Saturday, October 10, 2009

Small Job? Say Big Time!

by Sherri Maigne A. Meneses

    On September 17, 2009, Malacañang honored individuals who had extraordinary contributions to the nation with their ideas and performances. One of these outstanding civil servants is Maximo D. Tandang an Administrative Aide III from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. He was awarded with the Civil Servants Commission 2009 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award for his resourcefulness and exemplary dedication to his work.
    Max—son of Luciano Tandang and Cristeta Duldulao—was born on November 18, 1961 in Los Baños, Laguna. He has been living in barangay Bayog, Los Baños since his birth. He studied his elementary in Bayog Elementay School and graduated from secondary education in Los Baños College of Fisheries in 1980. Although he really wanted to go to college, his family was not able to provide for such due to financial reasons. 
    Max got married to Rosa who gave him three kids, namely Maria Lyn 25, Mark Louie 24, and Marlon 22. As a father, he described himself as the man who leads his children to have faith in God. His family motivates him to work hard. He said that he is doing everything to satisfy the needs of his family. He handles his family with love and always tries to guide them to the right path.
    In 1981, Max worked as a laborer under Dr. Macrina T. Zafaralla, a professor in the Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences in the University of the Philippines Los Baños. He assisted Dr. Zafaralla in her studies of the different lakes such as Taal Lake. He said that his love for his work was a reason which made him last for 20 years in the said job.
    Besides his job as an assistant, Max also worked as a tricycle driver before and after he finished his duties in the office in order to make extra income. He also used his talent in drawing to earn extra. As a side line, he produced some of Dr. Zafaralla’s study illustrations and slides. According to him, if he was not in this field of work today, he would have been an artist. If he had the chance, he would have pursued on a course where he would be able to display his talent in drawing as an artist.
    When Dr. Zafaralla’s project ended, the Institute of Biological Sciences was hiring for workers. It was in 2001 when Max became a Laboratory Aide II in the institute. Equipped with his 20 years of experience, he was able to perform his duty well.
    Because of his dedication to his job, Max received the 2006 Outstanding Blue Collar Personnel. His generosity in sharing his knowledge and innovations helped in enhancing the university’s instruction, research, and extension functions. His resourcefulness in producing low-cost alternatives and improvised laboratory equipments helped in saving money for the university. He is a versatile and a dependable employee which earned him that year’s award.
    Tito Max—as called by his colleagues—is a helpful person. This was proven when a colleague’s sibling was in need of a blood donor. Having a rare blood type of AB+, he willingly donated 400 ml of his blood to the one in need. Responsible, reliable and resourceful—that is Max to his colleagues. 
    When asked of what he referred as his key to success, he simply answered, “pagsisikap” [perseverance]. He believes that this characteristic would sum up the other qualities such as honesty and dedication that one needs to attain success. Tito Max wants to be remembered through the things that he contributed. Maybe that is why he always put great effort in what he does.
    Maximo Tandang—responsible, reliable, humble, and resourceful—may have a small name but never a small heart.



This article was a requirement for DEVC 122 Science Reporting - Personality Sketch (1st sem 09-10).

No comments:

Post a Comment