ACC:ESS March 2015 by PLDT Media

MAR 2015

THE OF F ICIAL PUBLIC AT IO N O F T H E P LD T G RO U P

woman

acc:essMARCH2015

02 In this issue,

ACC:ESS is featuring on the cover a photography from a PLDT lensman Jan Lester Bisco that captures the various facets of a woman. Shot on location, Bisco took a dramatic delineation of his female friends in various poses. In effect, this signifies the strength, flexibility and the versatility yet preserving the femininity of the modern women in various situations. Hence, ACC:ESS pays tribute to women giving them the spotlight for their vital roles in today’s modern world from being domesticated in the confines of their homes, to holding significant positions in corporate and government entities. Gone are the days when women don’t have the voice and stay behind the shadows of the men in their lives. Women of today are now empowered and occupy veritable places in the milieu they are into.

our cover

20 regulars

01 From the Editor 07 Snapshots 18 The Bandwagoner 20 Life & Arts

news

02 PLDT wins big in 2014 Philippine Quill Awards 04 PLDT SME Nation partners with Samsung PH, Microsoft PH for ‘supercharged’ SME solutions 05 PLDT powers Palawan businesses with new VSAT solution

16 featureS

08 UP student leads winners in PLDT and DPC’s 29th Visual Arts Competition 10 PLDT HOME introduces the most advanced Telpad for your connected home 11 PLDT Group at Open Data Platform: Pioneering big data delivery in the ASEAN region 14 Kicking off Women’s Month PLDT SME Nation, PSF launch ICT platform for women 16 Empowered Cover Story

staffbox

e have dedicated our March issue to women as we celebrate the International Women’s Month during this period.

Mon R. lsberto Public Affairs Head EDITORIAL Butch G. Jimenez Editor

It is also not mere coincidence that the PLDT Group has embarked into the GREAT (Gender Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women) ICT platform last March 5 to connect women entrepreneurs and enable them towards economic empowerment. PLDT SME Nation and the PLDT-Smart Foundation have partnered with the Business & Professional Women (BPW) Makati and IBM Phils. for the development of this exclusive portal for businesswomen. Other women groups such as the Women Business Council (WomenBizPH), Women Corporate Directors, SPARK, Network of Enterprising Women (NEW), Women in Tech, and the Women CEO Group. The Philippine Commission for Women (PCW) and the Department of Trade and Industry’s Women’s Desk were also pitching in to draw in GAD (Gender and Development) Focal Persons in government agencies. According to BPW Makati President Jeannie Javelosa, the longer term direction is to invite women under industry and professional groupings. She noted that access into this ICT Platform is through women groups. “This way, everyone will need to be part of a group to add strength to it, and draw from it,” said Javelosa who also owns ECHOstore. For its part, Smart through Smart DevNet has partnered with SPARK! and the J. Amado Araneta Foundation in organizing a Hackathon to encourage developers to create apps that would address the following needs: 1) allow women to report incidents of violence, track safe spaces for women, or warn them once they enter danger zones 2) monitor good governance and promote transparency because a 2008 United Nations report shows that women are more vulnerable than men to the impact of corruption, and 3) encourage

Jay-Anne R. Encarnado Editor-in-Chief Sennen F. Lacsamana Managing Editor

more women to be part of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. Of the 12 competing teams in the coding fest, developers of the HerSafe+ app won the top prize for their innovative idea: just by shaking their phones forcefully, women in danger can alert their loved ones about their situation. For a woman and a mother like me, it is truly heartwarming that the PLDT Group is leading initiatives to empower women through technology. As PLDT FVP and Head of SME Business Kat Luna-Abelarde has said, “(PLDT) is proud to take part in this meaningful program which underscores women’s role in shaping and driving enterprises in the Philippines; empowering them to contribute more to society with the help of technology. We highly support this initiative which can impact and influence other women to become more economically competitive and successful.” We truly hope that we are able to change women’s lives through these various initiatives. And we wish all women in our lives - our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, nieces, and daughters - a gender equal society!

Jay-Anne R. Encarnado

Paul Anthony A. Isla Olive O. Barrozo Adrian T. Elumba Raymond C. Co Sarah Azucena-Reodica Writers Daniel G. Moratalla Jay F. Garcia Photographers Annie O. Salazar Arnel N. Samson Circulation Nonong F. Noriega Columnist Carlo D. Gonzalez Mark Daryll P. Sambat Graphic Design CONTRIBUTORS Paul Edward Alvarez, Reggie Marie B. Barrientos, Jessica May G. Basuil, Lloyd Bernardo, Jan Lester E. Bisco, Riza D. Cruz, Mary Elizabeth G. Dioso, Lian Jay Domingo, Aldwin P. Estrada, Danny L. Handayan, Dylan Joseph S. Lacsamana, Luis C. Maglanoc, Sarah Cielo Q. Meneses, Fides G. Pasumbal, Jeffrey S. Quilatan, Jessica Daphne D. Salonga, Jonh Paul M. Soriano, Marjory C. Sy, Renelia L. Villanueva

ACC:ESS is published monthly by PLDT Media Division for employees and friends. Address all communications to: The Editor-in-Chief, ACC:ESS, Ramon Cojuangco Building, Makati Avenue, Makati City. Telephones 810-3190 and 8168515. Email: jrencarnado@pldt.com.ph

News

PLDT and Smart representatives from different departments show off their respective trophies for their winning campaigns during the annual Philippine Quill Awards.

PLDT wins big in 2014 Philippine Quill Awards By adrian t. elumba PLDT took several awards in the recent Philippine Quill awarding ceremonies for outstanding communication campaigns from various groups, including PLDT ALPHA Enterprise, PLDT HOME, and PLDT SME Nation. PLDT ALPHA Enterprise raked in two excellence awards for its business quarterly magazine Hot Joe and three Awards of Merit for the “I AM ALPHA” and Unified Communications as a Service audio-visual presentation, and the Smart M2M Event.

Holding proud the Quill trophy for PLDT 2013 Annual Report excellence award are Financial Reporting & Controllership FVP Chaye A. Cabal-Revilla and PLDT & Smart Public Affairs Head Ramon R. Isberto, 2nd and 3rd from left. Also in photo are, from left: PLDT Media Division Head Jay-Anne R. Encarnado and Studio 5 Design Agency President Marily Orosa.

ACC:ESS MAGAZINE

PLDT SME Nation’s ‘The.Next.Big. Thing’ Cloud technology campaign garnered an excellence award while PLDT Home’s Ultera campaign brought home an award of Merit both for the Communication Management category.

“ Effective communications is a vital business tool and we spare no effort to ensure that the Company adheres to best practices for the benefit of our customers, employees, shareholders and other stakeholders.”

Receiving PLDT ALPHA Enterprise’s numerous Quill trophies, including two Excellence awards, were Smart Enterprise Assistant Vice President Chet Alviz, PLDT Head of Corporate Customer Engagement Mikey Smyth, PLDT Category Head for Enterprise Voice Fay Ocampo, and Smart Enterprise Product Manager Gio Abaquin.

PLDT HOME Product Managers Pei Mallari and Mariel Biglete with the award of Merit trophy for the PLDT HOME Ultera campaign

The PLDT 2013 Annual Report: Live Digital received an Excellence award for the second straight year after being recognized in the same category last year. “We are very honored that the IABC Philippines has recognized the Company’s internal and external communications campaigns with these prestigious awards,” said PLDT and Smart Public Affairs Head Ramon Isberto. “Effective communications is a vital business tool and we spare no effort to ensure that the Company adheres to best practices for the benefit of our customers, employees, shareholders and other stakeholders.” Aside from PLDT’s eight awards, Smart Communications won a total of 18 awards with 10 merit awards and eight excellence awards for their communications campaigns last year including the ‘Paskong Pasasalamat’ campaign and SPINNR launch. CC:

PLDT SME Nation’s “The. Next.Big.thing” campaign bags an Award of Merit trophy. Receiving the trophy are PLDT SME Nation Community Engagement Services Head Gabby Cui, Public Relations and Brand Head Yna Maclang, and SME Cloud Solutions Head Enzo Tañedo.

MARCH 2015

PLDT SME Nation, Samsung PH, and Microsoft PH officials initiate a press-button launch of the ceremonial forging of partnerships of the three industry leaders. Officially launching the partnership were PLDT SME Nation AVP and Marketing Head Amil Azurin, Samsung PH Managing Director Harry Lee, PLDT FVP and Head of SME Business Kat Luna-Abelarde, Microsoft PH Director for Small, Midsize Solutions Partners Diana Tibbs, PLDT EVP and ePLDT President and CEO Eric Alberto, Samsung PH Enterprise Director Irene Catane, Samsung PH Business Manager James Kwon, and Microsoft PH Business Group Lead Tovia Va’aelua.

