Thinking about the most likely job after graduation normally plays around our minds and Elvira "Bing" Estela earlier thought that she would work as a civil servant in the city government. A month before graduation however, she filled in the vacancy left by a lady who was recruited for the Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Tamontaka, D.O.S., Maguindanao. Bing was then hired in 1980 by the late Fr. Clarence Bertelsman, OMI, Provincial Bursar of the missionary congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
She began her journey as the Cashier and Front Desk Clerk of the O.M.I. Philippine Province at the age of twenty (20) and retained this post for forty (40) years. Under a total number of nine (9) Provincial Superiors she got to know and serve Oblates of different nationalities and the growing generation of Filipino priests; altogether having varied personalities and idiosyncracies. She saw how the communication system evolved from a 2-way radio system to the present digital mode. Way back then, Codes like 10-1 for "receiving poorly", 10-2, "receiving well", etc. and also phonetic alphabets were in great use. There was sometimes a need to spell out messages with phonetic alphabets like Alpha (A). Bravo (B), Charlie (C) and so on, to Oblates in far-flung missions and islands. Those were the days . . .
When Bing started her job, there were only two lay staff and she saw its expansion to the present six (6) members; a mix of Gen Y and millennial co-workers. In the midst of these changes, Bing remarked that one element remained constant. She shared this insight in the "retirement party" tendered at the O.M.I. Provincial House last December 27, 2020. It was attended by the Oblate Fathers namely, the Provincial Superior, Fr. Gerry delos Reyes, Fr. Bobby Cahilig, Fr. Rockmoore Saniel, Fr. Monimar Panizales, Fr. Joel Canonizado, Fr. Jay Virador, and Bro. Emilio Ungsod. A festive atmosphere was provided by the decorations and short program prepared by the office staff. There were video and digitally transmitted messages from Fathers Ross Kapunan (Scholasticate Superior), Denz Basada, Peding Labaglay, Taddy Castillo and Evelyn of the Our Lady of Grace Shrine, Caloocan City, after the messages of Fathers Joel, Bobby, Gerry and Bro. Emilio were given.
Then, what was the element that remained constant throughout Bing's service? It was the charism of St. Eugene de Mazenod that is, evangelizing and serving the poor and most abandoned. She witnessed these among the American, European and Filipino Oblates whom she served. So, she always saw to it that she attended to their requests immediately because she knew that they came from difficult far-flung missions. Some of them came into the office with muddy shoes from climbing hills; others looked weary from riding motorcycles over rough roads, while others bustled in with hasty concerns over flight bookings and mission expenses. Bing did not want to add more to their burdens and tiring trips because she experienced the lasting kindness and goodness of the early Oblate missionaries, Filipino priests and brothers.
As an Oblate mission co-worker, Bing has been molded in St. Eugene's legacy of practicing charity and zeal for the salvation of souls. She shares her time, skill and talent as an active BEC and parish organization member. Before Covid-19 struck, she handled Grade III catechsim classes in the elementary public school before coming to work. For Bing, her service with the Oblates is a privilege. She retires with a happy and fulfilled heart, hoping that the Oblates are fully satisfied with her wholehearted service too.
In return, the Oblates expressed their gratitude for Bing's valued service and wish her the very best on her retirement from her professional work and more blessings for her missionary co-worker journey. God bless your kind heart Bing! (moss)
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