In an interview with Erwin Bernal, member of the PSTD Publications Committee, PSTD Vice President Rinah Rivero shared the tale of the “accident” that brought her to PSTD. Coming from a different profession in a high-pressure industry, Rinah found herself delving into training, eventually forming fond memories and discovering her passion while volunteering for PSTD. Here is a transcript of the interview:

Wins Bernal:
Good afternoon, Ms. Rinah Rivero. Hi, my name is Wins Bernal. I am a member of the Committee for Research and Publication of PSTD and fortunately, I am assigned to conduct this interview with you so that our PSTD members could also learn a little bit about you personally, as well as some… let’s just call it… slam book questions.
Is it okay if I call you Rinah for this interview?

Rinah Rivero:
Yes, definitely. You can always call me Rinah. (laughs)

Wins Bernal:
This will be recorded and will be transcribed later on as reference for the next issue of our publication in PSTD. So I have prepared a few questions, which I would like to ask, but before I go to those, I understand that you are the VP for External Affairs for PSTD. For a little bit of background, can you please let us know what the role is about and your responsibilities, as well as your professional background?

Rinah Rivero:
Hi, Wins! Good afternoon. It’s such an honor to be interviewed by the Publications team. A bit of a background about me… well, I have been in the talent development space for over 15 years. I became a trainer by accident. So, by accident it means I was not really into training when I started off my career. I began as a quality analyst so I used to work in the BPO industry. QAs are the ones who listen to calls and monitor coach agents. So, when I left my former organization and applied to another, of course, I applied as a QA as well. But that organization said: “There’s no opening for QA. Mag trainer ka nalang. Can we profile you for the trainer position?” Ako naman, “Yeah, okay! Sige.” I was still in my early 20s back then so I’m like, ‘Okay, yeah. Why not? Hey, I’ll give it a shot’. Fortunately, I did pass the interview and that’s where my career in training and talent development started. I started as a corporate trainer doing communication culture and language training. I was even a DIET trainer for one of the BPOs— DIET is not about diet or losing weight, ha. (laughs).

Wins Bernal:
So that’s an acronym, is it?

Rinah Rivero:
Yes, it’s an acronym for Diction, Intonation and Enunciation Training.
From being in the BPO industry conducting training, that’s where my career in talent development started. From a trainer to being able to lead training teams later on. I worked in the BPO industry, then some of the local conglomerates, SM, San Miguel and then Japanese management consulting firm kung nasaan si June Roy, ang ating past president ngayon. I used to work in that organization and then, to doing independent consulting and now I’m back in the corporate world in PWC as a senior manager for workforce transformation.

Wins Bernal:
Wow! So that accident actually became a passion for you and you really did find your calling, right?

Rinah Rivero:
Yes. Truly. I never imagined myself really as a trainer but yeah.

Wins Bernal:
So Rinah, with those experiences that actually led you to a passion for talent development and then you, now, as a VP for external Affairs for PSTD, could you give us a bit more insight about your experience in PSTD and your journey as VP for External Affairs?

Rinah Rivero:
I started with programs. I managed programs for about two years together with the other committee members and chairs. This year, I’ve been fortunate enough to be elected as the Vice President for External Affairs. The huge responsibility for me this year, is the National Convention, that’s one. The Vice President for External Affairs is in charge of the National Convention so it’s working with our NC chair or NC volunteers to make sure that we achieve our goal in this year’s first ever onsite NC for PSTD. This is our comeback from the virtual National Conventions. In 2020, 2021, 2022, we’ve all done virtual NCs so now we’re going do it hybrid so may virtual and then there’s face-to-face and we’re doing it outside of Metro Manila pa. So, it’s a huge responsibility. Apart from that would be working with the rest of the executive committee, the rest of the board to make sure that we also have initiatives to strengthen our brand, our exposure, and if ever, build partnership and relationships outside of the society and link other organizations at the same time. So, the partnerships with other organizations, other companies, that’s what we are working on apart from the National Convention, as we cannot exist alone, right? So, I think building partnership’s great!

