Conquering fears, reaching new heights 

Christian Deniega is the second among three siblings. Christian lived a simple life in Sorsogon where her father worked as a carpenter, and her mother as a store owner. Her parents were only able to finish elementary school. They barely scraped by, Christian recalled, but the time she spent with her family in Sorsogon remains her most treasured memory. 

As a child, Christian always dreamed of joining the police force. She has always considered herself one of the boys. She goes where there is action and challenge. “Ang nasa isip ko talaga noon e matapang sila at talagang magtatanggol sa naaapi.” Christian found it a noble profession. However, Christian had to set aside her ambition and take the practical road. 

Besides giving up on her dream, Christian also had to build a new life in Manila where she had to go for school. Christian tried to convince her mom to just let her stay in Sorsogon, but it didn’t work. “Iyak ako nang iyak noon kasi namimiss ko ang mga puno, ang bundok. Tapos bigla akong pumunta sa siyudad,” she recalled. 

To appease her, Christian remembers her aunts and cousins taking her to Greenbelt. For the first time, Christian witnessed the fascinating city lights and the skyscrapers of Metro Manila, but she missed the peace and quiet of Sorsogon, the laugh-til-you-drop moments with her friends, and the comforting presence of her family. 

Help comes to those in need

She always had the impression that Manila is tumultuous. Fear almost consumed Christian when she thought about Manila. It was a huge shift for her, but Christian knew it was necessary. “Parang ‘pag tatanga-tanga ka, pagtatawanan ka. Ibu-bully ka. Kaya ko ba makipagsabayan?” It took her two years before she slowly got comfortable with life in Manila. Being away with her family heightened those fears. Because there were no mobile phones yet at that time, Christian’s mom used to call her using a payphone. “Bihira pa ‘yun kasi mahal pa noon ang isang tawag.” Christian just convinced herself that no beginning is comfortable and fixed her sight on her goal of finishing college.  

Life in Manila was a challenge in itself, but Christian found it even harder when she started college. “Sabi ko, ano ba itong trigonometry, algebra, calculus.” Again, Christian found herself helpless, but she met some people who made things a little more bearable for her. They extended their help to Christian, and they eventually became each other’s support system. “Sabi nila, dapat sabay-sabay tayong ga-graduate. Darating ang araw na maghihihiwalay tayo, pero ang mahalaga may natutunan tayo sa bawat isa.” Christian’s worries were replaced by hope. 

Time to give back

Christian easily found a job because of the enrollment to employment program of her school, STI College in Parañaque City. She landed a job in a local government unit where she used to earn 250 pesos per day. Christian also worked in an electronics company in Laguna and in a maintenance janitorial services agency. “Hindi ganoon kalaki ang sahod ko pero proud ako dahil kahit paano, nakakapag-payback na ako sa mga nagsakripisyo at mga nagpaaral sa akin.” 

A friend referred Christian to an agency that eventually introduced her to the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF). In September 2016, Christian served as temporary staff for ZFF’s partnership project with the US Agency for International Development. Her supposed two-month stint was extended until she officially joined the Human Resources workforce.  

Christian witnessed how the organization flourished—from having manual daily timekeeping record to having automated operations. “Nakita ko ang development. Naging mas madali sa staff and sa akin. No more everyday follow-ups. Sa puso ko, ayaw ko na walang sasahod na staff.” 

ZFF, Christian said, taught her the value of accountability. Though she learned it the hard way, it is something she will carry for the rest of her professional career.  Things were not easy, but Christian found the support she needed.

During those times when things seemed too much, Christian found comfort in Wesley [Villanueva], former Administrative and Finance Director at ZFF, whom she regards as a second father—someone who is always concerned about his children’s future. “Hindi siya madamot mag-share ng knowledge,” said Christian. Wes even encouraged Christian and other clerks to undergo training activities and to enroll in TESDA courses. “Malaki ang utang na loob ko kay Sir Wes. Inalalayan niya ako at tinulungan umunlad bilang tao.” 

From the probinsyana who dreaded going to Manila, Christian has gone a long way. She gained maturity and developed deeper appreciation of life. Perhaps, the biggest reward for Christian is seeing her efforts pay off. “Naiisip mo na nakakatulong ka sa pagbabago sa community as you do your work sa pagtulong sa staff. Kapag natutugunan mo ang mga request ng staff, alam mong makakaabot ‘yon sa community.”

Now as an Assistant under the Shared Services Pool at ZFF, Christian holds no regrets on how her career turned out to be. “Wala akong pagsisisi. Alam kong dito ako nakatadhana.” And that is enough for her to keep going, especially now that it is her turn to guide her two children to fulfill their own dreams.