Feature

The Empowered Nurturer

A Daedal Leader

The Virtuosic Manager

By Maja B. Demandante

Dr. Merian S. Magallanes, Dean of the College of Business Administration.

Looking back at the maiden years of joining Capiz State University (CapSU), Dr. Merian Magallanes described it as the challenging years of her career and at the same time one of the turning points in her life. Who wouldn’t be? A simple but strong driven woman from a casual clerk position rose to the top level management with ardent work and perseverance to empower herself and be the current Dean of the College of Business and Management. On a personal note, it made me ponder quite a bit (and a bit more… because she is a big wig in the academe) upon knowing that I will be interviewing a formidable leader from one of the performing colleges in CapSU Burias Campus. Interestingly, I have slowly unfolded on the course of our interview the intricate beauty and strength of an empowered woman who are polished by wisdom thru time.

Yes. Cliché it may be, but Dr. Merian is one of those brave hearts who started from scratch and had worked her way up to what she is now despite numerous adversities along the way. Surprisingly, she continued to pursue for higher education after her son completed his bachelor’s degree. It simply proves that the fire of hunger for knowledge, to widen one’s horizon, and to improve oneself does not necessarily come together with, nor equated with age and gender. As Dr. Merian related her story with a smile and fulfilment; “I attended school (bachelor course) late and was quite older than the rest of my classmates. But mind you, it didn’t bother me a bit (and she smiled) because I have a strong personality and petty things are least of my concerns.”

When asked about what has been her life and career like being part of the university, she quoted: “Being a dean has many ups and downs but I am a STRONG PERSON though often dubbed as “maldita” (chuckled). Yet, it doesn’t make me a lesser person as I consider most criticisms and negativities with silver lining and turn these as constructive remarks to do better and bolder. Indeed, it made me recall the premise that “being maldita in a positive context is simply smartness that others can’t handle”.

Consequently, she asserted that the significant contributions she is most proud of is fulfilling her administrative duties, though complains and indifferences are inevitable, but she dares to take risks when needed because it is part of being passionate on teaching, helping others, and facilitating to get things done both in the academe and managerial functions. These have changed her in a way of facilitating the needs of the people in her rank and file and the students in the college per se. “I am motivated to facilitate the needs of my colleagues to get the work done on time and exert extra effort to meet what has been listed and required for us. The same it goes with the DPA and MPA graduate students wherein I get to be a cashier, registrar, consultant, and running errands for them at times – a nurturing mother of college at some point perhaps.”

Recently, Capiz State University – College of Business Management programs BS Business Administration and BS Entrepreneurship were given by the Commission on Higher Education a Certificate of Compliance (COC), the Doctorate Program in Public Administration has passed the level II accreditation, and the Master in Public Administration Program has been granted the Level III – Phase I accreditation, too. A few of the many glorious achievements of CapSU Burias that pushed the university a notch higher in delivering quality education for all and a legacy on the part of Dr. Magallanes as the mother and guiding force behind load work to rally the College of Business and Management  towards advancement.

Asked about the wisdom or thought she would like to share, Dr. Magallanes smiled and said: “Soon enough, I will be retiring but I would like people to remember me as a fighter, a strong driven woman who does her job well despite being underestimated once in her life. I live with the maxim - be strong and treat other equally because intelligence has different facets. Its lustre is dependent on one’s character and strength.  So, just do your job and if you can work today, why wait for tomorrow?” // Laureate