Wins Bernal:
I think that’s very exciting! Apart from such a huge undertaking taking on a VP External Affairs you also get to meet a lot of people and you have a good view of what’s out there in the industry that we can collaborate with for PSTD. It’s always going out there and meeting new people.

Rinah Rivero:
Yes, that’s right.

Wins Bernal:
If I may take a step back a bit, do you still remember the first time you came across PSTD?

Rinah Rivero:
Oh, yes, definitely.

Wins Bernal:
Can you tell us about that?

Rinah Rivero:
Yeah, it was back in mid-2000. I was at the crossroads of my career and I was looking for an organization where I can learn from, network and learn from. So, I was googling for organizations and that’s when PSTD came up. So, I started researching and I was asking how to become a member of the society. So when I joined a retail company, one of the first few things that I did was search when the National Convention of PSTD will be and I made sure that our organization and members of my team would be part of the NC so that’s why the First National Convention I attended was way back 2017, the one in Baguio. The theme was “Elevate” and the president for that year, I think, is our chair now, Ian Colorina. So, that’s the first National Convention that I attended and I told myself that at some point, I’ll make sure that I’ll be part of this organization and be able to contribute, apart from learn from the people who are members of PSTD.

Wins Bernal:
Is that what made you stay until now?

Rinah Rivero:
Fast forward, I think… yes, because of the network, because of the people that we have in the organization. So, I left that retail company on the same year in 2017, I got more involved again in 2020.

Wins Bernal:
That was the pandemic days, right?

Rinah Rivero:
Yeah, before the pandemic. Well, I attended, I was at the Mariott National Convention and then attended the last Tipanan in St. Giles bago maglockdown. So that was in February 2020, I was able to attend that and then, through the pandemic, June Roy, the president in 2020 was John Baluyot and June was part of the board I think and then June reached out and then asked me if I want to be part of Oplan Hope. So, during the pandemic, PSTD launched Oplan Hope. It’s to help the talent development community through the pandemic. Some professionals are not used to the digital platform. How do you facilitate virtually? So, I was lucky enough to be part of the team who helped create facilitating virtual training and I am was the one who helped with the other version, which is Creating E-learning at that time. So, that’s when the active involvement was revived in PSTD, and it’s been such a journey.

Wins Bernal:
It is! It has been really a continuing journey for you. If you are to pick a particular memorable experience of being part of PSTD, is there one that pops up, that highlights that memorable experience for you?

Rinah Rivero:
Memorable experience was when I was asked to chair the Programs Committee because I was actually surprised that my name came to mind sa PSTD. When they were searching for a programs committee chair back then, I think 2021, and I was like, ‘What am I going to do?’ Because I do not really know, right? I have been active but I do not really know what each of the committees do so hindi ko alam kung anong mga ginagawa ng bawat committee so they were like, ‘Do you want to be part of the committees of PSTD? They’re reaching out to you to chair the Programs Committee.’ So, I was hesitant to say I do not know what I was getting myself into. It’s a trap apparently. (laughs) Yes, so I think that’s the most memorable one because that’s where I really propelled the involvement with PSTD, being part of the Programs Committee.

Wins Bernal:
In that memorable experience, being the Programs Committee chair or head, what are the aspects of Rinah that you have found out? Have you discovered some superpowers, so to speak?

Rinah Rivero:
Superpowers, I think, since it was a critical time for programs, because it’s still like the midst of the pandemic.

Wins Bernal:
Right, right so you can imagine like, ‘Oh, this is a big undertaking’.

