Celebrating Employee Milestones: 47th University Service Awards (Part 3)

Every year, Ateneo de Manila University hosts an awards ceremony to recognize employees who have reached a milestone in their years of service to the university. The first University Service Awards was held in 1978, in which 34 employees were honored. This year, on the 13th of March, the University will hold the 47th University Service Awards at the Ateneo Junior High School Covered Courts.

In a 3-part feature, we asked our service awardees to share their thoughts about their work in Ateneo and their experiences while working here. Let’s tune in to their responses as they share their stories on why they chose Ateneo, what keeps them going to have reached their milestone year, their favorite memory at work, a favorite spot on campus and an important lesson they learned throughout their years in Ateneo.

Part 3 features  Maria Lourdes Benito, Dr Jaime Jose G Nicdao and Dr  Maria Resurreccion Palma-Alejo.

You may read Part 1 and Part 2 here.

Maria Lourdes Benito (15-year awardee)

School of Medicine and Public Health

Why Ateneo?
Stepping back into Ateneo was a coming home moment for me. It was a place where my journey in hoping to make a difference continued and where so many full-circle moments unfolded. As an alumna, returning through ASMPH allowed me to reconnect with former professors who had shaped my growth and development. But the sense of irony ran even deeper on a personal level. My father, a physician, spent years trying to convince me to pursue medicine—a path I resisted—only for me to find myself working with the medical school. Even more ironic, he practiced at The Medical City, ASMPH’s partner hospital. I can almost picture him now, shaking his head and rolling his eyes at the poetic twist of it all.

What keeps you going?
It’s hard to believe that I’ve been with Ateneo for 15 years. My journey has had its share of joys and challenges, but what makes the work more meaningful and fulfilling is the people I work with and our shared vision for ASMPH’s impact on the Philippine health system. Working with kindred spirits helps me stay the course.

It’s also very rewarding to see our graduates drive change, challenge the status quo, and become leaders who embody the very ideals we’ve worked so hard for. Beyond that, it’s the sense of family—the camaraderie among colleagues, that makes ASMPH and Ateneo feel like home. Even when the work gets tough, we remind ourselves that, above all, we are friends united by a common mission. And that makes all the difference.

Favorite memory at work?
Some of my favorite memories come from our community activities, moments when we come together to celebrate milestones, push our limits to improve the school and create a better school for our students. I cherish the excitement of brainstorming new initiatives and envisioning how ASMPH can grow and innovate. But what I love most are the conversations with students, staff, and faculty about what we’re most passionate about. Those exchanges, filled with energy and purpose, make the work all the more meaningful.

Favorite spot on campus?
I don’t have a favorite spot on campus, but I have a favorite time of day - those moments of connection. I love chatting with students in the hallway, sharing a laugh about their day, or simply listening as they talk about their exhaustion and exam worries. I enjoy stopping by the faculty room for a quick, relaxed conversation and sharing meals with the staff, appreciating their company and camaraderie. I also enjoy joining university activities, collaborating with other units, building relationships beyond ASMPH, and getting to know more of the amazing people within the Ateneo community.

Most important lesson you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned from working at Ateneo is the power of genuine connection. Nothing is more impactful than working with kindred spirits - people with the same passion and purpose. More than just completing tasks, it’s about building relationships because meaningful work happens when people feel seen, heard, and valued. Laughter and bonding moments are not just small joys; they are essential in creating a thriving community.

I’ve learned that being student-centered means constantly relearning who our students are, understanding what drives them, and adapting to their needs. We must take care of one another because a strong institution is built on the well-being of its people. As administrators, we are culture bearers responsible for shaping an environment where everyone feels included, supported, and empowered. And that requires vulnerability, openness, and a willingness to unite people.

