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IAMRAFI: I Finally Found My Home
The Story of Ricel Bugtai and Her Journey to Her First Decade with RAFI
By Marco Paulo Trajano Deligero | February 13, 2018
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This is a story of a young girl named Ricel, recipient of the Aboitiz family’s CSR initiatives, and how far that seed of generosity and caring has brought her, ten years after.
The calculator
It was when Ricel was in fourth year high school when she became part of a very memorable experience that made her decide that she wanted to work in an Aboitiz company.
“I was really touched by the generosity of Aboitiz Group Foundation Inc. (AGFI), the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV), which is now known as the Aboitiz Foundation Inc., for extending financial assistance to all deserving public school students, including me.” Ricel said.
She was the class valedictorian of her batch at the Lanipga National High School in Consolacion, Cebu.
“The assistance was really an answered prayer for someone like me who, back then, I badly needed a scientific calculator to be used in school but could not afford to get one, as I belonged to a marginalized family.”
In her words, Ricel said that through an unexpected blessing, she was able to acquire one, which she still keeps until now as souvenir, even though it is no longer functioning well.
Continuing her story, Ricel said that after finishing high school, she applied for a scholarship with another foundation in order to pursue her education.
“Unfortunately, with the many requirements to comply and the transportation cost (I was staying then with my grandparents who lived in a mountain barangay), I failed to beat the deadline. That forced me to look for a job to pursue my college education.”
Little did she know that she was destined for something better. “With the help of our principal, I received an invitation, again from AGFI, to participate in a training which eventually led me to receive a full academic scholarship from the University of Southern Philippines Foundation under their re-engineered accountancy program.”
On her journey to being part of RAFI
Twelve years ago, Ricel started her career in accounting which eventually led her to RAFI.
“After graduating in 2005, I was hired by an auditing firm where I had my on-the- job training. Two years later, I felt that my heart was looking for something different, and that I think led me to RAFI. I immediately sent in my application for a job opening in RAFI and was then hired on April 10, 2007.”
And in November 2017, Ricel celebrated her first decade working with RAFI as the Senior Accountant for Finance and Admin.
“This is my way of giving back and saying ‘thank you’ to the Aboitiz family who have helped me. They might not even remember helping this young girl years ago from out of the thousands that they have helped, but it was that seed they planted that has now grown and has created a huge impact in my life,” she said.
“A day is so meaningful knowing that I work to help others as well, it is very fulfilling. I finally found my second home in RAFI,” she added.
On finding meaning and having impact
Every day, one of the tasks Ricel does is generating financial reports.
“In my job, I have compliance, financial reports and pay-roll. That’s my contribution to the team: 8 support teams, 6 program teams. Which would be a basis for their performance for that month and year like those that they report or present every General Assembly.”
“I hope that the story of how I stayed in RAFI for a decade, and counting, would inspire people to stay, because based on my experience with the Aboitiz Group and with RAFI, the organization is very instrumental in the success of its people, both personally and professionally.” Ricel proudly said.
Your biggest career and life motivation
“Family is my life motivation. In my career I look up to several people but I really look up to Ma’am Domi, because of her leadership and compassion. There was a time when she was the temporary leader in our department and she was a great help to my job and I learned a lot.”
On her greatest career accomplishment and challenge
“I was promoted in 2016 and that gave me the motivation to strive more and perform more to deliver my job.”
Traveling to work is one of the greatest challenges for Ricel.
“I live in Cotcot, Liloan which is a two-hour travel, one way, but I simply focus on my work here in RAFI, and it keeps me more determined knowing that I am able to contribute to the growth of the Foundation.”
On being a RAFINIAN and leaving a mark
When asked how she wants to be remembered, Ricel said that being a RAFINIAN means having the heart to serve others; to give more than what is expected of you.
“I would like to be known as a worker who values the resources of the company and works efficiently, effectively and independently, and someone who gives value to teamwork and team effort.”
Ricel on her greatest lesson learned and to people that matters
“For me, what I’ve learned while working with RAFI is to help people without expecting anything in return.”
“Despite all the hardships I’ve been experienced, as long as I know that I was able to give support to people including to different RAFI programs, I would already be very happy and fulfilled,” she added.
“I was never alone in this journey. I would like to thank God first. God never abandoned me. I would also like to thank my family, friends, and my colleagues; to the Finance and Admin (FAD) team for supporting me all the way.”
“To Ma’am Domi, thank you so much for all the mentoring. It is an honor working here in RAFI and I am so grateful.”
“To the AGFI/Aboitiz family, my sincerest thank you for all the help in leading me to reach my dreams. It’s been an incredible journey… from being that young girl needing a scientific calculator to the woman that I am today. I am happy and fulfilled. #IAMRAFI.”
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“I was really touched by the generosity of Aboitiz Group Foundation Inc. (AGFI), the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV), which is now known as
the Aboitiz Foundation Inc., for extending financial assistance to all deserving public school students, including me.”
