EPeeps Mylene Pangilinan “Boo” | Customer Support Specialist
Mabuhay! I’m Mylene Pangilinan from the Pearl of the Orient Seas, Philippines. Living in a country that has high happiness levels despite the many trials and typhoons we face each year, my interests revolve around little things in life that bring me joy: sunsets at the beach, volunteer work, talking about life and food with my friends, to name but a few.
My newest joy for almost three years now is Education Perfect. I joined EP in June 2019 as a Customer Support Specialist and haven’t looked back since. Prior to that, I had worked in a Korean company for nine and a half years, so it was a huge adjustment working at EP at first. I remember taking my first reception call where the customer said “courier post,” and then I told my Manager it was from “Korea Post”. We both laughed. As I now work in two teams on a daily basis – the Inbound Team and the Content Team, I’ve been learning new things about New Zealand and it’s been super exciting!
Why do you love working at EP?
I love EP’s mission of providing teachers and students with high-quality resources. Growing up I didn’t have the best opportunities for learning, so being part of what EP does, knowing that each day students’ lives from different parts of the globe are changed, makes my day to day work worthwhile. I also love EP’s core values which I have incorporated into my own. Even outside of work, I have learned to be more supportive of others, to be more open and straightforward in communicating, and to end each day excited by tomorrow.
What is your secret talent?
Event hosting. I consider it a talent because I never went through any formal training or attended any workshops related to it, but surprisingly people keep asking me to be their MC. So far I have hosted more than 200 events, mostly weddings. I was even invited once by an organisation to emcee a party in Seoul, South Korea!
Where is somewhere you’d like to visit?
Too easy, New Zealand! I would like to be able to finally step into the EP head office and meet face to face with the wonderful people I chat with on Slack every day. Meeting Emma McAllister, Dan Martin, Reanne de Ruiter and Tobin Doidge a few years ago when they visited the Philippines has been my favourite EP moment to date. It was lovely having lunch and coffee with them. Wait for me, New Zealand!
Tell us your favourite teacher/student story
It was during lockdown when people were still too afraid of COVID-19. I was having symptoms at that time and doing self-quarantine but still chose to work from home. A teacher emailed asking for help in relation to EP platform functionality. I answered all her queries, and she replied thanking me. To my surprise, at the bottom of her message was attached one of my favourite bible verses: “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) – exactly what I needed. That encouraged me a lot, and I realised at that moment that life was not random, and I was not alone even in quarantine. Thank you, God!
What is your proudest moment?
When the first-ever Robot Teacher from South Korea called “Engkey” was launched, I was selected as the operator and the voice of the robot. The launch was televised in different countries, and aside from appearing on Philippine TV, I was also interviewed by SBS Australia and featured on their website. I hadn’t told my family and friends about it so imagine their surprise when they saw my face on TV. My mama was so proud!
What advice would you pass on to a younger version of yourself?
I grew up in a loving but poor family, so I thought life would always be poor. I didn’t take risks and just accepted whatever came our way. But now I have come to understand that we all have a chance to improve our life, just don’t be afraid to take chances.
Younger Boo, be brave and run the race marked out for you. Run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. Fight to win, be humble and kind, help others get ahead, forgive quickly, honour your parents, laugh without fear of the future, have faith in Jesus, and love generously!
