Nepo's Homecoming

"Anytime you come back, our company will wholeheartedly accept you back - no questions asked," This was the parting words of Atty. Ferdinand T. Santos to Ms. Annabelle P. Nepomuceno, VP for Human Resources of the Fil-Estate Group of Companies on her last day of work where all the employees and officers gathered to give tribute to an officer, who, for almost two decades, unselfishly steered and led the company by taking care of its most important asset, the Human Resources.

Nepo, as she is fondly called by the employees (although her real name is Shirley, which she managed to keep secret through the entire length of her tenure) recently visited Fil-Estate after two years of work in the United States. She was here in the Philippines for a corrective eye surgery at the Medical City. After the surgery which took less than an hour to complete, she made a courtesy call to Atty. Santos who was very happy to see her again. Upon learning that Nepo is in the building, the employees rushed to the Executive Office and queued to see Nepo personally, me included. For the employees, especially those who were close to Nepo, it was indeed a rare moment of jubilation. Hugs and kisses were everywhere - everywhere Nepo went. She was sorely missed. It was some sort of a homecoming, except that only one came and everybody else was waiting for the lone homecoming guest, Nepo being the guest.

Under the gracious hands of Ms. Ime Reyes, pasalubong holder Mang Carling and photographer Bar Famero, Nepo tried to visit every department, every company under the Fil-Estate umbrella, including her baby, Mt. Zion Memorial, Inc. On seeing Mt. Zion personnel, she sexclaimed, "I wish to be surprised when I make a visit to Fil-Estate and true enough, I am surprised to see the employees of Mt. Zion formerly based at the branches now working at the Head Office!" Nepo also spent time with her very own department, the Human Resources, which is now, as she has noted, filled with new faces - sexier, slimmer and younger but nobody came close to the huskiness of her voice.

Nepo's visit was quite short but very productive and meaningful. She once again showed that enthusiam virus which almost certainly got transmitted once again to the employees. I know it's her talent - no, it's her gift, a God-given gift.

Ariba, Nepo! 'Til we meet again!