The PAC serves as the command center and liaison unit of the Office of the President with various agencies on all requests for assistance, complaints, and grievances from the public.

Why the UAE? There are two international aviation hubs – Dubai and Abu Dhabi – which are 8 flight hours to London and Johannesburg, 7 flight hours to Milan, 5.5 flight hours to Kenya, 4 flight hours to Cairo and Tel Aviv, 3 flight hours to Jeddah and Amman, 2 flight hours to Riyadh, 1.5 flight hours to Kuwait, and one flight hour to Doha.

With limited international flights from the Philippines to countries in the EMEA region, plus the long flying hours, any emergency response from Manila would take a considerable time than having someone based in the UAE to immediately fly out and ‘rescue’ or ‘resolve’ any incident affecting Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

There are over 3 million OFWs in EMEA which is the largest number of Filipino migrant workers compared to Asia. Filipinos in North America, particularly in the US Mainland, are considered more as immigrants who would not be reintegrating back home than those in the Middle East and Africa where countries do not give dual citizenships to migrant workers.

This opinion piece was written by Art ‘Popoy’ Los Banos, a 23-year Dubai resident and PR professional

The post Why the UAE should host a global emergency response center for OFWs appeared first on The Global Filipino Magazine.

In 2019, I attended the 26th National PR Congress conducted on September 24 and 25, at the SMX Convention. I was fortunate to be a moderator in one of the Breakout Sessions on Social Impact Communication with panellists Chito Sobrepeña, President of Metrobank Foundation, and Monique Castro, Senior Corporate Affairs and Communications Manager of Pepsi Cola Philippines, on the second day.

Thank you to congress chair Ana Pista of Ardent Communications for the opportunity and to PRSP president Andy Saracho of Philippine Veterans Bank for the warm welcome. I would like to mention, too, board directors Norman Agatep of Grupo Agatep and Jude Galford of Insular Life, and ex-officio director Ritzi Villarico-Ronquillo, a PR and Business Communications Consultant.

“Be part of the biggest gathering of public relations and communications professionals, reputation leaders, storytellers, and key opinion leaders with the aim to elevate industry practices in the Philippines,” announced Lady Ochel Espinosa , chair of the 30^th congress. Lady is the Regional Insights Director for Emerging Markets-Southeast Asia of Isentia and is the VP-External of PRSP.

The late PR professor and practitioner Bong Osorio wrote: “September is public relations month in the Philippines by virtue of Proclamation No. 1357 signed on August 13, 2007,  by then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. As such the Public Relations Society of the Philippines is tasked to hold a public relations congress every September of every year, with PR practitioners from the public and private sectors in attendance.”

Back to 2019, I encouraged the participants to check and support any of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and to be courageous in recommending action plans to top management. I told them to speak up whenever they are invited to a senior management meeting. 

Case study: In early May 2000, Unilab President and COO Do Ejercito called for a high-level meeting with all marketing and distribution heads. The meeting was facilitated by the Strategic Marketing Group, and we were invited as Corporate Affairs and Communications Group. The issue: Unilab will announce a price reduction on some OTC and ethical medicines. through double spread colored ads in all major newspapers. This was recommended by the ad agency the group was working with. Well, for obvious reasons the agency will get commissions per insertion. I objected and said that it was not politically correct to convey the good news through double spread colored ads. It doesn’t look good that we are paying hundreds of thousands to announce a price reduction. It shows that the original prices are very high that we can afford to place the expensive ads. 

I countered that it is best to explain through a press release that the lowering of prices was a result of the two-year re-engineering efforts of Mr. Ejercito, who became President and COO in 1998. There were significant savings generated out of the organizational changes and the company is passing on the savings to the general public by way of price reduction of several medicines. I was triumphant. Mr. Ejercito agreed with my recommendation. The ads were still placed but only after the press release. Check this link on news by Philippine Star – https://www.philstar.com/business/2000/05/12/99000/unilab-reduce-prices-65-essential-drugs

In February 2021, Ana was so kind to invite me for free to attend the 27^th National PR Congress which was virtually conducted from February 17 to 19. For obvious reasons, it was difficult to hold it in September 2020 when the pandemic was at its peak in the Philippines. The last day of the congress was a Friday, which was a still a weekend in the UAE, and I listened to the talks while in my pajamas.

