Leyteña shines at Beverly Hills

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
September 9, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  It is always heartwarming to receive news about Filipinos abroad doing well, upholding the Filipino mark as competent global employees. Here’s one from a good friend Carol Montilla.

Leyte-born Arlene Montilla Dorffi Vargas captured the eyes of Beverly Hills, California and the Filipino community at 2:30 p.m., California time on September 1 when the Beverly Hills City Mayor Jimmy Delshad awarded the Leyteña as one of the two outstanding city employees with a plaque for their great customer service attitude. Terry Wagner of Los Angeles was the other awardee.

This is the first award handed out by the city as it launched the "Friendly City Awards" to recognize and honor those individuals who have not only "provided great customer service, but have done so with a warm and friendly attitude."

Mayor Delshad said the Friendly City Awards is part of the Smart City initiatives to show that "being friendly can make an experience memorable and special – and make people want to return. What I have learned during my years as a businessman and in community service is, after a while, people forget what you said or did, but they never forget how you made them feel," he stressed.

Arlene, as an employee "has always been there for us," the Mayor said.

For her part, Arlene said she truly loves working for the City of Beverly Hills, having been with the city for over ten years. She migrated to the United States after a short stint at Holy Infant Academy (now College) in Tacloban and St. Theresa's College in Manila.

Arlene is the first of four children born to Lolita Montilla and Robert Dorffi at Bethany Hospital in Tacloban in the 50's.

To watch her receive the award on the internet, go to www.beverlyhills.org – then on the bottom of screen, click the icon “videos on demand,” click on City Council then click on City Council Study Session 2:30 or the Archives section.