Rolly and Marissa Orca met through mutual friends and now both work at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.  In the interview below, they speak about the love they have for the Philippines and their culture as well as why they enjoy working at the Airport’s Authority.

Rolly started his career at the Airports Authority 16 years ago as an accountant in the finance department.  Though he enjoyed his role, he had a desire to explore other career interest.  With the support of the Airports Authority, he made a career change and is now a plumbing pipefitter apprentice in the engineering department.

Marissa began her career at the Airports Authority in 2015 as a management intern.  After several promotions, she is now working as a contracting officer in the Office of Supply Chain Management.  She has taken advantage of the tuition assistance program that helped her earn her master's degree.

Listen to their interview to learn more about how their love story began at the Airports Authority and how their careers have grown over the years.

Marrisa Arco
Contracting Officer, MWAA

Rolly Arco
Plumbing pipefitter apprentice, MWAA

Tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Rolly Arco, I was born and raised in the Philippines and been with United States for 30 years. I’ve been with the Authority for 16 years. I started my career in Finance department as Accounts Payable, then moved to Accounts Receivable. Currently working at Engineering and Maintenance department as Plumbing pipefitter apprentice. 

Tell us what are some of those special components of your culture?
Some of best components of being Filipino is that we are very hospitable. Our love for the family has always been outstanding and of course being religious in nature.

Tell me what stood out to you growing up?
Respect to others, especially to elder people. We also value the importance of education.

What does it mean to be Asian Pacific American Heritage Month?
Filipinos are very Religious; half of the country’s population were considered Roman Catholic. The Philippine people are very much diverse, we have Spanish blood,  Chinese, American, Japanese and many more.

Why do you think representation matters?
Representation matters because it gives you right to express yourself. To have your voice heard.

What brought you to MWAA?
 I find MWAA as a very stable company.

What do you enjoy most about working at MWAA?
I enjoy most about working with MWAA is the friendship I had with my coworkers.

How has MWAA supported your career?
MWAA gave me a lot of knowledge and experience for all the years that I worked here.

What do you tell your friends about what it is like to work at MWAA?
I will tell my friends that MWAA would be a great opportunity and a nice place to work with. There’s a lot of potential to grow within your career.

What has been the most pleasant experience/surprise working at MWAA?
The most pleasant experience I had with MWAA was when the company had summer picnic along with immediate family.

Tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Marissa Arco, I work at the Office of Supply Chain Management as Contracting Officer. I started my career at the Airports Authority year 2015 as Management Intern (known as Professional Development today). I was born and raised in the Philippines and migrated in United States year 2010, I am married with my husband who also work with the Authority and mother of 3 wonderful children. 

Tell us what are some of those special components of your culture?
Filipinos are very resilient, our country always experiences calamities and we Filipinos always manage to rise above the challenges. Another special components I can think of is that we value traditions and culture seriously, we usually set aside specific day for certain celebrations like festivals, birthday parties and reunions and we celebrate Christmas longer compare to different countries.

Tell me what stood out to you growing up?
Growing up my parents thought us to be respectful to others. We are always appreciative and thankful for everything we received and give back to people in need.

What does it mean to be Asian Pacific American Heritage Month?
For me it means family and supporting each other in a positive way. It doesn’t matter if it is blood related or not, as we still tend to support each other no matter what.

Why do you think representation matters?
I believe representation allows minorities like us to feel validated and let us express our opinions comfortably within the organization/community.

What brought you to MWAA?
When I learned that my husband work at MWAA, I felt better as I believe he has a stable job.  Then further my research I found the management intern program which made me realize how the organization value its employee’s individual career growth, so I took the opportunity to see it for myself. I believe I am in the stage of my career today because of the said opportunity and I took that leap of faith.

What do you enjoy most about working at MWAA?
I enjoy working with my colleagues. I also like how my mentor and the leadership let me grow and enhance my knowledge to be better leader someday. Leadership at MWAA encourages us not just to be at our best but also take pride of what we do..

How has MWAA supported your career?
Airports Authority supported me all through out of my career as Contracting professional, I started here as Management Intern within Procurement and Contracts Dept. and upon successful with the program, Authority hired me as permanent Contracting Officer. I finished my master’s degree in Supply Chain Management with help of Tuition Assistance Program offered by MWAA. I received 2 promotions since I started my career at OSCM and continuously grow as professional with guidance of my mentor.

What do you tell your friends about what it is like to work at MWAA?
Whenever my friends ask me “what it is like to work at MWAA” I always say it is a good place to work. MWAA offers great benefits for its employees, stability and it is an organization of diversity.

What has been the most pleasant experience/surprise working at MWAA?
I would say that I never felt different, everybody knows that English is not our first language, and sometimes us Asian have a very strong accent, but I never felt that it is a problem communicating with my colleagues nor our customer within the organization.