Vice gov’s chief of staff taught her in high school

Who would have thought that her “shy” student way back in high school would become her boss now at the vice governor’s office?

Madam Evangeline Lavilles de Paula, the chief of staff of the vice governor’s office, used to teach newly installed Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Almendras- Magpale.

De Paula was a full time educator before she began working as a government employee.

She took up Bachelor of Science in Education major in English at the University of San Carlos where she graduated magna cum laude.

After her graduation, she immediately worked at Saint Theresa’s College-Cebu as a high school instructor.

At STC-Cebu, she met Magpale, then a freshman student in 1953.

De Paula described Agnes as a “small and shy” little girl who was always first in the line.

Although de Paula was an English major, she taught Pilipino subject at the time.

She said she always observed how intellectual and diligent Magpale was in school.

At that time, De Paula also studied Associate in Secretarial Science at University of San Carlos (USC) where she graduated with high honors.

After Agnes graduated from high school in the year 1957, de Paula received her Elementary Teacher’s Certificate with high honors at USC.

De Paula considered working for STC-Cebu as her most challenging teaching job.

“I was intimidated by the students at first since they were all ‘high class’ students,” De Paula said.

But that didn’t keep her from teaching because for her, it is the most fulfilling job in the world.

She decided to settle down and have a family of her own after she taught in STC-Cebu in the year 1957 and began working as a casual employee at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

Her father Hervacio Lavilles worked as a secretary for then Gov. Sergio “Serging” Osmena Jr.

She continued her teaching career even if she entered into government service.

De Paula considers 1988 as the most challenging year she had as a government employee when she worked as a personnel officer for then Cebu governor Lito Osmeña.

She was invited by the late vice governor Greg Sanchez Jr. to become his chief of staff.

Since it was a confidential position, the age limit was waived and she continued her government service.

De Paula, 81, said she is grateful to work with Agnes and will gladly spend the remaining days of her life working in government.

“I will die with my boots on,” de Paula said.