Rinah Rivero:
So… how do we continuously market the programs of PSTD apart from marketing the existing ones, how do we then identify new offerings that are relevant, that would be helpful to the talent development community, not just the paid programs, but some free programs also? Kasi during the pandemic, unang tinamaan ng budget cuts would be training. So, how can we help the community? And even if we offer the programs, the new offerings, ano yung parang reasonable sa mga tao na hindi mabigat sa bulsa kasi alam natin na mahirap magpa-approve ng budget sa training at that time. So, that was, I think, the discovery… like, how are we able to go about all of those, the creativity on how you know what programs to launch, how do we make sure na reasonable ang fees and how do we continuously market programs to the community?

Wins Bernal:
And now, that becomes a badge of honor for you, Rinah, that you were able to usher it to success and we’re able to still serve the talent development community, right?

Rinah Rivero:
Right.

Wins Bernal:
So, thank you for that. So, if I jump into the next question and I asked you like in a talk show, can you describe Rinah as a person in three adjectives?

Rinah Rivero:
Three adjectives: independent, reliable and loyal.

Wins Bernal:
Independent, reliable and loyal. I think this is really true in terms of advocating talent development because people want to see that the talent development advocates are independent, definitely has to be reliable. Especially after what we have been through during the pandemic. Sometimes I experienced that personally that sometimes when we try to open a new concept but we were consistent on how we are demonstrating the concept, as well as and the topics that kind of puts the learners in this array. So, yeah, I truly align with you on that. So, from the “accident” that you have been ushered into, of course through talent development and now as a VP for External Affairs, what do you think motivates you in this spirit of volunteerism?

Rinah Rivero:
What motivates me would be seeing the community grow not just in numbers but growing in terms of duplicating more people who want to evangelize or who want to share more to the community. I know we want to grow in numbers but we want to make sure that the number is of good quality also. That people are there to learn and are willing to share their learnings, at the same time, because that’s the purpose of the society, right? For us to learn, to grow, to transform.

Wins Bernal:
So, if we contextualized that in 2023, what are your visions and aspirations for the society this year, this 2023?

Rinah Rivero:
The vision, of course, in support of, yung message ng ating president, which was something that came out of our strategic planning last January, which is also the theme, of our National Convention that for this year to really be a breakthrough for PSTD.

Breakthrough in terms of the way we do things with the rise of AI and other technologies. Alam natin na, technology is always evolving but making sure that the community, the talent development professionals, can cope with a rise of all of these technologies that we have. Making sure that we’re taking advantage of everything that we have at hand and the knowledge in terms of knowing, identifying since ang daming available to us, the knowledge in terms of how we select, which ones do you use, which ones are of value to us; breakthrough in terms of the kinds of programs that we offer. We have recently done the Designathon so there should be an improvement in the content and the methodology of the current master trainer certification program that we’re offering. Offer new programs at the same time and grow the number of offerings that we have in alignment to the talent development framework, di ba? Na hindi lang siya all about facilitation and training but the whole talent development cycle talaga na we’ll be able to cater to that and of course siyempre. Above all, how do we sustain the organization for us to be viable financially at the same time, di ba? PSTD may be a non-profit organization but we still need financial support for the organization to continue to operate.

Wins Bernal:
That’s right. So, if to we segue that into you presenting to all the PSTD members and also potential members for PSTD, what would be your message for all of them?

Rinah Rivero:
My message for potential members of PSTD would be, if you are looking for support, if you’re looking for a group of people where you can learn, where you can easily get the support, network, where you can get good practices. It may not be the best practices yet, but at least, good practices with proven numbers or track record in terms of how people have implemented certain interventions, then PSTD would be the organization to go to. You have the people, you have the resources available to you, you just have to ask and reach out. And of course, if they are looking for a place where they can also contribute, then this is a good place to start since there are new members and emerging talent development professionals, that may benefit from mentoring, sharing of certain practices. So, it’s a good learning community to be a part of.

Wins Bernal:
I resonate with that message. When I joined this society, that’s what I was looking for. As a group of like-minded people who would advocate good practices in talent development because I’m not a trainer. I just, in a sense, got into this by accident as well. So, this resonates with me. I am going to ask a few more questions. This is a little bit more personal, like a slam book. People who meet you for the first time and would like to know a little bit about you, how would you like them to call you, as a nickname?

