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Senior Airman Regine Labarda, 100th Comptroller Squadron
relocation technician, grabs her brushes and canvas and heads to the
countryside in her adopted home of England.
“I love to paint
scenery,” Labarda said. “I'm trying new things with painting such as
light and texture.”
Labarda sees painting as a parallel to
many elements of her life, including her career.
“It's a
blank canvas, like starting out in your career with new energy,” she
added. “You put the color into the painting, just like you put
effort into what you want to do — the training and time — and you
can see the painting coming to life, or your career take off. You
see the rewards of the energy you put in. The colors blending well
and shapes forming, just as you see your life coming together.”
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Oct. 17, 2016 - U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Regine Labarda, 100th
Comptroller Squadron relocation technician, in England with several
of her paintings. Labarda uses her love of painting to make the most
of her down time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tenley
Long)
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As the paintings near completion, she sees the results unfolding
as a scene emerges.
“Like with life, the results can be amazing,” Labarda said.
“After the time I spend enjoying the process of painting, I also
enjoy the end result. But you can never rush the painting or you
miss out on the journey you took to get there.”
Life for
Airmen can be busy, but Labarda knows the importance of taking time
to relax and unwind in order to stay balanced. Her painting also
allows her the opportunity to get out and explore her surroundings.
“While painting I take time to find something that interests me,
then I take in the whole picture — the whole scene, and try to
recreate that on the canvas,” she added. “It's like my start with
the Air Force, I was bagging groceries in the commissary and I
didn't want to join the military at first, but after talking to my
recruiter she told me about the opportunities, so I gave it a try
and have been in for almost three years. So when I see something
that grabs my attention, such as a beautiful countryside, I take the
time to look at the scene, from every angle, then give it a try.”
Her love for the countryside doesn't stop at the British
borders.
“I also love to travel different places with
different people,” she added. “And it helps me gain inspiration for
my paintings.”
Her desire to see the world started young,
when her journey with military life began.
“I was born in the
Philippines and my mom remarried so we moved to Germany and I went
to school there,” Labarda said. “That's where I heard about the Air
Force. My stepdad was in the Army. He encouraged me to join the Air
Force.”
Labarda's leadership team is enthusiastic about her
career progression and recognized her efforts by putting her forward
for the 100th Wing Staff Agency's ‘Airman of the Quarter award.'“
Airman Labarda has been a great addition to our finance family,”
said Staff Sgt. Michelle Anderson, 100th CPTS Relocations
supervisor. “She has brought her passion and dedication to our
office.”
Her hard work helps those newcomers to England feel
reassured about their finances, knowing their vouchers are in good
hands. It takes hard work and dedication to make a painting, and she
puts this same effort into her work.
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Oct. 5, 2016 - U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Regine Labarda, left,
100th Comptroller Squadron relocation technician, and U.S. Air Force
Staff Sgt. Michelle Anderson, 100th CPTS relocations supervisor,
discuss an upcoming meeting on RAF Mildenhall, England. Labarda
helps new military members in-process and file their travel
vouchers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Gina Randall)
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“My main role on base is to help new military members
in-process and help them file their travel voucher,” Labarda
said. “We mostly deal with customer service and face-to-face
interaction. I enjoy helping people so it's perfect for me.”
Her work ethic ensures she takes care of the service
before self.
“I really work
hard, I'm a very organized person,” she added. “If something
needs to be done I work hard until it's finished, just like
I keep going with a painting as I look forward to seeing the
end result on the canvas. I try to help people as much as I
can, or ask for help from someone who can. I've met so many
people and I'm learning new things every day.”
It is
people who have shaped her into the Airman she is today, and
people who make her want to serve for many years to come.
“I enjoy painting landscape scenes in my spare time,
but it's the people who put color into my life, they are the
bigger picture, and no scene is complete without them,” she
said.
By Gina Randall, USAF 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
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