Shining (cleaning and sweeping) jewels

Tucked underneath the battered steps of SEC C is the hiding place of one the Ateneo’s hidden treasures. I rushed to this place last Friday hoping and wishing that I would be able to see one of these hidden gems. I was lucky enough to catch her as she was leaving to claim her hard-earned paycheck; it was the 15^th and that means pay day for everyone. I begged for a minute of her time to be able to learn more about her.

This twenty-five year old is one of the finest janitors or might I say janitress of the Ateneo. Hailing from the bustling streets of Metro Manila, this lady is one of the most industrious workers of our beloved school. Standing only about five foot one, it’s hard to imagine that this woman is able to do tasks that even full grown men have a hard time of doing. She cleans, she sweeps and she makes things shine. She’s the one responsible for keeping the laboratories, hallways and most especially bathrooms in tip-top condition. And having three years tucked under her belt proves that she is indeed of the best this school has got to offer.

She lives by the maxim that “time is golden” and with that, she tries to maximize her time every minute everyday. If there isn’t any work to be done, she does not let her self sit idly instead, she tries to help her colleagues. But don’t be foolish enough to think that this lady is simply a workaholic. She also knows how to have fun and when to rest. Happily married, she devotes most of her free time to her husband. Without any children and only being married for a year, she said that she is happy with what she has right now and couldn’t ask for anything more. Free time for her also means a time to immerse herself in her pocketbooks which she likes to read once in a while. She also has this habit of listening patiently and intensively to the dramas on the radio

She also told me that she hated the most the people who look down on her for being a janitress. She despises those bratty girls and those snooty boys who are so ‘maarte’. On the contrary she likes all those people who pay attention to her, not that she demands attention, but she feels good with the fact that her work does not go unnoticed. She says that a simple “hi” or “hello” from a student already brightens her day up. So the next time you meet a janitress, greet her, and maybe you might be lucky enough to meet and greet one of the most valuable jewels of our school. A jewel that is hardworking, intelligent and also very entertaining. A jewel going by the name Vanessa V. Piñero.

Like Vanessa, I

• Go to the Ateneo everyday
• Love to read
• Hate arrogant people
• Believe that time is valuable
• Support the Ateneo teams
• Work hard
• Know when to have fun
• Happy with what I have right now
• Love my family
• Help people who need my help

Unlike Vanessa, I

• am a Male
• am Not married
• study not work at the Ateneo
• am a Roman catholic
• read novels not pocket books
• live in the nearby province of montalban
• was born on august
• listen to music not drama
• don’t earn money
• am 5’10

Being able to encounter a person like Vanessa has made me realize many things about my life. Well for one I realized just how blessed I am with not having to work for my needs. Almost everything is given to me and I have not been thankful enough for that. I should also be thankful for the fact that I am able to enjoy many different things in my life unlike Vanessa who only has the time to read pocket books and listen to the radio. I also realized that the simplest things in life are those that are most enjoyable. Vanessa’s simple but happy life proves this. This activity has also made me realize that I should be aware of what I have and be satisfied since there are others who are less privileged than me. I also have wasted many opportunities that have come my way. Instead of seizing the day, I have slept through it. Interviewing a person like Vanessa has made me feel that I have not done much to deserve the kind of life that I am living right now. I feel that I should change right now and start to live my life to its fullest. I’m not saying that I should start working right now, rather I need to be the best that I could ever be.