PLDT SME Nation, Samsung PH, microsoft ph join forces for ‘supercharged’ SME solutions

PLDT SME Nation recently announced its strategic partnership with Samsung and Microsoft Philippines to create and introduce groundbreaking solutions that will enable SMEs to efficiently manage their businesses anytime, anywhere during the “Growing your Business in the Digital Age” event. With digital opportunities for over 800,000 strong small and medium enterprise (SME) businesses to tap and engage the country’s fastgrowing digital, social, and mobile user market, the ‘supercharged’ partnership of the three industry leaders will create innovative business solutions that will enable entrepreneurs to run their business better, grow faster, and be more globally competitive. SMEs can now enjoy the benefits of having PLDT SME Nation’s premium and faster fixed and wireless broadband solutions running on PLDT Group’s most extensive fiber and LTE network in the country. These broadband offerings will provide unlimited access

giving entrepreneurs the ability to continuously conduct online activities without the fear of bandwidth throttling. The services also feature committed information rates or CIR, which guarantee minimum bandwidth speeds for businesses and a static IP used to power up their websites and enable faster inter-office data transfers. The new broadband packages also come with supercharged flexible freebies ranging from business-enabling Cloud Solutions such as Microsoft Office 365 and PLDT Cloud apps for video monitoring, asset tracking, POS, infrastructure among others, with an array of smart devices from Samsung Philippines and High Definition (HD) TV content from Cignal. In his welcome remarks, PLDT Executive Vice President and ePLDT President and CEO Eric Alberto highlighted the significance of the partnership saying that “this collaboration and synergy among today’s leaders in the telecommunications industry ushers in a new era of enablement for

the small and medium enterprise market segment. PLDT SME Nation showcased some of this technology’s capability during the event, inviting several bloggers from Cebu and Manila to virtually take part of the press conference from remote locations using Microsoft Office 365. To formalize the partnership among the three companies Alberto was joined on stage by PLDT FVP and SME Business Head Kat Luna-Abelarde, Samsung Philippines Managing Director Harry Lee, Samsung Philippines Business Manager James Kwon, Samsung Philippines Enterprise Director Irene Catane, Microsoft Philippines Director for Small, Midsize Solutions Partners Diana Tibbs, and Microsoft Philippines Business Group Lead Tovia Va’aelua. “PLDT SME Nation reaffirms its support for Filipino SMEs as it continues to innovate and form partnerships with industry leaders to provide our country’s aspiring entrepreneurs with only the best broadband solutions for their businesses,” said Luna-Abelarde. CC:

PLDT AVP and Head of Marketing Amil Azurin highlights the digital statistics of the country with the opportunities of SMEs going online and taking advantage of technology business solutions to help them grow their business.

ACC:ESS MAGAZINE

PLDT powers Palawan businesses with new VSAT solution

With PLDT’s recent offering of its ground satellite service useful in running ICT for remote locations, Palawan’s thriving businesses, especially distant tourist destinations like its popular resorts, will soon enjoy the benefits of a reliable broadband connection. Through VSAT (Very-SmallAperture Terminal), SMEs can now avail voice, VPN, and broadband, communications in areas where terrestrial infrastructure is unavailable. The solution uses VSAT technology as a last mile to deliver a broadband Internet connection with a stabilized, twoway satellite ground station with a dish antenna smaller than three meters. It is able to deliver data bandwidth ranging from 256Kbps

to 3Mbps that can service point of sale transactions via credit cards, email, access to cloud applications, among others. “We are set on taking PLDT a step further by now offering satellite connectivity widening our network’s reach and coverage. PLDT VSAT with clear voice, reliable broadband and VPN service capability is truly a game-changer for businesses outside of our fixed and wireless footprint and as a back-up connectivity for our existing customers,” said PLDT FVP and Head of SME Business Kat Luna-Abelarde. The VSAT offering can be expanded or customized depending on the requirement of the customer. If customers have a particular

bandwidth in mind, the service can be scalable to deliver the needed bandwidth. Launched in Palawan by PLDT SME Nation and PLDT ALPHA Enterprise, the region’s thriving network of SMEs and businesses welcomed the newly-introduced service including Palawan Vice Governor Dennis Socrates and Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary Rolando Canizal. “With the ASEAN integration, the country’s tourism will be more competitive for both foreign and domestic tourist market. Being able to empower these businesses that thrive on tourism with connectivity will really make them competitive,” said DOT ASec. Canizal. CC: Palawan’s business owners and organizations join the launching of PLDT VSAT in Puerto Princesa.

PLDT officials from SME Nation and ALPHA Enterprise join Palawan Vice Governor Dennis Socrates in lighting up the ceremonial switch to activate VSAT for Palawan SMEs.

MARCH 2015

PLDT, PBSP turn over ICT center to Cebu public school

Furthering the Company’s commitment to provide better education in the country through technology, PLDT together with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) recently turned over an information and communications technology (ICT) center to Don Vicente Rama Memorial Elementary School (DVRMES) in Cebu City.

something PLDT will always be willing to give,” Del Rosario said.

Leading the turnover was PLDT Community Relations Head Evelyn M. Del Rosario with Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, PBSP Visayas Regional Manager Martin Perfecto, Department of Education’s Public Schools District Supervisor Rizalina Cairo, and DVRMES Principal Elsie Colo.

“If not for MVP, PLDT wouldn’t be able to implement all of its projects in the country. And it is for this reason that this project turnover is also a way of honoring him.”

“We, in PLDT, are all united in bridging gaps among communities and changing lives. By utilizing our very strength— telecommunications— and this technology is

Shown here during the turnover of the personal computers are, from left: PBSP VRC Manager Martin Perfecto; PLDT ComRel Head Evelyn M. Del Rosario; Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama; Cebu City DepEd Administrative Officer Wilfredo O. Tano; Public School District Supervisor Rizalinda Cairo and DVRMES Principal Elsie Colo.

The ICT center, she added, also honors PLDT’s Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.

Aside from the ICT center, PLDT provided gardening tools and repainted the school during DVRMES’ Brigada Eskuwela in 2013. He said that it was Don Vicente Rama, under whose name DVRMES was named after, who authored the act making Cebu a chartered city. The ICT center will benefit 4,251 students and 105 teachers of DVRMES, one of Cebu City’s biggest public schools, and aims to make the school more competitive especially with the upcoming Asian Integration.

PBSP VRC Manager Martin Perfecto, PLDT ComRel Head Evelyn M. Del Rosario and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, from left, unveil the brass marker.

The ICT assistance includes the provision of 15 computer sets and tables, renovation of computer room, installation of air conditioning units, and the upgrading of the school’s internet system. Reggie Marie B. Barrientos, Pbsp

PSF, AGAPP donate school building in Bohol

Shown here during the ribbon cutting ceremony are, from left to right: Danao Elementary School Principal Estrella I. Peliño, Maria Pureza Chatto, wife of Governor Edgar Chatto and Vice Mayor of Balilihan, Pinky AquinoAbellada, AGAPP Foundation Chairperson; and Ma. Esther Santos, PSF President. Above the facade of the school building adorned for the event.

The PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) in partnership with Aklat, Gabay, Aruga Tungo sa Pag-Angat at Pag-Asa (AGAPP) Foundation recently turned over one school building to Danao Elementary School at Panglao, Bohol. The project includes a two-classroom building fully equipped with the necessary school-related paraphernalia such as books and equipment ranging from ceiling fans to blackboards to make learning conducive to kindergarten and preparatory students.

ACC:ESS MAGAZINE

The school building also doubles up as a library as some of the books can be used by students up to grade three. During the turnover, both PSF President Ms. Ma. Esther Santos and AGAPP Chairperson Ms. Pinky Aquino-Abellada encouraged the students to study hard and strive for excellence as one of them might be the future leader of the country. Moreover, they also encouraged the students to help maintain the school building by keeping it clean and

taking good care of the books in the classrooms as they are chosen to be one of the few beneficiaries of AGAPP school building nationwide. PSF in partnership with AGAPP Foundation also built classrooms at Sampaga Elementary School in Apalit, Pampanga and Tamia Elementary School in Compostela Valley. Lloyd Bernardo, PLDTSmart Foundation

snapshots

PLDT execs undergo vision formulation workshop

Creative visualization became the order of the day during EmpDev’s facilitation of a Vision Formulation Workshop for Technology Operations Center’s executives. With the mandate for superior network performance as the underlying impetus for crafting the statement, wordsmithing and environmental scanning drills got the participants engaged in intellectual banter until a consensus was finally reached. The ‘meeting of minds’ gave birth to the TOC Vision Statement which now reads, “To be the guardians of the PLDT Network through highly committed and technically competent operations teams bringing world class service experience, thereby winning the trust and confidence of our customers.” Shown here after the ceremonial recitation the vision statement are, seated, from left: Steve Lim, Edwin San Pascual, Albert Velasco, TOC VP Emer Hernandez, Petita Feraren, EmpDev Head & Facilitator Nonong Noriega, and Lead Development Officer Lydia dela Merced. Third row, same order: Doms Roque, Eddie Gacayan, Fernando Camaclang, Anthony Gaba, Joseph Diquitaco, Jimmy Pacete, Edgar Alsol, Warren Dimaculangan, Terry Pia (second row from left), Manuel Cutin, Ramil Tenorio, Carlos Mercado, Jr., Alex Capiral and Noel Alacantara.

PLDT supports Cagayan de Oro Army Reserve Command PLDT Community Relations Head Evelyn M. Del Rosario hands over the five sets of refurbished personal computers to Cagayan De Oro 10th Regional Community Defense Group, Army Reserve Command, (10RCDG, ARESCOM) Group Commander Col. John V. Oberio, PA. The personal computers will be used for the different CSR projects and other activities of ARESCOM. Also in photo are 10RCDG, ARESCOM Personnel Officer Lt. Jove Teanco, PLDT Iligan employee-volunteer Elsa Dechos, 1st and 2nd from left; PLDT Davao employee-volunteer Arnel Orpina, 2nd from right; and other ARESCOM members and PLDT Davao and Cagayan De Oro staff.

