Finding clarity: ZFF as Rio’s map and compass

Rio del Valle has always been independent. She did not mind being left alone while her parents worked.

Rio has always known her strengths, too. She danced with her childhood friends and joined competitions. Rio also had the confidence to lead so she joined the student council. Juggling different things and doing them well came naturally to Rio so she had extra-curricular activities while maintaining good grades.

Despite all the things she knew about herself, Rio found herself wondering about the path she would want to take. Rio made decisions for practical reasons, but more questions came to her mind when she began her life’s chapter as a working individual.

After earning her degree, Rio worked in the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics and later in the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). “I explored, and I let life take me to any path.” Everything seemed fine until Rio started questioning if she can see herself working in and for the government for the rest of her career. “As a young professional mako-compare mo rin talaga minsan ang sarili mo sa batchmates mo. Enough ba itong kinikita ko? Then you will see na mabilis ang career ladder nila,” Rio shared.

It was a realization that did not dishearten Rio but instead inspired her to venture out and explore more of life’s possibilities. That was when she decided to join a private market research company. Things were different. Processes were faster. Salaries were not delayed. “But I had to ask myself, sino bang sine-serve ko dito?” Then it finally occurred to her that she was mainly serving the company to improve its marketing strategies. Rio added, “We helped companies to grow profit. Personally, parang hindi ako satisfied sa ganoong purpose.” Again, Rio found herself in search of a higher purpose.

Rio accepted a consultancy position handling a youth project of DOLE and the Asian Development Bank. The project aimed to provide employment and training opportunities to youth members and guided them in choosing their career path. Rio said, “It was challenging kasi wala ka sa office setting. Ikaw ang gagalaw for yourself. You implement. You have to be creative about how you engage with the Local Government Unit.” Spending three years in the program, Rio finally realized what she wanted to do.

Going out of her comfort zone, serving the people

Rio continued what she already started—working in and for the community. In 2019, she joined Zuellig Family Foundation as Monitoring and Evaluation Associate. “I believe that God will lead you where you are meant to be.” For her, finding and getting a job in ZFF was not a mere coincidence but a journey she was always bound to take.

She regards working in ZFF as a blessing that made her appreciate the value of work and life. It was not a walk in the park, though. Rio had her own apprehensions when she joined ZFF, but those fears were outweighed by the admiration she holds for the Foundation’s work, vision, and mission. “‘Yong purpose sobrang defined.” Sometimes, life became overwhelming but it only reaffirmed why she once dreamed of becoming a doctor. “Gusto ko pala talagang makatulong sa tao. Here in ZFF, kahit hindi ako doktor, I still serve the people. More than getting the title of a doctor, I get to serve the people,” said Rio.

Her commitment to serve was put to test when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country. Teams had to be shuffled to form the Local Health System Pandemic Response group. Staff had to work remotely. But the inequities revealed by the pandemic just deepened her motivation to continue doing ZFF’s work. “I felt na yung ginagawa namin, very significant. In a way, our work helped the country address the pandemic. We don’t have to be perfect, but we always think about how we can best help them.” Things were hard, but Rio worked harder.

Map and compass

Rio believes that every person has their own purpose. For Rio, her purpose has always been serving the people. Now a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Expert for the Nutrition Portfolio at ZFF, Rio shared, “That is what ZFF has given me. ZFF is very true to its mission and vision. I am always reminded bakit ako nagtatrabaho. At the same time, you will never feel that you are working alone. You will feel that we are all in this together. We are looking at one goal. We are one in ZFF.”

Rio struggled to find what she really wanted to do before she found ZFF. For her, it was like going to a destination without a map or a compass. “ZFF showed me the way to go. Before, I knew I wanted to help, but that’s vague. ZFF showed me what I can do more. I found my path and purpose.”