Meet the strong women from our branch offices: Grace, Arlene & Jheana
These devoted working mothers exemplify true passion in their work as well, overseeing the day-to-day branch office operations and making sure that the company and employees are taken care of.
Grace Alegarbes
Cebu Office
Years in Atlas Copco: 16 years
Education: BS Commerce major in Management, University of the Immaculate Conception
Can you tell us about your current role?
Branch Support Officer, 3 words but with big responsibilities. Handles planning, a very challenging work that encounters a lot of trials along the way daily. I support the team in ensuring that we extend the best customer service within the region. As a Cebu office admin, I ensure everything to be done and completed in accordance with the company policy. And as part of SHEQ team and as a PCO, I do take charge to the branch operations' compliance with Safety and Environmental policy.
What brings you the most joy to work at Atlas Copco?
Working with colleagues and friends thou different personalities and views in life but still manage to achieve in one goal, which is to bring a best customer service and care to their Atlas Copco air compressors.
My family serves as my inspiration and motivation to work and provide them food in the table and give them comfort.
Describe your proudest moment while working at Atlas Copco.
Being recognize by the company and receiving the Best Contribution Award - Back Office Support in 2016 is my proudest moment. Also, staying with Atlas Copco Philippines for 16 years is my proudest achievement.
Jheana Tan
Davao Office
Years in Atlas Copco: 16 years
Education: BS Computer Engineering, AMA Computer College
Can you tell us about your current role?
As the Branch Admin Officer, I ensure that we are compliant to all government and safety permits which also part of my role in SHEQ as the branch PCO. My key focus is planning, which is both difficult and critical because it requires a great deal of patience and communication with our customers, especially when there are some challenging times, from parts delivery to scheduling our Field Service Engineers. The whole admin responsibilities is mine, you may call it “ a one man role” perhaps I survive because I committed myself.
What brings you the most joy to work at Atlas Copco?
I consider Atlas Copco as my second family. We have ups and downs, we have arguments but still at the end of the day we are family looking after each other and for the best of this company. I am blessed and proud of our Davao team plus I have Arlene and Grace as not only my counterparts but true friends. We helped and support each other and share our knowledge. I am proud that I get to survive daily challenges of doing multitasking jobs for the past 16 years.
Describe your proudest moment while working at Atlas Copco.
I feel blessed that I worked in a multinational company. And being awarded for back-office support and Customer Care award, It’s a big achievement for me knowing the company recognized my effort.
Arlene Matias
Cagayan de Oro Office
Years in Atlas Copco: 16 years
Education: AB Economics, Liceo de Cagayan University
Can you tell us about your current role?
Currently, I am a Branch Admin Officer and Service Planner. The most challenging part of being a planner is to maintain balance between external and internal customers and most importantly, learn how to multitask for our CDO team. In addition, I may consider myself as the rose amongst the thorns as the only female personnel surrounded by male colleagues, it gave me that certain authority that made me realize, what men can do, women can do too. Regardless of gender, we respect each other’s opinions and principles and it’s like I am their friend, an elder sister, and a mother to them.
What brings you the most joy to work at Atlas Copco?
Looking back then when I was still under the wing of Atlas Copco's local distributor, I used to dream to be a part of Atlas Copco and now, it gives me joy knowing I am with the company for 16 years.
I am lucky to have meet my colleagues in this lifetime, smartest, brilliant, and kind of persons. I found a family outside home that we can laugh together, exchanging of jokes, travel together during Atlas Copco events, a camaraderie indeed.
Describe your proudest moment while working at Atlas Copco.
I was not too young back then, when somebody who believed in me and gave me the chance to explore myself; they were Boss Jonnie Regis and Sir Danny Talaugon, who opened the doors of opportunities in front of me. I clearly remember, Boss Jonnie told me before “Arlene, once I open the Branch here in Cagayan de Oro, I want you to be part of it”, and at that gleaming moment, I then realized how proud I am to myself for someone in the company that I looked up to, someone believed in me and welcomed me wholeheartedly.
A lot changes over the years. Though it was difficult, I did everything I could to keep the branch running and to adapt to the changes. Time passed, people came and went, but I still found myself behind the wheel of an Atlas Copco.
Advice for other working mom in maintaining work-life balance
Grace: Have consistency on how you manage your time and know your priorities in life.
Jheana: Maintain your physical and mental health, and always have positive mindset for good vibes to reflect the happy outook into workplace.
Arlene: It may be challenging, but be capable to set boundaries between home and work, leave personal problems at home, focus on your work when it's time for work, but consider your colleague as extension of your family.
Jheana with her daughter
Grace with her daughters
Arlene with her sons
The friendship that blossomed through the years
These three ladies demonstrate that true friendship can be formed in the workplace and can even grow over time. They may see each other on occasion, usually during company-wide activities and events, but the bond they share is undeniably wonderful.