PSF donates 1M scholarship grant to AFPEBSO PLDT Smart Foundation (PSF) recently signed a memorandum of agreement with the Armed Forces of the Philippines Educational Benefit System (AFPEBSO) and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) for the donation of a one million peso scholarship grant. Aimed at providing educational support for the children of wounded and killed-in-action soldiers, the donation will cover the tertiary level for school year 2015-2017. Shown in photo are, from left, PVAO Under Secretary Ernesto Carolina, AFPEBSO Chairman Lt. Gen. Virgilio Domingo, PSF President Esther O. Santos, and PSF Admin Officers Donna Hernandez and Marco Deligero. MARCH 2015

feature

Shown at the recent awarding ceremonies of the PLDT and DPC-sponsored 29th Visual Arts Competition are, from left, program host Joanna Abera-Del Prado, PLDT Home Marketing Support Head Raul S. Alvarez, PLDT Consumer Business System Support Mgt VP Julieta S. Tañeca, Jean Cheryl Tagyamon, 1st prize winner, Sheila Mae De Vera, 2nd , Raymond Christopher Paredes, 3rd, Canon Marketing’s Timothy Vincent Yap, and DPC EVP Arturo Diago.

UP student leads winners in PLDT and DPC’s 29th Visual Arts Competition By Olive O. Barrozo

grace the cover of the 2015-16 PLDT White Pages and the DPC Yellow Pages in Metro Manila.

he silhouette of a solitary boy looking intently at his cellphone as he stands amid a serene countryside illuminated by a golden sunset topped this year’s Visual Arts Competition (VAC), the nationwide digital photography tilt jointly conducted by PLDT and the Directories Philippines Corporation (DPC). Now on its 29th year, the VAC has been discovering budding artists since 1986, evolving from painting to a digital photography contest. It is open to students who are 15 to 24 years old and currently enrolled in any of the accredited schools in the Philippines. VAC 29 participants worked on the theme “Past Meets Present.”

Tagyamon said she chose to go back to historic San Miguel, Bulacan, her parents’ hometown, to shoot her photo. “Nagmula ako sa pamilya ng mga magsasaka sa Bulacan, nang bumalik kami doon, naisipan kong kumuha ng photographs ng pinsan ko na anak din ng magsasaka. Ang kanayunan ang naging duyan ng kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, doon nagsimula ang Philippine revolution, so I tried to connect the historic scene with the present as represented by my 10-yearold cousin,” she explained. PLDT Home Marketing Support Head Raul S. Alvarez encourages the students in his welcome remarks to use their gadgets to remain connected with their families and keep family values intact.

Entitled “Sa May Kanayunan,” the winning photograph by Jean Cheryl Tagyamon, a student at the University of the Philippines Diliman, will

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For her evocative piece, the 4th year film major at the UP College of Mass Communications took home a cash prize of P100,000, a glass trophy designed by acclaimed sculptor Impy Pilapil, and a Canon EOS 700D DSLR camera. Her school will also receive a donation of P40,000 for its visual arts program, a VAC 29 plaque of commendation, and a Canon Pixma MP237 printer.

WINNERS’ GALLERY

1st Prize ”Sa May Kanayunan” by Jean Cheryl Tagyamon, UP

2nd Prize ”Grandpa Meets DSLR” by Sheila Mae De Vera, PUP

3rd Prize ”Fortress of History” by Raymond Christopher Paredes DLSU-CSB

adherence to theme, 25%; overall impact, 15%; suitability as a cover, 10%; and online votes, 10%. The top three winners emerged from the 50 finalists who were recognized and presented with certificates and P5,000 during the awarding ceremonies held recently at the SM Megamall. They Bagging the third best Present at the event are PLDT HOME Executives Josephine Ireneo, were chosen from with P60,000, a trophy, Teresita Munsayac, Julieta Tañeca, Edwina Severino and Robert Sarte, 728 qualified entries and a Canon Powershot from left, respectively. from 77 colleges, SX600HS digital camera universities, and was Raymond Christopher high schools all over Paredes of DeLa Salle the country, including the University of the Cordilleras and College of St. Benilde. “I found a place in Intramuros that’s St. Louis University up north and Western Mindanao State been overlooked because I haven’t seen that place yet, University and Notre Dame Cotabato in the south. to be honest. I realized na baka mas maganda ito kapag sunset,” related Paredes when asked how he came up with Charlene Del Valle of the Lyceum of the Philippines-Laguna his radiant take on the ancient ruins of Intramuros vis-à-vis won the online votes and P25,000 cash for a special prize the contemporary high-rise buildings of upscale Makati, called the People’s Choice Award for her vibrant shot of an dubbed “Fortress of History.” old woman enjoying her gadgets, entitled “Sa Bukid ni Lola.” The schools of both De Vera and Paredes will each get Another special prize was given to the University of Sto. donations of P30,000 and P20,000, respectively, for their Tomas for having the most number of qualified entries and visual arts program, VAC 29 plaques of commendation, and finalists. Canon Pixma iP2770 printers. Second place was awarded to Sheila Mae De Vera from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines for her entry, “Grandpa Meets the DSLR,” a silhouette of an old man and a young girl both holding cameras of their respective generations. Her prizes included P70,000, a designer trophy, and a Canon EOS 1200D DSLR camera.

Celebrated artists and photojournalists composed the board of judges whose decisions were based on the following criteria: visual composition, 25%; originality, 25%;

PLDT and DPC’s other partners in the successful management of VAC 29 were Canon Marketing Philippines, SM SuperMalls, and the Department of Tourism. CC:

MARCH 2015

The all new, most advanced PLDT HOME Telpad has high-tech functions that enables it to control other appliances such as television, aircon, FAM CAM, and more.

PLDT HOME introduces the most advanced Telpad for your connected home

LDT HOME Telpad, the world’s first and only landline, tablet and broadband in one, recently launched its latest and most high-tech unit to date: The all new Telpad, the most advanced centerpiece of the digitally connected Filipino home. “Ever since we launched the PLDT HOME Telpad, we’ve sought to raise the bar when it comes to communicating and creating meaningful connections at home,” said PLDT EVP and Head of HOME Business Ariel P. Fermin. “We continue to embrace the digital age, and with it, its benefits for managing the home. The new PLDT HOME Telpad is a testament to that, as it addresses the changing needs of the digitally connected Filipino family.” Equipped with an intelligent technology feature that enables it to control home appliances thru WiFi and Infrared, the all new Telpad is also ideal for controlling PLDT HOME’s FAM CAM, the recently-launched home

monitoring system. In addition to landline and home’s most powerful broadband PLDT HOME Fibr, it can connect the family through a built-in Wi-Fi repeater and router. “The all new PLDT HOME Telpad is the most advanced centerpiece of the digitally connected home,” PLDT VP and Head of HOME Marketing Gary Dujali said. “It is the ideal platform for enjoying PLDT HOME’s suite of multimedia services, and for efficiently managing the way families connect, share and enjoy at home.” CC: PLDT VP and Head of Voice and HOME Solutions Patrick Tang explains the high-tech features of the new most advanced Telpad to press partners. The all new, most advanced PLDT HOME Telpad has high-tech functions that enables it to control other appliances such as television, aircon, FAM CAM, and more. CC:

PLDT VP and Head of HOME Marketing Gary Dujali and PLDT VP and Head of HOME Voice Solutions Patrick Tang, 3rd and 4th, from left, respectively, are shown here during the launch of the newest, most advanced Telpad. Also in photo are PLDT HOME Telpad Product Manager Miguel Ruffy, Host Mikaela Lagdameo-Martinez, and Product Specialists Ricardo Lopa and Stephanie Cancio.

ACC:ESS MAGAZINE

PLDT Group at Open Data Platform

Pioneering big data delivery in the ASEAN region The PLDT Group is soon to pioneer into world-class data science expertise, carrier-grade analytics infrastructure, and market-attuned Big Data services to include platforms, real time analytics, and insights as it envisions a Center of Excellence for Big Data in the ASEAN region. “The PLDT Group aims to ensure the competitiveness of the country in this Digital Age, and our foray into the Big Data Analytics space further leverages on our investments in network infrastructure and other strategic digital initiatives. We will sustain our commitment to transforming the PLDT Group to benefit all our stakeholders, and most especially, to providing leading-edge ICT solutions that contribute to the progress and development of the Philippine economy.” said Napoleon Nazareno, PLDT President and CEO. Joining 15 other global companies, the PLDT Group recently joined the Open Data Platform (ODP), a worldwide consortium of Big Data global technology leaders that aims to standardize the core platform and accelerate Big Data delivery across markets. “As the PLDT Group sustains its Digital transformation, our Group-wide Big Data initiative will enable game-changing capabilities and insights for our clients, most especially in the Enterprise space. We are very enthusiastic about the transformative power of this technology in enabling our Corporate customers to optimize operations and more importantly, to engage with their consumers in ways previously not thought possible.” said Eric Alberto, PLDT Executive Vice President for Enterprise & International and Carrier Business Group and ePLDT President and CEO. The PLDT Group’s Big Data service lines include Platformsas-a-Service, Data Warehousing-as-a-Service, and Insightsas-a-Service among others. These services provide the analytics infrastructure as well as the data science expertise to

