Marigold Rivera

Head, BMSD & Legal Dept.

Being a Working Mother is a Balancing Act

On May 02 of this year, I celebrated my tenth (10th) anniversary of being an employee of Producers Bank Corporation (PSBC). I would not say that I barely noticed the passing of time because I am the type of person who takes notes, year after year-of what happened, what is happening and what will happen in my career or in my life, in general.

The memories of my first interview with Mr. Andres M. Cornejo – PSBC Chairman & CEO are still very vivid in my mind. I can still remember my answer when Mr. Cornejo asked me this question: “What are you looking for in a job?”

My answer was: “I want to have a job where I will be trained and will fully utilize my skills and potentials!” Well, can you blame me for giving that answer considering that I am a graduate of philosophy?

In ethics, potential is defined as an unrealized latent ability or capacity for growth that may or may not be developed. To realized your potential is too able to address what it is you want to approach and act on approaching it. In order to realize you potential, certain goals are to be made.

The goals that people set help to increase one’s potential standards whether that actually accomplished that goal or not, they are satisfied with the act or trying  to reach a higher standard. Once one realizes his/her potential, the capacity of setting higher goals and accomplished more goals in a lifetime increases. This causes an individual to work harder and become more dedicated to accomplish his/her goal.

In consonance, Mr. Cornejo gave me these words, “If you think that working in Producers Bank will allow you to achieve or help you achieve your potential and goals, then a job in Producers Bank is the one you are looking for!”

Ten (10) years after, I am confident and contented to say that in my employment with Producers bank, I was and am still being well trained… my skills and potentials were and are still being fully utilized.

On the other hand, another milestone happened in my life last July 20, 2010 – the birth of my daughter, Rima Qassandra. With Rima around, I am no longer just an employee but I am also a mother.

For the past thirty one (31) years of my life, i only thought of myself, my education, my work, my dreams… everything was about me and my consideration.

But now, things are different….

I have to think of my daughter. I have to ensure that she has everything that she needs. I have to find time to take care of her and bond with her.

And being a working mother is not at all a walk in the park. With a daughter who is less than one year old, there are times when I feel guilty for not having plenty of time with her, for not being the person who puts her to sleep, for not being able to sing her a lullaby, for not being one who feeds or bathes her during the day…for not being the first person to hear her first syllable/word, for not being the first person to know if she can already stand on her own..

But giving more thought and consideration, I realized that despite not being able to do those things for my daughter, I am not doing them for no reason at all. I have my reason and my reasons are noble.

I am working and doing my job, that best that i could, not for my self but more so, for her.

She is my inspiration every day that i go to work.

Even if I am at work, a glance at her picture – set as wallpaper on my computer monitor puts a smile on my face and makes my entire being perked up to do my job.

By the time the clock hits 5:30 PM, I am happy to know that have finished another fruitful day in the office and I look forward to going home and to see my daughter. With a work schedule of six (6) days in a week, i just have to find quality time to be and bond with Rima and make the most out of our Sundays.

I cannot complain for having a job because my job provides me and my family a source of living.

I cannot complain for being a mother because motherhood gives me a reason for living.

To end, I am just happy and proud that I am able to find a way to do the balancing act of being a working mother.

And that goes to all the working mothers in Producers Bank.

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Joanne C. Manliclic, AM, HRMD

Yes! YOU CAN… Today.

Take the FIRST Step in Faith, you don’t have to see the whole staircase, you just have to TAKE the first step…

 -The Secret, Rhonda Brynes

Oftentimes has it been that people tend to doubt the miracle being presented before us. We always seek assurance if the “staircase” in front is good for: long term; for gains; for greater comparison than what you have at the present; or wore –if for REAL.

We tend to forget that it is our Faith which should feel, feel to follow upon. All of us tend to delay thin which we thought we are incapable of pursuing, but in doing so, we only delay the process of our own gratification. Why is it that most humans think small of themselves, in term of abilities and qualities, majority tend to fall short flat on their faces after a simple failure. They will cocoon from the present and thus dwell on the sour experience of yesterday, whereas, they in fact can use that past experience to prove to themselves that they can do greater good for the present.

Have you experienced failure in some aspect of your life before (or even now?) Be it in personal, career, passion or your mission in life? If yes, can you recall how you did react or respond towards it? I hope that you are just being reminded of the wrong doings of the past, but please my friend, never ever get stuck down there!

More is available for you here, NOW. We never know what “Tomorrow” might bring, but, if you give your best shot TODAY, you’ll be more likely to speed things up for what you achieve tomorrow. That is what’s great with us Humans, we can create and re-create numerous “us”, whatever we want to be, we CAN definitely achieve it, given that we do not lose our focus and determination of our interest to enjoy living to the fullest. Some do, they shut off and just proceed with the plateau of everyday living, without realizing what their true potential and passion really is.

For if you are able to realize what is your passion (what gives you constant joy) in life is, whatever that may be, you will experience the most surreal and incomparable BEING that you are. It is within your capacity to build up your dreams, to create the life that you really want; however, consistency is also part of the package of man – it is there to confuse and to think things over, but, majority do not wish to get up and proceed with continuity. Why not?

Because they tend to think that they are not that powerful enough. I chanced upon one context (Landmark Education) which fully opened doors for me in my life. Through it, I understood completely those man-made “why’s?” and “how’s” and I found answer already which now fully drives me over the brink of inner peace and happiness.

One need not go through that process of becoming, because you are already BECOMING as of every second of your life, each instance of realization which we can call “Breaking Point” or “Eureka moment” that is indeed a creation of yourself. You can be whoever you want to be, you can achieve whatever it is that you want, if you believe in yourself 100% that you really can, and be several form: family, friend, education, love ones, career, health, and all other members of your primary support system, express you gratitude.

Do not think that you are to start tomorrow, why not start now to create. Do not hold back, you’re that powerful, allow yourself to stop the power of procrastination with all your might, you will do it anyway, might as well give it your best shot NOW.

Yes, you create your own WORLD, TODAY.