“During Holy Week, I tend to just shut off from social media,” Ramon Miguel said with a smile, his youthful countenance a welcome contrast to the somber weather that brought rains on that first week of June when we met. The red office chair seemed to have vanished underneath his six-foot-and-one-inch frame casually clad in a moss green windbreaker.
The 22-year-old Villareal was recounting how he learned of his winning the search for the Ten Outstanding Human Resource Students of the Philippines (TOHRS) organized by the Human Resource Educators’ Association of the Philippines (HREAP).
“When I logged into Facebook on April 2 [Easter Monday],” he continued, “it was flooded with notifications. Everybody was congratulating me. The result was posted on Good Friday, so I was like, ‘Wow! What a resurrection!’” He laughed.
For the recognition he received, the second eldest in a brood of six had his program director to thank. Dr. Ferdinand Piñgul prodded Ramon and the rest of the graduating batch of the Bachelor of Science Major in Human Capital Development (BS HCD) program to apply in the said search. His batch mate, Ma. Angela Magalong, made it to the top 30.
“[The award] was a validation not only of everything that I’ve worked for in the University, but also of [the School of Education and Human Development’s] work, of the program, of what UA&P stands for.”
Read on and find out how he who dreamt of becoming a medical doctor will continue to promote the development of man through other means.
Why did you choose HCD?
Back in grade school, I told my mentor about wanting to become a doctor because I wanted to help people in general. I thought that being a doctor was the most direct way. However, he grounded my idealism. (laughs) He mentioned how I had five other siblings and how it will take me long to start working and help my family.
I initially enrolled in BS Child Development and Education (CDE), keeping in mind my desire to be a pediatrician. But after a semester in CDE, I realized that children are not my thing. (laughs) So I shifted to HCD, I guess still with the mindset to help people, but this time, not with their biological needs—as doctors would—but with their learning needs, for instance, how to develop at work.
What does it mean to be counted as an outstanding HR student?
You’re supposed to embody what an HR practitioner should be. The award should also inspire other HR students to continue in their field, and encourage other students to pursue a career in HR.
What is the ideal for an HR practitioner?
We have to put back the “human” in human resources. Many companies nowadays are markedly geared toward technological developments and economic progress, but they tend to forget that people are not an amalgamation of data, or of trends. People are people. We have to consider the whole person and not just the person at work—his family, his mental and spiritual formation, his upskilling. Work should be human-centric.
For organizations, HR work should be treated as something critical and strategic. It can no longer be seen as just mere administrative or back office work. HR should have a seat on the table. After all, the ones who deliver your products and services are your people. And if you can’t treat your people well, then how can you expect people to treat the organization well?
Top of mind. Who is your favorite superhero?
Batman. As to other superheroes, the creators or movie makers always tend to make their superheroes do the extreme good. As humans, we struggle between good and evil, and I see that in Batman, although in the end he chooses good. It’s easy to be absolutely good, like Superman, and choose good because that’s what you’re geared toward. But to wrestle between good and evil and still choose good, that’s what I admire in Batman.
Food.
It has to be anything my mom makes. My mom can make the most random dish. She experiments with anything and I gladly eat it.
Color.
Green. I just find it fresh.
Person you look up to.
I’ve always admired my grandfather, Roberto Libarnes, who passed away more than five years ago. His story has always inspired me. He didn’t finish school. He first worked as a tricycle driver, but toward the end of his life, he became the CEO of his own pharmaceutical company. I remember a story of one of his employees when they were commemorating his death anniversary. When they were starting out their company, my grandfather held this onboarding program. He went to the director and said, “Look at these 20 people, and multiply it by four. That’s 80 people we’re helping.” The number includes their families as well. That inspired me. When I help people, I also take into account that I’m also helping out their families.
He was always a family man too. He never failed to meet with us every Sunday despite his busy schedule. He never failed to emphasize the importance of our studies even though he didn’t finish college. When I transferred to a Montessori school, he took it upon himself to teach us catechism every Sunday for an hour to ensure that we get the whole education.
Five-year plan.
After three years of working, I would pursue higher studies, a master’s degree, maybe an MBA. Or a master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology. Thank God UA&P now has HCOD, so that can be another option. In terms of long-term goals, I also plan to get a PhD, go back to the University, and teach. And start my own consulting firm. Big dreams! They’re going to move me forward.
Describe your UA&P experience.
I honestly believe that it’s a baptism by fire. It’s a four-year baptism by fire. (laughs) And it’s great because after we’re baptized by fire, we come out as Dragons, really.
After high school, I felt like I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know who I wanted to be, or what I was actually good at. But after staying in UA&P, I felt like that fire refined me and polished me so that now I have clear goals in the future, and I hope I become a true Dragon.
What message do you want to leave the HCD students?
If you want to be a leader that shapes other leaders, then go for HCD. If you really want to work with people up close, human capital development is the career for you. For those currently struggling in their studies, whether in HCD or any degree, remember that behind these subjects that we think we don’t need, there are truths that resonate with our being human. It’s going to help us in our life. Don’t think of this in just one semester. Think of this in the long term. #
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