Who is Ruby

About

Ruby Grace C. Galvez, RL, LPT

Who am I? I wear many hats.

Ruby Galvez in the philippine international literary festival

Professional Librarian
Information Service Provider
Copywriter
Copyeditor
Technical Writer
Licensed Educator
Caterer / Restaurant Owner
Book Author

My Experience

I have worked in the science publishing industry for most of my career thus far, except for the time when I joined the online blogging boom (in the late 2000s).

I have been involved in various aspects of the following:

content creation and processing
publishing systems
database content editing and production
webmaster operations
virtual assistance
search engine optimization
fiction and non-fiction writing
thesis grammar check
journal article copyediting (pre-publication peer review papers)

I am among the topnotchers in the Professional Regulation Commission’s Librarian Licensure Examination in 2017.

Examinations I Have Taken and Passed

Licensure Examination for Teachers
Librarian Licensure Examination (3rd nationwide rank)
Civil Service Examination
Foreign Service Officer Examination (3/5 stages passed: 1st stage, qualifying examination; 2nd stage, panel interview; and 3rd stage, written examination)

10 Benefits of Becoming a Board Topnotcher in the Philippines

Becoming a board topnotcher in the Philippines is a highly esteemed achievement that can have significant benefits for an individual's professional and personal life. These benefits span across various aspects, including career opportunities, personal growth, and societal impact. 10 Reasons Board Topnotchers are a Big Deal in the Philippines 1. Enhanced Career Opportunities : Achieving topnotcher status in board exams in the Philippines often opens doors to a plethora of career opportunities. Many employers, particularly in competitive fields such as engineering, accountancy, and law, view topnotchers as individuals with exceptional capabilities and a strong work ethic. As a result, topnotchers often receive job offers from prestigious firms, government agencies, and private corporations. Additionally, they are frequently offered higher starting salaries, leadership roles, and opportunities for advanced training and education. 2. Professional Recognition and Credibility : Topnotche...

5 Books That Make You Better at Getting Things Done

1. The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz This book says energy is more important than time. Weird, right? But it makes sense. The authors say we should work like athletes — focus hard for a bit, then take real breaks to rest and recharge. Instead of running on empty all week, you learn to build routines that give you energy, not drain it. Basically, it’s saying: stop acting like a robot and start acting like a human who takes naps. 2. Getting Things Done by David Allen If your brain feels like a messy desk full of sticky notes, this book is your cleaning guide. David Allen teaches you how to put every task, idea, or reminder somewhere safe — so your mind can finally relax. Once you’ve written everything down, you can actually focus on what’s in front of you instead of wondering what you forgot. It’s for people who want to feel calm, in control, and slightly smug about their tidy to-do lists. 3. The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker Peter Drucker is...

Simple Way to Ask Library Users to Rate the Library Service

Library users do not always share their thoughts on how the librarian or school can improve their library service. In fact, some won't ever, unless prompted. Soliciting their thoughts using a suggestion box is also not as good a strategy as it is predicted to be. After all, the blank piece of paper near the suggestion box doesn't really guide the user. I also noticed that users would only use the suggestion box if they have a complaint, but not if they just want to go about their business and leave. There must be a more pro-active way to solicit users' opinion. A simple solution would be to offer a short survey to measure how successfully users were able to complete some common activities in the library. This assessment uses the Likert scale, which is typically a five, seven, or nine-point agreement scale used to measure respondents' agreement with various statements. For example, the scale can range from "very unsuccessful" to "very successful."...

What Do People Remember About You? Make Your First Impression Count in a Job Interview!

When attending job interviews, we encounter countless faces and personalities. From chance meetings on the street to interactions in virtual communities, we leave an imprint on others. But here's the intriguing question: What exactly do they remember about us? The Unforgettable Impression Imagine this - you strike up a conversation with a stranger while waiting in line for coffee on your way to your job interview. Or maybe you're engaging with people on the vast expanse of the internet through your blog or forum posts. In both scenarios, you're leaving behind a piece of yourself. Sure, not everyone will vividly recall your name or face a few hours later, but here's the kicker: they'll carry an impression of you, a snippet of who you are. Think of it like this - you're an artist, and every interaction is a brushstroke on the canvas of someone's memory. The beauty is that you don't have full control over how others perceive you. You can't dictate...

