“Excellence, is not an act, but a habit” … Aristotle

Driven by her earnest desire to make a difference while serving and armed with her Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Management from Centro Escolar University, this girl ventured into public service right after graduation. Starting as a Job Order employee, this fragile-looking yet sweet girl literally rose from the ranks, being the current Officer-in-Charge of the Provincial Tourism Office, Provincial Government of Bataan.

At a young age, she already had a firm belief that the blend of consistency to purpose and vision creates a virtuous cycle: a clear vision provides direction and inspiration, while consistent action makes steady progress toward that vision possible. This synergy transforms challenges into opportunities and average efforts into exceptional, sustainable results.

It means consistently taking small, actionable steps that align with her ultimate goals and the vision of her desired future, rather than relying on sporadic intense efforts. This steady approach builds momentum, creates stable habits, fosters self-trust and trust from others, and ultimately leads to sustainable long-term success by translating your vision into tangible progress over time.

Her journey was and is never without hurdles; the road at times are bumpy, rocky, stormy yet by and large, all worth it. Thanks to the full support and cooperation of significant and well-meaning people in her life: her family, the PGB hierarchy, mentors, colleagues, friends and of course her strong faith in her Maker.

She also believes that she cannot share what she doesn’t have nor teach what she doesn’t know, hence her decision to pursue a master’s degree in Hospitality Management major in Tourism Management also in CEU.

On top of her seemingly insurmountable tasks and commitments, she also devotes time to do relevant researches. Her paper: Enhancing the Cultural Experience at the Former Refugee Processing Center in Morong, was adjudged 2nd runner-up Best Tourism Research in the Philippines during the 2019 ATOP – DOT Pearl Awards.

One could say that the sweet fragile-looking girl is now a highly motivated woman with a good heart coupled with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. She landed a spot in the Public Management Development Program – Local Government Executives and Managers Class (PMDP-LGEMC) Batch 15, Development Academy of the Philippines. Her Panagserbi Innovation Project Concept: 1Siklab: An Emergence of Creative Tourism Award won Best Innovation Project Concept Award.

When consistency to purpose blends with a vision, it creates a powerful engine for achieving goals, leading to significant, long-term results and making average into excellence. This combination fosters stability, trust, and focus for individuals and organizations, allowing them to navigate challenges and stay on track toward a desired future.

Last September 29, 2025, she added another feather to her cap. She once again marched on stage to receive her Doctor of Philosophy degree in International Tourism Management from the Lyceum of the Philippines University with her dissertation: Strengthening and Institutionalizing the Tourism Governance Capacities in the Central Luzon Region.

This may seem as a culmination of her hard work, perseverance and noble dreams not only for the tourism industry, more so for the PGB, but wait….. knowing this indomitable woman, I bet, there’s more, for when asked if with her recent feat, she can now rest in her laurels, her humble reply: what laurels? I am a grateful “work in progress”.

Ms. Danica Lolita Tigas-Rodriguez, Ph D. has more valuable and meaningful feats up her sleeve aimed at perfection; with her fellow Bataenos at the receiving end.

Carry on, Doc Aica! May you serve as an inspiration to your fellow public servants. We are proud of you.

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