United Kingdom from 1990 to 1991 under the auspices of the British Council.

From an artist-illustrator, Ofer rose from the ranks to become Senior Science Research Specialist in 1992. In the same year, he was again promoted as Supervising Science Research Specialist. He became the Chief Science Research Specialist at PHED in 2002.

He was also a recipient of numerous awards and recognitions for his research breakthroughs from award-giving bodies like the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), and the Central Luzon Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (CLARRDEC), among others. In 1996, the CLSU Achievement Award was conferred to him in recognition of his accomplishments and dedication to public service. Also, in the same year, he was nominated by the Department of Agriculture to the Civil Service Commission Dangal Ng Bayan Award for his effort in living up to the ideals of a true and outstanding public servant.

In 1997, he took up Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering/ Crop Process engineering at CLSU with financial assistance from the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) Scholarship Program. He graduated in 1999.

His graduate thesis entitled "Mango Powder Production by Freeze-drying Process" received the best graduate thesis award at CLSU.Also, a separate paper taken from the said thesis entitled "Characteristics and Quality of Freeze dried Mango Powder at Different Pre-freezing Temperatures won the Best Paper Award, AFMA Research Paper Award (unpublished category) and Bureau of Agricultural Research Director's Award given during the BAR National Research Symposium 2000 and 2001, respectively. This research work was published in various journals and publications and presented in the 1st American Conference on Lyophilization in 2001 in Barquisimito, Edo. Lara, Venezuela and 2nd International Society of Lyophilization-Freeze Drying Conference in 2003 held in Illinois, Chicago, USA. Ofer was also invited to present papers and served as guest speaker in local and international fora on various postharvest related topics.

Apart from being a public servant

His participation to the Conference in Venezuela was not only to present a paper but also to spearhead the creation of the International Society of Lyophilization-Freeze drying, Inc. The Society is a non-profit organization registered in the State of Delaware in the United States. The society aims to promote and advance the field of lyophilization or freeze drying. The society has about 2,000 active members from 68 countries.

Being a public servant does not only mean being in the government it is also serving the community through various involvements in the society. Ofer is active in organizations like the Couples for Christ (CFC) - CLSU chapter, Gawad Kalinga (GK) - Formoso Village, a newly launched village in San Jose City. He is also extending full support to the Samahang Makasining (Artist Club), Inc. (SMI) as Board of Advisers, CLSU Alumni Association Inc., where he served as PRO and Board of Trustee, Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineer (PSAE), and the International Society of Lyophilization-Freeze Drying Inc. where he is one of the co-founder of the organization.

With all his accomplishments, his family remains his priority and inspiration. Ofer is happily married to the former Editha Cuizon and blessed with three wonderful children Kathleen Iris, 17, Don Miguel, 12 and Ralph Angelo, 10.

As his journey continues and as he opens a new chapter in his life, he is now pursuing his Doctor of Philosophy in Food Engineering at the Washington State University, United States of America under the sponsorship of Ford Foundation International Fellowship Program.