unlock actionable insights from data sources and to process data feeds in real time. Use cases for Public Sector, meanwhile, include transport planning, route optimization, and traffic monitoring. By employing sophisticated algorithms to analyze anonymous cell phone signals on the move, cities and roadway authorities can get a view of the traffic situation without deploying costly road sensors. In Retail, Big Data is used to measure foot traffic, analyze transactions, and mine loyalty card activity to better understand customers. Through this enhanced understanding, retailers are able to personalize offers, design campaigns, plan staffing-levels, manage inventory, and get the right products on shelves. PLDT Group itself is among the largest implementers of Big Data and Real-time Analytics in the ASEAN Region. The group and its subsidiaries process over 30 Terabytes of data on a daily basis, leveraging its own in-house talent of Data Processing Engineers, Data Scientists and Analytics experts. For the Philippine market, the PLDT Group is currently working with a select number of Enterprise clients from a wide spectrum of industries for collaborative enterprise implementations. “The members of ODP are excited to partner with PLDT Group as the newest gold member of ODP. PLDT Group brings the ASEAN region perspective to our global initiative and will provide a wealth of understanding around Big Data.” shared the ODP Founding Members group. Other members include GE, Hortonworks, IBM, Infosys, Pivotal, SAS, Altiscale, Capgemini, CenturyLink, EMC, Teradata, Splunk, Verizon Enterprise Solutions, and VMware. CC:

MARCH 2015

PLDT ALPHA Enterprise teams up with IDC

Tackling Key Changes, Challenges in Local ICT Sphere

eaming up with International Data Corporation, a global market technology research firm, PLDT ALPHA Enterprise has set the stage for the 2015 Philippine ICT leadership summit tackling key changes and challenges in the local ICT sphere from leading industry experts. The event gathered almost 200 CIOs and IT decision makers from top corporations from various industries including Offshoring & Outsourcing, Banking and Finance, Retail, and Manufacturing. “Together with International Data Corporation, we are envisioning this to be an annual milestone, which will gather top executives and ICT experts across the country and in Asia. Our common goal is to drive Philippine enterprises into the next wave of Innovation and allow them to harness the full power of ICT in their businesses,” said PLDT President and CEO Napoleon L. Nazareno

PLDT EVP and ePLDT President and CEO Eric Alberto discusses the business landscape in the Philippines today and the advantages of partnering with a reliable ICT provider to stay ahead of the competition.

IDC APAC Managing Director Eva Au explains the enterprise’s journey towards the 3rd platform during the Philippine ICT Leadership Summit.

Featuring a roster of distinguished speakers from the IDC and a panel of experts from key industry verticals and global partners, the opening session was an informative talk on “Journey to the 3rd Platform” by IDC Asia-Pacific Managing Director Eva Au, while IDC Asia-Pacific Lead for Services and Cloud Research Mayur Sahni gave an overview of the thriving role of IT for business come 2020. Panel discussions opened the floor to raise dialogues and collaboration for attendees on the changing roles of CIOs in companies and going up the next level of ICT transformation and Innovation. The initial talk was by IDC Malaysia Associate Research Director Roger Ling, while the industry panel experts were composed of PLDT FVP Jovy Hernandez, BPAP President Jomari Mercado, American Chamber Chairman Don Felbaum, SEIPI President Dan Lachica, BSP Deputy Director and Head for IT Raymond Estioko, Bancnet VP Rene Natividad, and EDC CIO Ferdinand Poblete.

and CIO Francisco Castillo, and Accenture Country Manager Lito Tayag. Integrating Cloud Cloud technology was also in the summit’s agenda that opened up discussions on the gains and enlightened on the risks for businesses integrating Cloud into their operations. IDC’s Sahni presented a Cloud case study on the Asia Pacific and the viability of the technology in companies in the region while the Cloud panel included PLDT VP Joseph Ian Gendrano, NTT Communications Director for Cloud Ryutaro Hosono, CCAC CIO Sean Byrne, IBM Director for Cloud Business Justin Gatlin, Oracle APAC Sr. Director for Cloud Caroline Chan, VMWare PH Country Manager Manny Portugal, and Microsoft PH Country Manager Karrie Ilagan.

PLDT Group has since supported and enabled the growth of ICT in the country investing heavily on infrastructure and new technologies to support the growing need of leading industries. It has since build out almost 100,000kms of its fiber optic network to link the country’s archipelago with fixed and wireless connectivity. “PLDT has shifted its focus to becoming an end-to-end ICT provider ranging from connectivity, data centers, unified communications, applications, cloud, and analytics, as well as other ICT areas through expertise we have nurtured and developed over the years,” said PLDT EVP and ePLDT President and CEO Eric Alberto. “We are in a continuing journey into new technology spaces that are not clearly defined, but our commitment to the economic and commercial development of this country is such that PLDT has gone from being this nation’s leading Telco to becoming its principal digital enabler.” CC:

Data Center services and technologies were also highlighted in the one-day summit with IDC Indonesia Associate Research Director Sudev Bangah giving insight on the evolving data center and the emerging trends and strategies in the Asia Pacific. Leading the talks on Data Centers in the local landscape were ePLDT COO Nerisse Ramos, NTT Communications EVP Taylor Man, Sun Life of Canada ePLDT COO Nerisse Ramos, far right, talks about the advantages of data centers for businesses CTO Teodoro Pineda Jr., Maynilad SVP in the region during one of the panel discussions of the program.

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ssons e L 5 p o T

g n i k i B n Mountai t wo r a d e i l pp a e b n (that ca

’ve been working in the corporate world for two decades now. I’ve been mountain biking that long as well. While my riding time significantly decreased from 3000 kilometers to 300 kilometers per year due to priorities, the skills and lessons learned from this sport will always be a part of me. The practical lessons are applied in my corporate life as well as my personal life. 1. Boy Scout Mountain Biking (MTB): A boy scout’s motto is laging handa (Translation: Always be ready). That holds true in mountain biking. Be ready to bring parts and tools that you won’t necessary need in every ride such as a spare tube, extra cables, allen wrench, chain cutter. While the probability is that you won’t be needing it in every ride, it better be there when you need it. Not having it around when you need it is a lesson ill preparation. Corporate World (CW): Similarly, it’s better to be prepared at work. When attending a meeting or presenting, aside from being ready for the action, be ready to bring items or files that you don’t directly need but may eventually find value. It’s better to have it around even if you don’t really need it than to look for it when the moment dictates. The worst scenario is that you need it but you don’t know where to find it (and you know that the data is just in your files).

2. Near, Far, Wherever You Are. MTB: While busting your lung on a single dirt track, always look 4 to 6 feet in front and occasionally look beyond 8 feet. It’s important to know what’s ahead of you so you can anticipate. Anticipation means adjusting your gear (shifters, fork adjustments, seatpost) to make the equipment work for you and be in for a comfortable ride. CW: What is your agenda for the year? To meet that agenda, make sure every month’s result is attuned to your annual target. What tools do you have in hand or tools that you need to learn. Make tools work for you (and not against you). Facebook is a tool. Make it work for you. How? That’s another entry. It is critical to have the mission, vision and targets in mind as well as the strategies on how to make it happen. 3- Trail Guide and Sweeper Role. MTB: When mountain biking in a big group (usually 6 bikers or more), there are 2 major responsibilities to guide the pack and these are the 1- trail guide and 2- sweeper. The trail guide is the leader of the pack and knows the trail like the palm of his hand. The sweeper’s role is to ensure nobody is left behind and IS the last biker in the group. Almost always, the sweeper carries the necessary tools and first aid kit.

CW: The trail guide is the superior or the project leader. They define the objective, lead the way and ensure the everybody is lined up to the objective. The sweeper is an unofficial role often played by the “understudy.” He gives advices to the team which should be aligned with the superior. It is common corporate knowledge that one of the biggest challenges is opening up to a superior as people would rather relay the message to their peers so the role of a “sweeper” is actually critical. This role is often misunderstood and disregarded sometimes even by the corporate trail guide. 4. Body Shot MTB: The core of mountain bike is the frame. In the eye of a non mountain biker, judgement is limited to the color of the frame – red, blue, yellow. They won’t understand if the groupset is the high end kind like Shimano XT or XTR or if their grip is the P1,300 per pair kind like Cane Creek Lock Ons. (A decent MTB grip is p500). In the eye of a real mountain biker, every part counts and often, bikers have a mental list of their co-bikers set up. The bubble thought of a MTBer goes like this “naka low end frame lang siya pero naka full XT set up.” CW: You often hear the adage “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Well, I guess people did not read the memo and still judge people by how they look. Corporate sizing up is a reality and you can’t blame people because that’s how they are and that’s how it works. You just have to show people how you add value to their life. So my officemate may look like a mason but I couldn’t care less especially if he contributes to my project. 5. What Discipline? MTB: A non cyclist would say “Nag ba-bike din siya” (Translation: He also rides a bike.). A cyclist would ask “Mountain bike or road bike?” A Mountain biker would ask “What kind? Cross Country? Trail Bike? DownHill or Freestyle?” Cycling is a complex sport and a cyclist can easily spot a real biker from a faker. CW: “Sa PLDT siya nagwork? May problema ako sa linya ko eh!” (Translation: He works in PLDT? I have a problem with my line!) If you’re in Customer Service and Sales, you’d probably know what do: either have the answer ready or know where to refer it. If in a department outside those two mentioned, they should know where to refer the concern unless they read the corporate and product website. So the next time you meet somebody who works at a company, the next appropriate question is what department do they connected? CC:

MARCH 2015

14 Shown here during the Great Women ICT Platform event are, from left: Women’s Business Council’s and Women Talk forum moderator Chiqui Go, Emmeline Verzosa of Philippine Commission for Women, Smart Community Engagement Services Head Corinne Funk-Zablan, PSF President Esther Santos, Andrea Escalona of IBM, and BPW Makati President Jeannie Javelosa.

