The sun is always rising for Mrs. Sugatain

“Ang problema, nagbibigay ng opportunities, at maraming ituturo sa’tin ang opportunities, maging open-minded lang tayo,” these were the words of Mrs. Azucena Sugatain which stuck in my mind as we traced her humble beginnings up to now that she has mastered everything even with her eyes closed.

The Department Head of the Provincial Cooperatives and Enterprise Development Office (PCEDO) resides at Lot #7 Block 3 Phase 2 Central Atrium Residences, Brgy. Cataning, Balanga City together with her husband Alejandro Sugatain and their son Alejandro Sugatain Jr.

She pursued her elementary education in Pilar Elementary School, her high school education in Tomas del Rosario Academy, and her BS Agricultural Extension in Gregorio Araneta University Foundation which is known today as De La Salle Araneta University.

Mrs. Sugatain went through a series of work experiences that undeniably trained her to become the best version of herself in her chosen field. She started working as an enumerator in Landbank Magalang, Pampanga, then she worked in the Ministry of Human Settlements (Bataan Provincial Action Center) as municipal staff assistant until she earned her way to become the deputy provincial manager. After that she also served as a kindergarten school principal in Precious Jewels in Pilar, then she worked in the Department of Trade and Industry as DTI officer II. She came back to work in Landbank but this time in the Bataan branch as an integrated rural financing program project assistant, then she worked in the Cooperative Development  Authority (Office of the President) in San Fernando, Pampanga as cooperative development specialist II. After that she served as the department head of PCEDO in the City Government of Balanga and finally settled in the Provincial Government of Bataan from 2004 up to now.

When asked why she accumulated a lot of work experiences, she said that every time there is an opportunity to learn new things, she immediately grabs it, “lahat ng employment ko taught me every time new things na I haven’t learned before,” she added, and that every time she learns something new, she wants to immediately apply it in her life. In fact, she has also engaged in business and exported nata de coco and loofah, in which she is the first supplier from Bataan.

Summing up what she has learned in all of her work experiences, it has taught her everything she needs in the business side, financing side, organizing side, and community development side, which really helped her become who she is today.

One of being the department head’s tasks is the overall supervision of the office, and all she aims for is this: “I want my staff na maging masaya sila, kasi kung masaya sila, they will excel and they will be at their best.” Also she added that no matter how hard the targets get, if they will work for it together, they will survive it.

She admitted that she is really excited for their vision, that by 2020, the cooperatives, enterprises, and investors will have a high-level growth. She said that it is important for her how they touched the lives of people and what has become of them after they helped them.

In order to touch lives, many plans, projects, and targets have to be settled and she is sure that there is no easy way on attaining those goals. But with her positive outlook in life, she can make a change. “Walang binigay sa’tin na di natin kaya. Parang araw, lulubog yan, pero tatanungin mo ba kung sisikat siya bukas? Hindi, sigurado siyang sisikat,” she said.

But these numerous tasks don’t stop her from having a time for herself. She is fond of gardening and taking care of her body through Zumba. Not only that, but she still has time for business. In fact, she is a licensed real estate broker, and up to now she buys and sells lots which is a big source of income for her family. She is also a travel agent which she does without a fee. We may think that her work load and sidelines take so much of her time that she may forget to relax but she is human too – she has a guilty pleasure, that is watching the teleserye  A Love to Last and excitedly waits for the scenes of Anton (Ian Veneracion) and Andeng (Bea Alonzo).

 She also admitted that in 3 years, she plans to retire and establish her very own real estate office and travel agency.

With her acquired knowledge and trainings over the years plus her never-give-up attitude, there will surely be brighter mornings for her, and for us as well.