Foreword by the editors
In 1975, Romy del Valle moved to Papua New Guinea in search of greener pastures. His wife Salve, with 16 month old son Rommel. followed him in 1976. Originally from Milaor, Camarines Sur, he graduated from the Ateneo de Naga High School in 1967 and completed his degree in mechanical engineering from Adamson University in 1972. He joined Commonwealth New Guinea Timbers Ltd. (CNGT) based in Bulolo, Papua New Guinea (PNG) as a Mechanical Design Engineer. CNGT was one of PNG’s biggest plywood and timber processing companies which also owned hydroelectric power plants. In 1980, CNGT became PNG Forest Products Ltd. (PNGFP).
Their second child, Sharon, and third child, Ronald, were both born in PNG. In 1984, his position in PNGFP changed to Mechanical and Project Engineer. In 2000, he was given the responsibility as the Chief Engineer to run the whole Engineering Department.
Three good reasons motivated Romy to stay longer with company. Firstly, all his three children were subsidized by PNGFP to study at the Bulolo International Primary School. Secondly, all recreational facilities were inside the town, run mostly by the company. Thirdly, the company enabled him to send his three children to continue their secondary and university studies in Australia. Romy loved tennis and golf. He was a team captain and twice the president of the Bulolo Golf Club and consequently became a lifetime member of the club. He retired briefly in 2013, but was asked to return to PNGFP for an engineering project. Since 2017 he has retired in the Philippines, returning occasionally to Australia to visit his children and their families.
Rommel’s Story
Some places shape us in ways that time and distance can never erase. For Rommel Del Valle, that place is Bulolo—a picturesque town in Papua New Guinea’s Morobe Province that nurtured his childhood, instilled in him a deep sense of belonging, and continues to define his identity even as he builds a life in Australia.
Though born in the Philippines, Rommel grew up in Bulolo from the time he was 16 months old until he was 12. Today, as an Australian citizen living in Sydney with his wife and three children, he still carries the spirit of “Mangi Bulolo” wherever he goes—so much so that he has it painted on his shoes as a personal tribute to his roots.
But Rommel’s story is more than nostalgia; it’s a testament to resilience, cultural connection, and the enduring power of identity.
Growing Up in Bulolo
Rommel’s journey to Bulolo began in 1976 when his father, Romy Del Valle, an engineer with PNG Forest Products, brought his family to Papua New Guinea. From the very beginning, Bulolo became home. It was a place of warmth, friendship, and cultural exchange—where people treated each other like family and where respect was deeply ingrained in daily life.
“I made lots of friends there, especially with the locals,” Rommel recalls. “It was just a really nice place to live, where I knew everybody and developed strong values of respect and love for all.”
Rommel attended Bulolo International Preschool and later Bulolo International Primary School, where he was surrounded by classmates from all over the world—Japan, Finland, Sweden, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, and Indonesia. This multicultural upbringing gave him a broader perspective and a deep appreciation for diversity.
“I learned to live, cooperate, and work with people from different backgrounds,” he says. “That experience has stayed with me throughout my life.”
The Transition to Australia
At the age of 12, Rommel’s journey took another turn when his parents decided to send him to boarding school in Australia. For some, this might have been a difficult transition, but for Rommel, it was a natural step. Having grown up around Australian expatriates in Bulolo, he was more familiar with their culture and language than with his own Filipino heritage.
“I felt more at home going to Australia than to the Philippines,” he explains. “It was a natural transition for me.”
Despite the move, his attachment to Bulolo and Papua New Guinea remained strong. His childhood experiences—the friendships, the values, and the sense of community—continued to shape his identity.
“You can take me out of PNG, but you can’t take PNG out of me,” he says with a smile.
A Vision for Papua New Guinea’s Future
As Papua New Guinea approaches 50 years of independence in 2025, Rommel reflects on the country’s journey and his hopes for its future.
“I wish for every Papua New Guinean to be brave enough to stand up and be counted,” he says. “To be more assertive and inclusive in decision-making, especially our leaders—not just in politics but also in communities.”
One of his biggest hopes is to see greater economic empowerment and job creation for Papua New Guineans.
“If people can start generating income and creating businesses, PNG can move forward as a strong, independent nation in the Pacific and beyond,” he says.
Bulolo: A Connection That Never Fades
Rommel’s love for Papua New Guinea is something he carries with him every day—quite literally. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he custom-painted his shoes with the words “Mangi Bulolo PNG” and an illustration of the Raggiana bird-of-paradise. The artwork is more than just a design; it’s a deeply personal symbol of where he comes from and the values that continue to guide him.
“In this day and age, sometimes we get lost in who we are,” he says. “I do this to remind myself—this is where I grew up, this is my family and friends. Maybe one day, I’ll go back to visit, because there’s no other place like it in the world.”
For Rommel Del Valle, Bulolo is more than just a childhood memory—it’s a foundation, a guiding light, and a constant reminder of who he is. Whether he’s at home in Sydney or walking along Bondi Beach, Bulolo is always with him.
Because home isn’t just a place—it’s a feeling that never fades.
The header features a view of the park grounds in Bulolo, the location of the headquarters of PNG Forest Products, a self-sufficient organization that provides housing, infrastructure, utilities, and services for its large number of employees and their families. (credit: PNGFP)
About the author
Malum Nalu is a veteran Papua New Guinea journalist who takes active interest in blogging and content creation to promote the countery. His blogspot is the winner of the 2011 UNESCO/Divine Word University Award for Communication and Development. It is archived in National Library of Australia PANDORA Archive and the No. 1 Blog in Papua New Guinea.
The photo shows Malum Nalu with Rommel de Valle.