ALVARAN, MARY ANGELIQUE

THE OTHER SIDE

Started as an agent, one of our few EGP Korean Web Support Specialist, but now, she is a loved Team Leader by her unit. Mary Angelique Alvaran finished her Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies – Major in Korea studies at Philippine International College by 2016. Some people might ask, why take up such a course?

Her loved for Korean started way back 2010 when the Hallyu (한류 – Korean terminology for the phenomenon of Korean culture) wave came to the Philippines. She was one one of those young Highschool girls who became a huge fan of Korean Pop. During those days, her interest in learning their history became stronger and formidable hence, when it’s her turn to choose her College Degree, she never thought twice of getting a degree in the field that she loved most back then. Her thirst for learning did not stop there. She is now currently taking her Masters Degree in Asian studies specializing in Northeast Asia at University of the Philippines. Learning their Language, Culture, Society, History and even Economy became not only a degree to her but a passion.

But aside from being a Kpop fan, a graduate of Korean studies, there is more to it from Jelly that most people do not know of yet.

Travelling has been one of her family’s pleasurable pastimes when she was young. So right after he graduated from College, she had the chance to travel more and explore different places, especially beaches in the Philippines. She was amazed by how beautiful the beaches were and that’s when she started to explore and learn how to freedive. Unlike Scuba Diving, Freediving doesn’t necessarily need a license but learning it with a freediving instructor is highly advisable. By January 2020, Jelly got her certification for freediving at Azul Freediving, Makati. So anyone interested can just tap Jelly to freedive with them.

Due to her hobby,, she was able to visit some of the most famous beaches in Siargao, Boracay and Palawan, to name a few. Each trip has its own beautiful memories that she cherishes but probably the best experience she had was when she travelled in Palawan because it was the first time Jelly travelled far without a family member. Her experience was precious as she tried to plan everything on her own, she did not even book a tourist guide and everything was just spontaneous. She hopes that the world can go back to normal so everyone can be free to travel again.

Another fun fact about Jelly? She’s a proud fur parent of not just one, nor two nor three but six cats.

A combination of Persian and Siamese. They are mostly derived from Japanese characters, they are Raijin, Fuijin, Aki, Tora, Huchi and Twix. According to her, cats aren’t really hard to manage unlike other pets, all they need is food and ensuring that they take their vitamins and of course, bathing them once in two weeks (who says cats hate water?) 😉 The feeling of happiness whenever a bad day hits Jelly is what makes her love her cats, she knows that they can feel whatever her emotions are and they just go up to her, and snuggle her. Her Persian cats are the ones who are very affectionate towards her while her Siamese cats are very playful. Seeing them is like having a sense of fulfillment.