In 2022, the congress was held on September 1 and 2. It was the first time PRSP had a joint hybrid event with the 29th National PR Congress and the 28th Student PR Congress at The Manila Peninsula. I told congress chair Cathy Yan of PLDT and Smart that I really wanted to attend since I was already in the Philippines on holiday, but the dates were also my last days. You know there are so many last-minute things and errands to do on the last days whenever we, overseas-based Filipinos, visit the homeland.

Here in the UAE, our company, Tristar Group, is a corporate member of the Middle East Public Relations Association or MEPRA since July 2021. I am the representative of Tristar in all events and activities of the association. The last event I attended was on March 16 at the Media Skill and Crisis Communication session presented by International journalist and media trainer, Nick Walshe. On July 26, I will be attending the workshop on ‘Transdisciplinary and Multidimensional: The Rising Role of Strategic Communication Practitioners in the New World.’

The post The importance of attending PR congresses and workshops  appeared first on The Global Filipino Magazine.

For TGFM readers who are not familiar with FilSoc, here is the very first press release I issued on August 5, 2019, as the Founding PRO:  

“The Community Development Authority (CDA) of Dubai Government has issued a license to operate to the Filipino Social Club or FilSoc within the emirate of Dubai.

The CDA regulates and provides licensing services to Non-Profit Civil Society Organizations which organize ongoing social, cultural, artistic or entertainment activities.

Dr. Omar AbdulAziz Al Muthanna, CEO, Regulatory and Licensing Sector of CDA handed over the license to FilSoc’s founding members led by its President, Ericson P. Reyes, recently at the CDA headquarters.

‘A license is a tool given to empower communities that wish to deliver social services. Our goal is not limited to merely giving a license. Our success lies in playing the role of the catalyst for Social Innovation. We set the playing field by creating standards and frameworks that promote creative thinking and innovative solutions. Applicants who demonstrate competency in managing the organization may only be licensed. We look at certain criteria’s which include the organization’s structure, board members, location, innovation, smart services, and sustainability. Licensed associations are encouraged to move away from short-termed, bubbled-pop solutions that rarely impact the lives of the beneficiaries and to start providing more sustainable programs,’ Dr. Omar AbdulAziz Al Muthanna said.

FilSoc is a CDA-regulated association that envisions to be the organization of all Overseas Filipinos who would like to participate in non-profit community services through social, cultural, sports, welfare, entertainment-related activities. The club will collaborate with other licensed social groups in the community and will support the major programs of the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and the Dubai Government’s community engagement programs.

Reyes said: ‘We will have clear targets as to what we are going to do, how we are going to serve the community, and on how we are going collaborate with other CDA-regulated social clubs; and we are free to make decisions in supporting the programs of the PCG and especially the host government of Dubai.’

The founding members are Ericson P. Reyes (President), Cesar B. Mora (Vice President), Jomana A. Mohammed (Secretary), Orandantes M. Delizo (Treasurer), Olympia R. Pineda (Auditor), Arthur Lawrence A. Los Baños (PRO), Wendell T. Castro (Board Member), Gina T. Salazar (Board Member), Ahmad Almatrooshi (Board Member), Matilyn V. Bagunu (Founding Member), Marilyn Roscales Kasimieh (Founding Member), and Alan S. Bacason (Adviser & Legal Representative).”

The presidency has been contested by Ericson, Olympia or Olie, and Marilyn or Wafa. All the best to these three veteran community leaders. The CDA will announce in a General Assembly the eventual winners.

