“So, what’s your job title?” Three minutes into our interview, I asked Shirley.
“SSE Muse,” she said without batting an eyelash.
That did it. We burst out laughing.
Though she must have said it to humor me, her answer manifested an unfailing desire to be closely identified with the School of Sciences and Engineering (SSE), which she has grown to love. Shirley Tolentino, one of the winners of the Search for Dragons Inside, feels nothing but gratitude to the people she works with and the University she serves.
Manila folder
In 2006, two years after working as a computer instructress in Bulacan, Shirley felt she was ready for other opportunities. When her friend Rosana Zausa-Gonzales, who works at the UA&P School of Management, encouraged her to apply in the University, she readily obliged. Shirley initially worked in the Admissions Office as a contractual employee, and was later absorbed by then Institute of Information Technology Studies (IIT) when her contractual term expired.
“Si Sir Vince ‘yung boss ko noon being the Executive Director of IIT, which in 2010, naging SSE. So from isang boss, naging apat ‘yung boss ko. But hindi ‘yun naging mahirap sa akin. Kasi hindi naman kami binigla ni Sir Vince. Talagang ‘yung transition period, ipinaliwanag sa amin ‘yun.”
Her cheerful disposition helped her adjust to her new working environment. One time, Dr. Florencio Gaa, who had just assumed office as Vice Dean of SSE (now Dean), asked her, “Do you have Manila folder?” Unaccustomed to the thick Australian accent of her new boss, the young administrative assistant did not fully catch the question. She was certain, however, that he was asking for a folder. So she gathered several folders and returned to Dr. Gaa. He said, “No, no. I’m looking for a Manila folder.” Today, she still reminds Dr. Gaa of the incident with much amusement. “Ang narinig ko po kasi ay ‘maliit na folder.’”
Having been with SSE for a decade now, Shirley has earned the confidence of her superiors. Although she feels empowered by this trust, she knows better than to abuse it.
“Kung aalis ako, magpapaalam ako. ‘Yung whereabouts ko, alam nila. Walang pag-abuso.”
It also helps that she follows a rubric for work. “Lagi kong pino-post ‘pag (work) anniversary ko ‘yung Colossians 3:23-24, ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters….’
Meron din akong shortcomings. Pero at the end of the day kasi, if hindi tayo magiging friends, magtatrabaho pa rin tayo. Kasi nasa workplace tayo,” said Shirley, who admires the professionalism of her bosses and constantly learns from them.
A different level
The 10-year loyalty awardee gives credit to UA&P and SSE for the fulfillment she gets from work.
“When I started at UA&P, naisip ko talaga na magtatagal ako because of the culture. Very safe ‘yung environment eh,” said Shirley, whose twinning antics with her best friend and co-worker Ms. Hermie Supan are a breath of fresh air. “Then nung nasa IIT ako, mas na-appreciate ko na nandito ako sa UA&P. Tapos naaalagaan ko ‘yung mga students.”
Dealing with the students brings her joy. Thus, she willfully attends to their needs.
“Minsan sabi ko nga, eh, ‘wag natin kakalimutan na we’re here because of our students. Kaya mahal na mahal ko sila. Isang nakakatuwa eh ‘yung ‘pag nag-graduate eh bumabalik sila at nagpapasalamat. Kasi na-appreciate nila kung paano sila inalagaan nung nandito pa sila.”
Where peculiarities are concerned, Shirley knows that adjustments have to be made, but she believes the family atmosphere in SSE makes the difficulties in dealing with people less stressful.
“If I have concerns about work, I can easily approach my bosses, actually all the faculty and staff of SSE. They are always ready to help. They are so accommodating and not intimidating.
I really appreciate my bosses when they support every activity of SSE and UA&P. They join the Unitas Games. Our OpCom, together with our ManCom designate, who also happens to be our founding dean, are perfectly willing to participate.”
Kaya ibang level ang pagmamahal ko sa mga boss ko,” she chuckled.
Pursuing her dreams
The youngest and only girl in a brood of four, Shirley grew up wanting to become a teacher. This she pulled off by teaching computer skills to elementary and high school students. Her exposure to administrative work, however, made her realize that her passion is for human resource management. She now takes some undergraduate subjects in psychology in another university.
She wishes to concentrate on industrial psychology in the future. This would mean, however, that she will have to leave UA&P.
“Hindi naman po ako nagsasalita ng tapos pero if aalis ako sa SSE, lalabas na ako ng UA&P. Kasi ano pa po ba ang hahanapin ko dito?”
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