Jaime Jose Nicdao (35-year awardee)

Office of the Vice President for Basic Education

Why Ateneo?
I chose Ateneo as the workplace because it has been integral to my life since childhood. I started here in 1971 as a prep student and stayed through high school, college, and my MA studies—all within these familiar halls. My father, who taught here from 1952 to 1985, never pushed me into teaching, but his dedication, simplicity, and hard work left a deep impression on me. He truly embodied the spirit of magis and was well-loved by his students and colleagues.

Interestingly, my decision to work here also had a rather practical side. Coming from a banking job where I was earning Php 1,800 per month, Ateneo's starting salary of Php 2,300 seemed like a big jump! That extra Php 500 made a real difference—not just financially, but in shaping my incredible journey over the past 35 years. It was more than just a career move; it was a calling. Ultimately, I  stayed because I wholeheartedly believe in Ateneo's mission and vision, which inspires me daily."

What keeps you going?
The dynamic and fulfilling nature of my roles keeps me going in this work. As the finance officer for the basic education cluster, I embrace the challenges of the job—it keeps me engaged and constantly learning.  I also appreciate the opportunity to guide others while being guided by myself.

Beyond administration, my part-time teaching at GBSEALD provides a refreshing change of pace. Engaging with fellow educators from different backgrounds sparks my creativity and reinforces my passion for education.

On a personal level, having my spouse working in the same institution is a blessing—we share experiences, understand each other’s tasks, and support one another. Working closely with the Jesuits also deepens my sense of purpose, reminding me that my work is not just a profession but a vocation.

Ultimately, what truly keeps me going is that I genuinely enjoy what I do and the people I work with. The challenges, the learning, and the meaningful connections make every day rewarding.

Favorite memory at work?
One of my favorite memories at work happened in 2004 when the late Fr Joey Fermin SJ approached me in the corridor with a life-changing question. He asked if I would be willing to step into an administrative role to replace someone who had been in the position for 40 years and was retiring that year. My initial reaction—internally—was simply, 'Wow.'

I told Fr Joey I needed time to think and pray about it. It wasn't a decision to be taken lightly. Eventually, I embraced the challenge, and that moment became an actual turning point in my career. Looking back, I realize how that decision shaped my journey in unexpected ways. As they say, the rest is history!

Favorite spot on campus?
My favorite spot on campus is the Rock Garden in the Grade School. It’s a beautiful slice of nature—serene yet full of life. As a grade-schooler, I remember hopping from rock to rock and playing hide-and-seek with my classmates,  making it a place of adventure and childhood joy. Back then, it wasn’t unusual to spot a ‘bayawak’ (monitor lizard) roaming around—a fascinating sight that added to the garden’s wild charm. The Rock Garden remains special to me, not just for its natural beauty but for the fond memories it holds.

Most important lesson you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to embrace challenges. Often, the biggest opportunities come when we step outside our comfort zones. Whether taking on an administrative role or balancing teaching and other responsibilities, I’ve found that facing challenges head-on opens up growth and new possibilities. Through these challenges, I’ve learned the most about myself and the impact I can have on others.

Maria Resurreccion Palma-Alejo (40-year awardee)

Strategy and Quality Management Office, President's Cluster

Gokongwei Brothers School of Education and Learning Design

Why Ateneo?
Ateneo is home. My parents met here, and my sisters and I grew up here. I studied here for college, and after graduating, I decided I wanted to work at home.

What keeps you going?
The mission keeps me going—knowing that I am an instrument in God’s work of teaching and forming students placed under my care and collaborating with colleagues who have shared this mission for years.

Favorite memory at work?
Napakadami, but my favorite memory was when I almost did not make it on my probationary year because I wasn’t sure if teaching was what I wanted to do. In my third probationary year, I was given the rookie award for a new teacher. At that point, I decided to commit myself to being a teacher for life.

Favorite spot on campus?
Grade School Rock Garden

Most important lesson you’ve learned?
Life is about loving and serving God through my work, in whatever capacity I am called to do so.  If God loves me so generously, how can I not love him back as generously? Working in Ateneo is about finding and loving God through people, events, and things —experiences that make up each day.

The interviews have been edited for length and clarity.