YESTERDAY, I finally decided to proceed to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in Tagbilaran City, served by my suki tri-cab, holding a brown envelope that contained some documents (just in case they are needed) to support my application for government pension since I am officially turning sixty in June! Ahh, the new life phase!
Sixty. The big six-zero. The age where the government finally says, “Fine, you’ve talked enough; here’s a check to keep you quiet.”
Revisiting my service record felt like watching a fast-forwarded montage of a very busy life. I started as a Public Relations Researcher at the National Power Corporation-Visayas Regional Center (NPC-VRC) in Cebu City back in 1988, armed with my training from my father’s law office, proofreading and editing work from my father’s newspaper, and a radio engagement, where he was also the station manager! You probably get the drift now: All my training, exposure, and young experience came from Atty. Isabelo M. Sales Jr., writer, editor, publisher, broadcaster, and station manager.
I served NPC-VRC for three years until I moved to the National Power Corporation-Southwestern Mindanao Area (NPC-SWMA) in General Santos City, and later to the National Transmission Corporation-District 6 (TRANSCO-District 6) also in General Santos City, where my life had become a whirlwind of Communication Plans, Information, Communication, and Education (ICE) materials, and Gender and Development advocacy, among others.
I was the “Official Spokesperson” – the woman hired to make sure everyone knew why the lights were on, or more importantly, why they were off, haha! Those were the days, my friend. I spent years navigating the high-voltage world of power customer relations, lobbying local government units, and, more substantially, explaining to region 12 media partners why power system collapses, power outages, and the annoying transient power interruptions happen.
Naturally, I also needed to communicate with our city and regional media clients about the impact of the lawless bombings of our towers and transmission lines, disrupting the power system in District 6, if not the whole region of Mindanao. This was the tricky part. I learned how to steer the delicate balance between communicating accurate information and preserving the peace. Moreover, if there was an event to manage or a stakeholder to appease, I was there, likely with either a press release, a brochure, a flyer, or simply a lovely smile.
But as I stood inside the GSIS office yesterday, I felt happy and relieved that I can finally relax from working my ass off to make a living because now the government will pay me, nah, provide me what’s due me for all the years of hard labor.
I think back to 2004, when I was named “TRANSCO Idol” for Mindanao Operations. Back then, it was about the performance, the voice, and the energy. Then came the 2005 “TRANSCO Quartethlon” I championed for impromptu and prepared public speaking, singing, and special talent (where I danced Hawaiian, complete with the getup), which brought me tremendous fun notwithstanding the stressful preparation.
Retirement is the ultimate “ICE” material – Information, Communication, and Enjoyment. But of course, beginning January 2024, I maximized all my training, experience, and exposure in the power industry to launch my own communication firm, Belinda Communications Consulting, in my home city, Tagbilaran, in Bohol. This is because after I first retired from NPC-SWMA at thirty-three and from TRANSCO-District 6 at forty-three, I returned to my high school, college, and NPC-VRC training: writing and editing, and public speaking.
For over three decades, I turned a lifelong passion for communication into a) Written: Editorial Support, Speech Writing, and Ghostwriting; b) Spoken: Professional Hosting, Public Speaking, and Mentorship; and c) Development: Executive Coaching and Communication Training. I have done these after NPC and TRANSCO.
So, GSIS, take over my papers. June 6 is coming, and I am ready. I’ve spent almost eighteen years at NPC and TRANSCO telling everyone the power industry’s highs and lows, its privatization efforts, and distinct and even complicated stories. It’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the narratives I personally opt to write.
If you ever need me, I’ll be the one in the priority lane, smiling.
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I would like to thank the late Florence M. Salcor, our former HR Officer at TRANSCO-District 6, for the thorough work on all our papers upon our early retirement from TRANSCO. Her dedicated work made it possible for me (and I believe the rest of my colleagues) to process our pensions with GSIS without hassle.
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The author owns and manages Belinda Communications Consulting. You can reach us via email at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Engage with us on X @ShilohRuthie./PN
