Serving as a Senior Manager under the Service Operation Center of Network and Service Operations, Rolando “Boye” E. Cusi is one of the 30-year-service awardees in PLDT.

In 1992, Rolando Cusi discovered a rare job opportunity in PLDT and the rest, as they say, is history. He started with an on-the-job (OTJ) training experience, then eventually became a regular employee as a Switchman Helper stationed in Dagupan City.

“My primary responsibilities involved cleaning and maintaining Strowger switches, also known as step-by-step switches. During this period, PLDT was focused on the telephone business, with services limited to analog voice calls. Telephone numbers in Dagupan City were four digits, and party lines were common. PLDT's revenue primarily came from long-distance calls via Operators, including both national and international long-distance calls,” Cusi shared.

But more than just the booming landline services of PLDT, the 90s was a particularly special time for him as well. “I met a lovely operator named Bernadette Cayabyab. I fell in love and married her. We have four beautiful kids,” he said. One of his children, Chris, is now also a PLDT employee, working as a Process Analyst.

Cusi shared how he remained a rank-and-file employee for nine years, until eventually climbing the corporate ladder as a Fraud Investigator for the Revenue Assurance Sector and Fraud Management Center. He has since been promoted as an executive where he serves as a Senior Manager, overseeing Fixed Service Management and Fixed Service Assurance under the Service Operation Center of Network and Service Operations.

It has been a long road for Cusi, but he said that he has navigated through challenges and thrived, because PLDT is what he considers to be the best workplace. As part of its 95th anniversary, PLDT recently feted Cusi and other loyal employees through the Pamana Awards, an annual event which celebrates the loyalty and dedication of the PLDT workforce.

“The company's dedication to innovation, fostering meaningful connections, and remaining at the forefront of telecommunications technology for the benefit of our customers has always resonated with me. I'm passionate about being a part of a dynamic industry that undergoes constant transformation, and PLDT provides an environment that nurtures creativity and personal growth,” Cusi said.

“Over the years, I've learned the importance of aligning personal and professional values for enduring and meaningful career development, benefiting both internal and external customers. Embracing these values is paramount,” he added.

For Cusi, the strong sense of teamwork and collaboration within the organization has been a pivotal factor in his decision to stay in the company. The work culture has become a powerful enabler in allowing him to grow, personally and professionally.