WORKING in government is not easy. It is not a career anyone would love. But when one has the desire, passion and compassion for public service, then it's a breeze.
This is how 43-year-old Maricel Cansana Torrentira Sarabillo describes her job as a public information officer for the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) in Davao Region.
Sarabillo didn't imagine herself working with government as her desire was to serve the public through journalism.
“My decision to work in government was based on a personal discernment that this would be the place where I can still help the most and also learn the most,” Sarabillo said.
Sarabillo was first employed at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Mindanao in 2008 where for five years she learned to be tough, skillful, and welcoming.
“I was an admin assistant and secretary of the POEA head then, before I transferred to Owwa-Davao on December 1, 2013. I was not confident back then, but I wanted the job,” she added.
Sarabillo was hired as the agency's Labor Communications Officer in Owwa-Davao and was in-charge of the documentation, and press release and articles for all the activities of the Owwa.
“Little by little I was able to manage doing my job. I am a government employee willing and sincere to serve the public with humility and smile simply because I love my job,” Sarabillo said.
Sarabillo makes sure that she does all her assignments. She accepts all assignments and whatever other taasks the boss wants them to do.
“To become part of the Owwa family is a great opportunity for me to meet known people. I am grateful to them for this kind of opportunity I have,” Sarabillo said.
Born on March 17, 1975 in Davao City, Sarabillo is the eldest of 11 children of Moises and Elsa Torrentira. As eldest, she was trained to become a responsible person.
Although they were not rich, she is proud say that her parents were able to send all 11 children to a decent school and all were able to earn a degree.
Sarabillo completed her Bachelor of Science in Public Administrations from University of Southeastern Mindanao as a scholar in 1996.
Happily married to Frediswindo L. Sarabillo Jr. for 19 years now. Her husband was her college classmate in Usep Mintal in Davao City. They have three boys aged 18, 16 and 11.
“With my 43 years of existence in this world, I can say that I am the living example of the saying 'small but terrible.' I may be petite but I can do what big ones can do,” Sarabillo said.
Despite the heavy responsibilities on her shoulder, Sarabillo has not thought of ever quitting. The hectic schedules are but challenges to manage time, and she makes sure that she always has time for her family.
“If I am not working with Owwa or any of the government agencies, maybe I am an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). But God did not permit me to do so and luckily I got hired in government,” she said.
For Sarabillo, she said, being called by God and a member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo since 2004 is one of her achievements in life because living with God is living with harmony. Her inspiration is her family.