Editor’s Note: In this article in honor of Father’s Day, we celebrate a unique story that spans three decades and two generations. Here’s the story of a remarkable father-son duo, T1 Rentals’ Richardo Coro and his son, Richardo Jr.
For the past 30 years, Richardo, now a chief mechanic at T1 Rentals, has been a cornerstone at First Balfour. His tenure, marked by his expertise in machinery and equipment maintenance, has earned him the nickname Chief reflecting the respect and admiration of colleagues and management alike. But Chief’s impact extends far beyond his professional accomplishments. His work ethic, dedication, and passion for machines have left a mark on his family, especially his son Richardo Jr. who joined our team October last year, eager to continue his father’s legacy.
“Ang dami ko pong gusto matutunan kay ‘Pa. Yung knowledge niya sa mga unit – praktikal at malalim. Mabilis niyang ma-solve ang mga issue kahit kritikal,” (I want to learn a lot from him. His knowledge and expertise in different units is deep and very practical. He’s able to solve different problems, even critical ones.) shares Richardo Jr. or Jun to most who know him.
Jun embarked on his journey with First Balfour last year as a trainee at T1 Rentals’ Tanauan yard, where his father is currently stationed. His dedication and skills quickly shone through, leading to his transfer to the Davao yard as a Maintenance Quality Specialist last January. With a degree in Industrial Technology, majoring in Automotive, Jun’s background aligns perfectly with his responsibilities at First Balfour’s heavy equipment rental business.
Machines and mentorship
A bond between a father and son is always special. As for Chief and Jun, their bond strengthened with their interest in cars and machines. Jun credits his love for them to the times his father would take him to work, showing him the ropes. From there, his passion for learning about them and working on them grew.
“Noong bata pa po ako, kami po talaga ang magkasama. Kung ano po ginagawa niya, sinasama niya po ako. Pag gumagawa po siya ng sasakyan, pinapakita niya po sa akin paano,” (We were always together. Wherever he went and whatever he was doing, he always brought me with him. When he’s working on a car, I’m always there. He shows me how to fix them.) recalls Jun.
Jun at a young age with a wheel loader
When asked how to describe his father in one word, Jun proudly answers, “Strict!”. From his perspective, it’s his father’s way of showing his commitment and care. “Na-aappreciate ko po talaga ang pagiging strict ni Pa as a worker at as a father. Nakikita ko po ang disiplina na kailangan para ma-achieve ang mga bagay,” (I appreciate my dad being strict both as a worker and as a father. I see and learn the kind of discipline it takes to achieve things.) shares Jun.
Jun narrated that when they worked together in Tanauan, they established a professional relationship as well. He knew that his father would treat him as how the latter would treat others, and Jun valued that. He further shares his desire to stay, “Gusto ko po tumagal pa sa First Balfour, gusto ko po uli makasama ang tatay ko sa project.” (I want to stay longer here at Balfour and I want to be able to work with my dad again on a project).
Moreover, Jun sees how discipline shapes one, “Nakikita po namin ang disipilina sa kanya, na kahit pagod siya, nagagawa niya po lahat. Nap-provide niya po lahat para sa amin.” (My dad is able to do a lot of things because he’s disciplined. He’s able to do more even when he’s tired. He’s able to provide almost everything for us.)”
Beyond the workplace
Maintaining a balance between their personal and professional lives, the father-son duo ensures that family always comes first. Jun shares his appreciation for his father, “Nagpapasalamat po ako sa kanya. Hinaharap namin lahat as a family. Whenever I have problems, he’s who I run to.” (We’re very thankful for him. We face everything as family, and whenever I have problems, I know I can count on him.)
The Coros bond over many things. Their favorite activities include eating outside and watching movies together. Jun’s older sibling Richard Louis works for a health maintenance provider, while his younger brother is set to graduate next month with a degree in Nursing.
Coro family celebrating Father’s Day last year (L-R: Richard Louis, Jun, Chief Coro, his wife Loudelia, and their youngest John Richard)
As Chief Coro continues his career at First Balfour, he remains committed to mentoring his son and other employees. His wealth of experience is a guiding light for the next generation. Jun, on the other hand, is eager to grow within the company, aiming to take on more responsibilities and lead innovative projects. Their combined presence highlights the importance of family, mentorship, and continuous improvement within our culture. Together, they look forward to contributing to the company’s success and fostering a culture of excellence.
