With colored roses blooming underneath vibrant yellow, flowered trees and exotic succulents enriching the Mediterranean Garden, San Diego State transforms from the stressful environment found inside the classroom into a piece of paradise, cultivated by well-kept vegetation.
Who is the green-thumbed magician making SDSU a lush oasis for students? He would be the last one to admit it, but Virgilio “Benny” Apar has been one of the groundskeepers responsible for the upkeep of the university’s natural beauty for the past 28 years.
“I can’t take all of the credit for the gardening and maintenance done at SDSU, because I am not the expert,” Apar said. “I am just trying to learn as much as I can about the craft.”
Apar’s genuine roots of humility are evident in his appreciation for his SDSU Grounds Maintenance Staff coworkers. Apar’s unwillingness to receive the credit for his beautiful accomplishments on campus reveals the modesty of his character.
The truth is, Apar has gone above and beyond in fulfilling the expected duties of an SDSU gardener. Apar’s daily routine ranges from minor jobs, such as picking up trash, to the more prominent tasks, such as designing the layout of the landscape and choosing the specific plants to landscape with.
When complimented on his tasteful eye for horticulture, Apar shyly smiled.
“It’s what I love to do,” he said.
Originally from the Philippines, Apar immigrated to the United States in 1978. Apar almost didn’t make the move because of his job and family in the Philippines. However, his brother, who was living in San Diego, pressured him to take the risk. Apar said it was one of the biggest decisions he has ever made.
“I called my brother to tell him I wasn’t going to leave my life I had in the Philippines,” Apar said. “He called me crazy, and I had to admit he was right.”
Apar studied horticulture at the University of the Philippines, and was working at a government agency as a horticulturist before embarking on his journey to the U.S.
During his first few years in San Diego, Apar worked as an electrician to establish a stable life for his wife and three children. His heart remained in the field of horticulture and, when the electric company he worked for was sold off, Apar took the opportunity to pursue his passion.
According to Apar, he came across the SDSU groundskeeper job by complete happenstance.
On the way to an appointment with an employment agency, Apar walked into the wrong office. However, he immediately took note of an advertisement on the bulletin board for a gardening position at SDSU. The rest is history.
Almost three decades later, Apar has performed miracles for SDSU. The gorgeous landscape from Hepner Hall to the Extended Studies department building is Apar and his coworker Scott’s work.
When asked what his favorite area to maintain was, Apar referred to the rose garden in the middle of Campanile Mall. He described the treatment he performs on the classic flower with a nurturing touch one would give to his or her children.
“During this time of year, I leave the roses alone to rest,” Apar said. “I schedule the exact date of pruning to ensure the roses are in full bloom in time for graduation in the spring.”
Whether or not Apar is willing to believe it, his appreciation for natural beauty has transformed the face of SDSU.
His plan to retire next year will be a loss for the campus, but it can be expected his legacy will be cherished by the SDSU community. The gratitude is mutual for Apar.
“Sometimes, I look up at the engineering department building and wonder what would have happened if I was still working as an electrician,” he said. “But I couldn’t imagine life in a cubicle, and not being able to enjoy the sun or knowing if it was raining outside.”
