Dra Tupasi was an embodiment of selflessness whose life is always dedicated to others. As a mentor, she was patient with me and others within the team, and being young and foolish, I did not know then as well as I do now how able I am at disrupting the balance and status quo at that time. I saw how she was the type of teacher/mentor we hope for, who bonded with colleagues as a mother, with the enthusiasm for imparting her expertise that must be genuine to be effective.
Third, she was productive at a pace that would awe any academic. Dra Tupasi has exceeded expectations of everybody in the room. She wrote articles and books, presented at conferences, and served as a leader to us all. Her ideas were repeated sufficiently to be influential, but not recycled so as to be played out but also respected others opinions such as a young lad like me who at that time was just starting to make a name in the development and public health industry. She also collaborated with others, enjoying the company of her co-authors. She was a workaholic's workaholic even up to the wee hours and we would receive calls from her.
Eventually, my aspirations led me to continue my role as a development leader all because of Dr. Tupasi, I wish for more Dra Tupasis in our society and in social services: someone who embraced all aspects of her job, as an altruist and a friend/mother first rather than a boss.
I will always hold her dear to heart and pray to God for eternal peace.