ILOILO City – Leading congressional candidate Julienne “Jam-jam” Baronda won over her self-imposed target of finishing her master’s degree in public administration on time. The goal was tough since she had to juggle her time between her Senate work, mothering, managing her business ventures, and studying.
“I won over the challenges that I had to conquer to get this diploma. I was a full time Senate staff based in Manila who had to fly in every week for my weekend classes. I had to travel all over the country most of the time. I was a full-time mom to my seven-year-old daughter. Thank God I am done now,” Baronda said during her graduation rites for her Master in Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Guimaras State College on April 15.
Baronda enrolled in the MPA program for her professional development. She had no idea that this would be useful when she becomes the first congresswoman of Iloilo City because she did not even have any idea two years ago that she would run for Congress.
“I was just thinking that I should take this MPA to learn more, to equip myself because working in government needs all the knowledge that you could. I did not imagine it would be that taxing to me,” Baronda said as she marched along with her sister, Councilor Julie Grace “Love” Baronda, who also finished her MPA.
Being based in Metro Manila where she was working as Sen. JV Ejercito’s chief political pfficer, Baronda, an accounting graduate from the University of San Agustin, would take a flight home on Thursdays to be with her first grade daughter and do her mother duties like tutoring her with her school assignments.
If she is on an out-of-town assignment, she would take two or three connecting flights on Fridays to be present in class on Saturdays. Apparently Guimaras State College is not a diploma mill but is in fact strict with its students’ attendance and is ISO certified. It is also demanding with its class requirements.
“I had to sacrifice a lot. Sometimes I would sleep on the plane or at the airport. I don’t know if I snored. All I had in mind was to be home to be with Nana and to attend my classes. I would return to Manila on Mondays after bringing Nana to school. Then we would have video calls all the time. Good thing there is this technology. My daughter doesn’t notice the physical distance because she sees me,” the former Sangguniang Kabataan president and city councilor further narrated.
“The lessons and discussions were challenging but I always drew my answers and sharing from my experience as a public servant. I am more confident now that I am not only equipped with a wealth of experience but a stock of knowledge when I assume office. This is not just for my advantage but for the public I will serve,” she further said.
Baronda credits her success in finishing her master’s degree to sacrifice and her determination to succeed.
“I think sacrificing for your goals in life is what fueled me to do this. I was raised a Catholic and by Catholic institutions. We value sacrifice. And also I am a determined, impassioned person who does everything within my means to achieve my goal no matter how hard or difficult it maybe. Sheer will power drove me to where I want to be and this one is the best example of that,” she said.
Baronda values education and one of her priority areas under her “H.O.P.E.” platform of government is education. She vowed to continue the Uswag Scholarship program of Cong. Jerry Treñas and expand it. She also wants to extend scholarship to those who want to enroll in courses offered only by private universities.
She further wants public school teachers to be ASEAN-integration ready so she plans to offer them with scholarship to finish their graduate and post-graduate studies./PN
