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Cruciverbist | |
|---|---|
| thumb|Jarlyn German Jar German prettily working at the office | |
| Born | Ma. Jarlyn P. Batoy-German July 22, 1969 |
| Other names | Ate Jar, Jar of Hearts, Queen of Ageless Beauty |
| Occupation(s) | activist, feminist, office secretary, beauty queen, commedienne and mother |
| Years active | 1989-present |
| Height | 5'4 |
| Website | http://www.iloveAteJar.com |
Ma. Jarlyn P. Batoy-German, (July 22, 1969 - ) affectionately called Ate Jar by her colleagues, is a strong-willed super Filipina born in Ibajay, Aklan, and currently residing in New Buenavista, Surallah, South Cotabato. She is well-known for her selfless 16-year servince in Levi Strauss (Philippines), Inc., the Philippine affiliate of the premiere jeans company, as the all-around office diva extraordinaire. A staunch supporter of the leftist feminist organization Gabriela, Batoy-German is at the forefront of advancing the rights of women in the local corporate workplace. Moreover, with her deep Visayan roots, Batoy-German actively promotes the culture of her people and advocates greater involvement of the Visayans and Mindanaoans in the continued pursuit for political change towards clean, honest, and accountable governance in the country.
People most notably notice her colorful scarves. It can be said that these fashionable, high-end scarves are her signature attire. With a svelte physique and Korean bangs in place, Batoy-German is a sight to behold in the workplace as most of her colleagues would say. Countless high profile fashionistas have imitated, but never equaled, her indefatigable sense of fashion, beauty and elegance. In the works is a fashion brand aptly named after her. She is said to be closely working with famed fashion designer Rajo Laurel.
In 2009, she received the prestigious "Ulirang Mindanaoan - South Cotabato" from the Council of City Mayors of Mindanao for her awe-inspiring efforts to decently raise up her children and for her distinguished contribution to the feminist movement in the Philippines.
Personal Life
editThe third of seven children, Batoy-German was born in Aklan and was raised in South Cotabato in a Catholic household. Her midwife mother, Letecia Panagsagan-Batou, was arranged to be married to her farmer father, Jose Bella Batoy, by the parents of the two. She and her siblings Joven, Ramil, Herbert, Geraldine, Richard and Ryan had a very frugal upbringing, living in a small nipa house in the farmlands away from the city. Growing up was difficult for the large Batoy famiy as both the parents had only very meager salary to support their daily living . Fortunately, through the persistent efforts of the Batoy couple, all the siblings were able to attend school and finish college as they saw this as a way to uplift themselves from the misery of living in poverty.
In 1990, she married Elberto T. German, Jr. whom she met while working in a canteen. She was then a server while he was an electrician. Their marriage resulted in two children - Emille Mae and Elmina. Currently, German is working as an electrician in Malaysia.
Career
editShe attended New Buenavista Elementary School. Then she went to Tupi National High School where she was the 3rd honor student but only to leave after a year. For two years, she studied at Mindanao Community High School under the night school program where alongside her schooling, she took a job to finance her studies. In her final year in high school, she went to Cotabato City State Polytechnic College as again a night school, working student. Pursuing a tertiary degree, she took a two-year Junior Secretarial Course (JSC) at the Philippine Harvardian College.
With a secretarial degree, she started working in the office of GBMLT Manpower Services in 1989. After a year, she decided to pursue further studies and matriculated in a Bachelor of Elementary Education degree program in Agusan Del Norte. Due to personal reasons, she left after two years of study only to continue working. She was employed by Wyeth Philippines then later transferred to Jardin Davies before finally settling in Levi Strauss Philippines. Since 1996, Batoy-German has very well fitted in in the corporate culture of Levi Strauss Philippines, being able to see its growth and development through the years from being a manufacturing company to a purely marketinga and sales affiliate of the global brand.
Activism
editInfluenced by the award winning feminist science fiction Octavia Butler, Batoy-German had a strong inclination for upholding the rights of women in her early years as a student. Growing up in a very male-dominated society, she felt the urge to be proactive in issues that concern women in her town. Later, her strong-willed advocacy further engulfed other concers such as empowering the people of the countryside to be reactive and participative of national issues. For the furtherance of her causes, Batoy-German is working on a book about the 21st century Mindanaoan women. American publisher Harper Collins has already made a multipeso deal with the lady advocate to release her book internationally.