USC's Nimfa Alo

There is one towering figure in the University of San Carlos who’s touched so many lives in a span of well over three decades. She’s no Lady Liberty stuck in a desolate island; she moves; she sashays along the halls of the country’s oldest school like its premier muse, with all the beauty queens the school’s produced following her lead, her walk, her sense of style; she is, after all, Miss USC personified.

And indeed Mrs. Nimfa Alo nee Montejo was crowned Miss USC many years ago. I could only imagine her responding to her ‘beauty queen’ question with an equally ‘beauty queen’ answer, in her signature graceful and dignified style. But Mrs. Alo has done more than just wish for world peace, she has made a solid contribution to its cause. She has become a mentor to countless students and student leaders, encouraging them, pushing them, and finding them opportunities for growth. And this is her contribution to the art of change-making—planting seeds and seeing them bloom.

Perhaps the luckiest Carolinians are those who have come to really know her, those who seek her counsel, her support, and enjoy every bit of the friendship she has been so generous to share. She is the second mother in the university we were so blessed to have.

I remember the first time I met Mrs. Alo, and being someone who gravitates towards strong women, I easily felt at home at her seemingly stern and strict demeanor. With her hair always neatly pulled back, fair skin, mestiza features, and awesome fashion sense, she could easily be cast as a kontrabida in your favorite Kapamilya soap opera (she’d even give Joan Collins a run for her money!). But ‘twas all a façade as she turned out to be arguably the sweetest, most caring lady you could find in campus.

My USC experience would have never been as memorable as it is if not for her. She saw so much in me that I didn’t even know was there—or maybe she was just taking a gamble and na-chambahan? At any rate, I owe her so much for believing in me at a time I didn’t believe much in myself. She went the extra mile for me (and for many others) so we may maximize our potentials and reach for our dreams.

And through all this melodrama, it must be said, she has become one of my favorite gossip buddies! And so in the six years since I finished college, despite being plagued with an erratic and at times, toxic, schedule, I try to make it a point to pay her (and the whole Office of Student Affairs gang) a visit, at least once a month, for our usual exchange of healthy gossip.

It’s always such a joy to be with her, and each time is never enough for the wellspring of stories we have to share. Like-minded, we often agree on things. But in times when we don’t (she was for Gibo during the elections and I was for Noynoy), we still manage to agree to disagree. It’s easy when you know her intentions are always good. Like in the case of the controversial male uniform of USC and other dress code-related school policies which I personally detest, Mrs. Alo’s reasons for supporting it are clearly rooted on discipline and adherence to the rules, and how do you argue with that? I do try but like I said, eventually, we simply agree to disagree. And that’s how lasting friendships work.

But this conviction to what she does and what she’s supposed to do probably makes her the quintessential student affairs head. I remember how she’s remained unfazed by criticism from militant students opposed to school policies she as student affairs head is mandated to execute. Their unfair personal attacks, caricatures and effigies portraying her as the kontrabida have never diminished the grace she is known for. In fact, these have only added to her mystique, the contradiction that makes her such an interesting personality (the looks of a kontrabida with the heart of a bida).

What these militant students don’t know (or perhaps refuse to acknowledge) is that she has done more for the school than we’ll all really know. The untold thousands of students she’s inspired and who’ve went on to shine and make names for themselves, who contribute to the prestige that is USC, who return to USC to give back; the scholars most don’t know she quietly supports—if all these can be quantified, these militants will feel ashamed of themselves criticizing who is indubitably a pillar of USC.

Arlene Donaire, a Harvard-trained economist and student leader in USC back in the 80s has this to say about Mrs. Alo: “Mamita is the mentor everybody would wish to have. She is omnipresent but in a subtle way. She is wise, graceful, and fashionable! Her feminine sage-ness rubs on you and for me, it is that special quality that I always remember her for.

“Her lessons reverberate in your consciousness as you work your way through life’s challenges. I’ve always looked at her as my fairy godmother ever since she became part of my life in college. In many ways, she helped me transform into the person I am now. I am deeply grateful for being born in the same lifetime as her. Even now as an adult, through all the struggles and simple successes I experience, Mamita remains an inspiration.”

Mrs. Alo celebrated her birthday last Wednesday, and so this is dedicated to her and all the good things she’s done for the school and its students. Here’s to you Mamita, to a life lived for others, to passion for USC like no other, for the friendship and love! And on behalf of all the many lives you’ve touched, thank you so, so much! Happy Birthday Mam, and see you at the Office of Student Affairs!

* * *

Email: [email protected]