Mrs. Milrose A. Aragones
She is the warm smile that welcomes you at the Office of the Registrar and Admissions whenever you ask for an academic scholarship form every semester. Endowed with a fighting spirit so strong, her sheer determination and positive outlook in life are her keys in making it through life’s challenges undaunted. Her strong exterior is often negatively perceived by some people, but what lies deep inside her serious aura is a thoughtful friend and a jolly colleague who exudes positivity and joy towards the people around her.
Indeed, Mrs. Milrose A. Aragones is in the right place. Hibbard Hall has been her second home for the last few years, having served as a student assistant at the Transcript Section and being able to find her place in almost all of the offices in the Registrar Building for the last seven years. Right now, she serves as the officer-in-charge of the Academic and Government Scholarship offerings of the University.
Milrose was born on February 19, 1980 and grew up in the comforts of her home in Balugo, Dumaguete City. Being the eldest of four, Milrose was raised in close proximity to her parents who were into business. Her parents always impressed on them the lasting values of love, respect, and sharing. And it was how Milrose was brought up that she naturally decided to help her parents put her siblings through school when their family business went down. She saw how her parents provided for and supported them, and this built them up as her source of inspiration. What was a challenging time for her family became the start of a phase that ushered Milrose into maturity early on in life.
Milrose finished elementary at the Catherina Cittadini School in 1993 and high school at St. Louis School Don Bosco four years later. She wanted to be an engineer or a nurse in college, but because of the financial burden that her family was confronting at that time, she pursued Management in 1997.
She eventually felt at home in her chosen path simply because the concepts and theories she encountered were not entirely new to her, being the one who was always her parents’ helping hand in their business ever since childhood. To help defray expenses, she worked as a student assistant at the Transcript Section.
Everything was going well for Milrose in college until a week before her graduation. Her father had a serious bout with depression following the problems in their business and this took its final toll on him. He lost his father just before he would have seen her daughter march the stage to receive her diploma in 2001. It was a moment of deep sorrow for Milrose but one that infused her with much motivation to push ahead to make ends meet for her family.
Being the first to graduate among her siblings, Milrose filled the shoes of a breadwinner. She went to Cebu for work and there landed as a teller in a shipping company for three years. There were fulfillment years for Milrose as over this period, she was able to help send her three siblings to school. In the later part of 2003, she returned home and worked in a non-government organization until 2008. She maximized her years with the organization, harnessing her secretarial and management skills and acquiring training as a bookkeeper. This prepared Milrose for an eventual career in Silliman University the next year.
In 2009, she came back to serve her alma mater, Silliman University. She started as an assistant at the Evaluation section, and later on, was able to experience working in the other sections in the Registrar’s office. Her great gratitude overflows for the late Registrar Ms Annabelle Pa-a, who was like a second mother to her. Milrose said Ms Pa-a guided her in Silliman and also inspired her to pursue graduate studies. She is currently taking up units towards a Master in Business Administration.
Sometimes, love is literally just right outside the window. Milrose is married to a guy who was her neighbor. They got married in 2006 and welcomed their first child in 2009.
Milrose is currently in a happy place, full of love and grace despite adversaries in life. With her three daughters, she is living her life to make sure her kids finish their education. She is a prime example of how life’s pitfalls can propel someone to strive hard in life. With a life lived for others, her faith in God has sustained her and provided her all the happiness she needs.
Describe yourself in three words.
Family-oriented, positive, God-fearing.
What is your motto in life?
Do your best and God will do the rest.
What makes you laugh?
Funny jokes of my children.
What makes you cry?
Serious family problems.
What’s your favorite time of the day and why?
7PM. It’s the time I get to spend with my children.
What’s your favorite day of the week and why?
Weekends when I can bond with my family.
What do you love doing when not working?
I do household chores and take care of my kids.
What is your favorite hangout place in the University?
The Registrar’s Office.
What makes you blush?
Embarrassing moments.
Tell us a fact about yourself.
I matured early in life because I had to help my parents.
What’s your favorite game growing up?
Takyan.
What is your idea of a relaxing day?
A day when I can sleep all day.
What one thing would people be interested to know about you?
People can judge me quiet negatively on the outside; but once they get to know me personally, they will realize that I’m not what they think I am.
What song best describes the YOU and the life you have now?
“Only Hope” by Mandy Moore
What is the first thing you do right after waking up in the morning?
I prepare breakfast.
What’s your idea of a family?
A family is where all members trust and support each other.
At this point of your life, what for you is your life’s mission?
To be able to help my family solve their problems.
How do you like to be remembered as a colleague?
As a funny colleague.
