written by KC Ann Neljane Abella | September 9, 2025
September 2025 Feature
Every community has its unsung heroes, those who work quietly yet steadfastly to keep everything moving forward. At UP Mindanao, their stories are the foundation of our institutional culture, rooted in service, integrity, and excellence.
The “PADAYON UPMIN:Heart of Service” Campaign was created to honor these individuals, the people whose dedication makes the University not only a workplace but also a place of purpose and belonging. For our very first feature, we spotlight someone who has spent nearly three decades ensuring that UP Mindanao’s operations remain strong and steady: Chief Accountant Zenaida G. Calatrava or so known “Ma’am Zeny”
The Accounting Office may work quietly behind the scenes, but its role is vital to the life of the University. From processing paperwork to safeguarding resources, the office ensures that UP Mindanao runs smoothly, and at the heart of it is Chief Accountant Zeny Calatrava.
For Ma’am Zeny, her almost three-decade journey in UP Mindanao has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. She joined the University in December 1997, after leaving her career in the banana industry. It was her husband who first saw the job posting in the Mindanao Mirror, and she applied even if the hiring process was far from easy. “Naghulat gyud ko ma-vacate,” she recalled. She began her service as a casual employee—hired for temporary, non-regular work—uncertain of what her future at the University would hold.
Those early years were far from easy. For eight years, she served under casual status, doing her best to support her family while navigating the challenges of limited resources and stiff competition for positions. At one point, she was reassigned to the Cash Office, but when vacancies opened again, she returned to the Accounting Office, this time as Officer-in-Charge, stepping up to lead after many of her colleagues pursued opportunities abroad.
Even after she secured her permanent item, the challenges didn’t stop. “Dili siya…bed of roses,” she said. The office often received critical feedback, and even seasoned employees like her lived with the possibility of being replaced. The repetitive grind of government service made her question if she should stay. At different points, she even considered going back to the private sector or trying her hand at teaching.
But what made her stay? For Ma’am Zeny, it was both her family and her calling to serve. She realized that leaving was not the answer; instead, she chose to endure and grow within the University. With this decision came many rewards, such as witnessing improvements in employee benefits, earning the trust of her colleagues, and even becoming part of UP Mindanao’s development from its early years to today.
One of her most memorable experiences was being sent to represent UP Mindanao in a meeting in Manila. “Dili pud ko outgoing… shy pud ko…,” she admitted, yet she stepped into unfamiliar rooms full of strangers and carried the weight of responsibility. Out of that trip, she not only accomplished her task but also built new friendships, proof that service in UP also pushed her beyond her comfort zone.
Her service was later recognized through the Gawad Chancellor Award for the Supervisory category in 2014. The award symbolized her dedication to integrity, accountability, and leadership. More recently, under her leadership, the Accounting Office was recognized by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) as one of the top taxpayers in Davao City for two consecutive years, in 2023 and 2024. Yet Ma’am Zeny is quick to share the credit with her staff:
“It’s always a group effort, not a one-man job.”
As a leader, she ensures her staff feel valued, whether through guidance, food, or small gifts. She has stood by them in difficult times and held them accountable when necessary. For her, leadership is not just about authority but about building a team rooted in commitment and service.
From 1997 until today, Ms. Calatrava has given almost three decades of loyalty and expertise to UP Mindanao. She has weathered the storms of doubt, fatigue, and criticism, yet remains steadfast in her role.
“I’m still here standing… ang head sa Accounting Office… Na nag salig pa gihapon ang admin sa akoa,” she said softly, with quiet conviction.
Indeed, behind the University’s accomplishments are people like Zeny Calatrava—unseen but indispensable. Her story reminds us that UP Mindanao’s strength lies not only in its scholars and leaders, but also in the people working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep its foundation firm.