Leaving home, fulfilling a promise: Barbs’ story of faith and perseverance

Barbara Jamili, or simply Barbs, was born and raised in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo. She and her three siblings had known early in their life what it means to struggle, endure, and start over. Barbs was only six years old when her parents went their separate ways, and she did not bother to ask why. All she can recall is that her “nanay” took on the responsibility of being a single parent.

“Malungkot lalo na kapag nakakakita ako ng complete family. Minsan naiiyak na lang ako kasi my family is incomplete. I dreamt of having a complete family pero tinanggap ko na rin na hindi na mangyayari ‘yon,” Barbs shared. She knew then that her father went to Bacolod, and the next thing she learned is that he has already passed away. It was a painful childhood, but Barbs learned to bury these feelings.

Seeing how her mother grappled to provide for them, Barbs promised to finish her studies to pay it forward. “Talagang sinabi ko sa sarili ko na ga-graduate ako sa college. Dahil sakitin ang ate ko, na-inculcate sa mind ko na kailangan kong makapagtapos, kasi ako ang magiging breadwinner.”

She was able to pursue college through the help of her uncle who gave her a part-time job in his pharmacy. It took a lot of sleepless nights and efficient time management, but Barbs fulfilled her promise. She was able to graduate with a degree in commerce.

After she graduated, Barbs got a job offer as bookkeeper in Dipolog. But things soon turned out differently as she ended up being assigned in Coron, Palawan. “First time ko marinig ang Coron.” With mixed nervousness and excitement, Barbs accepted the job. She was ready to spread her wings and take on a new adventure. At age 24, Barbs went out of her comfort zone in Zamboanga and flew to Palawan. She had nothing but her hope for a better future for her family and her unwavering faith in God.

A time for self-discovery

Asked if she ever dreamt of working in Manila, Barbs answered with a quick “no”. She shared, “Noong nakita ko ang Manila, hindi ko talaga feel mag-work dito.” Barbs found Manila too crowded. It made her appreciate the peace and quiet of her hometown in Iloilo. Manila was a jungle Barbs was too afraid to enter.

Good thing, Barbs was assigned in Palawan. It may be far from home, but Barbs found comfort there. “Doon na-open ang mind ko na meron pa palang dapat i-enjoy. Ang ganda ng ginawa ni Lord.” Barbs stayed in Coron for seven months, in Puerto Princesa for six months and in Brooke’s Point for another six months.

In 2007, Barbs got a new assignment in Mindoro where she stayed for three years. For Barbs, it felt like the fulfillment of the promise she made a long time ago. She’s finally able to provide for her family. She was able to support the schooling of her two younger siblings, one of whom was taking law. More importantly, her mother finally got her much-needed rest and retirement. It was the taste of sweet success.

As much as she enjoyed her job, however, Barbs suddenly felt the tiresome travel requirements of her job. She shared that at times, she would be spending an entire month hopping from one place to another. In 2012, Barbs knew that it was time to get out of that circle and finally decided to try something new.

Doing the unexpected: working in Manila

It was something she did not see coming, but out of necessity, Barbs moved to Manila. Soon, Barbs found an opening in Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) and officially joined the team in November 2012 as a Finance Assistant.

The job was not at all new to her, but the demands in the Foundation soon caught up with Barbs. Responsibilities began to pile up. Pressure began to sink in. In ZFF, Barbs realized that you cannot dodge a task just because it’s not your forte. One time, Barbs had to take on a tax-related duty—something she did not enjoy in college. But that experience taught her many things. “Nakaka-pressure pero kaya mas rewarding din kapag nagawa mo. May na-contribute sa ZFF, at may natutunang bago,” Barbs shared.

But at some point, Barbs almost let her emotions get the better of her. Overwhelmed, Barbs applied for another job and got scheduled for an interview, but something inside her gave her second thoughts. The joy she found in ZFF outweighed the doubts she was feeling. Eventually, Barbs turned down the offer and decided to stay in ZFF. Now the Human Resources Compensation and Benefits Associate at ZFF, looking back Barbs said she holds no regrets. What matters most to her is the friendship she formed with her colleagues. “Kahit minsan may hindi pagkakaunawaan, at the end of the day, kayo pa rin ang magtutulungan. Hindi kami nag-iiwanan.”

Equipped with the knowledge and strength she gained through the years, Barbs feels ready for whatever life may throw her way.

“Pinatibay ako ng ZFF,” Barbs ended.