Kicking off Women’s Month

PLDT SME Nation, PSF launch ICT platform for women

n partnership with PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF), PLDT SME Nation launched the “Great Women” ICT platform in line with month-long celebration for women. The initiative was also part of the collaboration with Business & Professional Women (BPW) Makati and IBM Philippines. Initiated during the second Future Talks “Great Women” session that gathered the support of leading female businesses personalities, entrepreneurs, and key figures in government, the GREAT Women ICT (Gender Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women) aims to connect women entrepreneurs to various sectors such as SMEs and government agencies enabling society towards economic empowerment. “PLDT SME Nation is proud to take part in this meaningful program which underscores women’s role in shaping and driving enterprises in the Philippines; empowering them to contribute more to society with the

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help of technology,” said PLDT First Vice President and Head of SME Business Kat Luna-Abelarde. “We highly support this initiative which can impact and influence other women to become more economically competitive and successful.” GREAT Women is an integrated platform to address gender issues in both micro and social enterprise development. The goal is to deliver a truly inclusive economic development, and help women ascend the supply and value chain by providing them with economic empowerment. The long-term direction is to expand industry and professional groupings via the online platform where women can nurture and grow their own value or supply chain for their businesses or professions. This initiative falls under the GREAT Women Program, which started in the Philippines in 2006 as a convergence of national and local government agencies, women’s groups, and private sector groups aimed at improving local business policy, projects and services for women in business. CC:

PLDT SME Nation Cloud Solutions Head Enzo Tanedo treats the ladies to a fun quiz to know how techie or tech-savvy the attendees are – from Lolas to tech goddesses.

Great women all, are from left: PSF President Esther Santos, Ambassador Delia Albert, and Richwell Trading Corp.’s and Bossing awardee Myrna Yao.

Some of the empowered women include top professionals and successful women entrepreneurs in their respective fields pose with the organizers and lead speakers.

MARCH 2015

cover story

empowered By Paul Anthony A. Isla

rom being confined in their homes looking after their families, women these days have gone out to manage multinational corporations or even governments for some.

Centuries ago women were deemed to be inferior that they had no right to vote, and were only given equal voting rights in 1928. But over the years, the role of women in the society had grown significantly. They now perform tasks that are usually assigned to men. It is nowadays common to see women welders, engineers, pilots, mechanics, and even presidents. The Philippines, for instance, has already elected two female presidents in the past – Maria Corazon C. Aquino and Gloria M. Macapagal-Arroyo, while American President Barack Obama continues to work and had worked with two influential female leaders – First Lady Michelle Obama and former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton. In 1986, millions of Filipinos elected its first female president Aquino who oversaw the enactment of the 1987 Constitution and ensured that her administration focused on civil liberties and human rights. Aquino’s economic policies focused on restoring economic health and confidence by creating a market-oriented and socially responsible economy. Macapagal-Arroyo, the country’s second female president, also made economy the thrust of her administration. During her term, the country’s economy grew at its fastest pace. Her economic policies helped in avoiding contraction during the 2008 global financial crisis, faring better than regional peers due to minimal exposure to troubled international securities, lower dependence on exports, domestic consumption, large remittances, and a growing business process outsourcing industry. Michelle Obama, on one hand, advocates for human rights, welfare of military families, and health and wellness, among others. She has been helping working women balance career and family, encouraging national service, and promoting the arts and arts education. She has also made supporting military families and spouses a personal mission and has been increasingly bonding with military families. Clinton, on the other hand, during her stint as Secretary of State viewed ‘smart power’ as the strategy for asserting US leadership and values in a world of varied threats by combining military advantage with diplomacy, capacities in global economics, development aid, technology, creativity, and human rights advocacy.

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“To call woman the weaker sex is a libel; it is man’s injustice to woman.” - Mahatma Gandhi

Non-traditional In sports, women have also excelled in several nontraditional fields like basketball, boxing, football, ice hockey, mixed martial arts (MMA), motor sports, and even extreme games, among others. To date, there are a number of influential women in the field of sports. In brutal sport of MMA, mixed martial artist Ronda Rousey is one of many notable women in sports, and has emerged as one of its biggest stars. She also became the first American women to earn an Olympic medal in Judo at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. In boxing, California-based Filipino American Ana Julaton also made a name for being the first to win the Women’s WBO Super Bantamweight and IBA Super Bantamweight titles. She is also one of the quickest boxers ever to win a world title after having fought just five professional bouts before winning the IBA Super Bantamweight title in 2009. Their roles even in times of war and crisis have also changed from merely tending the sick and wounded, as some are members of the different units of the armed forces. Initiatives for women empowerment At PLDT and Smart, initiatives for women empowerment have been launched in line with the national women’s month celebration.

Women governance icons Hillary Clinton, Corazon Aquino and Margaret Thatcher (1st row) are joined by dames of the battlefield (2nd row) like Captain Luzviminda Camacho of the Philippine Navy who headed a Philippine peacekeeping contingent in Haiti while, Nikki Thomas, right, is a bomber squadron commander of the UK Royal Air Force. Air Force.

PLDT SME Nation and PLDT-Smart Foundation initiated the “GREAT (Gender Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women) Women” ICT platform as part of the collaboration with Business & Professional Women (BPW) Makati and IBM Phils. It was aimed at connecting women entrepreneurs to various sectors such as SMEs and government agencies enabling society towards economic empowerment. (please see story on page 14). On the other hand, Smart was one of the pioneer members of the GSMA initiative Connected Women program, formerly called mWomen, focused on the socio-economic benefits of greater inclusion of women at all points in the mobile industry continuum from consumer to employee to leader. GSMA Connected Women accelerates growth of the female digital economy, by working with partners to bring significant socio-economic benefits to all women and to the mobile eco-system globally. The objectives of GSMA’s Connected Women program are to: • Close the connectivity gap - support stakeholders in increasing the number of female consumers and levels/ variety of usage of mobile technology, specifically in the developing world (but also including developed countries where gender parity is not yet realised) for GSM and broadband services; • Close the digital skills gap - take the lead on educating mobile industry stakeholders on the value of driving gender equity, using empirical data, with the goal of closing the digital skills gap and increasing percentage of female leadership in the industry. This includes working together to

create global awareness of the ICT skills gender gap, whilst addressing the gaps in female participation and skills that have the potential to hold back innovation, productivity and commercial success, and to motivate industry wide positive action. Weaker sex no more In 2013, Philippine Navy Captain Luzminda Camacho became the first female officer to the Philippine contingent to a peacekeeping mission of the United Nations, and commander of the 17th Philippine Contingent to Haiti. Camacho also became the first female commanding officer of a Navy ship. Early this year, the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom announced the appointment of Wing Commander Nikki Thomas - its first female bomber squadron commander who is set to lead air strikes against the Islamic State. Through the years, women have broken the perception that they are the weaker sex. Even in the 1930’s, Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi agrees that women are not weaker sex. He was once quoted saying that, “To call woman the weaker sex is a libel; it is man’s injustice to woman.” Women these days are truly more independent than in the past. They demand more from their lives and choose how they want to live. But despite having all of these [choices] on their plate, they still manage to juggle their time for their families – as mothers, daughters and sisters. CC:

MARCH 2015

v e D p Em

ers n t par

h t i w

Distribution Stance and Sales Fighting y Smart to intensif

Rousing celebratory rah-rah rites with EmpDev AVP Nonong Noriega at the helm of facilitation, Smart HR AVP Abby Angeles, standing extreme left and Smart S & D Head Perry Bayani, 4th from left, standing. Meeting of minds. Infusion of drive. Sharpening of focus. Smart S & D leaders revel in an all time high in team synergy.

ierce competition has a way of pumping up our drive to excel. It pushes out complacency and raises the bar of performance to a higher level. This stage in every maturing organization warrants a reassessment of capabilities to strengthen leadership position and intensify strategies against the enemy’s aggressive schemes to gain more ground. This became the compelling force that prevailed when EmpDev conducted a Team Dynamics Workshop for Smart Sales & Distribution executives in Balai Isabel, Talisay, Batangas. Richly acknowledging PLDT’s in-house expertise in motivating troops in the midst of trying times, Abbie Angeles, AVP of Smart HR closely partnered with Nonong Noriega and his team of seasoned facilitators to execute a power packed session that would set leaders zeal ablaze to win the revenue war. In setting the pace and stance to buoy up team quotient, Smart S & D Group Head Perry Bayani would lead the group now and then with chants of “fight, fight, fight!” Nonong, in

