By Fiel Angeli Espejo Araoarao - Gabin"I believe integrity is what we have lost as a people. We no longer trust our institutions, nor are we confident of them. Integrity is what we need to regain because while we have the intelligence, the competence, talents and skills, it will all be meaningless if we lack Integrity." (Antonio Meloto of Gawad Kalinga during commencement exercises at UP). Let us stop the vicious culture of Blame- while there is basis for blame, blaming does not solve the problem, nor does it build homes for the poor, nor feed the hungry. Instead of looking for fault in others, let us look at ourselves. We need to change, and that begins with "myself."
Since I somehow "gained" consciousness of the political set-up in the city, I can enumerate lady legislators who have served the city council: Mesdames Romana Darunday-Bullecer, Primitiva Salera-Veloso, Leonora Pamaong-Dela Torre, Nuevas Tirol-Montes, Alberta Co-Torralba and Marnelli P. Abellana. At exactly 12:00 noon of June 30, when the term of newly-elected officials commence, a newcomer to the City Government is ready to prove what leadership with integrity is all about.
It's interesting to know that this lady and this writer have some things in common: We're both first-born, born in the month of February, we were into girl scouting, and at present, we're colleagues in the Holy Spirit School Federated Parents-Teachers Association and in the HSS Alumni Association - she, the secretary, and moi, assistant secretary.
Back in my elementary days, she was already a highly-regarded campus personality - a student leader who I must say has wisdom beyond her years, actively involved in the student council activities, cultural performances, and aside from that, was very much into sports - lawn tennis, table tennis, volleyball - which she believes helped her a great deal in her leadership experience, aside from scouting.
When asked what her philosophy in life is, she replied: "Haven't thought of that; parang heavy masyado. But just the same - Life is a blessing!" Born on February 10, 1964 in Talibon, she prides of her parents Dr. and Mrs. Quintin Torralba Derikito who have imbibed in her the sense of responsibility, along with her maternal grandparents from Sevilla and paternal grandparents from Tagbilaran and Dumangas, Iloilo.
Recalling her childhood, family time was always fun and exciting, especially with her younger siblings Malou (now a safety and security manager of a hospital in California), Maria Fe (presently the university dentist of the University of San Carlos in Cebu City; my elementary classmate at HSS), Gertrude (a professor in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines, currently taking doctorate studies in molecular biology in Germany), Servillano (working as respiratory care therapist in New York), and Silverio (a physical therapist in New Jersey, USA).
She has pleasant memories of her kinder days at Merne Graham Pre-School. During elementary and high school graduation programs at HSS, she raked honorable mention awards and the Girl Scout of the Philippines (GSP) leadership citations. As Ma'am Kit shares: "High school really developed me - take every opportunity. If not, there's college - grab it. Otherwise, don't lose hope- there's graduate school.
In short, everything has a reason and a season. Some are just early bloomers, but if you'll just be patient, sooner or later, your time will come. Stay positive always. Luck is about being prepared for those opportunities that come knocking. You have to have an open mind, the right skills, and all your senses working to see what opportunities present themselves. Luck can open the door, but you still have to walk through it."
Perhaps early in life she had her thoughts (or gut feeling) of becoming a political figure in the future that she chose to obtain a degree in BA Political Science, and to have been educated at the prestigious University of the Philippines meant more challenges, at the same time welcoming opportunities to use her leadership skills to the optimum as vice-chair of the student council and keeping up with the academic standards of the institution as college scholar. At the University of San Carlos while studying Bachelor of Laws, she was class president, member of the debating team and champion of the lawn tennis -quite an achievement considering Law students were the oldest.
Her professional track record started in Manila as personnel manager of the Inland Trailways, Inc., then as director of the Videogram Regulatory Board, Office of the President, until her stint as vice-president of the personnel and administration of the Protectors of Assets and Personnel Services, Inc., until the crucial decision of coming home to Bohol for good knocked sense into her head. It seemed that a different "calling" led her back to her home province. Then she was appointed as executive secretary of the Office of the Governor, followed by her assignment as chief of staff and board secretary of the Vice-Governor's Office, Sangguniang Panlalawigan under Vice-Gov. Julius Caesar F. Herrera.
