Remembering Mam Pure

The road I took as a medical technologist started in Ramiro Community Hospital- and when i hear the company's name, two words comes to my mind: (1) Laboratory and (2) Mam Pure.

Now that Im leaving the hospital soon, I would like to immortalize my memories of my department head: Mam PUREZA BELDEROL ENRIQUEZ or better known by many as "Mam Pure"

It was November 2009 when I received a phone call from Ms. Clydin Ramiro (the hospital HR), instructing me of my interview schedule with the chief medical technologist they call "Mam Pure"

In my mind, I was imagining an old woman with glasses, wrinkled forehead, wearing a thick make up and lipstick and emulates a "no-nonsense look".

Then the scheduled date came, I went to the laboratory 30 minutes before the agreed time. I told the receptionist (Sir Rey), that I am a medical technologist applicant scheduled for an interview with the laboratory head. To give integrity to my formal look, I communicated in 90% full english to him, apparently I was responded with plain "bisaya". I was asked to seat on the waiting area designated for out-patients. Though seated, I got the chance to took a glimpse on the people inside the laboratory- I remembered Lloyd peeping the microscope while laughing, Mabel ,occasionally coughing, seriously running the Alcyon, Shasee and Leigh seating beside the receptionist named Rey talking about the book on Leigh's hands. At same moment, I was looking for an old lady that fits the title "Chief Medical Technologist" (was actually looking for a 60-year old-looking lady).

Suddenly, a woman looking in her mid-20s stepped out of the door and called me up. She told me, "hi, adto ta taas".  Thinking that the seemingly mid-20-woman is a plain staff medical technologist and about to show me my way to the chief medical technologist office, I responded "hi maam" and followed her. While on our way, I planned to have a few chat with her and take informations I would be needing and on what to expect on the interview proper,nature of the the chief medtech and of course, her name. Then i asked her, "asa diay c mam pure mam?" She answered "ako" ,with a controlled smile and trying to be humble as possible.

Trying to conceal the shock, I told her, "really mam? Bata pa lagi au ka mam" (for sure, it sounds great for her), "sus!" she answered.

The interview went well for me and I felt good with it because Mam Pure made it less intimidating, it was as if you're talking to a friend and answering her questions.

With a year working with her, I could describe Mam Pure as the most considerate department head there is in Ramiro. She tries to understand your request without making you a brat. She hates late-commers and have a fair mood-swings. She is well-informed on current issues and with no doubt, everybody seemed to like her. She can be a concerned friend to the nth level and she can nag you when you do some "tinanga"- i got some of those :( . She could also be a silent type (if suffering from migraine) lol.

With her strong yet fun personality, she got everyone's respect. To wrap it all, her best asset is her personality!

Humble, loquacious and curious - that's MAM PURE :)