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turn would walk them through hard hitting reality checks prompted by findings from a climate survey administered days before session proper. He surfaced alarming concerns in key dimensions of goal attainment that would impact eventual output. The process proved challenging to navigate but the leaders were flush receptive and fired up with resolve to address areas for improvement. After the rousing commitment rites, Perry relayed to HR heads of both PLDT and Smart, Butch Jimenez and Annette Santiago, respectively. “Thanks for giving us a great teambuilding session facilitated by Nonong and organized by Abbie. It was an extremely powerful and effective session and as a result, our S & D managers are highly motivated as one solid team ready to charge, sugod and fight! Ang galling ng nangyari! We will do our best for a great 2015!” The next essential step would be cascades to get the rest of the group on the same page, embracing the values of collaboration and shared accountabilities. The caravan will cover GMM and regional in the coming weeks. Butch Jimenez has pledged all out support for our brothers and sisters in Smart with the assurance of uncovering all means from PLDT’s end to power up combative forces and eventually conquer. CC:

By nonong noriega

hey say everyone loves the winner. One song even says, “The winner takes it all.” But winning could really be a state of mind. When the cheers subside and the trophies gather dust on the shelf, what lingers are the lessons of the journey. Check out biographies of successful people and you’ll see that most of them were products of second, third and multiple chances. Thomas Edision, Walt Disney, Albert Einstein, to name three. Measures of intelligence. They date back to the school system. The most prominent of which is IQ, which eventually gets carried on to the work environment. Our faculties for comprehension, abstract thinking and reasoning need some degree of formidability to qualify us for a job that promises professional growth. It is one thing to pass an entrance exam in a prestigious university, it is quite another to make it to the fold of a reputable enterprise.

role in achieving high impact results. Talent here is not enough. It’s the right mix that defines the winning combination. It’s like pushing the right buttons with each other to get everyone performing in an optimum level. The support system is so intact that TQ makes you in the What other dimensions of lookout not just for your Thrive on! When challenges intensify, the best lessons on intellect get factored in? What builidng character and faith happen. Such are the realizations own productivity but how it hasn’t been taught thoroughly reinforced during the Bandwagoner’s conduct of a StartPlan cum gets replicated many times in school that we later on over with the rest. There are Teambuilding workshop for Smart Service Operations Center discover as essential to excel in headed by Vice President Debbie Hu, fifth from left. Joining in the actually ‘team fit’ tests that what we do? could determine the enabling symbolic point-up gesture are Lead Development Officer Lydia and hindering forces during dela Merced, Fixed Service Quality Management VP Joe Apelo, The global wave for EQ has Certified Sales Challenger Training Officer Dome Gonzaga, Service individual interfaces as well as become more pronounced thresholds that can be studied Network Traffic & Performance Head Bobby Jovellanos, Fixed in recent years. Staunch for getting the act together. Network Quality Assurance Coordinator Boyet Cusi and Wireless proponents believe that Service Quality Senior Manager Hans Alvarez. while IQ brings you to the But the most timely of all, or if I organization, EQ moves you may, the most coveted in these up. In this age that prizes relationship management and perplexing times of cut throat competition would be Adversity customer happiness as yardsticks for market leadership, EQ Quotient. The ability to bounce back after setbacks which are has indeed become a leadership imperative. Self mastery, certain for any maturing organization. The ability to hold on human relations and social awareness set the climate for a steadfastly and not lose heart and steam ensures our staying performance driven culture. power and makes us champion meaningful change. It plays up on the wisdom to process failures and move forward with Then came SQ – Spiritual Quotient. The equilibrium that wiser resolve. It makes us see both the micro and macro comes from being attuned to your faith results to challenges perspectives - miscalculated assumptions that didn’t provide best hurdled through biblical principles in teamwork, the right contingencies and big picture strategies that need to governance and stewardship. John Maxwell, Ken Blanchard, be revisited and refined. Zig Ziglar and Francis Kong are just four in the growing list of gurus who adhere to sound references in the life of Jesus that After all is said and done, the dynamics of these quotients resonate with practical sense in daily applications. come into play day after day. You be the judge on what is the dire need of the hour. Our views may vary depending Lately, there’s been renewed interest in TQ – Team Quotient. on where we find ourselves in the organization and most Realizing that collaborative output reigns over individual importantly, where we find ourselves in the journey to contributions, chemistries between people play a critical continuous transformation. CC:

MARCH 2015

life+arts

woman

Moderne La Gioconda: The Avant Garde of Forms and Atmospheric Illusionism Digital Art by Daryll Sambat, Media ACC:ESS MAGAZINE

Celebrating... ME By Riza D. Cruz, CCFM-CSM i’m weak and i’m strong... i can easily give in i easily cry happy or sad... tears may fall but... i’m braver now when i say yes stronger, when i say no i’m a better me now i’m sad and i’m happy problems come they make me sad, fall on my knees and sometimes ask God why but... i’m happy at the end of the day... i made it through i’m a better me now i’m poor and i’m rich i’ve experienced life’s full circle i have enjoyed life’s blessings but the wheel continues to turn... there’ll be a point in life when challenges may arise you’d feel down and have none family and friends will come i have realized i am poor but definitely rich my family and friends are still around comforting me lifting me up so high... inspite of after all these... i am celebrating life i am celebrating a better ME a WOMAN... truly HUMAN

MARCH 2015

Never Define/Defy A Woman

By Luis C. Maglanoc, PMA Central – SSPRM/CSOM The muse to my prose, words of rhyme Yet she arrives late, never on time! My inspiration, the thump of my heart. Too long to dress up, as if her size never fits!

A superb chef, she whips up dishes so splendid! Nay, reminding me of my waistline, with tales so morbid. Isn’t it obvious, I am still in love with her! Others may be discouraged, but why should I even bother?

She is the fragrance of my every morning! Though she treats me like a different being. I will not understand her ways, her outlook in life. Contradicting, why do I want her to be my wife?

My mother told me why a woman is a valuable lesson. Women might steal my heart and dump me in depression. But when I find someone who is truly for me, She will be the reason how true love came to be!

She finds things cute and cuddly. Until this day, this seems to be a mystery. If ever I’d ask her hand, united on a journey, Will there be a surprise waiting for me?

I Am Kristian Miguel 84139173 17March2015

Yes, a woman never ceases to amaze! Questions to my mother and sisters, gallantly raised. They seem to be whirlpools pulling me in. And I always fall, a willing victim! ACC:ESS MAGAZINE

W.O.M.E.N (We Owe Mothers Everything, Nonetheless) By Marjory C. Sy, ProdServ

Carrying the once-unknown being inside her, She bravely faced and endured each day Trusting the good LORD would take care of her Not minding the doubts and inhibition, Which she could not even try to say The excruciating moment during childbirth Replaced by the joy of hearing the first cry Her baby’s warm signal of seeing The first light in this Earth It gave her the comfort and consolation From the day on, she provided all she may have For her, this child is worth every sacrifice It is love that inspires her to give up her dreams Her personal wants have to take the backseat Giving the best for him and his needs to meet Working day and night, multitasking She never complained or whined “Everything is okay, and I am fine” Wiping her tears away in silence When no one’s around or in sight “Pain is needed for something to be gained” She watched her child grow, slowly starting to fly Praying that he will flourish in God’s Loving Grace That he will not soar too early or too high… Forgetting how and when to land or stay aground She loves him, even without assurance of being loved back We owe our mothers everything we are and have From conception until the day we will be called back Mothers are superwomen sans the flashy costume They have grey hair, wrinkles and rough hands But their love is the special force that brings power… The light to the home as help-meet to husbands The nurturing inspiration transforming children to be their best The comforting wisdom of a daughter, sister and friend A woman’s strength is fine-tuned by faith Measured not by the impact of her daily struggles But by her refusal to give in to their temptation To dictate how and what she should become

Painting by Jeffrey S. Quilatan IT Mediation & Settlement Systems

MARCH 2015

Nanay

By Riza D. Cruz, CCFM-CSM tamang tama akmang akma tema ng akda patungkol sa ina... nung ako’y bata pa simple lang ang buhay masaya nang lagi kang kasama nasanay sa yong pag aaruga paggising mo ‘nay sa umaga ang lahat ay nakahanda na damit na susuutin almusal na kakainin “panyo at id mo.. baka makalimutan mo...” simbolo ka na butihing ina di nagpabaya sadyang mapag aruga tanging libangan ang kami ay alagaan babaunin ko hanggang sa pagtanda lahat ng mabuti mong halimbawa ang pagiging mapagkumbaba pagmamahal sa aming pamilya laging inuuna i love you nanay buti na lang bago ka nawala nasabi ko pa at nayakap ka Di kasi naging ugali Nararamdaman madalas na sinasabi Nanay... sa pag byahe mo sa langit baunin mo ang buong pusong pasasalamat ko Salamat sa Dyos Dahil may Nanay Marina