What about her love story? Her husband is six years older than she is. They met at HSS when he was CAT commandant. As GSP teacher-assistant, she was exempted from CAT - that was the time Sir Louie started courting her. "I was in fourth year high school then, so, wala! Hindi ko siya pinansin, at di type, hehe. Met him again after he graduated from the PMA, and I was graduating myself at UP, in Cebu. Wala pa talaga." Their first date was at the fiesta carnival at the CPG Sports Complex - on a ferries wheel. She was in her third year in Law when Sir Louie courted her parents. "…really, then while taking the bar, (he) asked me to marry him." Finally, the ardent suitor has persuaded the girl of his dreams to marry her on February 10, 1990 (Ma'am Kit's birthday) in Camp Aguinaldo, Q.C. and the rest is history...
In all her undertakings and endeavors, she always counts on the full support of her family: her husband Louie (chief of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Station) who she says respects her individuality, and her children Marie Louise (16), a multi-talented freshman college student taking up nursing as a pre-medical course, a taekwondo (black belt) champion, a natural on the guitar, and recently conferred the GMA Presidential Award for Sports and for Culture and Arts; Daniel Thaddeus (11), a Grade 6 pupil of HSS, class press relations officer and RT leader and excellent with the drums, and Gabrielle Mirin (6), a charming and gregarious Grade 1 pupil of HSS who dreams of becoming an actress. On several occasions, she shares her hobbies - reading, walking, gardening, tennis and volleyball - with her family.
Even with her hectic schedule, she still manages to attend meetings as secretary of the HSS Alumni Association, member of the Tagbilaran Women's Club and public relations and communications chair of the GSP-Bohol Council. Ma'am Kit is also a lifetime member of the UP Filipinas '62 Sisterhood and the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class '84 Ladies Club.
As an aspirant (candidate) for the city council in the May 14, 2007 polls, she underscored health, education, values formation, support for teachers' trainings and parents-teachers associations (PTA) and women concerns as among her legislative agenda to address the needs of the Tagbilaranons. When the canvassing of votes was over, the Commission on Elections proclaimed her one of the ten city councilors.
The most challenging part of her job or what she's into? "In December, I was asked what my plan was for the coming year would be, and I said: Give Politics a Chance! I did, true to what I said, despite what I hear and see about politics, in the Philippines, at least. I gave it a chance, Made it, but not without the costs - costs, not because of money, but because of what I saw and felt while in such exercise. When the canvassing started, I just prayed. I knew that God already knew who would be elected. As they say: Do your best, and God will so the rest. I am a witness to that. I had nothing to lose, nor gain, but did it! Someone texted me: "The real test of a man is not when he plays the role he wants for himself, but when he plays the role destiny has for him."
This was sent two days before I was proclaimed. Right timing because really I didn't like the process I went through during the elections, except that somehow, it gave me an opportunity to touch other people's lives. But messages such as those told me not to "cry over it too much" or not to make it "break my heart". Going through it was the most challenging - am taking it henceforth, for whatever it's worth. Much needs to be done, and this time, honestly, I hope I am not alone (frankly, I think mingaw kaayo ang akong agian). But the people gave me this privilege to represent them. While I maintain I don't owe anybody anything, I will give it my best shot - for them. Naive of me, my husband sometimes tell me, or my friends, but I'd rather be naive and sincere than be someone else I am not."
Ma'am Kit's definition of a leader: "A leader stands up for his members, for the team, even if what he needs to espouse are contrary to his own opinion, desires, preferences. As a leader, you represent your team, thus, rule of the majority. While he or she should be responsible for his team, it should not be taken personally. 'Trabaho lang, walang personalan.' It's just part of the job, so, don't take it personally so you can compartmentalize - what's yours and what's not. In short, don't complicate things…If there is one thing I would like to bring or highlight for us in public service or any field of human endeavor, it is what my father taught and showed me: INTEGRITY…"
While bracing herself for another chapter of her life, this time getting into politics, Ma'am Kit maintains that she is a very simple person, with very simple needs. "I listen to my conscience and will be dictated by HIM alone. I really hope that at the end of the day, I can still look at myself in the mirror and affirm - I am pleased with myself. In my wallet, I wrote my mission and vision in life - for the near future, to be City Councilor by May 14, 2007; henceforth, to leave Tagbilaran a better place than when I found it! (Heavy ba?) I already did the first. Do you think I can do the other? Alone, maybe not. But with all of you, Yes, very much!..." Welcome to the City Hall, Ma'am Kit!
(published by the Bohol Sunday Post, 6/24/2007)Linkback:
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