By Jovit D. Caballero

We frequently delve into the backgrounds of exceptional individuals to learn how they were nurtured into their current selves. But what about the story behind these nurturing people who seem to be innately compassionate, caring deeply for the people around them? How did they develop this natural empathy and kindness?

For this Mother’s Month feature, which also happens to be her birth month, there is no more fitting subject than my Inay at work – Alma Valmeo. Alma is a 46-year-old Executive Secretary II under the Tollway Development and Engineering Division from San Rafael, Bulacan. She is the second among the three children of an all-around house helper mother and a ship cook father from whom she inherited her culinary skills, a talent she showcases whenever she prepares meals for her colleagues at NLEX. Growing up without privilege, Alma and her family faced the harsh realities of living with limited resources.

During her childhood, Alma and her siblings were able to attend school due to their grandmother’s financial support from the United States. Aware that her parents’ income barely covered their daily necessities, Alma strove to minimize her school expenses. From an early age, she took it upon herself to fund her school projects, driven by a desire not to burden her family. She has also assumed the role of a mother to her two siblings whenever their parents are working. Because of their financial situation, Alma often felt self-pity, which contributed to her shy and reserved personality.

In her teenage years, Alma realized her socioeconomic status should not be a hindrance but a motivator to excel in her studies. Consistently ranking in the Top 10 of her class, she also participated in extracurricular activities that enhanced her social skills. She became the Mayor of the Student Government Organization and the Battalion Adjutant of the Citizenship Advancement Training. Her undeniable charm led her to compete in Miss Intramurals, where she won the 2^nd runner-up title. She also gained a lot of friends whom she still treats as part of her own family. However, after graduation, Alma faced an unexpected health issue that required immediate medical attention – a cyst in her breast area.

After her medical operation, Alma’s family decided to postpone her college enrollment. While waiting for her grandmother’s decision on whether to continue financing her education, Alma took a job as a factory worker at a personal care manufacturing company in Malabon. For six long months, she endured callouses and wounds that the job inflicted on her young hands. Upon learning about Alma’s employment, her grandmother decided to pull her out of the factory job and enrolled her in a BS Information Technology course at the Asian College of Science and Technology in Baliuag, Bulacan. It was there that she met her now-husband, Albert, who joined Savvice Corporation a year ago.

A year later, Alma’s situation drastically changed when her grandmother passed away and her father was diagnosed with hypertension, resulting in his unemployment. Determined to continue her education, Alma and her siblings worked as house helpers for their aunt and uncle, who agreed to finance their studies in return. While her siblings helped with daily errands, Alma was left at home to handle the household chores. Despite her busy schedule, Alma still found time to help her mother with side jobs and care for her other grandmother, who had an amputated leg. Despite all these hardships, Alma and her mother never forget to praise the Lord and lead the prayers for the feast of Our Lady of Rosary every October in nearby barangays.

Alma successfully graduated with flying colors, but due to the urgency of finding employment, she took a contractual position at Bonner’s photo-developing company under the Dee Hwa Liong Corporation in Apalit, Pampanga. After a year, her contract ended, prompting her to apply as a warehouse personnel at iMart Corporation, handling groceries and pharmacy products. In her second year there, the company suffered financial difficulties and faced bankruptcy, pushing Alma to make a bold move into the construction industry.

Initially, Alma joined Parsons Brinckerhoff Construction Company as an administrative staff responsible for document control under the supervision of Sir Jhun dela Cruz, whom she regards as one of her greatest mentors. The company acted as NLEX management’s third-party representative during the NLEX rehabilitation project from 2003 to 2007. Alma considers these years a turning point in her life – she married her husband Albert during this time, and a year later, their one and only son Adam was born. After completing the project, Alma chose to take a career break and focused primarily on her roles as a wife and new mother.

One ordinary morning in 2009, a year after her career break, Alma received a phone call from Sir Jhun. He invited her to join the tollways industry once more, this time at Manila North Tollways Corporation, where he had transferred after the project was completed. Initially thinking it was a joke, Alma realized Sir Jhun was serious when she heard another voice on the line – Sir Nemy Castillo, whom she was soon to serve as secretary. She secured a project-based position on the Segment 8.1 and Segment 9 projects and became a regular employee starting in 2012. From then on, Alma has dedicated herself to serving her work and life mentor, Sir Nemy, whom she considers a father-like figure, with a heart full of gratitude and commitment.

Her parents were often away for work, her responsibilities in caring for sick family members, and her longing for more children of her own – all these experiences deepened Alma’s natural affection for those around her. Her innate ability to care for others, especially younger generations, became a central focus. Little did she expect that her close bond with her colleagues would lead to one of her greatest heartbreaks – the passing of Sir Elvin Cruz. Since his untimely passing in 2021, Alma has felt the loss deeply, experiencing his absence as if he were still nearby, guiding her daily at work. Despite the pain, she vowed not to form such close bonds again. However, her nurturing nature prevails, and she continues to be a supportive friend and maternal figure to her colleagues.

Her heartbreak persisted into the following year. Just two days after celebrating her latest work promotion with her entire family, her father passed away from a heart attack. Filled with regret, Alma felt she hadn’t fully committed to caring for him as she focused on her own family and career. Resolute to honor him, she took charge of organizing his funeral, hoping to convey the love she felt she had not shown over time. This experience taught her a valuable lesson, and she pledged to dedicate more time to caring for her mother and her family going forward.

Currently, Alma faces a new challenge as a mother: her only son, Adam, is embarking on a new chapter in his life by moving out for college at Mapua University. She trusts that Adam, like her, has been taught to be a blessing to others, believing that the values they instilled in him are deeply rooted. This transition leaves Alma and Albert alone in their home. Through tears and acceptance, Alma and her husband are navigating this change one step at a time. They joined the Couples for Christ ministry last year, which has helped them adjust to the reality of Adam becoming an independent young man. Albert’s transfer to a nearby office location also helped them to spend more quality time with each other and do new things and memories together.

Through all the challenges and heartaches, Alma’s journey reflects how she was nurtured to nurture others, with compassion and resilience, embodying a love and care, which endures and uplifts everyone around her. Inay Alma, “Amazing Ina” ka!

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