in appreciation of

By Sarah Cielo Q. Meneses, HOME BO Management

t’s difficult (for me) to write about women as I fear that I may sound like a radical feminist or a misandrist. Men and women are equally amazing. This is a fact. Both sexes have achieved a lot of things that make the world a better place today. It’s just that, given that we’re under a patriarchal society, the females in history aren’t given the same importance as their male counterparts. For example: most of us know who Neil Armstrong is, but not Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova. Women, like it or not, are underappreciated. And I’m not even talking about highprofile women who excel in fields dominated by men, but women we know or see every day: grandmothers, mothers, wives, girlfriends, old ladies from the market hauling sacks of vegetables at five in the morning… Thankfully for us girls from the younger generation, there are a lot of female role models we can look up to (who would rather get actual work done than worry about other people’s opinions about them). Aside from our older female relatives, we have real-life women like Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Emma Watson, and J.K. Rowling, as well as fictional ones like Alexandra Trese, Peggy Carter, and Jasnah Kholin. Again, same as women, there are a lot of men worthy of being idolized. But they don’t have to spend time applying make-up, or suffer wearing heels, or worry about perverts feeling them up in crowded trains, or getting raped and killed when they go home at night. People don’t look at them and judge them inferior, just because of their gender and not because of anything else, like their educational background or work ethic. (I’m not saying that men are immune to discrimination. They’re not.) I’m not trying to compare who has it better or worse. What I’m stating are my own observations. It’s an everyday thing that female drivers get insulted more fiercely than male drivers who show the same level of skill. Women holding high positions in big companies aren’t congratulated right off the bat. They are asked what their qualifications are. Even worse, they get questioned about their family life, and if they are good wives and mothers, or if they’re spinsters. So, to all womankind who can keep up with the demands of their respective lives as well as deal with whatever unfair thing the world throws their way, continue fighting (and winning) your battles. Whether or not you know your own worth, and whether or not people treat you the way you’re ought to be treated; you are important, even if the world implies otherwise. And to all the men who don’t treat women as second-class citizens, and who tread the fine balance between respecting a woman’s pride and chivalry (We’re really grateful when you offer to carry some of our stuff for us), I sincerely thank you. You are a gift from the gods, and I wish there are more of you. CC:

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Superwoman

Ni Aldwin P. Estrada, HOME Outbound & Customer Serv Escalation

Pag mulat ng mata, siya ang nais Makita, Kay tamis ng himig, nitong aking sinisinta Buhok nya’y kasing lambot ng bulak Kutis nya’y kasing kinis ng lilak Malayo pa lang ramdam mo na ang kanyang presensya Magkandabali ang leeg sa lingon masilayan ang aking pantasya Halimuyak ng kanyang bango ay nalalasap Tulirong paghanga, sya’y laging hanap hanap

Artwork by Danny L. Handayan Tondo Home Business Office

Kariktan nya’y di lamang aking yaman Busilak na kalooban at pagmamahal na walang hanggan Sakripisyo ay handang harapin Para sa pamilya’y ginhawa ang adhikain Taas kamay ko sayo, me kasama pang saludo Ehemplo ka ng inang natatangi, paghanga kong totoo Dasal at pagmamahal sayo’y aking alay Hiling na maski anong mangyari ikaw ay di mawalay Ikaw man ay lumuha kung minsan Umasa kang kapalit nyan ay katamisan Panginoon natin Ama’y laging nakaantabay Sayong daang tinatahak siya’y handang umalalay Istorya mo’y aking pinagbibigay alam Upang madla’y maunawaan at makaramdam Tunay na taong dapat lang ikapitagan Yabang kong inihahayag ikaw ay aking kaibigan Ikaw ay mabuting anak……… Maunawaing kapatid……………….. Mapagmahal na asawa………………. Ehemplong ina…………………………….. Tunay na kaibigan…………………………….. MABUHAY KA SUPERWOMAN!

A Piece of Wisdom

By Jessica Daphne D. Salonga, ComRel What makes a woman? Is it the twirl of her dress? The grace of her steps? Or maybe it is the length of her hair Child, let me tell you something A woman is who she is It’s the values that make a woman Not what she wears, or her heels that click Lipsticks are nothing on false lips Whether your hair is down or in a bun It’s the values that make a woman Child, you better remember that You can be something, You can be anything, Because it’s the values that make a woman … And you still have time to be more

MARCH 2015

Perspective: Mother and Me by Leopoldo Lalim

When I said, She heard me say, “aslakawewae daaw me mee…” “mommy, I’m hungry” “da dada dada dada” “Daddy makes me smile a lot, mama”

“I can do this, you don’t have to tell me what to do” “I’m growing up ma, I’m not stopping too!” “It was your fault! I’m sorry, but it was your fault still!” “You don’t understand me, I don’t care how you feel!”

“Mine, mine, mine,” “I’m growing up fast, ma, it’s a sign!” “I want to swim, I want a snack” “I’m not scared, this is my favourite snack!”

“Ma, what do you want for Christmas?” “I’m growing up, ma. You no longer have to fuss” “I like it here, I’ll still go home, don’t worry” “I’m growing up, ma. Your chapter has ended I’m starting my own story”

“mama please don’t leave me here” “I’ve met so many new people, I’ll be ok here” “School stinks, I don’t want to go back” “I’m learning that life is not that easy, cut me some slack!”

“Ma, this is G, I want to Marry her” “Ma, I’m a bit unsure, what do you think about her?” “Musta kayo dyan, ma?” “I think you’re getting old, ma”

“I want to watch anime!” “ I’m still a kid no matter what you say!” “I think I like…, she’s pretty” “she’s a kid too but why do I feel uneasy?” “can I have more allowance?” “I can still make a cute face, I want that toy, this is my chance!” “I was playing that’s why all the buttons on my shirt are gone” “It was fun, I didn’t think about what I’ve done” “I want to go to high school with my friends, not boarding school!” “I’m still too young, I don’t want to be a fool” “I can go home! Please let me at least go home every day!” “You’re right, ma. This is no longer time to play” “I hate you! I hate you!” “you’re right, that’s true!” “why do you always want it your way?” “I’m still too young, mama, so please stay”

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“Ma, you’re not eating right” “Ma, take care of yourself I’m busy tonight” “I got this, I know what to do” “I’m big enough now, I can decide without you” “I need your advice on something” “I miss you, ma. This problem is numbing” “I think you’re spoiling your apo” “I’m envious; I wish you were like that to me too” “Ma, how are you?” “Ma, I miss you” “Ma, how are you?” “Ma, I love you” “Ma, are you there?” … “Ma, thank you” … When all is said, What she wanted to say was, “I love you.”

cry for help

By Fides G. Pasumbal Enterprise Inbound Contact Services

“N

ay!”

Oftentimes we hear this expression from kids and even adults, when faced with fear or anxiety. It has always amused me that it has become our habit to call out “Mama,” “Mommy” or “Inay” even when we’re all grown up or even when some are already parents themselves. I have yet to hear someone call out “Papa,” “Dad” or “Itay” in times of distress. Now why is that? I do not have the answer to that question, but I can only surmise that we have become so accustomed to our mother’s loving care from the womb until our growing years that all our troubles seem to disappear just by calling out that one person we truly love and trust. Now, that is not discounting the role of fathers in our lives, but I know the males would understand. We all have that special bond with the woman who brought us into this world. Women are more nurturing by nature, more expressive, more vocal. Even a baby’s first word, more often than not, is “Ma.” My own mother is no exception. My siblings and I are lucky to have a mom who’s a kitchen expert. She would even go as far as bake loaf bread for us. She still cooks

for the family until now, and for my niece, her roasted chicken is “the best chicken in the world!” And we thought all kids were partial to chicken joy. It was my mother who took care of me whenever I got sick, who taught me how to sing, who helped me with my lessons, who was there during school performances and activities, who cried when I had to leave home to go to the city for high school, who pleaded with me to come home after college graduation - because she wanted to be with me as she grew old. It was sad that I had to leave home again because of work, but I see to it that I spend time with my family every chance I get. Even when her children are all grown-up and old, she’s still ecstatic when all of us gather at home on Christmas day. She would say, “Ang saya saya ko ngayon.” It pains me to think that she’s already in her twilight years and cannot come with me during long vacations as much as before, because she can no longer go without her stick or wheelchair. I am happy though that her love for me has not waned through the years, and it’s always a joy to come back to her arms each time I come home. My mother is not one of the women who will love me no matter what. She IS the only one. CC: MARCH 2015

Artwork by Danny L. Handayan Tondo Home Business Office

Isang Pasasalamat

Ni Jessica May G. Basuil HOME Customer Contact Management 2010 noong siya ay aking nakilala “Hello” ang unang salita nang siya ay nakita Isang magandang ngiti aking nakuha Tanong ko sa sarili, ito ba ang BOSS na sa akin ay ipagkakatiwala? Cute, malambing, simple at may angking ganda Bago kong Boss, ako naman ay nagtaka at natulala Batang-bata ang itsura, elegante at napakahinhin pa Tanong ko sa sarili, di kaya ako magmukhang bodyguard o di kaya PA lang niya? :-) Sa mga unang araw ko sa bagong opisina Medyo ilang at ako ay hiyang-hiya Mga kasama’y bago, kakilala ni isa ay wala Tanong ko sa sarili, ito ba ang sitwasyon pag ika’y bagong salta? Sa mga sumunod na araw, bagong BOSS lagi kong nakakasama Unti-unti ang loob ay gumagaan sa kanya Trabaho kahit bago ay naging napakadali at napakasaya Sabi ko sa sarili, salamat sa Diyos paglipat ko’y umayos at “A” okay pa. Makaraan ang limang taon, pag-aalinlangan, hiya at takot ay tuluyang nabura Sa BOSS ko’y nakahanap ng karamay, konfidante, kapatid at naging Idol ko siya Kompiyansa sa sarili at pagmamahal sa kapwa aking natutunan at nadama Sabi ko sa sarili, swerte ko, BOSS ko’y the BEST at walang katulad talaga. Kung dumating man ang panahon, Boss ko ay mabago at maiba Isang mensahe ang gusto kong banggitin at iiwan sa kanya Salamat sa pagmamahal, sa mga mabubuting aral at masasayang alaala Habang buhay baon ko’y pusong may ngiti, tuwa at kakaibang ligaya. Maraming Salamat , Ma’am Rose Dalisay! ACC:ESS MAGAZINE

Babae Ka Nga!