Thank you, Election Committee, members 𝗔𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗼, 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮, 𝗔𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗯𝗲𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀, 𝗘𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗯𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗮, 𝗢𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝘇, and 𝗝𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗱𝗮. They served for two full days over the weekend and for three straight nights this week.

Now, I can finally declare that I am retired from FilSoc events as well as most Filipino Community activities except major gatherings like the Philippine Independence Day (PID) and official functions of Philippine diplomats and visiting Philippine government officials. All the best and God bless the new set of FilSoc officers who will serve for two years.

The post All the best to the new set of FilSoc officers who will serve for 2 years appeared first on The Global Filipino Magazine.

When I recently went to the Philippines to attend the Los Banos clan reunion in Legazpi, Albay, I used my own BMW brand again.  On June 26, my wife and I rode the Dubai Metro from Discovery Gardens to Terminal 1 for my Philippine Airlines evening flight to Manila. She rode the Dubai Metro going back home after I got my boarding pass. We always ride the Gold Coach whenever we go beyond Mall of Emirates. My wife did not join me as she visited her mother in Oman during the Eid Al Adha holidays.

I flew to Legazpi on June 28 afternoon on a Cebu Pacific aircraft and returned to Manila on July 1 evening on a luxury bus which took almost 12 hours to reach Cubao the next morning. Whenever we are back home, we stay with our son who lives across Ateneo University.  On July 2 afternoon, my son and I took the LRT 2 by riding at the Katipunan Station. We transferred to the MRT 3 line in Cubao by walking through three interconnected malls. We took the train going to Makati and went down the Ayala Station. The two rides cost Php35 only per person. There is a 3^rd line which is the LRT 1, built and operated in the early 80s.

LRT 1, LRT 2 and MRT 3 are also interconnected so if one wants to go to Baclaran from Katipunan, then he or she should take two lines, LRT 2 going to Recto Station and transfer to LRT 1 going to Baclaran. Or if he or she wants to spend more and have an adventure then the person can transfer at the Cubao station to ride the MRT 3 and then transfer again at the Taft Station to ride the LRT 1. Currently, all passengers of the three lines should wear face mask and are not allowed to talk on their mobile phones. Using social media and chatting, however, allowed.

My eldest brother Jojo brought us back to Quezon City in his vehicle after we had late lunch with him and my cousins Bong and Trixie, and nephew Ral at Glorietta. It was about a kilometer walk from the Ayala Station to the food outlet. What’s so nice about the Ayala Station is that you can go to Makati Medical Center without getting wet when it rains as you will always have a roof under your head.

I came back here, our second home for 22 years, on July 3 past 1 pm Manila time and arrived at Terminal 1 around 6 pm local time. So how did I go home to Discovery Gardens? You guess it right, via Dubai Metro. This is my own BMW brand.  

The post BMW is my preferred transport mode appeared first on The Global Filipino Magazine.

This is what happened to Felino Palafox, Jr. more than four decades ago when as a 27-year-old and recently married architect he was invited to work in Dubai, becoming the first Southeast Asian and Filipino architect and urban planner to work in the emirate which was then under the rule of the late Shiekh Rashid bin Saeed Al-Maktoum.

Last Sunday, June 18, Palafox was conferred the Global Filipino Architect: The First Lifetime Achievement Award at the UAP Dubai Awards 2023 held at the Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk.

“If not for Dubai I would not be where I am today,” he said and shared that Shiekh Rashid instructed the team of architects and urban planners to plan and design a first world city in 15 years. Palafox quoted the late Dubai ruler as saying ‘Build me a garden out of the desert. Build me a city that will lead’.  Jebel Ali Port was constructed in the late 1970s and opened in 1979.  Dubai Drydocks opened in in 1983 becoming the largest ship repair facility in the Middle East. And the rest is history – a first world Dubai where we are currently enjoying.

