Mr. Leonardo Dave A. Domino

(NOTE: 'Colleague of the Week' serves as a window into the life of the faculty and staff members of Silliman University. It seeks to showcase colleagues from different departments and units, and present them as “the” faces that form part of the foundation of Silliman. Featured weekly are faculty and staff who have committed themselves to providing members of the Silliman community a campus experience that cultivates competence, character and faith within one and all. We get to know them as people who like any of us also have their fair share of challenges, successes, and an inspiring story to tell. Not all of them may be popular, but not a single one of them lives a life without hope and meaning to share.)

One of the distinguishing features of Silliman is its nature-friendly campus. The Visayan sea at its frontage and the majestic Cuernos de Negros mountains in its background are but a few that provide a picture of how scenic the campus that lies in-between could be.

And, indeed, a quick tour of the campus would lead you to patches of greens and colorful flowers. One is the garden at the Nutrition and Dietetics (ND) Department. Behind it is Mr. Leonardo Dave A. Domino, an environmental technician who has been with the University for 15 years.

Growing up in a remote area, Dave never enjoyed his childhood that much. Every day he had to wake up early to do household chores in the morning, before going to school. After school, he would rush home to feed their carabaos.

Dave is from Northern Mindanao. It was in 1993 when he decided to visit some relatives here in Negros Oriental. On that trip, he fell in love with the place. He never returned home. He decided to stay in the province for good.

His employment in Silliman University started in 1996 as a staff at the College of Education. As early as that time, he was already in charge of maintaining the cleanliness of the College's surroundings. He was never trained in gardening or landscaping. He only learned how to do it by simply observing how others prune, arrange and water plants and flowers. And this growing fascination with gardening earned him a reputation as the University's best gardener.

Sharing how he performs his tasks, Dave says: “Kung sakto ra imong binuhatan, makab-ot jud na nimo imo ganahan kab-uton (For as long as what you do is right, you will always achieve what you want).”

Dave may be a very shy person and a man with few words, but when it comes to work, he truly gives his all. He says he really loves what he is doing. “Gisweldohan ta so dapat jud nga mas dedicated ta sa trabaho. (We receive pay for what we have come to love doing, so there's more reason for us to be dedicated.)”

Dave is happily married to Emma. Their son, Christian Dave, whom he considers as his greatest blessing in life, just celebrated his first birthday on June 29.

He shared more about his life. Take a glimpse.

Describe yourself in three words.
A simple father.

What is your mantra in life?
Bring out the best in everything.

What makes you laugh/cry?
I'm not ashamed to admit that I cry during times of crisis. And I laugh a lot when I'm with my loved ones.

What’s your favorite time/day of the week and why?
Every day. For as long as I am not sick.

What do you love doing when not working?
While others rest, I have trained myself to look for something else to do when I'm not working.

What is your favorite hangout place in the University?
Nutrition and Dietetics building.

What makes you blush?
My wife (Emma) always makes me blush.

If you were an actor/actress, who would you be?
I don’t want to choose because they are just also like us, humans.

Tell us a fact about yourself?
I always do what is right.

What’s your favorite game growing up?
I already started to work at a very young age, so I didn’t have time to play.

What is your idea of a relaxing day?
Going to malls and other recreational areas.

What one thing would people be interested to know about you?
I’m a dedicated worker.

What song best describes the YOU and the life you have now?
I'm unfortunately not musically inclined.

What is the first thing you do right after waking up in the morning?
I thank God for the new life.

What’s your idea of a family?
A family that trusts in God.