Joy and Compassion at Work

One of the persons who inspires me most in the Ateneo is my boss, Mrs. Marites Ramirez Veloso, who, for me, is like a “Superwoman”.  Mrs Veloso is the Director of the Testing and Research Office of the Ateneo High School, and also a consultant and a part-time teacher in St. Paul University.  Besides being a full-time career woman, she is also a wife and a mother of three beautiful and witty girls.  

We’ve known each other for 11 years now.  She was the major reason why I became a permanent employee in the High School. Apart from our professional relationship, she has also become very close to me on a personal level. Through the years, she has been my counselor, confidante, second mother, and most importantly, my friend.  Looking back at my life, when I was still struggling with major life decisions concerning settling down, Mrs Veloso patiently counseled me. I could say that it was through her influence that I learned the importance of loving myself first before loving others. Through her, I learned to have more confidence in myself and in my decisions. When my then boyfriend and I decided to get married last year, we were blessed to have her as one of our “ninangs”.  
 

I may say that I couldn't reach where I am now, if not due to her.  To me, she is a good superior because she is compassionate to us, her subordinates. She always makes us feel at ease and happy at work. Work has become light and easy to accomplish because she helps create a joyful atmosphere in our office, thanks to her charming and bubbly personality!

Through her leadership and good example, I have grown to love my work and the Ateneo Community.  I may say that the Ateneo is a comfort zone, especially when Mrs. Veloso is around

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Chona Malabanan with Mrs Marites Veloso, Director of the Testing
and Research Office of the Ateneo High School. Mrs Malabanan
has been happily serving as an office staff at the Ateneo for seven years now.