Rinah Rivero:
Yeah, I only have one name, its Rinah, that’s it.

Wins Bernal:
Certain MBTI profile?

Rinah Rivero:
I am an INFJ. I may say an introvert, but I am more of an ambivert. Depending on the environment, the people I’m with, I can be an extrovert.

Wins Bernal:
Okay. Dream job?

Rinah Rivero:
Dream job is to be a National Geographic photographer.

Wins Bernal:
Wow, favorite food?

Rinah Rivero:
Favorite Food. Desserts. Anything.

Wins Bernal:
Okay, hobbies?

Rinah Rivero:
Hobbies… does eating count? (laughs)

Wins Bernal:
Oh, di ba? There’s a contest for eating so that could be a hobby.

Rinah Rivero:
Does eating count? Yes, at the moment, eating and just watching Netflix or any series or shows.

Wins Bernal:
Any particular genre you are interested in? What kind of genre for a series?

Rinah Rivero:
For genre, I like action-spy type of series or movies. Probably that’s one of the professions that I want, to be a spy. (laughs)

Wins Bernal:
And taking photographs?

Rinah Rivero:
Yes.

Wins Bernal:
Parang paparazzi. (laughs)

Rinah Rivero:
Yes, intel. Gathering intel.

Wins Bernal:
Intel… through photographs, because you mentioned photographs. Favorite TV show, in reference to this Netflix?

Rinah Rivero:
Favorite TV show… well at the moment, I just finished watching The Night Agent so anything that to like CIA-ish, spy-ish type of movies.

Wins Bernal:
Yeah, I relate to that. Dislikes?

Rinah Rivero:
I don’t like people who play the victim but not do anything or who would always complain, but they’re not really doing anything to help themselves.

Wins Bernal:
Is there a particular hero or idol that you look up to?

Rinah Rivero:
Probably not a hero but I like how Disney has turned recent cartoons, nowadays na hindi na nila kailangan ng Prince Charming or whatever like Mulan or Brave and even sina Anna at si Elsa. You don’t really need a Prince Charming so females na they can really stand on their own, I’m quite a feminist.

Wins Bernal:
That’s good. Is there any particular quote that you really like?

Rinah Rivero:
Quote from a book that I’ve read, which I always post every Women’s Month, which is “A woman in touch with her deepest dreams can be a strong survivor to a world so toxic to women.”

Wins Bernal:
Oh, that’s nice!

Rinah Rivero:
That’s from the book Jane Eyre.

Wins Bernal:
Jane Eyre. Right, I will look that up. So Rinah, that was my last question. Thank you so much for your time. I personally learned a lot from you. I’m inspired from your journey because I think I am also going through that journey on getting myself “accidentally”, quote, unquote, in talent development and I look forward to provide my talents as well as collaborate and learn from each other in the society. I think the more we talk about this, the more we advocate good practices in talent development, it also anchors to our part in nation building.

Rinah Rivero:
Yes, exactly and a bigger goal, in terms of ESG, in terms of education, is elevating the education of people in our society.

Wins Bernal:
On this note, thank you so much, Rinah, for your time on behalf of the committee on Research and Publications. Thank you, thank you so much and I wish you more success in your professional life and thank you so much for your service, volunteering, guiding us as VP for External Affairs for the society. Maraming, maraming salamat.

Rinah Rivero:
Thank you! Salamat din, Wins and I hope you continue to be active in PSTD and support all our endeavors and see you in our next event.

This interview shows the journey of VP Rinah from quality assurance to talent development. Her journey through the pandemic, advocating for talent development initiatives during the crisis and embracing technologies in talent development have fueled her passion for supporting the PSTD. Her dedication to transform the society and create groundbreaking impact is an inspiration for us all. Get to know her and meet her in the monthly PSTD Tipanan. Register now to be a PSTD member and meet driven Talent Development professionals like her.