By Princess Dawn H. Felicitas | July 2026

Life is a series of peaks and valleys, of constant ebbs and flows that carry us through every season, each one shaping our character and inner strength. In this month’s edition of MPTC Ako!, one employee’s journey reflects the quiet courage to keep moving forward, weathering a literal storm while continuing to celebrate life’s milestones.

For nearly a decade, Valentina “Val” O. Batestil, 37, has been part of Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation’s (CCLEC) story. Long before the first vehicles crossed the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), she was already there, among the pioneer employees who witnessed the company’s earliest days from a modest townhouse in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.

Val joined CCLEC even before the project construction began starting as a Finance Administrative Staff and now serving as Secretary II under CCLEC’s Tollways Development and Engineering team. Her joining the company was more than just an exciting career opportunity.

“I knew I would contribute to a historic infrastructure project that would create a lasting impact on the community,” she said.

Those early days for her were simple but memorable.

“Our office was in a small unit townhouse. It was a humble start. But everyone was excited and committed to making the company succeed,” she recalled. “Even with limited space and resources, there was a strong sense of teamwork and a shared belief in what we were building.”

This experience taught her to be resourceful, adaptable, and supportive of others. 

But more importantly, it gave her the front row seat to the company and one of the country’s significant infrastructure milestones.

Watching CCLEX rise from office drawings to what it is today—the country’s longest and tallest bridge and the first toll road outside Luzon—is one of the proudest moments of her career.

“Having joined the company before construction even began and remained part of the team through its completion, public opening, and operation, I take great pride in knowing that I contributed, in my own way, to the project,” she said.

As she grew professionally over the years, becoming more confident and adaptable in the workplace, she also embraced new roles in life as a wife and mother of three.

But life’s seasons are not defined only by achievements.

On November 4, 2025, Typhoon Tino swept through Cebu that left a trail of massive destruction, and Val and her family faced what she described as “the most difficult moment” in their life.

Floodwaters surged and inundated the entire first floor of their two-storey home in Talisay City, Cebu.

“It was heartbreaking to see the damage caused to a place we had worked so hard to build,” she said.

At the height of the typhoon, Val’s focus never wavered.

“More than anything, my priority was making sure my family was safe,” she shared.

While the experience was heartbreaking, Val said she chose not to dwell on what was already gone.

“I never cried. I chose to stay strong because I knew my family needed me,” she said. “While it was painful to see what we had lost, I believed that we could recover as long as we stayed together.”

In the aftermath of the destructive typhoon, Val and her family saw the ruins, took it one day at a time, cleaned what they could, salvaged what remained, and slowly began rebuilding.

Even as her personal life demanded her time and energy, Val had to continue showing up at work.

“It wasn’t easy,” she admitted. “Balancing both was challenging, but my determination to provide for my family and rebuild our lives kept me going.”

During those difficult days, Val discovered that recovery need not be carried alone.

Two close colleagues of hers visited her home and brought food and supplies to cover for her family’s basic needs while other coworkers contributed groceries and extended financial help. The company also provided goods.

“At that time, we were struggling to secure enough food for our family,” she said. “Their kindness brought comfort and relief, and it is something I will always be grateful for.”

Today, when Val reflects on everything she went through—from witnessing CCLEC’s humble beginnings to rebuilding life after a typhoon—she doesn’t dwell on what was lost. She treasures what endured.

“Material things can be replaced. The love and support of family and friends are what truly matter,” she said.

To colleagues who may be facing difficult seasons of their own, Val has this to share:

“Never lose hope. Everyone faces challenges at some point in life, but difficult seasons do not last forever. Take things one day at a time, ask for help when you need it, and trust in your ability to overcome obstacles. Stay strong, keep moving forward, and remember that brighter days will come.”