Engr. Morfe passes Dualtech’s baton to Engr. Muhi

“Ipa-paalala ko po sa inyo na ang tagumpay po sa aking paniniwala ay yung pagkakaroon, pagtataguyod ng magandang pamilya.” By emphasizing the success and fortune of every Dualtech graduate, Engr. Arnold Morfe prepared to step down as President of Dualtech in a May 20, 2023 turnover rite held within the graduation ceremony. In turn, his successor, Engr. Jerry Webb Muhi, thanked him and highlighted his more than 36 years of service.

In his own remarks which he considered to be his last as President, Mr. Morfe highlighted that every Dualtech graduate ought to attain more than just material wealth: “Ipa-paalala ko sa inyo ang tagumpay sa aking paniniwala ay yung pagkakaroon, pagtataguyod ng magandang pamilya. Dahil po ang (magandang) pamilya ang tunay na (tanda ng mabuting) graduate. At dahil marami po sa mga graduates ang nagtaguyod, nagkaroon at nagtayo ng mga magandang pamilya, isa po yan sa aking ipinag-papasalamat sa 36 years ko sa Dualtech.” (“For me, the highest form of success is having and raising good families. A lot of our graduates in turn, formed and nurtured good families. That is what I am very thankful for in these 36 years of service in Dualtech.”)

He then went on to apologize for any shortcoming, and to ask for everyone’s prayers for Engr. Muhi, the Dualtech staff and for himself. His having expressed the three words “thanks, sorry, please (help me more)” follows the practice of Blessed Alvaro del Portillo – the first successor of Saint Josemaria Escriva, founder of Opus Dei.

In his acceptance message, Engr. Muhi tried to capture in a few lines the legacy of Mr. Morfe and the role he is about to fill: “40 years have passed and onwards to the next 40 years, may I express our gratitude to President Arnold Morfe for his tireless leadership. Unknown to many, President Morfe has been very instrumental in bringing Dual Training System in the Philippines from Germany. He has to go to Germany for 2 years maybe leaving behind whatever possible engagement that he has with other companies just to be able to somehow look at this type of training program, study it and bring it to the Philippines.”

He then went on to say that, to efficiently fulfill his new role, his next plan is “to get a good understanding of your dreams and aspirations. Mistakes will always be inevitable but let it be from exuberance and not from lethargy. Kung inyong mararapatin ay humihingi po ako ng dasal at suporta para sa mga bumubuo ng Dualtech Training Center at nawa’y aking magampanan ng buong kakayanan ang tungkulin (I beg you all for prayers, and ask for your support to our Dualtech community, and that I may effectively accomplish this task).

Engr. Jerry Webb Muhi brings with him nearly a decade of experience from Ayala Land, likewise the same tenure from Starbucks Phils. and now also a decade of service at Dualtech. Engr. Muhi is a duly licensed mechanical engineer who earned his collegiate degree from the University of Santo Tomas. He further earned his MBA from DLSU and completed an Advanced Management Program jointly organized by the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) in Pasig, Philippines and the IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain.

In the case of Engr. Morfe, he is slated to be elected as trustee of Dualtech. He volunteered to help establish the start-up operations of another Center, a venue for personal, professional and spiritual development activities whose chaplaincy shall be entrusted to the Personal Prelature of Opus Dei.

It will be noted that the spiritual formation in Dualtech is also entrusted to Opus Dei.

Engr. Morfe served Dualtech for a total of over 36 years. He was responsible for the construction and start-up of Dualtech’s Canlubang campus. He assumed the position of Executive Director for Canlubang in 1996, concurrent Executive Director of Manila operations and of the entire foundation in 2002, and served as acting President and Executive Director from 2008 to 2014 after the retirement of the late Ramon Santos, Sr. before being designated officially as President in 2015. Engr. Morfe started as Technical Assistant in 1987 and served in various roles before assuming positions of leadership.

The teamwork between Engr. Morfe and Engr. Muhi to lead Dualtech was evident through 2016 and succeeding years when all private technical institutions had to transition to the country’s new K-12 educational system. Both again worked hand in hand to not only steer Dualtech through the recent CoVid19 pandemic, but to consolidate it as it posted high enrollment numbers despite the crisis.

Maraming salamat, Engr. Morfe! All of Dualtech wishes you the best ahead!