Ni Renelia L. Villanueva, IT Application Development & Mgt

Bakit nga po ba noong una siya ay nagtawa? Bagaman siya ay napagsabihan pero pinagpala Ina ng pagkarami-raming bansa siya ay si Sarah Umasa at maghintay matutunan natin sa kanya. Jezebel, marahas at masungit kang talaga Ang dami daming pinapatay na mga propeta Successful talaga ang naging misyon ni Esther Mordecai at lahat ng lahi naligtas dahil sa kanya. Kumalansing ang kanyang dalawang kusing Na-ingayan ang mga matang nakatingin Pero alam mo ba? Mas na-appreciate sya Babaeng balo yun lang ang tanging yaman nya.

Walang sinabi ang giting at lakas ni Samson Sa ganda at sa pangungulit nitong si Delilah Pagkakanlungan ba? pwedeng hanapin si Rahab Si Miriam, Deborah, Tamar kilala mo rin ba? Madami ang lumapit kay Kristo dahil sa isang Samaritana Si Martha di magkanda-ugaga at talagang abalang-abala Nakikinig , kakatalungko lang kay Hesus itong si Maria Pero sya ang pinagpala at nakatanggap ng lubos na biyaya. Si Abraham at Hagar ang tatay at nanay nitong si Ishmael Lahat ng kapatid na muslim sa kanya daw ay nanggaling Si Maria ang ginamit para sumilang ang dakilang Kristo Sa kasalanan at dusa, ako nga ay talagang abswelto !

Maria Magdalena, makasalanan ka nga ba? Pero sobrang ganda ng puso mo pala iha Walang saysay kahit na gaano kamahal pa Pabango sa paa ni Kristo ipina-ligo mo pa. Batsheba, asawa ni Urias, sa iyo si David ay nahalina Ang lahat ng tao ay nanggaling sa iyo nga po Eba Si Naomi at Ruth aba close na close po talaga Kung saan ka pupunta, duon ako din ay pupunta Matiyaga at mataimtim ang dalangin ni Hannah Napagkamalan pang lasing ni Eli na dakilang propeta Jochebed ang nagpaanod sa ilog ng batang si Moses Nakita ng Prinsesa na siyang nagpalaki sa kanya. Mapalad talaga itong babaeng si Aling Gomer Na-ngapit-bahay man pero sinisinta pa rin siya Oh dakilang Israel kaparehas ka nga ba nya? Ang ating Diyos ang tindi nyang mamahal talaga! Ang hiningi ay tubig, pero gatas ang binigay nya Kaaway, kinupkop, tinulungan at kinalinga pa Mahusay at matalino itong Jael na Kenita Buong Israel nagbunyi pati itong si Deborah!

MARCH 2015

Girlfriends For Life

By Mary Elizabeth G. Dioso NoGMM – Fixed Access and Transportation

When I was brought out into this world, You bore the pain that no one can imagine. When everything for me was blurred, You carefully took care of me like a jasmine. You loved me with your every single breath, And you showed me what unconditional love is. You are for me an epitome of strength, When you played the role of being a dad with ease. You are my living diary, For you know everything about me I am blessed, truly Whenever I need you, I know there you will be Mom, generosity defines you Because you gave me a dear sister She cheers me up when I am feeling blue An instant girlfriend forever She inspires me to be calm in every situation And not to care about what other people say Despite her fair share of tribulations, She manages to smile all the way. You are God’s greatest blessings. With you two, my life’s journey becomes more exciting. Thank you for everything I love you forever, Mama and Areng.

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A Rose

by Lian Joy Domingo Your beauty is like that of a rose I don’t even need to come too close It never fails to mesmerize me Even from afar, I can see it clearly You have the strength like that of a rose’s stem You’d face all challenges and bravely overcome them You’ve always made it your life’s mission To be my stronghold and inspiration “Every rose has its thorns,” that’s how the saying goes And again, I would say that you’re like a rose You’re sweet and kind, your love is tender But tough enough to protect me from danger Like arms outstretched are the rose’s leaves Like a loving mother who unfailingly gives You’ve always given me the best you could offer You’ve been so freehearted for as long as I remember A rose is one of God’s admirable creations You are so much like it for so many reasons You’re very precious like this beautiful flower I’m so blessed to have you, my beloved Mother

MARCH 2015

The Only One

By John Paul M. Soriano Properties and Subsidiaries Audit Division

You are the spiciest yet sweetest I ever tasted The perfection of your imperfection is what I wanted An exact resemblance of the epitome of heat Yet a cold one I cannot defeat I refused to fall Yet I was convinced it was my heartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s call It was a baffling thought But a serene phase I could have only bought You are the darkest of my days Yet the solitary light on my uncertain way As delicate and fragile as a glass Yet the sturdiest of your class A precise opposite of my nature But a vague feeling I must nurture An impeccable cause of my death However, the only core of my life and strength Your existence can be the root of my pain But your absence would make me no sane Definitely, a luscious kiss of hell Yet the only heaven I know well You made me the happiest man And you are that woman I call the only one

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book review women who win the game By Olive O. Barrozo

ow would a gawky young girl from a poor family in the suburbs feel if she suddenly finds herself in the company of budding artists from Manhattan’s elite?

novel tackles diverse themes – from the complexities of human relationships, feminism, rape, child abuse, autism, ethics, morals, to gay issues. They meet regularly in New York after graduation from high school, college and beyond, sharing each other’s joyful experiences as well as the painful and harrowing incidents where they lose some of their members.

Overwhelmed, of course, from a can-hardly-believe-itmoment to infinitely flattered.

Of the six would-be-artists, only Ethan makes it big in his chosen field, so big he had several houses, could afford to take his friends abroad for luxurious vacations in expensive hotels, make large donations to charities and friends in need, name it. Having Ethan for a husband has paved a theater career for Ash, so she too realizes her dream of directing “works by women, and works about women, with good female parts in them.”

That’s how Julie Jacobson felt when she was invited to join an exclusive club in a summer camp for the artistically-inclined known as Spirit-in-the-Woods, the scene where Meg Wolitzer’s 9th novel, The Interestings, began. Julie becomes Jules to her new-found-friends, “a far better name for an awkward-looking fifteen-year-old who’d become desperate for people to pay attention to her.” They called themselves the Interestings, a coterie of artsy teen-agers who thought they would one day change the world with their immense talents. From the start, Jules was already awestruck by the group, she thought they were really interesting, notwithstanding the pretentious name. There’s Ash Wolfe, an aspiring stage actress, writer and director of feminist plays. Her older brother Goodman is aiming to become an architect but his arrogance and an exaggerated sense of entitlement lead him somewhere else. Ash and Goodman are New York royalties, living in a posh apartment, attending expensive private schools, and having things that poor people could only wish for. Cathy Kiplinger is the dedicated dancer. Her womanly curves at 15 sets her apart from girls her age but boys liked her. “She was the kind of girl who boys never left alone; they were relentless in their automatic pursuit of her.” Handsome, long-haired Jonah Bay, the musician, is the son of a popular folksinger. Unknown to everybody, he leads a mysterious life and has been suffering silently since his early childhood. Ethan Figman is the camp’s gifted animator. “He spent hours drawing his short animated films and filling the pages of the little spiral notebooks that always bulged from his back pocket.” His innate creativity more than makes up for his deficiency in the looks department. And Jules, the sixth member of the group, dreams of conquering the comedy theater someday. Following the lives of these people whose friendship continued to flourish long after their summer camp days, the sweeping

The others had to make do with professions not necessarily artsrelated. Jonah takes up engineering and for many years tries to forget music. Cathy, the first to sever ties with the group, leads a troubled life afterwards but she stands her ground and moves on. She eventually becomes the CEO of a large corporation. Jules remains infatuated with the Interestings, her friendship with Ash and Ethan has grown deeper through the years, despite her frequent fits of envy. Her husband, Dennis, a former depressive who now enjoys life’s simple pleasures, enlightens her with his outburst,”…And specialness – everyone wants it. But Jesus, is it the most essential thing there is? Most people aren’t talented. So what are they supposed to do – kill themselves?” As a female author, writing stories with strong women in novels such as This Is Your Life, The Wife, The Ten-Year Nap, and The Uncoupling, Wolitzer also creates downbeat characters like Jules who is constantly dissatisfied with her life which she obsessively compares with that of her friends’. She eventually retrains as a therapist – having failed to land an acting job after several auditions. “I’m willing to keep giving this whole thing a try. But how long do I put myself out there? … When do I stop? … Nobody tells you how long you should keep doing something before you give up forever.” Of the group, Jules has the most ordinary, uneventful life, bordering on the unexciting and tiresome, yet she is the main character because she embodies the poor and struggling women who may or may not have the talent and resources that would propel them to popularity and affluence. For all their weaknesses and shortcomings, it is their unflinching never-say-die attitude that keeps women like Jules, Ash, and Cathy moving on with their lives and staying in the game, which they win. Eventually. CC: MARCH 2015