Gie Victoria's got all the tools for this Fil-Am secretary job -- the brains, experience, support from family and an ego that doesn't compel her to replace competence, even brilliance, with mediocrity. She's very soft-spoken; but she'll jump into an argument if she thinks it merits further deliberating. Guess, we all found that out when she raised some issues about the Fil-Am articles of constitution, huh? She's more teacher than housewife, as her willingness to stay home with the kids can attest and sometimes she helps out in the school as teacher's aid. Born and raised in Olongapo City, 4 bros. + 3 sis, Gie (short for Virginia), age(?), she says it's very personal?!, earned a bachelor's degree in medical technology from University of Santo Tomas in 1983. She started to work at Subic Bay Naval Hospital, graveyard shift, where she held RMT position in the laboratory, and as RCLS/MT2 in St Jude Research Hospital in Memphis, TN--one of the top 4 research hospitals in America. She's married to Bok, a native of Olongapo also, graduated from same college, UST in Manila, with a degree in electrical engineering. Both of them were funded with govt scholarships for being valedictorian (Bok) and salutatorian (Gie). Though Bok is famous, and an internationally renowned chess player, she is unfazed by all of the hoopla and trappings that go with her husband's fame. Despite being petite, she was able to have two children, John Gabriel, 7 and Regine Marie, 6.. and she's like a lot of Filipino wives who set priorities around family. She has a well-balanced life outside work. She's been married for 13 years, and their courtship is something she's very proud of. They were childhood sweethearts in a sense, but it did not get so serious until they reunited in San Diego, CA. Family is a very important part of her life and she wants to send the message to her friends and to Fil-Am youth here, that family quality time is that important. She's convinced that she can handle the big guns now helping run Fil-AM -- namely, Vic P and Apo H. These guys have no doubt she will make tough decisions in case of their absence, nor any concern that her ego will run amok, as so often happens with people more smitten with status than success. Sustaining the aid to Instituto Assistenziale, College scholarship program, Gradeschool lunch and other charities, a mantra inside the "new" Fil-AM, are the goals, but generating the cash to pay for it all -- and meeting obligations to membership -- are the real challenge Gie and her team face. She's very comfortable with herself. She's very demanding, though, and anyone who suggests she's a pushover is wrong, she's not. She answered these questions without hesitation, oozing with self-confidence!

Q: How do you plan on celebrating Xmas this year?

VV: We'll go with our friends to Rome and attend the mass.

Q: What is it like for you living here in Naples?

VV: It's like a dream come true, my family is having a great time here!

Q: Who in the Philippines would you like to have a chat with?

VV: Pres. Gloria Arroyo, she's one of the brilliant minds in our country.

Q: What do you do in your spare time, when not touring European countries?

VV: I volunteer in school, participate in my kids activities.

Q: What profession/s other than the present one, would you like to attempt?

VV: Medical Doctor, didn't get a chance to pursue it.

Q: What job would you not like to participate in?

VV: Better not say, lest I step on people's toes, hihihihihi...

Q: Whats your favorite phrase and/or words of wisdom?

VV: "If you want things done, do it yourself!"

Q: Whos your role model?

VV: Mother Theresa, she's the embodiment of all the virtues, led an exemplary life!

Q: Who do you want to speak with if you can talk to famous people?

VV: Pres. George W. Bush, despite what the pundits unfairly say mostly in the media.  

Q: What are your pet peeves?

VV: slow pokes, procrastinators like me, hahahaha...but I'm changing for the better.

Q: Whats your favorite _expression/phrase in Tagalog or English?

VV: Oh yeah!...right?!

Q: Why did you run for officer of FIL-AM Naples?

VV: I got something to contribute for the welfare of our kababayans, besides I prefer not to stagnate.. not being productive.

Q: What will you ask God if you see Him at the Pearly Gates?

VV: I'll ask for the end of all wars...don't we want to give peace a chance?

Q: What will you want to be if He gives you a chance to return to Earth? WHY?

VV: I'm happy and content with my life, so I'll ask to return as the same mother to my kids.

Q: What country other than Philippines, would you like to retire to?

VV: Florida, USA.

Q: Whats the best movie you have seen in your life? Best book youve read?

VV: Alladin, the Disney animation, I'm still young at heart you know. Book, I'd say "Bourne Identity", it's gripping!

Q: Whats your fave: Filipino food? American food? Italian? At least 1 for each!

VV: Adobo (any), NY Steak, Fettucinni alfredo.

Q: Whats your favorite cartoon character?

VV: Bugs Bunny, he's very witty and all the time sneaky, like Bok in chess, hehehehe.  

There's your secretary, the former Virginia Gravina, aka "GIE". She says she's got Italian blood in her?!? I did not want to dispute that, for fear that the discussion might wind up confrontational, just like a true blooded Italyana...hindi patatalo, mamma mia!