Reporting for work physically amid the current pandemic is a tough and heroic act essential workers do everyday.
In the telecoms sector, two women—Teisha Marie Peroy and Mary Ann Galos—are among these remarkable people who have been going out to work to help their families and serve other people’s needs despite the risks.
Establishing connections amid the pandemic
Teisha is undaunted. The threat of COVID-19 and its more transmissible variants does not deter her from going out to work everyday to serve people’s connectivity needs.
“I’m a huge believer in the saying ‘my faith is greater than my fear.’ COVID cannot stop me from doing the things I love to do, but of course with many precautions,” she said.
“I make sure that I am protected by wearing a mask, face shield, and keeping myself healthy. Most importantly, I pray for protection not just for myself but for all the employees as well,” added the junior manager of Smart Communications’ retail operations in Misamis Occidental.
Assigned to manage a Smart store located in a mall, Teish supervises and validates reports, sales activities, aftersales services, and store merchandising.
Before the pandemic, her routine included going out to do office-to-office selling and conducting sales activities in different establishments as well as in other areas within Misamis Occidental.
She said her biggest challenge is meeting their sales target continuously given the current situation.
“I am very fortunate to be part of this aggressive team who has managed to embrace challenges in a positive way. Having a positive attitude despite all the negative things happening around us is the best mindset we can have. At the end of the day, it’s all about the right attitude and passion for your job. Performing your task with a heart makes a big difference because it’s not just a responsibility but a commitment,” she said
“We were able to adapt to the current situation and learned to live with it. We managed to embrace the great change.”
Teish could have been a healthcare worker, having earned a B.S. Nursing degree from Misamis University, but after a short stint as a volunteer in a government hospital, she decided to pursue an office career instead, applying in Smart as a customer care assistant in 1997.
“I learned to love my job. So, until this very moment I’m still here, helping to establish connections among people which is a necessity especially in this pandemic,” she said.
Serving others and making a difference
A year after she was hired in PLDT, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country, disrupting people’s routines and sending employees home to work.
But Mary Ann needed to stay behind at her workplace to supervise the cleaning, disinfection, and the urgent COVID-related set-up of the PLDT RC Building’s facilities.
“At that time, they really needed the workforce from Facilities Management so we responded to the call. We value the importance of service and the need to facilitate the implementation of Safe Work Practices for the returning employees,” she said.
As a building maintenance engineer, Ann’s duties include managing the Disinfection Team that performs the housekeeping chores for both RC and MGO buildings.
“In managing the team, I set the pace for them to follow through and ensure that they finish well. Our work is agile and results-driven so we need to work together to deliver an ‘Excellent Result’ through our concerted efforts as a team,” she said.
“Challenges arise, especially when there is a COVID-probable case which entails a level 3 disinfection or a UV disinfection. The pandemic has tested our strength of mind and spirit, but we really have to be resilient and move forward with faith in God,” she added.
Her profound faith has been her constant companion in her life’s journey.
“I believe I can make a difference by serving others. Perhaps I can be the salt and light in my workplace or wherever God sends me,” she said.