In the quiet corners of Cebu City, a young man named Geram Maranga once wondered if his life would ever change. Poverty had placed limitations on his dreams, and opportunities seemed like distant stars—visible but unreachable. But deep within, a fire was burning. He didn’t want just any future. He wanted a life that meant something. One where he could stand proud, not just for himself, but for those who believed he could be more.
That fire brought him to the doors of Don Bosco TVET Center Balamban, a place that would soon become his second home. He arrived with little more than hope and humility. But it was here, within the walls of Don Bosco, that Geram found direction, formation, and purpose. He immersed himself in Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC I and II, and Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II, Driving NCII, Carpentry NC II. More than developing his technical capabilities, he began building a new foundation—one rooted in faith, discipline, and community.
Don Bosco was more than training; it was transformation. The daily rhythm of morning Mass, evening rosary, confession, and recollection became the core of Geram’s routine. It taught him that success wasn’t just about employment—it was about integrity, resilience, and serving something greater than oneself. Under the watchful guidance of the Salesians, Geram was formed not just as a skilled worker but as a man of conviction. He recalls, “Minase-mase ako. Hindi lang para sa trabaho, kundi para sa totoong buhay.”
After completing his training, Geram didn’t stop there. He knew the world outside Don Bosco would require more than certificates—it needed experience, initiative, and humility to start from the ground up. His first professional exposure came through SDB Electronic Solutions, where he worked as an electrician, structured cabling technician, and furniture maker. He served several projects. The work was tough, but it sharpened both his hands and his will. He then joined JB Rock, serving as an electrician during the construction of the House of Prayer, learning the value of precision and service in sacred spaces.
Later, with WILIMA Construction Solutions, Geram took on the roles of mason, carpenter, and welder—a triple threat on the construction site. Whether mixing concrete, shaping wood, or joining steel, Geram approached every task with excellence. Each job site became his classroom, each task an opportunity to practice responsibility, creativity, and leadership.
Yet there was another side to him that quietly blossomed at Don Bosco—music. A gifted and passionate musician, Geram found joy and expression in rhythm and harmony. Within the Don Bosco community, he played not just instruments but hearts. His talent became his voice, his prayer, his celebration of life. It was this blend of skill and soul that made him stand out—not just as a worker, but as a complete human being.
These experiences—on job sites and on stages, with drills in hand and music in his heart—crafted a profile of a man ready for something greater. When the opportunity came to serve in the Philippine Army Corps of Engineers, Geram knew it was his calling. This was not just another job. This was a mission. A chance to build for his country. A chance to turn every lesson, every struggle, every prayer into public service.
Today, Geram proudly serves as a builder of the nation—using his Don Bosco skills to construct roads, repair vital infrastructure, and bring hope to communities in need. He wears the uniform with pride, not for power, but for purpose. The same hands that once held welding rods now lift the weight of responsibility. The same heart that once beat with doubt now beats with courage.
His transformation is not just personal—it’s proof of the power of faith-driven technical education. Don Bosco TVET Center Balamban didn’t just give him tools. It gave him direction, dignity, and a dream fulfilled. His family now speaks his name with pride. He serves with integrity, humility, and grace. “Proud sila sa akin kasi I am now serving the country and fellow men,” he shares.
When asked what keeps him going, his words are simple but powerful:
“Do your thing, and Don Bosco gives you everything.”
Geram Maranga is not just a soldier. He is a builder of homes, of hope, and of the homeland.
From the welding room to the worksite, from the chapel to the army base, his life is a song of purpose—composed with struggle, faith, and grace.
He is, and will always be, a Bosconian in service.
