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By Loy Palapos     

Multi-awarded educator, lawyer, administrator, and lately, public servant, this devoted wife and loving mother has succeeded to bridge the gap between the home and the office, proving herself best in both worlds. Always on the top three of her classes from elementary to post-graduate school, she epitomizes the career-minded woman whose home is the main source of her inspiration.

      It was high noon on November 7, 1947 when Nuevas was born to parents Victoriano D. Tirol, Sr., Founder and First President of the University of Bohol, and Iluminada Belarmino, both National Gintong Ama and Gintong Ina Awardees. She is the ninth of eleven children, all of them well-established professionals in their chosen fields, an extraordinary feat seldom replicated anywhere.

      She finished BSE (1967), Magna Cum Laude; MA in Education (1969), Magna Cum Laude, Ph.D. in Education (1971); Benemeritus, at the University of Santo Tomas; and Bachelor of Law (1884) at the University of Bohol. She passed the Philippine Teachers Examination in (1971), was one of top 20 of more than 1,000 examinees in the Schools Division Superintendent Exam (1974), and passed the Bar (1986).

      After finishing her Doctorate degree at UST, she was offered the job of Vice President of Agusan Colleges, while at the same time Dean of the Graduate School, until 1973. She came back to the University of Bohol and held various positions: Dean of Student Affairs, Dean of Academic Affairs, Professor of the Graduate School, while building up her career as an educator and administrator. She was designated Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of Bohol in 1983, and later Acting Schools Division Superintendent of Siquijor, then was transferred to Toledo City.

      The call of home and family was irresistible. Dr. Montes opted to come back to UB in 1994 and was designated Vice President. Today, Atty. Nuevas Montes is Member of the Board of Trustees, Executive Director of the Family Care Center, and Vice President for Administration of the University of Bohol.

      Atty. Nuevas Montes has been a recipient of several awards and commendations, among them are: Outstanding Woman of Tagbilaran City; Most Outstanding Project Implementor on Health and Development; Plaques of Appreciation for Outstanding Achievement as Schools Superintendent; Plaques of Appreciation for Commitment to Reproductive Health, Recognitions for her Support to Tagbilaran Women’s Group (KALIPI), Devotion to Duty, and for Active Involvement for the Welfare of Teachers and Employees.

      Through her able Leadership as Presiding Officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Tagbilaran City was a Regional Nominee, and National Finalist for Outstanding Sangguniang Panlungsod. The City also begged the Region 7 PAG-ASA Award for Most Outstanding Public Servants.

      Jas, as she is fondly called, is typical of Boholanos who are gifted and admired for their simple and happy nature. An educator of the first caliber, she is good at her job because she loves people. “I always think what makes the employees happy,” she says. “One time I thought that all the employees would get a cellphone thru the help of the University. “But she confides, “I am also strict, especially when it is about the students’ interest. I insist on quality service from our teachers and staff and am glad everyone complies. I like ‘coaching’ the employees. I have this habit of building persons...teach them, develop them, motivate them and bless them to move on to bigger goals when they are ready. That sometimes leaves me with a new set of staff that completes the same cycle. I’m happy with what I’m doing. As a seasoned school official, I temper my decisions with kindness. I’d ask myself...this maybe right, but is it also suitable?”

      Beyond her academic work, Jas is also in politics. “I’d like to call it governance instead of politics,” she suggests. When asked why she won twice as number one councilor of the city, she answers: “I just do my work quietly – no fanfare, and if possible, no radio interviews. I am very shy but I’m passionate when I support a good cause. I was glad there were so much to do in my Committee in the Council, such as education, health, family, women and children”.

      “I also have a very supportive family,” she continues. “My parents treated us their eleven children like they were their prized trophies, but they never spoiled us. My husband, City Prosecutor Adriano P. Montes is my avid fan. A classmate since Grade II, he and my children, Hara, a Nurse married to Jacob Sevilla, also a Nurse, Dasa, a Physical Therapist now in the United States, and Anne, who graduated from the Ateneo Law School and is now connected with PAO (Public Attorneys Office), are very supportive of my plans. That explains why I’m a free spirit. I even served the Public Schools before as Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of Bohol, OIC Superintendent of Siquijor and Toledo City. I have an extensive exposure in different fields, which serve me well now. I get to try anything, anytime for the right reasons and that’s why I ran for Vice Mayor in 2004. I think that makes me lucky.”

      This brings to mind Atty. Montes’ topping the race for Councilors, and three years later, winning as Vice Mayor. Not just because she was just lucky, but more significantly because the Tagbilaranons find her well-qualified for the job, with a giftedness that is amazing and commendable. As a learned and a talented woman, she has brought to the City Council a new dimension of respect.

      The success of the Tirol family speaks well of the upbringing the children, and the discipline they derived from their parents. All 11 of them are Masters Degree holders, aside from having finished varied Bachelors Degrees. Ten have PhDs, one is a Doctor of Medicine, and four are lawyers, one of them the Regional Director of DepEd, Region VI. The third generation has followed the same pursuits, a living proof that Atty. and Mrs. Victoriano Tirol, Sr. have instilled in the minds and hearts of their offsprings the value of education. Not solely for self-upliftment, but for the general good.

      Meanwhile, Dr. Nuevas Tirol-Montes occupies her time with her responsibilities at City Hall. Even at the height of the election season she has her duties to perform, especially as Presiding Officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. Her job is her top priority, never mind if she misses a campaign sortie or two. This sums ups her dictum “to serve and not to be served.”

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