Quezon City — There is fanfare and laughter, complemented by a spontaneous karaoke session echoing from the small round table in the middle of the room. The sound reverberates throughout, creating a rhythmic, harmonic, and symphonic atmosphere. Just like tides at sea, it washes away any of a somber mood that might have settled in the office walls.

Eventually, the fun fades momentarily. For a brief moment, it is back to silence, but soon everyone gathers again to celebrate the 65th birthday and the relentless years of service and loyalty—37 years of hard work—of Mercedes Camalig, or Mercy to her colleagues. The afternoon of February 27 is filled with nostalgia, gratitude, and heartfelt goodbyes.

The program unfolds with a combination of joy and wistfulness. Every parting message and wish left by a colleague elicits both laughter and fond recollections. In one corner, there is a small photo exhibit where Mercy’s coworkers leave messages for her, allowing her to look back on them when she takes the prints home.

Engaging games like “What would Mercy do?” and “Eh Ikaw?” encouraged everyone to participate, filling the atmosphere with laughter and creating lasting memories. These moments are like treasures in a bottle set adrift in the metaphorical sea called home.

As a final farewell, everyone gathered to sing a little tribute song to the tune of Anne Murray’s “Just Another Woman in Love,” with lyrics modified to reflect Mercy’s impact on her many colleagues from the past and the present.

In a separate interview, Mercy reminisces about her 37 years at the NCMB, reflecting on the changes that have taken place during her tenure. “Dati, one-man personnel lang ‘yung isang division… kung ano ‘yung beat mo, mag-isa ka lang. Pero ngayon, kumpleto na ‘yung staffing pattern,” she said.
“‘Yung sa office malaking pagbabago kasi from Intramuros, ang liit-liit ng office namin; ngayon ay 3 floors na. Tsaka may kanya-kanya nang cubicle. Dati noon tabi-tabi lang kami sa isang division, tabi-tabi ‘yung mesa namin. Ngayon per cubicle na,” she added.

As she prepares to leave, Mercy reflects on her over three decades of service at NCMB, sharing, “‘Di naman siguro ako aabot ng 37 years kung hindi naging fruitful ang stay ko sa NCMB. Marami akong natutunan, plus minahal ko ‘yung mga kasamahan ko.”
When asked what she would miss the most, she highlighted the bond and companionship she had developed. Having spent more time with her colleagues than at home, she treasures the camaraderie they have built over the years.

Looking forward to her retirement, she expressed excitement about spending more time with her family, saying, “Mag-concentrate na lang doon sa family life na hindi ko nagawa noong nagtatrabaho ako, kahit malaki na ‘yung anak ko… sa apo na siguro ako babawi.”
Mercy started at NCMB in January 1988 as a Senior Clerk. Over the years, she steadily climbed the ranks, serving as Budget Officer I, Administrative Officer II, and, eventually, Administrative Officer V in January 2005.

Mercy leaves behind countless memories and her mark etched not only in the walls of NCMB, but also in the hearts of every colleague she has touched.

end/jppm