In celebration of the International Women’s Month (IWD) 2024, this eWalkthrough issue casts a spotlight on Felicidad “Fely” Tokoyen, our site finance representative in our projects in Southern Negros. She was the only female finisher of First Balfour’s The Bull Runner (TBR) Dream Marathon Batch 2024.
Learn more about #HerStory which highlights embracing growth opportunities, showcasing resilience in the face of challenges, and the value of community support in achieving personal and professional goals.
Tell us more about your role. I am currently the Site Finance Representative of two projects here in Negros Occidental, the South Lagunao Project and the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project. Prior to being deployed here, I was assigned in the Bicol Region specifically in Palayan and both the PGPC Mak-Ban and Tiwi projects.
What excites you about your job? I am from the Mountain Province and was residing in Baguio City before getting hired in 2016 as an accounting clerk in the NLEX Road Widening project. All these project assignments from up north in Pampanga to the south in Negros Occidental allowed me to travel areas in the Philippines which I never thought I could reach.
I like working in the provinces more than in the metro because of Metro Manila’s horrendous traffic. I experienced this firsthand when I was deployed as an accounting assistant in the Eugenio Lopez Jr. Center for Media Arts in Quezon City. I remember leaving the Head Office at 5:00 in the afternoon only to arrive at the project staff house at 10:00 in the evening.
What’s the most challenging part of your role? Challenges differ depending on the project I am assigned to. There have been hurdles in terms of report submission and time management but one thing I always make use of are the learnings I get from these challenges. One thing I noticed about First Balfour employees is the skill of balancing of multiple tasks well. Nagagawa nating i-accommodate ang iba pang trabaho hangga’t kaya para sa success ng project. [We are able to accommodate more work in our aim to deliver our respective projects successfully].
What’s a memorable project assignment for you? Each of my project assignments have been unique in their own ways but since I have stayed the longest with the PGPC Tiwi Project—I was here for three years, memories from that project remain to be among my favorites. I remember the project management team (PMT) organizing fun activities off work including Sunday runs. We even tried running from the site to Tabaco City which is roughly 13 kilometers away!
The start of Fely’s marathon journey was during the Run for the Sea Turtles with the PGPC Tiwi PMT
What made you decide to join TBR? I first saw it in an old eWalkthrough issue where a colleague in Finance Jonalyn Ayangwa had been part of the 2020 TBR Dream Marathon finishers. I was a track and field athlete from elementary since high school and running has always been an outlet for me. I got to try a number of half-marathons and fun runs last year including the 21-kilometer run along CCLEX.
How was the experience? Since I am outside Metro Manila where a TBR training session called bull session is held every Sunday, I missed out on all the training. To prepare for the marathon, I made sure to train on my own every chance I get following what the TBR team posts and shares with those who registered. That means beginning at 5-kilometer runs then gradually increasing the distance every session until I got to reach 22 kilometers. Importanteng makapa mo ang endurance ng katawan mo. [It is important that you are aware of your level of running endurance].
During race day, I started getting cramps at the 16-kilometer mark and eventually hit the wall at 21 kilometers. It was challenging but I needed to remind myself that I need to keep going until I gained momentum again. I finished the run at 6 hours and 49 seconds. Thank you to my batchmates, Eralix and Mark, and the pacers and the First Balfour support group who were cheering me on.
L-R: Eralix Carbonel (T1 Rentals), Fely, Mark Clareza (Procurement), and pacer Macky de Lima
Do you have any advice for women this IWD? While the majority in First Balfour are engineers and Finance acts as a support department, remember that a project team cannot function well without any finance personnel, any safety personnel, etc. Remember that each one in the team has a significant role to play. Kahit accounting ka, dapat may knowledge ka sa ginagawang project. And as a team, dapat nakakapa niyo ang trabaho ng bawat isa. Nakakatulong siya sa ikakabuti ng project. Confidence and continuous learning can help navigate any field.
Additionally, advocating for yourself and others can lead to positive change and inclusivity. Kahit babae tayo, kung nakikita natin na kaya natin isuggest sa team, gawin natin. Kasali ka sa team. Assert yourself. Stay knowledgeable about your craft. Cultivate a supportive network.
What do you do outside work? Our project team often does trips to nearby tourist spots. We once went to a beach in Bais City where we also did a cleanup drive. Other times, I still jog in preparation for the next marathon I will be joining. My next goal is to finish 42 kilometers in 5 hours and 30 minutes.
First Balfour is committed to creating a workplace where all employees, regardless of gender, feel respected and valued. So today, in celebration of International Women’s Day, and every day, we honor all the strong and capable women who are helping us build for good.
Happy International Women’s Day!
