This year’s recipient of the CAS Outstanding Admin Personnel Award (Blue Collar Category) is Ms. Edna P. Valenzuela. Tita Edna, as everyone fondly calls her, is an Administrative Aide III and is in charge of the Institute of Chemistry (IC) reading room. Since joining the Institute in 1984, Tita Edna has demonstrated invaluable service to the Institute, especially to its students.
She started her journey in IC as a research aide and later on, became a member of the Organic Chemistry and Natural Products Division where she served as a laboratory technician for 20 years. Unfortunately, she had a stroke that resulted in the left part of her body being paralyzed. This incident opened a new beginning for Tita Edna as the guardian of the IC reading room.
Aside from ensuring that the reading materials and the whole reading room are in order, she also extends her service in a lot of ways. She helps in some procurement processes, paper copy requests, and attends to students’ inquiries on processing some forms. Tita Edna also initiated the compilation of thesis manuscripts and actively participates in converting and storing the abstracts of these manuscripts in an online database. In addition, she is a core member of the IC Clearance Committee where she ensures that students submitted their hardbound manuscripts and other requirements, and are cleared by all the administrative staff from their accountabilities in IC.
Tita Edna’s support to the Institute does not end there. The moment you open the door to the IC reading room, you will be greeted by Tita Edna’s good morning and sweet smile. Her warm aura makes, not only her co-workers but students as well, comfortable around her. From the usual catching up on academic and life problems, Tita Edna is always available to listen to both colleagues and students and give them advice. She is also a strong supporter and morale booster of IC students who frequent the IC reading room, especially the chemistry board takers. She makes sure that the reading room pantry is well stocked even using her own money to do so and pushes students to study when they are exhausted. Tita Edna is well-loved in IC and a lot of the IC alumni always make it a point to visit her when they are in UPLB.
Throughout the years, Tita Edna’s kindness, commitment, and service to the Institute of Chemistry continue.
