^{Puhagan geothermal plant, Negros Oriental}

Perhaps to most Filipinos, geothermal is “alien”, unheard of or maybe just "a not too exciting topic" to delve on.  But what if the regular Filipino would know that geothermal is a cheaper form of generating energy in a sense that it does not require the purchase and use of fuel? And that his country is the second biggest producer in the world next only to United States of America?  Will it interest him?

Geothermal comes from Greek words geo, meaning earth, and therme, meaning heat.  Simply put, "Geothermal" can generally refer to any heat contained in the ground.  It is an energy generated by heat stored in the earth, or the collection of absorbed heat derived from underground, in the atmosphere and oceans.

Prince Piero Ginori Conti tested the first geothermal generator on 4 July 1904, at the Larderello dry steam field in Italy.

The Geothermal Education Office and a 1980 article entitled "The Philippines geothermal success story" by Rudolph J. Birsic published in the journal Geothermal Energy (vol. 8, Aug.-Sept. 1980, p. 35-44) note the remarkable geothermal resources of the Philippines. During the World Geothermal Congress 2000 held in Beppu, Ōita Prefecture of Japan (May-June 2000), it was reported that the Philippines is the largest consumer of electricity from geothermal sources and highlighted the potential role of geothermal energy in providing energy needs for developing countries.

From an economic viewpoint, geothermal energy is extremely price competitive in some areas and reduces reliance on fossil fuels and their inherent price unpredictability.  It is no secret that fuel price is one of the most volatile of all commodities. It also offers a degree of scalability: a large geothermal plant can power entire cities while smaller power plants can supply more remote sites such as rural villages.  This is highly advantageous to Philippines as there are a lot of remote areas especially in provinces.

Continuous research and development would lead to improved plants and geothermal operations.  As of 2008, geothermal power supplies only less than 1% of the world's energy.  Still very far compared to power generated by plants using natural gas and coal.  In the Philippines however, geothermal energy already provides 27% of the country's total electricity production generated in power plants. Geothermal power plants are on the islands Luzon, Valencia, Negros Oriental, Mindanao and Tongonan, Leyte.

Leyte is one of the islands in the Philippines where the geothermic power plants were developed.  Developments here started in 1977 by the company PNOC.

Many of the geothermic natural resources are still waiting to ' be harnessed for steam'.

If Philippines can continue to nurture the potential of the country's geothermal power, it could drastically lower its dependency to fuel.  This would mean more savings from fuel expenses that are basically growing at an insanely fast pace.  These cutbacks from the nation's annual budget could perhaps be used to some other noteworthy projects that would help propel Philippines to greater heights.

For us laymen, “geothermal” may sound foreign or strange.   But the next time we hear about “Philippine geothermal”, let us be thankful to God.  Let us thank Him for providing us a country very rich in natural resources.  Let us further pray though that our leaders would be proactive in properly utilizing these inherent supplies and be selfless in honestly serving the Filipino.

World Class Filipino came to existence because of the solid belief of the people behind this project on its subject … the Filipino and most especially because God has allowed this to happen.

We are first hand witnesses on how competent Filipinos are in any trade or profession, in any country and against any nationality as most of us are currently occupying job positions which could have been easily occupied by another race had we not been capable.

The idea of setting up this website first came up at a time when we were always being asked by foreign employers if we know of a Filipino who would like to work with them.  When asked why they prefer Filipinos… they site Filipino qualities such as the following: honest, loyal, friendly, fun-loving, honors commitments, good communicator, hardworking, creative and among others.  If you just happen to have the privilege of hearing these adjectives from people other than your “kababayan”… you would probably ask yourself why these people believe in us and why can't we?  Why other nationalities are appreciating us while we ourselves, at times, are still downgrading our capacities? 

As Filipinos working abroad, we believe we are representatives of our country.  Our performances today will have a direct effect on others who will choose to follow this route and to the image of Filipinos in general.  That's why we are always asking God for guidance at work and in everything we do.  That we may continue to do His will for His greater glory and thereby preserve the legacy of the Filipinos who came before us. In relation to this, please allow us to use this space to salute them.  They made lasting impressions internationally which practically paved the way and have opened up windows of opportunities for millions of Filipinos.

And lastly, we believe that everything we have, were just given.  Our strength, beauty, intelligence… everything.  We should therefore not be boastful and proud.  Instead, we should be thankful to the one who made you and me and share these gifts to everyone.   We may be small as people, we may be under-developed as a country and we are not perfect. But we are perfectly us… just the way God had designed us to be. 

Love.  Care.  Share.

Love God above all.  Care for others.  Share ourselves.