ROSALINDA C.

PONCE-CALLANG
Behind every mans success is a woman. The famous adage, as it goes,
would best describe Rosalinda C. Ponce-Callang, who, for many years already, has
been one of the secrets of the successes of public servants of Cagayan. If Batman
has Robin and Spongebob has Patrick, Ms. Rosalinda Callang is that to her superiors.
She is the silent partner who helps accomplish the plans and visions of her
superiors. Like a political leader, she envisions a better Cagayan. Thus, she
untiringly helps and assists her superiors, who are most of the time, political
leaders, in creating a better Cagayan for the Cagayanos.
Rosalinda C. Ponce-Callang was born on January 22, 1972 at Pattao, Buguey,
Cagayan. She is married to Elmer C. Callang and was gifted with a son named
Jasper Keith P. Callang.
She finished her elementary education at Pattao Elementary School, Buguey,
Cagayan and her secondary at Cagayan State University Lal-lo Campus, Lal-lo,
Cagayan. On 1993, she finished her Bachelors Degree in Political Science at
Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, graduating as a Magna
cum Laude and receiving various awards.
Immediately after graduation, she worked as a Project Development Assistant
at the Provincial Planning and Development Office of the Province of Cagayan. While
working, she pursued further studies at Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao, taking up
Bachelor of Laws and Letters. She earned her LLB degree on 1997. In 1998, she
worked as a Legal Assistant in the Provincial Legal Office of the Provincial
Government of Cagayan. A year thereafter, she worked as the Local Legislative Staf
Officer IV in the Office of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Provincial
Government of Cagayan. Eight years later, she was promoted to Local Legislative
Staf Officer V, which position she holds up to present. In 2008, she finished her
Masters Degree in Public Administration at the University of Cagayan Valley,
(formerly the Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao) Tuguegarao City. On 2010 and in the
same university, she completed her Doctorate Degree in Public Administration after
passing the academic requirement and the comprehensive examination.
Ms. Rosalinda Callang, who is more popularly known in Office as Manang
Rose, can be best described as a silent achiever. She was able to attain educational
advancements and develop her career quietly and at the same time. From time to
time, she would willingly and enthusiastically attend and participate in various
technical trainings, seminars, conferences and workshops. She would always say,
Success belongs only to the people who are willing to work harder than anyone
else. She openly embraces all the tests as well as challenges in her career.
A mother and a sister to her officemates, Manang Rose never fails to give
advice and lend her ears when needed. She is known for her generosity and
kindness. Most of the time, her colleagues would seek her guidance and help and
she never fails them. She can be strict and perfectionist at times, especially when it
comes to work, but she is a jolly fellow most of the time.
Being an active member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, she devotes most of her free
time in church service. She may be busy with her work but she never fails to show
her devotion and care to her family.
Though Ms. Callang is not a political personality, her dedication towards
public service has always been beyond what is called for. To her, as long as you
have something to give, especially for the betterment of your fellowmen, then there
is no reason for you to hold back. Manang Rose pleases herself with maximizing all
her blessings to help other people. As can be inferred from her educational
background, politics and public service has always been her passion. If asked why
does she not try her luck in politics, she would just smile.

Manang Rose has her share of pride and triumphs. In October 2004, she was
awarded as one of the Top Ten Sales Counselors of the Philippines by Eternal Plans,
Incorporated. Likewise, on 2008, she was awarded a Plaque of Recognition as the
Most Outstanding Employee, Second Level, Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Province of
Cagayan. On the succeeding year, she was given the same award. She said, she
would forever be thankful to the people who believed in her. According to her, if not
for those who believed that she can make it, she would not be where she is right
now. She owes most of her successes to her mentors; to name a few are the former
Vice Governor of Cagayan, Honorable Oscar T. Pagulayan and the incumbent Vice
Governor of Cagayan, Honorable Leonides Odi Fausto.
In her years of service in the government, she was blessed with the
opportunity to harness her knowledge and develop her skills. Recently, she finished
the short courses in the capability enhancement program conducted by the
Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP). Such program was spearheaded by
her mentor, Vice Gov Odi. In the culminating ceremonies held last August 29, 2012,
where the Honorable Vice Governor Leonides N. Fausto garnered the Highest
Distinction of Excellence or Best in Policy Paper, Vice Gov Odi proudly shared that
his achievement was made possible by the untiring help of Ms. Callang. Surely, this
educational advancement she just earned would serve as a tool to give more to her
provincemates.
At present, you will find Manang Rose contented and pleased with whatever
she has. However, should there be opportunities and challenges along the way, she
would gladly undertake and go through them so long as it will redound to the
benefit of fellow Cagayanos. The story of Manang Rose is an example that you dont
have to have everything in order to touch lives. You can help other people in your
own ways. She may not be rich nor famous, but she already consider herself
successful. Because to her, success is not measured by the quantity of material
things you have but it is measured on how you have touched other peoples lives no
matter how little the resources you have.