To A Dear Friend, OO

No amount of words is enough to express how thankful I am to you for being the many things you are to me – mentor, trainer, and most of all a very good friend. I’ve been meaning to draft this blog to share to my network and luckily, I found time to finish it today.

For those who’re reading this post, I’m referring to my friend and former colleague, Ofel Orcales, better known to many in our industry as OO. Some weeks back she left the company we’re both working for since 2004. OO and I started wayback, when the company was just about to launch. She was the first employee of the training department and I was the second.

Working with OO as my immediate superior was different from among the many bosses I had and heard of, not because she has become a good friend of mine, but because she is professional, objective, and smart. Those are but a few of her many positive characteristics, that is. In the four years we’ve worked together I learned a lot of things from her – related to training, HR, managing people, etc. and most especially valuing FRIENDSHIP in its real sense. This I must say is what I will always cherish. We still often communicate with each other but it’s definitely different now that we’re no longer co-workers.

I look back and realize how many things have changed. I’ve achieved a lot of things professionally and personally. And I attribute my success to my family (especially My Love Nald) and few friends like OO who’ve unselfishly supported me in my endeavors. In the past four years with my current company, I’ve been promoted twice and have handled three departments. All of these great milestones because of my skills and talents which OO helped enhance.

I’d often refer to her as ‘Gabriela Silang’ because she may also be tough as a dragon when needed. Yes, she is a professional through and through but she knows what to stand up for, she doesn’t say YES all the time, and most of all, she always keeps in mind what’s best for everyone. I applaud her ways how she can be the most composed individual in spite the hell that people or situations present her. I still have to master that skill, which OO has … naturally. LOL! Sometimes I just can’t help myself but just be outrageously feisty. Thanks to OO, I’m learning the art of CONTROL or in other words, GRACE UNDER PRESSURE!

OO, thank you again for everything, for the four years we’ve worked together. Let’s always keep in touch – our lunch and breakfast dates together with MysTERI!!! Who knows we’ll be working together again, right?!!!!