Finding my perfect match: Pam’s answer to the call of community service

“Okay lang anak. Huwag kang masyadong ma-pressure. Enjoy mo lang ang college.” These were the words of Pamela Bianca Mangilin’s father when she was about to start her college life at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

With her confidence and communication skills, it is no wonder Pam once wanted to become a journalist. However, she ended up taking economics and admitted that, “Pinangarap ko lang matutunan ang stocks kasi gusto kong matutunan kung paano magkaroon ng higher returns. It was merely economic talaga.”

But her days in college made her realize that it is not what she wanted to do in the next years of her life.

“Actually, BS Org ako noong college eh,” Pam lightheartedly remarked. It is a common joke among UP students who joined several organizations during their stay in the university. She was a member of the university’s official student publication, UPLB Perspective, and the UP Film Circle, which both reflect her passion for media-inclined activities.

But Pam was also a natural leader. She joined the civic organization Junior Jaycees in Los Baños and UPLB Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, the university’s volunteer program. One summer during college, Pam joined an unrequired internship in Punla sa Tao Foundation just because she did not want to be idle at home.

Pam was immersed in the community. “We were asked to make an economic development plan for weaver beneficiaries in Cavinti and Lumban, Laguna.” The internship lasted for only three months, but it was more than enough time to make Pam realize that she wants to pursue development work.

These socio-civic organizations were instrumental in making Pam find her true calling. “Nasabi ko sa sarili ko na ito ang gusto ko. Something na magbe-benefit ang karamihan [sa community], may impact sa mga tao. At siguro dahil na rin sa naging influence sa akin ng UP, to serve the people,” Pam added.

It’s meant to be

Fresh out of college and motivated by economic reasons, Pam tried to find jobs in the corporate world, but to no avail. She even considered getting a job not related to her degree due to the competitive compensation. Pam recalls telling herself that she would apply for a job in a call center, a then rising industry in her hometown, if she fails to find another one by July.

But before her ultimatum ended in July 2009, Pam got an offer from Microfinance Innovation Center for Resources and Alternatives (MICRA) as market researcher, designing microfinance products for their clients.

Pam recalls that one UPLB batch mate applied for the same position, and she thought she was at a disadvantage since her friend earned higher grades in college. “Mas mataas ang general weighted average (GWA) niya, kaya nagulat ako noong ako ang pinili.” She later found out that the employer counted her [community work] experience as more relevant than the grades she earned. “Sabi ko, ay nakatulong pala ‘yon. Feeling ko meant to be siya. Kasi hindi ko naman talaga planado ang internship na ‘yon kasi talagang bored lang ako, tapos nagkataong development work pa. Baka kaya hindi rin ako na-hire sa corporate kasi, hindi naman pala talaga ‘yun ang gusto ko. Sabi ko nga, ang development work parang meant to be kami.”

In 2012, Pam joined Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) for the researcher position under the Research and Advocacy Unit. The Foundation had less than 50 employees then.

Pam found the satisfaction she has been longing for. Being a mom as well, Pam understood why many mothers in the community were grateful for ZFF’s interventions. “Kapag bumababa ako sa mga Local Government Units (LGUs), nagfe-feedback sila na nagpapasalamat sila sa ZFF dahil nagkaroon sila ng birthing facilities. Naging mas madali sa kanila magpa-prenatal tapos doon na rin sila nanganganak. Doon ko talaga nakuha ‘yung joy.”

She also takes pride at developing and improving the organization’s program roadmaps which, until now, are proven effective and beneficial for LGUs to monitor the implementation of health programs. “Nakita ng mga tao kung gaano ka-useful ‘yung ginagawa mo. ‘Yun ang fulfilling. That’s what made me stay. Na-feel ko na yung pinaghirapan ko, nagagamit, at may benefit siya sa mga tao.”

Pam then worked as monitoring and evaluation officer for a ZFF – United States Agency for International Development (USAID) project. It was a three-year project focused on maternal and child health, tuberculosis, and family planning.

But it did not come easy for Pam.

“Pagpasok ko pa lang sa ZFF, sabi ko tatapusin ko lang yung six months. Okay ako sa mga tao, pero masyadong mabilis dapat ang learning curve mo. It’s so steep. Hindi dapat matagal. It can be draining.” Doing roadmaps, for instance, would require her to read and understand memos, manuals, and laws. Every item in a roadmap is of utmost importance. She cannot miss a single detail.

“Habang ginagawa ko yung roadmap, magtatanong ako ‘ano pong inputs n’yo?’ Bago pa lang ako sa health eh. Bago sa akin yung terms ng health.”

Having no medical background, Pam kept her nose to the grindstone. “Doon ko nakuha ‘yung complete staff work. Dati kasi nasanay ako na ‘pag nagpatawag ka ng meeting, doon ka kukuha ng inputs. Dito sa ZFF dapat ‘pag nagpatawag ka, may ipe-present ka na.”

It was a difficult lesson, but it makes the work even more valuable.

Here to stay

Pam admits that ZFF allowed her to have a change of heart towards people in the local government. “Nabago ‘yong perspective ko about working with the LGUs. Ang mindset kasi madalas, lahat may lagay (bribe). Parang negative na agad ang mindset.” In ZFF, Pam encountered leaders who have the noble purpose of helping the marginalized sectors of the population.

The Foundation also showed Pam that change starts from yourself. “Nakita ko na kaya mas effective ang programs ng ZFF, nako-connect nila ang ginagawa nila sa values nila as a person. Ganoon din sa akin, laging ibinabalik ni ZFF ang work mo sa values mo. Hindi lahat ng organizations ganon.”

For people who seek to join ZFF, Pam has these things to say, “If you want a high impact, fulfilling work at the same time ma cha-challenge ka, mahahanap mo ‘yon dito. Ang work sa ZFF hindi repetitive, it will always challenge you. At the same time, there is a safe space created. Regardless of your rank, alam mong may karapatan kang sabihin ang opinyon mo sa mga bagay. They will listen to you.”