GLENDALINE L. KALAW
Executive Assistant III, Office of the Executive Director
Prior to her current post, she co-authored publications on Rice Integrated Crop Management in the Philippines, and was a part of the inception team of the Rice Check System, now known as the PalayCheck System. She embarked on her career as a financial analyst, statistical associate, and technical support to research management after earning her degree in Agribusiness Management from the UP Los Baños. In 2007, she diverted her career to patient care. She worked as a Staff Nurse in a tertiary hospital as part of her advocacy in caring for other people. In dealing with stress, she embraces the principle of “think before you act” to prevent the unwanted consequences in times of crucial challenges.
JOYBETH N. LISONDRA
Executive Assistant III, Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Development
For six years, she served as a faculty member of the Department of Development Communication in Central Luzon State University. It was an enriching experience for her bringing learning to the fore, while demystifying theories among students. She initially joined PhilRice in 2010 as Executive Assistant at the Office of the Deputy Director for Research. But if you ask about her best accomplishment and daily dose of happiness, it is raising her two children – Elmo and Faith, both college students at the UP Diliman – her future computer scientist and chemical engineer, respectively. She manages her stress with her friends through artistic learnings, motivational videos, Tiktok, journaling, and other diversionary means.
SHEREEN RAZON-FRANCIA
Executive Assistant III, Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Research
After graduating cum laude from BA Speech Communication in UP Diliman, she had been an HR staff and an all-around teacher-to-the barrio. She joined the institute in 2011 as a Science Research Specialist I at the Development Communication Division. In 2015, she served at DA-PhilRice Los Baños where she was awarded as one of the Outstanding Development Staffers. In 2018, she received the Outstanding General Administrative Support Staffer award. Eventually, she realized that stress is a natural part of life, it need not control her, it is rather an invitation to create music and art, a mirror to remind her how much she needs God in her life, and a pruning session—it hurts, it’s uncomfortable, but then, she grows new shoots.
ROSIELYN P. CONVERSION
Executive Assistant III, Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Administrative Services and Finance
Despite the tyranny of poverty, her parents struggled to raise and educate all their seven children. As a student, she worked hard and graduated cum laude with a degree in Business Administration, from Mindanao State University, to honor the sacrifices of her parents. Her group’s social enterprise project for her MBA won a cash grant from a youth summit sponsored by Microsoft in 2017. Using this small amount as startup capital, her group helped mothers earn additional income by cultivating and selling potted culinary herbs. She also believes that learning and growth are the best rewards she gets from her job knowing that it is a continuous process that keeps her going.
HONEY LYN Q. PALILEO
Executive Assistant II, RCEF-Program Management Office She served as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director of Philippine Carabao Center in 2017-2020 before joining the institute. She handles office correspondence and is often trusted with complex duties and sensitive information. While performing her duties at PhilRice, she is pursuing her Masters in Business Administration at the Central Luzon State University. This is her way of striving to become better. Notably, she organized and launched the virtual ceremonial signing of the MOA on Binhi e-Padala (Pilot test) and the RCEF Seed and Extension Annual and Mid-Year Reviews in 2020. She feels blessed having superiors and colleagues who always extend a helping hand during these challenging times.
