A JTA Gift
The only send-off gift I could think of for one of my closest friends!
When I first became a CORREL manager last year, several members immediately told me that the bar was Jevin. He was the best; the most innovative and creative member the department has ever seen. He was defined to be able to single-handedly provide your project (and 2–3 more projects after that) with sponsors. Our then-VP Alex was so high on him, that it made me really wonder: “Just how good was Jevin?” He was a high school friend; but I wanted to see a different side, the side of him that actually excelled in CORREL. Having my usual competitive drive, I wanted to take on this challenge; and of course, the best way to challenge this bar was to learn from him and his ways first.

BUT he was not an exuberant teacher from the get-go. I remember those days where he would criticize my way and laugh at my efforts because he was so sure I would not land any sponsors that way. He really doesn’t want the easy-way out, getting pissed and probably disappointed whenever I (sneakily and resourcefully) get my hand into one of his resources. He would remind me time and time again that if you want to earn his respect, then show your grit and determination to find your own contacts first. I never understood it back then. I mean, just give me some of your contacts, then that will probably be more efficient and effective, right? To be honest, I think Jevin himself didn’t know that he was on to something bigger — his usual competitiveness and tough persona actually morphed into a subtle process of developing someone like me.
Fast forward days and months later, little did I realize that Jevin slowly became one of the very few people that I could trust for advices and assistance. I remember tapping him as one of the facis for my very first project Marketing Seminar, giving him a role and an avenue to once again do his miracle of low-key helping people grow. To further emphasize my trust on him back then, he was the only non-EB faci there. He was just that good and committed in supporting this department.
“That kind of skill and creativity, coupled with such pure commitment and concern, only comes once upon a time.”
His legend in CORREL does not stop there. He was my MAF marketing head, and for the first time in my life have I seen a project that loaded with freebies and giveaways. He was also trusted with the role of becoming the project head of the first-ever installment of Marketing Executives Program. It was a program deemed to go deeper to what CORREL is, and it just seemed right that Jevin was the one to lead it. To add to that, he also single-handedly transformed Ember Summer Bazaar into the ever-glorious and magnificent Ember Sponsors Bazaar (it his codename for that event LOL)!. He opened so many opportunities for this department, that you couldn’t help but be grateful that he is in this organization. That kind of skill and creativity, coupled with such pure commitment and concern, only comes once upon a time. And it is a privilege and a spectacle to be able to see Jevin work his magic alongside him.


A s I slowly strive and climb my way up in the CORREL department ranks, Jevin has been my best partner, being there to help me every step of the way. During elections, he would throw me concerns and questions that were deeply rooted and unthinkable for usual CORREL members. He helped formulate my platform, a platform that is slowly being implemented in the department as I speak. As I was away for a whole month for my STA program, I felt 100x more relieved knowing someone of his caliber and initiative was there to aid us. He also kept throwing me opportunities one after the other. Looking at it today — and of course through all those chats, discourses, and discussions that we had, I can clearly say that this bond that we share goes way beyond work and CORREL. I could go on and on about this, but this article is more about Jevin.



Jevin has always worked behind the scenes; and albeit he admits it, he could use more recognition and appreciation. You could say that he is the firm foundation of a towering infrastructure, or the embedded root of a beautiful tree. For all the success in CORREL, it probably wouldn’t have been the same without the gentle giant which is Jevin. This does not apply solely to me though, for I’m pretty sure a number of Celadoneans can confidently testify.
Now, as your partner and brother, I took my time in thinking of the best JTA send-off gift that I could give. And here it is, an intangible article that will forever cement your legacy in the CORREL department. Years from now, I hope people can read this and aspire to become a Jevin.
Thank you so much and Bon Voyage, Sir!

