Nerissa Bandiola traced her roots in a farming village in Magnet. Her mother is of Tagabawa descent while his father is a Cebuano settler. Coming from a large family of 9 children, it was her childhood dream to finish schooling and succeed in life.
“I am thankful to MAFI for providing for my educational needs. It gave me the chance to finish my college education. I used to be shy then, but it molded me and developed my self-confidence. It trained me how to do basic office work. It also taught me how to mingle with others, and to be responsible, independent, and professional,” she elaborated.
Serving now as MAFI’s finance officer and assistant corporate secretary, Nerissa values her work so much and would not trade it despite several lucrative opportunities to pursue the proverbial greener pasture overseas. She is effusively indebted to MAFI and considers her 14 years of work in the foundation a selfless dedication and vocation.
It is more a psychic reward why Nerissa is still with MAFI. “My family is proud of my accomplishments as a MAFI scholar, and eventually, as its finance officer. Also, I serve as a model to other Lumad children to chase their dreams,” she expounded.
“As finance officer, I need to strictly follow policies so that MAFI will be compliant with external audit requirements. Some scholars have misinterpreted me for being so stern. I understand their situation and relate with them. But I also need to keep a balance by setting boundaries and explaining to them the need to be rules-based,” she said.
Since MAFI is the only organization in Cotabato accredited by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification and a Bureau of Internal Revenue-registered donee organization, she aspires that it will be able to innovatively raise more funds through donor campaigns, develop proposals, and access support from various funders. She also hopes that it will ultimately expand its geographic reach and be well-known beyond its area of responsibility.
Nerissa Olasiman-Bandiola, MBA
Finance Staff