Issues to Talk About With Your Freshman and a Checklist of College Dorm Needs

Is it time for college? Then, it's time for "the talk" about dormitories, college friends, making ends meet, and being considerate of others. This part of the journey may seem small, but it matters. You're helping them build a home within their means—one measured step at a time. 1. Roommate Coordination Will your student be living with others? Sharing some items—like a mini fridge, printer, or TV—can cut down on expenses. It also teaches collaboration and compromise, which college life will demand plenty of. 2. Storage Under the Bed Measure the clearance under the bed (or look it up online). That will determine whether low bins, drawers, or even duffel bags can fit. If there’s little room, it may be best to plan on soft, collapsible storage that can slide out of sight. 3. Luggage and Bags Hard-sided suitcases take up space. If your child won’t need them, bring them back home. If they must stay, consider duffel bags that fold flat or fit under the bed. Sit do...

Weekly Facebook Reel Plan 009: Learning Badminton

Creating a one-week reel plan around the theme "Learning Badminton in a Week" can be a compelling way to engage your audience. Here's a plan for each day of the week, focusing on this topic: Day of the Week Concept Execution Monday Grip and Stance Demonstrate the correct way to grip a badminton racket and show how to take a proper stance. Tuesday Basic Footwork Perform and break down essential footwork patterns on the court. Wednesday Serve Techniques Execute different types of serves like high serve and low serve, explaining the mechanics. Thursday Net Play Show how to execute net shots and lifts, emphasizing wrist movement and timing. Friday Defensive Shots Perform defensive shots like the clear and drop shot, explaining when to use each. Saturday Offensive Shots Execute offensive shots like the smash and drive, discussing power and angle. Sunday Game Simulation Simulate a mini-game, incorporating all the techniques learned throughout the week. Each day focuses on...

Color me Thought-Provoked: A Librarian's Opinion of "The First to Die at the End" by Adam Silvera

In the realm of young adult fiction, where dystopian worlds and teenage angst often take center stage, Adam Silvera's "The First to Die at the End" emerges as a compelling narrative that defies easy categorization. This book is a cocktail of emotions, philosophy, and the existential questions that haunt us all—especially in our formative years. The Best Parts One of the most striking aspects of this book is its intricate character development. Silvera has a knack for creating characters that are not just relatable but also deeply flawed, making them incredibly human. The protagonist, Alex, is a teenager grappling with the concept of mortality in a world where a mysterious app can predict the exact date of a person's death. This premise alone opens up a Pandora's box of ethical and philosophical dilemmas, which Silvera handles with finesse. The narrative is also commendable for its pacing. Unlike many books in the YA genre that either rush through the plot or get...

Better Library Shelfing by Colocation: Grouping Similar Items

As librarians, we've all faced the challenge of making the most of our shelf space. It's like a puzzle, figuring out where each book belongs so that people can find what they need without a treasure map. This is where colocation – or putting similar things together – comes into play. It's a simple idea, but it can make a huge difference in how we manage our shelves and help our library users find their way around. Let's talk about how this approach can make our libraries more user-friendly and efficient. Why Colocation Matters Imagine you're looking for a cookbook. You go to the section where cookbooks are supposed to be, but instead of finding them all in one spot, they're scattered all over. Some are with the gardening books, others are near the science fiction. Frustrating, right? That's the problem colocation solves. By keeping similar items together – all the cookbooks in one place, all the science fiction in another – we make life easier for everyone....

Why Every Library Needs a Hometown Authors Shelf and How to Promote Them

I have previously written about building a Local Authors Collection in a library in a previous post, How to Start a Local Authors Collection . Now, I will discuss further why this is mandatory for every library, especially public ones. All libraries often highlight international bestsellers—but what about the author who lives just down the street? A Hometown Author Shelf tells the story of your community, written by its own people. Local authors offer unique perspectives that national voices can’t. Their work may reflect regional issues, dialects, history, or folklore that rarely reach mainstream publication. Also, they don't have many followers, because they're just doing their thing and not getting much attention. This is where the library comes in. When patrons see familiar names or places in print, it deepens their emotional connection to both the library and literature. It says, “Your story matters here.” It also attracts local media attention, potential donors, and mo...

Competitive Studying Pros and Cons

The academic landscape has evolved into a competitive arena where students vie for top grades, scholarships, and prestigious university placements. This phenomenon, known as "competitive studying," has become a cultural norm, especially in societies that place a high value on educational achievement. But is this mindset beneficial or detrimental to students' overall well-being and future success? This blog post delves into the intricacies of competitive studying, examining its pros and cons, and evaluating the long-term payoffs. The Genesis of Competitive Studying The concept of competitive studying isn't new; it has roots in various educational systems worldwide. In countries like South Korea and Japan, the competition starts as early as kindergarten. In Western societies, the SATs, ACTs, and university admissions have become the modern-day gladiatorial arenas. The driving forces behind this trend include societal expectations, parental pressure, and the increasing ...

Ruby Galvez, RL

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