Holiday duty: The people behind the power

In his 29 years in the power generation industry—eight of which were spent at the Therma Visayas power plant in Toledo City, Cebu—Nilo Lumbaca, 56, has always aspired to be the best he can be because of his family.

“Outside of work, I really value spending quality time with my family. Being with them recharges me, and it gives me the motivation and balance I need to bring my best self to work,” the seasoned mechanical engineer said. 

“My current position is Shift Manager, where I am responsible for ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations,” he added.

On Christmas and New Year’s Day, Lumbaca and members of Therma Visayas’ operations team are working in shifts at the power plant, sacrificing what could have been time with family and friends. 

“It’s giving up the chance to enjoy the holidays together, as well as opportunities to relax, celebrate, and share special moments with loved ones,” he added.

Regardless, for Lumbaca, the call of duty is strong. Even during the holidays, he acknowledges that he has a responsibility to his team, the 300-megawatt power plant, and, to a wider extent, energy security in the Visayas region.

“In power generation, a moment’s inattention can impact equipment, production, and people. I come to work, even on holidays, because safety and reliability do not pause, and it’s my responsibility to make sure we deliver both,” he explained.

As Shift Manager at Therma Visayas, he helps oversee a coal dome facility and two power units equipped with state-of-the-art circulating fluidized bed technology and best available control technology, which help minimize coal dust emissions. 

In all of this, Lumbaca still believes that people are the most important resource in any organization.

“The greatest lesson I’ve learned over my 29 years is that while technology evolves rapidly, the absolute and paramount importance of human safety and communication remains a constant, non-negotiable priority,” he imparted.

Lumbaca is just one of many unsung heroes in the energy industry, faithfully fulfilling their duty—even if that means being away from their families during the holidays—just to keep the Christmas lights on and the festivities going for everyone else.

Away for the holidays

This holiday season, 25-year-old King Joshua Arzadon of Benguet traded the cold climate of his hometown for the warmer weather of Negros Island, where he is currently a Grid Supervisor for AboitizPower’s San Carlos Sun Power (SacaSun) and Calatrava solar power projects.

Arzadon placed second in the September 2022 Registered Electrical Engineer Licensure Examination, then joined AboitizPower for his first job at the National Operations Control Center in Benguet, where engineers remotely operate, monitor, and control run-of-river hydropower and solar facilities across the Philippines.

Just last August 2025, Arzadon moved to his current post in the Visayas, where he spent Noche Buena with work friends and colleagues instead of with his family in Northern Luzon.

“The holidays are a great time to spend with family, where you find joy in each other as you prepare a feast for the night and wait expectantly for the countdown,” Arzadon shared. 

“These moments would still happen, although mine would be shared with fellow team members working during the holidays.”

Arzadon explained that being on duty during the Christmas season is no longer foreign to him, dating back to his days of holiday work at the NOCC. Besides, his purpose remains clear.

“The season is not complete without twinkling lights, festive dinners, and calls from loved ones—each of which needs electricity to run smoothly,” he said. “I hope for a country that fosters sustainability, where every household has access to reliable power.”

“This vision drives me on a daily basis, knowing that the power we produce would help benefit Filipino families, including mine, whatever the season may be,” he added.

Soon, when he gets the chance, Arzadon plans to make it up to his family by going home to Benguet and catching up on precious time.

Keeping the community powered

Meanwhile, Gibson M. Yarte’s humble beginnings in North Cotabato taught him the value of service excellence—an important quality, especially in his role as a Davao

Light Gang Supervisor who leads and guides line crews in the safe installation, maintenance, and restoration of electric distribution lines.

“I grew up in a community that taught me the values of hard work, humility, and helping others—principles that guide me every day in my profession,” Yarte said. 

“I have been serving Davao Light for 13 years, and it has been an honor to grow, learn, and contribute to a team that plays a vital role in keeping the community powered.”

Davao Light, an AboitizPower distribution utility, is the third-largest privately owned distribution utility in the Philippines, currently serving the cities of Davao and Panabo, as well as the municipalities of Carmen, Dujali, and Sto. Tomas.

With customers always in mind, Yarte believes their team serves a greater purpose—exactly what the “season of giving” is all about.

“I will be on duty this holiday season. Even on special occasions, our service continues because electricity plays a key role in every celebration, from lighting homes and cooking meals to powering community events and gatherings,” he explained.

“As line workers, we ensure that these special moments continue without interruption. It’s fulfilling to know that behind the scenes, our efforts help make the holiday season brighter for everyone.”

The personal cost for Yarte comes in the form of skipped family traditions and missed moments that many families get to share—the kind of quality time that brings him the greatest joy.

“I love my family so much, and they are the reason I stay motivated and grounded,” he said. “But I accept this responsibility knowing that our work allows others to enjoy their celebrations safely and comfortably.”

Lights on at all times

Rolando Bebelone, 29, is ready for holiday duty, serving as a System Operations and Substation Engineer for AboitizPower’s Balamban Enerzone, located in the West Cebu Special Economic Zone.

“Balamban Enerzone is one of the power distribution utilities serving commercial, industrial, and retail electricity supply customers, overseeing two substations: Arpili and Buanoy,” he explained. 

“I am responsible for monitoring and controlling the power supply at the Buanoy Substation to ensure reliable and efficient operations.”

Bebelone loves his job, citing his strong passion for technology, his practical problem-solving, and his curiosity about how systems operate. He noted that if unscheduled interruptions occur during the Christmas-to-New Year season, “we are already prepared and respond as quickly as possible to restore power to our customers.”

Despite his workstation’s proximity to home, Bebelone remains on call and ready to respond when needed, making his holiday schedule largely uncertain.

“We prioritize and value our customers during emergency calls. We ensure that our customers continue to have a reliable power supply, keeping the lights on at all times,” he said. 

“I understand that I might not be able to celebrate Christmas or count down to the New Year in person with my family, but as long as we communicate through video calls, it’s still meaningful.”

This holiday season, Lumbaca, Arzadon, Yarte, Bebelone, and thousands more of their colleagues continue to maintain, operate, and steward the power plants and networks that keep the lights on across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. 

Their service excellence and sense of responsibility are among the most generous Christmas gifts we can ever receive.

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Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Aboitiz Power Corporation.