Unexpected twists and turns: Patricia Nable
Casino, dasal, and that thing called quarter-life crisis
Patricia Angeline Nable’s road to the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) was marked with crazy and unexpected twists and turns.
“Sa una kong work, I had to join field contractors in putting up electric posts for our client MERALCO. The task was to audit the contractor’s compliance with procedures, and not really financial auditing. Although my employer was an auditing firm, I didn’t experience real auditing work.” Not finding satisfaction in her work, Pat joined a group of friends—all new graduates who had just passed the CPA board exams—in a Korean company operating a casino junket at the posh Solaire Resort and Casino, Manila.
“The pay was good and I was thrilled to be involved in setting up the operation’s cashiering and control system and processes but after a year, the work became a drag. Dahil na set-up na ang systems, we mainly supervised the cashiers. Besides, the business operation was fairly simple. We ran a junket, bringing in people to play at the VIP casino and bet against house money.”
Pat, whose mom taught Elementary English and Math, was raised with a sense of service. In college, she participated in community service programs as part of the Lay Apostolate. For her National Service Training Program course, she found joy in teaching mothers from low-income communities in Manila how to make dishwashing detergent. Pat started to feel demotivated at the latter part of her second year at the casino.
“Paulit-ulit na lang at walang growth,” lamented Pat, recalling that period more than five years ago. “I realized I didn’t fit the casino culture. My values, mostly influenced by my teacher mom, seemed in conflict with the company’s practices. The company profits when gamblers lose a lot of money. It didn’t sit right with me; it didn’t serve my purpose.”
Pat resigned towards the end of November 2015. After a month of “doing nothing”, she realized she was experiencing a quarter-life crisis. During this time, Pat’s mom began vigorously searching for job opportunities until she found the Finance Associate post advertised by ZFF on Jobstreet.com. Pat’s attention was captured by ZFF’s purpose, a stark contrast from her former company’s business model. On December 28, 2015, Pat applied for the job and the rest is history.
“I look forward to going to work everyday kasi I am serving with purpose. Unlike in my former office, mataas nga ang sweldo pero ‘di na fu-fulfill ang sense of purpose ko. I find much satisfaction knowing that my work helps achieve a greater purpose, contributing to improved health outcomes for the poor and needy.”
“Nong nasa quarter-life crisis ako, my prayer was for God to lead me to a place that’s aligned with my character and values.” Thankfully, Pat found her happy place in ZFF and is currently the Foundation’s Finance Manager.
