By Cyrus a.Natividad

Ruena Ferando is currently based in HongKong.

Ruena Botero Ferando is an Overseas Filipino Worker in Hong Kong. She is a Centralian whose dream is for her daughter to finish her college education. Her desire is for her daughter Jirah to benefit much from the value of education she will gain while studying in CPU.

Ferando shared with her daughter her experiences as one of the work students who pursued their dreams. She was assigned to the janitorial department. She said, “I was very happy for the opportunity to work in CPU from 1988, until I graduated in 1992.”

Ferando made an admirable act after her graduation. She looked after her fellow work students who were then undergrads. “I was sent a notice from the University’s Finance department, informing me that I still have to receive Three Thousand Pesos from my unspent Work Student allowance, a big amount at the time”, she said.

“I called to tell the Finance Officer that I am donating my money back to the Work Students’ Fund”, Ferando recalls. “I had some tears of joy in my eyes as I put down the phone. I am very grateful for the education I received from CPU. We were poor but the University gave me a chance to graduate.” She added, “For my family and relatives it was considered a big deal to graduate from CPU at that time.” Ferando has proven herself that patience and dedication is really important.

After her graduation, Ferando went abroad to work for a private establishment in Qatar in 1992. She had with her the strength and values of a Centralian. “I received excellent training from CPU. I had developed faith and determination, and I also learned how to make the most of every opportunity that God gave me.”

Ferando now shares the 3 essential needs in order to succeed at work – for the work students in particular. She said, “First, you need to have faith in God. Second, you need to be diligent at work, and third, you should not give up. You must think of adversities as learning experiences.”

She added, “I actually set my mind to achieve and succeed.” Ferando recalled that the desire of every work student during that time was almost always to get a high grade in their subjects. The requirement was strictly not to go down below 2.0. “You just have to make it if you don’t want to receive a warning.”

She carried her values as a Centralian and as a work student at work up to this time. After 9 years in Qatar, Ferando was hired in Hong-Kong as Chief of Food and Beverage Planning for Banquets in an International Shipping Company. She is now 18 years for the same company in Hong Kong. “I am enriching my work experience as the company continues to expand worldwide. Before, my work was quite difficult; I had to be very careful and responsible with each task. Now, it is smooth since I have mastered my job,” she said.

“Prayer helps me a lot. I always treasure the verse in Psalms 27:21 which says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation, I will fear no one.” “The Lord protects me from all dangers, I will never be afraid.”

Ferando is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts Major in Political Science from Central Philippine University in 1992. She finished her secondary education from Banate National High School in 1987 and elementary education from Libertad Elementary School in Banate, Iloilo in 1983.

She is the daughter of Mr. Rosendo F. Ferando and Mrs. Glena B. Ferando.