Charmed to the core: Charmaine’s personal transformation in ZFF

Charmaine Carating spent a simple life in Malolos, Bulacan. Since she considered herself a shy kid, Charm preferred staying at home reading romance books.

She wanted to pursue teaching like her uncle but their financial situation discouraged her from doing so. Instead, she finished a two-year computer secretarial vocational course in Bulacan. After all, she wanted to work right away so she could start providing for her family. Charm worked in a dressed chicken factory. It posed health risks since they had to be on a shifting schedule every week, but Charm knew that quitting was not an option for her. “Talagang disrupted ang body clock doon. Tulog ka sa umaga, gising sa gabi.” 

Being picky about jobs she applied for was not in Charm’s vocabulary. Charm always went wherever there was an opportunity to earn for her family. She took on a job in a school canteen and later as a babysitter. “Masaya kasi mahilig ako sa babies. Two months old ‘yung una kong inalagaan. Mahirap pero masaya. Nasubaybayan ko ang paglaki niya.”

In 2015, Charm relocated to Parañaque to tend to her cousin’s baby. Soon, a new door opened for her when a friend encouraged her to send an application to the World Class Manpower agency. After three days, she got a call from the agency and asked her to report to the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF). “Wala akong idea noon, pero nakipagsapalaran pa rin ako.”

Much to her delight, Charm was hired for the encoder post under the Technical Services Group. “Noong una, bago talaga sa akin ang office work. Sobrang laki ng paninibago.” But these changes, Charm shared, also led her to things she would have not done if she did not join ZFF. 

ZFF pushed her to overcome her insecurities. She learned to interact with people since she must help in organizing various events. She became more assertive. “Mas observer kasi akong tao.” She is just grateful that everyone in the organization was approachable, making things easier for her. 

Charm said that she also owes a lot to ZFF’s former Administrative and Finance Director, Wesley Villanueva, who became her guide and mentor. He was also instrumental for Charm to study bookkeeping and computer servicing in 2017. “Talagang pinu-push kami ni Sir Wes na mag-aral para lumawak din ang kaalaman namin.”

Her post also opened her eyes that motherhood is not just about taking care of cute babies. It broke her heart to know that many mothers and newborn children die because of inequities in the health system in certain provinces. “Malungkot kasi may mga province na may namamatay na nanay at babies. Masakit sa loob. Kaya promise ko sa sarili ko na tutulong ako kahit sa konting bagay basta makatulong sa kapwa.”

More than just a workplace

For Charm, ZFF is also a family as she recalled how the staff comforted her during one of the most trying times of her life. When her father was diagnosed with a terminal disease, Charm almost lost hope and just wanted to quit and go home. But her ever-supportive mentor Wes lifted her spirits and said that her family needs her now more than ever. “Kung uuwi ka doon, walang mangyayari. Saan ka kukuha ng panggastos, pang-support sa family mo? Kung nandito ka, makakasupport ka sa kanila,” Charm recalled Wes telling her.

That statement from her superior rekindled Charm’s hope and motivated her to do her job. Because of this, she was able to support her father’s three-year medication. Although he eventually passed on, Charm remained grateful that this situation revealed that she will always have a second family in ZFF. Since then, ZFF has become more than just a workplace to Charm.

Deepened compassion

Looking back, Charm could not imagine that she has been in ZFF for almost a decade. “Sabi ko dati parang hindi ako tatagal. Iba ang environment. Iba ang galawan. Malayo siya sa pag-aalaga ng bata, o pagtitinda. E ‘yon lang naman ang alam ko dati.”

That is why Charm commits herself to do even better. She has become more committed to the organization.

She is proud to be a part of an organization that pursues its goals, especially reducing maternal deaths. “Marami nang nagawa ang ZFF. Pinu-pursue talaga nila na walang nanay o sanggol ang mamatay. Proud akong maging part ng organization na ito.” 

More than the skills and knowledge, the organization deepened her compassion. “Ang sarap magtrabaho knowing that ‘yong ginagawa mo hindi lang para sa sarili mo.”