Ep 42: Resilience, Motherhood & Leadership

In the 42nd episode of MY 94-5, Ms. Ninfa B. Quirante sits down with Hon. Ma. Nirene Estrobo-Ramos, the dedicated Chairperson (Kapitan) of Barangay G (Poblacion), Borongan City.

Raised a proud Boronganon by her parents, Mr. Rene Balondo Estrobo and Nida Espina Alagabia, Kapitan Nirene built a robust and diverse career before stepping into public service. A proud alumna of Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Business Management, she also holds a Professional Teacher's Certificate (PTC) in Secondary Education Major in Social Science. Her professional journey includes a decade of service at Bayan Telecommunications (BayanTel), two years at Globe Telecommunications, and working as a Massage Therapy Trainor at the TESDA Arteche National Agricultural School (ANAS).

In this deeply personal interview, Kapitan Nirene opens up about her life's trials and triumphs. She looks back at how her talent as a varsity tennis player became her ticket to finishing college, paving the way for her future achievements.

She also bravely shares her raw struggles as a single mother to her three boys. Listeners will hear her poignant journey through a failing marriage—trying her hardest to make the relationship work before facing estrangement and battling depression. She recounts the tough days of figuring out how to raise and support her young sons alone, sometimes even facing food shortages.

Despite the heavy challenges of her past and the current demands of being a local government leader, her story is ultimately one of resilience. She highlights the power of community, expressing deep gratitude for her loyal group of friends who never left her side and served as her greatest support system through it all.