[/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide button_link=”#” background_image=”https://www.rafi.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/fam-whole..jpg” background_position=”default” background_size=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” image=”https://www.rafi.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/fam-whole..jpg” use_bg_overlay=”on” bg_overlay_color=”rgba(63,63,63,0.74)” alignment=”center” background_layout=”dark” allow_player_pause=”off” text_border_radius=”3″ header_font_size=”13px” header_letter_spacing=”41px” body_font=”Arimo|on|on||” body_font_size=”14px” body_letter_spacing=”0px” body_line_height=”26.1px” disabled=”off”]
“Family is my life motivation. In my career I look up to several people but I really look up to Ma’am Domi, because of her leadership and compassion. There was a time when she was the temporary leader in our department and she was a great a help to my job and I learned a lot.”
[/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide button_link=”#” background_image=”https://www.rafi.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/fam-whole….jpg” background_position=”default” background_size=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” image=”https://www.rafi.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/fam-whole….jpg” use_bg_overlay=”on” bg_overlay_color=”rgba(63,63,63,0.74)” alignment=”center” background_layout=”dark” allow_player_pause=”off” text_border_radius=”3″ header_font_size=”13px” header_letter_spacing=”41px” body_font=”Arimo|on|on||” body_font_size=”14px” body_letter_spacing=”0px” body_line_height=”26.1px” disabled=”off”]
“Family is my life motivation. In my career I look up to several people but I really look up to Ma’am Domi, because of her leadership and compassion. There was a time when she was the temporary leader in our department and she was a great a help to my job and I learned a lot.”
[/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide button_link=”#” background_image=”https://www.rafi.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/fam-with-1st-child.jpg” background_position=”default” background_size=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” image=”https://www.rafi.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/fam-with-1st-child.jpg” use_bg_overlay=”on” bg_overlay_color=”rgba(63,63,63,0.74)” alignment=”center” background_layout=”dark” allow_player_pause=”off” text_border_radius=”3″ header_font_size=”13px” header_letter_spacing=”41px” body_font=”Arimo|on|on||” body_font_size=”14px” body_letter_spacing=”0px” body_line_height=”26.1px” disabled=”off”]
“Family is my life motivation. In my career I look up to several people but I really look up to Ma’am Domi, because of her leadership and compassion. There was a time when she was the temporary leader in our department and she was a great a help to my job and I learned a lot.”
[/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide button_link=”#” background_image=”https://www.rafi.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Fam-with-2nd-child.jpg” background_position=”default” background_size=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” use_bg_overlay=”off” bg_overlay_color=”rgba(63,63,63,0.74)” alignment=”center” background_layout=”dark” allow_player_pause=”off” text_border_radius=”3″ header_font_size=”13px” header_letter_spacing=”41px” body_font=”Arimo|on|on||” body_font_size=”14px” body_letter_spacing=”0px” body_line_height=”26.1px” disabled=”off”][/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide button_link=”#” background_image=”https://www.rafi.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RAFI-4th-triennial-Awards….jpg” background_position=”default” background_size=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” image=”https://www.rafi.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RAFI-4th-triennial-Awards….jpg” use_bg_overlay=”on” bg_overlay_color=”rgba(63,63,63,0.74)” alignment=”center” background_layout=”dark” allow_player_pause=”off” text_border_radius=”3″ header_font_size=”13px” header_letter_spacing=”41px” body_font=”Arimo|on|on||” body_font_size=”14px” body_letter_spacing=”0px” body_line_height=”26.1px” disabled=”off”]
“Despite all the hardships I’ve been experienced, as long as I know that I was able to give support to people including to different RAFI programs, I would already be very happy and fulfilled.”
[/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide button_link=”#” background_image=”https://www.rafi.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Founders-Day-2016.jpg” background_position=”default” background_size=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” image=”https://www.rafi.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Founders-Day-2016.jpg” use_bg_overlay=”on” bg_overlay_color=”rgba(63,63,63,0.74)” alignment=”center” background_layout=”dark” allow_player_pause=”off” text_border_radius=”3″ header_font_size=”13px” header_letter_spacing=”41px” body_font=”Arimo|on|on||” body_font_size=”14px” body_letter_spacing=”0px” body_line_height=”26.1px” disabled=”off”]
“Despite all the hardships I’ve been experienced, as long as I know that I was able to give support to people including to different RAFI programs, I would already be very happy and fulfilled.”
[/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide button_link=”#” background_image=”https://www.rafi.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RAFI-Founders-Day-2015.jpg” background_position=”default” background_size=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” use_bg_overlay=”off” bg_overlay_color=”rgba(63,63,63,0.74)” alignment=”center” background_layout=”dark” allow_player_pause=”off” text_border_radius=”3″ header_font_size=”13px” header_letter_spacing=”41px” body_font=”Arimo|on|on||” body_font_size=”14px” body_letter_spacing=”0px” body_line_height=”26.1px” disabled=”off”][/et_pb_slide][/et_pb_slider][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
