Ms. Carmille C. Ramos
“Suffer now, enjoy later.”
Ms. Carmille C. Ramos, a self-confessed disciplinarian, attributes her achievements in school and life to that mantra.
Carmille believes that the sacrifices that she had to endure in the past have enabled her to reap more benefits today. She now works in the University as one of its accountants, enjoying a competitive remuneration package. And, compared to while she was in college, even as she is already a professional, she can now enjoy watching Anime movies all she wants.
While a student, Carmille already demonstrated strong attention to details. Her classmates were not able to get away with their lapses, especially when she was assigned at the records section of the Reserved Officers Training Corps and became part of the student council of the College of Business Administration. She strictly imposed deadlines and punctuality, and ensured proper documentation. At an early age, she knew somehow professionalism needed to start somewhere.
Daughter of two staff members of the University, Carmille is grateful to Silliman for the free education that she received from early childhood until college. She had the opportunity to be on campus more often than ordinary students. And like most dependents of faculty and staff, she had the whole campus as her playground. The janitors and security guards became her playmates — and until today, the same people who continue to work in Silliman, she considers part of her extended family.
One of the best things Carmille experienced while living inside the campus was to grow in the Silliman University Church where there is to her an atmosphere of “fellowship of sharing”. There, she developed her strong Christian faith. And the influence of the faith community has inspired her to one day live out a ministry of preaching the Word of God. She wants to become a channel through which other people can experience the love and presence of God. And in her encounters with friends and colleagues, she finds time to share a piece of her faith with them.
Two of the University pastors that she highly admires are Dr. Proceso Udarbe and the late Dr. Edmundo Pantejo. She also continues to draw strength from the life lessons she learned from pastors Rev. Jonathan Pia and Rev. Bernadette Morales.
Carmille graduated in 2007 with a degree in Accountancy. After graduation, she was presented with an opportunity to work in Manila. She grabbed it. But two years after, she came back to Dumaguete, realizing how life back home is much better. She was fortunate that there was a vacancy at that time at the Accounting Department of the Utzurrum Business and Finance Center.
Working in Silliman is an honor for Carmille. She considers it her way of giving back to the University that has helped her family enjoy the modest but fulfilled life that they have. Because of the benefits her parents enjoy as regular employees, Carmille and her sister received free education in the University. “My parents cannot afford to send me to any school except Silliman,” Carmille says.
Sometime in 2010, she gave teaching a try. She taught part-time at the College of Business Administration. She imparted not only knowledge but valuable life lessons to her student. She impressed on them that there are no shortcuts in life, that there are things better learned the hard way, and that a strong and faithful heart is vital in rising above every struggle in life.
Carmille keeps a positive attitude towards life. She considers every trial that comes her way a chance for her to learn more about God, develop a better appreciation of the people around her, and inspire others in seeing themselves beyond the present. At the end of the day, she wants to be remembered as a daughter that her family can rely on and a blessing to other people.
Let's know Carmille more.
Describe yourself in three words.
Quiet. Noisy. Team.
What is your mantra in life?
“Row your own boat before rowing others and leave no man behind.”
What makes you laugh/cry?
I laugh when I’m with my friends from CYAF. I cry when I watch movies starring John Lloyd and Bea.
What’s your favorite time/day of the week and why?
Lunchtime because it would be the time I could eat more. I also love Wednesdays because it’s the end of culture shock, and Fridays when I would attend Bible study.
What do you love doing when not working?
Watch Anime.
What is your favorite hangout place in the University?
Road near the University House
What makes you blush?
I blush when I’m exposed to the heat of the sun.
If you were an actor/actress, who would you be?
Angelina Jolie.
Tell us a fact about yourself?
I am a true blue Sillimanian.
What’s your favorite game growing up?
Brick game and Tetris.
What is your idea of a relaxing day?
Holding a cup of coffee at the doorstep of my house. …But I don’t drink coffee.
What one thing would people be interested to know about you?
I can sing and can score high on the karaoke.
What song best describes the YOU and the life you have now?
“Willow in the Wind”, ”Draw Me Close”, and “I’m Forever Yours”.
What is the first thing you do right after waking up in the morning?
Run down my itinerary for the day and pray.
What’s your idea of a family?
Collection of souls that complete a home.
(NOTE: “Colleague of the Week'” serves as a window into the life of the faculty and staff members of Silliman University. It seeks to showcase colleagues from different departments and units, and present them as “the” faces that form part of the foundation of Silliman. Featured weekly are faculty and staff who have committed themselves to providing members of the Silliman community a campus experience that cultivates competence, character and faith within one and all. We get to know them as people who like any of us also have their fair share of challenges, successes, and an inspiring story to tell. Not all of them may be popular, but not a single one of them lives a life without hope and meaning to share.)
