Dr. Giovanni T. Macahig
Graduation season is here! And with the positive changes in the way the University will be doing the Commencement Exercises, one can deduce that one of the busiest men on Campus now is one of the friendliest faces you’ll see around: the Registrar and Admissions Officer, Dr. Giovanni T. Macahig.
Born on July 9, 1977, “Sir Jake” hails from Dauin, Negros Oriental. He is happily married to Mrs. Johnna Joy L. Macahig, and is father to Giuliana Antoniette “Yanna”, Gionne Monique “Nikki”, Gjille Marithe “Gjille”, and Giorgio Vito “Simon”.
In Silliman, he stands as the father of four “children” as well: records, evaluations, graduations, and admissions. “The immensity of the workload challenges in the Office of Registrar and Admissions (ORA) is really great but this has become bearable because I have a team of individuals who are as dedicated to the office as they had been when they were Student Assistants (SA) then. As much as possible I work with my team and deal with difficult challenges together,” Sir Jake said.
Sir Jake finished his Doctor in Management – Human Resources Management (DM-HRM) at the University of San Jose Recoletos in Cebu. He has been serving the University for four years now. He also worked as a research assistant in the University when he took his Master in Psychology major in Social and Community Psychology.
“Silliman has always been my home. My being in Silliman is actually for me a homecoming. Back then I felt I wasn’t ready yet for Silliman until it came to a point after almost ten years when I said ‘now it’s time to go back home.’ My current position being the Registrar and Admissions Officer came as a surprise. I was happily enjoying my current work as faculty and at the same time Friendship Promotions Officer of the School of Basic Education (SBE) when I was called to serve the University in another capacity,” he added.
Let’s get to know the man behind the signature that seals your diploma and transcript!
Describe yourself in three words.
Private. Cool. Palaban (pag natapakan) .
What is your motto in life?
“Expect the worst and hope for the best”
What makes you laugh?
A good joke. A baby’s smile. A little miracle here and there.
What makes you cry?
Tragedy. When it really hurts.
What’s your favorite time of the day and why?
Thursday. People are always positively disposed and accommodating on a Thursday. Maybe they are just so happy that the next day is Friday.
What’s your favorite day of the week and why?
Saturday. Because I get extra sleep, not pressured to wake up early. (I now value rest, I don’t know why?)
What do you love doing when not working?
Movie marathon and reading.
What is your favorite hangout place in the University?
The benches beside West Quadrangle near Hibbard Hall. The wide space, giant acacia trees, the majestic SU Church, and the lush greenery always reminds me how God is so good.
What makes you blush?
A good compliment.
If you were an actor, who would you be?
David Prowse as Darth Vader.
Tell us a fact about yourself.
I snore when I sleep.
What’s your favorite game growing up?
Bato Lata
What is your idea of a relaxing day?
No work-related schedule while enjoying nature.
What one thing would people be interested to know about you?
That I occasionally play music, write poetry, and write speeches.
What song best describes the YOU and the life you have now?
God will Make a Way!
What is the first thing you do right after waking up in the morning?
Pray
What’s your idea of a family?
Family is where you feel at home, find comfort and refuge, where you are trained in faith and in character, and where you go crazy without being judged.
At this point of your life, what for you is your life’s mission?
To be a good provider to my family and a dedicated member of the Silliman Community.
