It’s been a helluva rollercoaster ride these past years, working as a public servant in one of the highest revenue earning government-owned and controlled corporations in Central Luzon. 2016 onwards were to me, my most challenging and difficult years as a “lingkod bayan”, overladen with countless highs and lows, and significant life lessons I have acquired through the years.
I started my career in government within the concrete walls of the country’s seat of power. Mind you, those were the most pleasant and stress-free years of my life as a government worker (no char). Everyone was just so warm, gregarious and always with a ready and sincere smile on their faces. My 7.5 years of service there just breezed through with each passing year stored as a vivid memory of a beautiful year that was. We took care and looked after one another because our leaders then, regardless of how controversial they may have been through the lens of the fourth estate, were all just simple, real people, forthright, yet gentle and true.
Don’t get me wrong though. I am now on my 18th year in my present employment (thanks to my faithful, loyal and sincere friends Rhon, Eve and the late Papa Ben as we fondly called him, and my staff who have always been there when matters got out of hand). My first few years were tumultuous. “Dayo” daw ksi ako from the big city. When circumstances got heavy, I used to just sulk and cry gallons of tears, as I entertained thoughts of returning to my former office, being the easiest and most doable choice. Daig ko pa ang laging naglalakad sa nagbabagang uling (walking on flaming charcoal) because, real talk, people are just too quick to make assumptions without knowing the facts first.
Fast forward to 2024, I am still here, but feistier and more confident than I have ever been in my entire life because of the true people who have warmly welcomed and infused me with so much positivity and encouragement.
To my Public Relations and Media Production family, I dedicate this maiden article and to my forever loyal and authentic friends, your indefatigable guidance, friendship, and respect through the years have taught me to slowly toddle by during my first years, move on to take my first steps, and strengthen my limbs to hold my feet as I learn to stand firm, tread the path I am destined to take, and create a positively indelible and lasting mark in public service.
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