Napaibig sa Pag-IBIG

(A Narrative Report)
Preface
It was exactly three years ago before I entered college, when I could feel my heart
racing whenever I think of myself after graduating and having a job - waking up early,
working 8 hours or more a day, independence, working for money to sustain needs and
more. The thought of it alone makes me a bit worried and a bit nervous, not because I am
lazy nor I am not capable but because of the pressures and all of the what-ifs that I have
in my head.
April 20, 2015 is the date where I tried to pave way to that lamest fear ever existed in
the world. Surprisingly, it turned out differently than what I expected.

Day 1
I entered into a room full of unknown
people coming from all walks of life- from
stilettos to doll shoes to sneakers to slippers
until we approached this petite fine woman,
she was smiling from a far, that kind of smile
that is as if weve known each other for quite a long time. Her smile is so contagious, that
I even forget when to stop smiling.
She finally have introduced herself. That fine young woman with contagious and
beautiful smile is the Admin Personnel, Maam Muriel Faith A. Goles. I too, introduced
myself and was also introduced to my site supervisor, Maam Heidi M. Quitoriano. Her

beauty, her face, looks so familiar that Ive been thinking for minutes on the probability
of meeting her in the past, then, Alas! She looks like that PBB Housemate, the one that
Ive seen in the Cadbury commercial, Jessica Connely! (For reference see Appendix A)
I was then introduced to my tasks during this
training. Answering calls, sending scanned
documents and more are just few in the list. It
sounds and looks easy but wed never know
what lies ahead.
Day 2
I arrived at my office earlier than the call time with the slightest idea on what would
my tasks be. All I know is that Ill answer phone calls, and then whats next? Yes,
answering a phone call is as easy as 1, 2, 3 but being asked by questions about their loan,
loan status, check and more, this is where the hard part starts.
Pag-IBIG Fund Iligan, Good Morning!, I said with enthusiasm. Quite scripted
opening salvo I have there and it turned out well not because I have answered his inquiry
(yes, HIS. My first client was a male and I still do remember his name but I guess I am
not allowed name names, am I?) but because my site supervisor answered it for me. And
I honestly want to evaporate that moment because it was just a one simple phone call and
Im supposed to answer his queries but I sincerely
do not know what to answer. This calls for selfimprovement, I positively said.
With too much eagerness to learn, I was
grasping all the instructions as much as I could that

my site supervisor have said. I finally have known how to use the computer programs
(MC Verif and STL), how to compute loanable amount, how to discern accounts that
could loan or not, how to interpret data from the programs, how to transfer call and their
specific assigned numbers, recipients of the scanned documents and the names of my
bosses.
One funny experience I have on this day was when a caller was looking for Mrs.
Goles. Me being unsure if who really Mrs. Goles is, I asked the right person if she was
that Mrs. Goles the caller was looking. She laughed before she nodded, and I laughed
back.
Day 5
Pag-IBIG Fund Iligan, Good Morning!, I said enthusiastically. This opening salvo
may be overused but trust me it is necessary. In some cases, it is necessary to repeat that
line twice or thrice because some callers would still ask if theyre calling the right
number.
On this day, my English proficiency was tested without me knowing. Phone rings
and answered it by again, saying that opening salvo. Surprisingly, the caller was a
foreigner! I can tell by his accent that I couldnt comprehend to whatever hes saying.
Since I needed someone that would serve him best, I referred him into the hands of the
expert.
Day 10
I get used to all the tasks I have at hand that it felt a lot easier to do it all at the same
time. On this day, I was expecting my adviser to visit us in our workplace for evaluation.
Honestly, I couldnt even concentrate on my tasks just thinking about what my site

supervisor would think of me. Am I a slow learner? Not capable of working? Cant get a
simple instruction? Countless list of these just makes me a lot more worried than before.
Enough with all the fears and just letting His will be done is what Im thinking trying to
cover my cloudy thoughts into some positive
ones.
Our adviser arrived and I swear, you can tell
Im nervous by the way I look. My adviser
interviewed my site supervisor and it looks like
it turned out well. You can see it with their
smiles and gestures also from the line I quote from my adviser after the interview: You
made me proud, darling. I do not know the exact words my site supervisor have told my
adviser but its flattering that finally all your hardships have paid off.
Day 15
Today I feel so sentimental of all the things and people that Ill miss. Separation
anxiety as they call it, yes, Ill definitely miss answering phone calls, sending scanned
documents but what Ill definitely miss the most are the different types of people in the
office - the smiling ones, the talkative ones, the serious ones and the ones I used to get
along with.
Conclusion
The entire experience is an eye-opener for me. It have helped me figure out the great
differences of working and schooling. It also have developed me into a better person by
nurturing my skills from the tasks in this training. Moreover, it prepares me after I
graduate on how to cope up with all the pressures and realities in this world. More

importantly, I have learned to overcome that lamest fear I once had, that working thing.
I owe this change of heart of course, to the people in the office. For without them, I
wouldnt conquer this fear.
Who would have thought working would be this fun? Truly, after this entire training,
it is a must to say that ako ay napaibig sa Pag-IBIG!

Acknowledgment
To the strangers that later turned into awesome people that made this training
worthwhile:
Maam Cristy and Kuya Caloy for killing all the dull moments in the office and for
sharing some of their life-learning stories;
My co-Student Trainees and newly discovered friends, specially to Nor Wafa and
And Ate Karen for being such a good co-trainee and friend to me;
Pag-IBIG employees specially to Maam Monet and Sir Rey Arabaca for acting like
a friend and a parent to me in the office and for making me laugh at times when Maam
Monet tells a joke and Sir Rey A. make weird voices;
Maam Muriel for always showing that beautiful smile of hers that would always
light up my mood, for feeding my stomach at times, for laughing at my corny jokes, for
helping me answer clients inquiries, for helping me identify the person the caller wants
to talk to and of course for accepting us as student trainees;
Maam Heidi who turns out to be my far far far relative that we later discovered for
imparting her expertise to me by guiding and supervising me in the office. I also wanted
to tell you how much I appreciate your kindness, patience and love that youve shown me

along the way. Thank you for being like a mother to me (The reason why I greeted you A
Happy Mothers Day! You do not have to bear a child to be a mother, Maam. Some do
bear a child but are not considered mothers at all. You are considered a mother because
you treat someone with utmost care, kindness and love)
Maam Vina for without her approval we wouldnt get to experience the love only
Pag-IBIG Fund could give, the knowledge only Pag-IBIG could impart and the skill only
Pag-IBIG Fund could develop.
Most specially to the God Almighty for the blessing of experience, knowledge and
friendship that he have bestowed. All praise and honor are yours, Papa Jesus!
Ako nga ay napa-IBIG sa Pag-IBIG! Maraming salamat sa mainit na pagtanggap!
See you when I see you. God bless us all!