Catleya de Vera, a graduate of BS Computer Science from STI EDSA-Crossing, had quite an interesting and inspiring story to tell... She has moreover proven to be quite a good sailor as she has weathered a lot of storms in her life.
Catleya’s father was a soldier so she grew up at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal. She knows firsthand just how difficult the life of a soldier is. She distinctly remembers how they used to hide under the bed or behind the trees whenever the rebels attack. Her mother nonetheless cannot stand such way of life and worked as a domestic helper abroad to help alleviate their family’s financial shortcomings. She and her brother were really close to their mother. They would listen intently to her stories about her childhood and struggles. Soon, her mother’s dreams became Catleya’s dreams. Their quaint and idyllic life however came crushing down when Catleya was 14. Her mother died of childbirth and left a quite devastating effect on their family. Catleya and her father soon recovered but her brother did not. Her father eventually remarried and had two more children.
As a kid, Catleya dreamed of traveling around the world as a flight attendant. However, as fate would have it, she did not grow tall enough to meet the height requirement for flight attendants. Despite that small bump on the road and inspired by her mother’s stories, she still continued to dream as she settled on her second option – Computer Science.
Life has not been a bed of roses for Catleya. Unlike some students, she had to juggle her time in college between work and school. She was fortunate to get a scholarship so school was not a problem. She worked part time as a saleslady in a jewelry shop in Antipolo to pay for her boarding house and other expenses. She also worked as a student assistant at their school and as a freelance programmer. However, just when everything was going well for Catleya, another shocking incident happened that further rocked her world. Her older brother got into trouble and lost the sight of his left eye when she was in her first year in college. Catleya nevertheless remained unfazed and steadfast in her goals. For her, these are challenges she must overcome to become an even stronger and better person.
At STI, Catleya was a consistent academic achiever. She graduated Magna Cum Laude and a recipient of Pres. GMA Academic Excellence Award, among others. She was also a regular participant of several quiz bee competitions. Looking back, it was surprising though that what Catleya fondly cherishes as her most treasured experience was not a particular academic achievement but rather a production number during their Freshmen’s Day. Their group had to do a dance number and Catleya unfortunately knows nothing about dancing. “Parehong kaliwa ang paa ko and I am also shy around a lot of people. I honestly don’t know where I got the guts to do that. But during that moment, I truly felt I was a dancing queen.”
Catleya has certainly come a long way since then, from the shy and timid girl who first stepped in STI to a woman oozing with confidence who stepped out to the world. STI, according to Catleya, molded her into the person that she is right now. Her instructors instilled in her the values of humility, to respect each and every individual, and to work hard for her dreams. STI also gave her the confidence to come out of her shell and explore her potentials. They encouraged her to participate in a lot of activities that brought her out of her ‘comfort zone.’ In return, Catleya finds time from her busy schedule to provide advice and guidance to Thesis students in her alma mater during weekends. She also volunteers in peer tutorials.
Currently, Catleya works as a Development Consultant at Global Implementation Services (GIS). GIS is the largest provider of Microsoft Dynamics-Great Plains in the Philippines. They are the first to introduce Microsoft Business Solutions Retail Management System to the Philippine market. As a Development Consultant, she performs a variety of functions ranging from programming, system analysis and design, documentation, and quality assurance. She conducts technical training as well.
Aside from STI, Catleya also attributes her success to her late mother. Her stories and struggles inspired Catleya to continue with her aspirations. “I remember her stories. She was always an honor student but could not continue her high school due to poverty. She worked hard for us, as a domestic helper abroad. But she passed away when I was 14 years old. It is a bit sad that she did not even see me fulfill the dreams she had for me. But I know that wherever she is now, she is watching me, smiling and proud of my achievements.”
In her free time, Catleya can be frequently seen teaching children and playing with them. She mentioned that if she did not become a Development Consultant, she will probably be a teacher. She laughingly shared that she used to gather the children in their neighborhood when she was young and play “school” with them. Naturally, she is the teacher and the rest of her playmates are the students. Even as a kid, she already has this constant thirst for learning. She is like a sponge who takes in any information she can possibly get her hands to. While she is still with GIS, Catleya plans to attend any seminars or trainings offered for Microsoft’s business solutions and get further certifications. In 5 years, she aims to be a technical consultant or an Axapta Technical Architect in one of the Microsoft Dynamics’ partners in Canada.
Catleya can definitely attest that if you dream and aims for it, coupled with strong will, perseverance, passion and humility, you can succeed regardless of how many storms may come your way. She firmly believes that just like the words of the great hockey player Wayne Gretzky, “You miss 100% of the shot you don’t take.”