From the website of Palafox Associates: “Architect Jun Palafox has lectured in more than 20 countries across the globe, including institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. He has traveled to and observed more than 1,000 cities in 79 countries. He is a recipient of several local and international awards. In 2019, he was recognized as the Most Outstanding Professional in the Field of Environmental Planning by the Professional Regulation Commission. In November 2017, he was awarded by the JCI Senate as one of the three Top Outstanding Filipinos for the field of Architecture. Forbes Asia Magazine has cited him as one of the 48 Heroes of Philanthropy in Asia.”

Well done Christian Vasquez and the outgoing officers of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP)-Dubai Chapter for an exciting UAP Dubai Awards 2023. The last one was held in 2019. The UAP Dubai Awards is a global architecture award recognizing design excellence. It was created to advance the appreciation and exposure of quality architectural design worldwide.

“Throughout my tenure, my aim has been to champion excellence, foster collaboration, and promote the values that define our profession. Together, we have strived to create spaces that not only inspire but also positively impact the lives of individuals and communities. It has been a privilege to witness the transformative power of architecture firsthand,” expressed Vasquez in his final official speech as the outgoing president. “As I pass on the baton to the next Chapter President, I am filled with optimism and excitement for what the future holds. Our organization is poised for even greater success, and I have no doubt that under their leadership, we will continue to thrive, innovate, and make a lasting impact.”

All the best to the new team under the leadership of Jan Michael Peramide. Our very good friend, a little brother, Eric Fajut is an Executive Director, alongside with Jon Llarena and Jeff Lopez. Aside from Christian, I would like to say good work, too, to the previous teams, specifically the one under Ronald Salcedo who had invited me and my wife, Rachel Salinel, in two occasions in 2012 – one as judge for the ‘3 Best Dressed Mafia’ and the other as special guest which was attended by then Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Grace Princesa. By the way, my wife was one of the resource speakers when the chapter sponsored a ‘Health Day’ at the Philippine Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai in February 2022.

As what I mentioned when I presented the nominees for the Hospitality Project of the Year Award, architects are close to my heart because my eldest sister, Ivy, is also an architect who graduated from UST in the early 1980s. She practiced her profession for more than 25 years in the Philippines, Guam and Las Vegas. Go fly high Global Filipino Architects!

The post If not for Dubai I would not be where I am today appeared first on The Global Filipino Magazine.

Wow, a few years ago we were saying that there were around 700,000 Filipinos. Where did the 300,000 come from considering that the pandemic sent home tens of thousands of our ‘kababayans’ (compatriots) who were laid off?

This is from the website of the United Nations Network on Migration: “Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, the Philippine government brought home 3,232,708 (as of 28 May 2022). Most of the repatriates come from the Middle East where there are large concentrations of overseas Filipino workers such as in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. As of 31 May 2022, the DFA alone facilitated the repatriation of 460,383 Filipinos composed of 354,382 land-based workers and 106,001 sea-based workers and has mounted 113 chartered flights bringing home 31,130 repatriates mostly from the Middle East.”

I’m sure the good ambassador has some bases for sharing the figure. I have a copy of the June 2002 issue of the now defunct Philippine-based Newsbreak magazine which reported that the Philippine Embassy in the UAE said there were 130,000 documented Filipinos and another 20,000 undocumented individuals. Presumably, the latter were on tourist or visit visa.

Fast forward after two decades we are a million strong and the 3^rd largest ethnic group out of 200 nationalities.  

“ I would like to think that Filipinos were one of the first to help shape UAE history, for they were among the first expatriates to come here when Sheikh Zayed, the Nation’s Founding Father established the UAE. They were the engineers, architects and workers that helped build bridges and infrastructure of this young nation. They braved the uncertainties of being away from their loved ones with the thought that they are providing a better life for their families. Thus, over the years, they built better lives for themselves, and made the UAE their second home. Now, there are a million Filipinos in the UAE, and they continue to help write the history of this country as a significant part of the nation’s workforce on all levels, and they are also as an integral part of the UAE’s multicultural fabric,” said Ambassador Ver.

He added: “The visionary leadership of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his full support and recognition of the Filipino people’s contributions to the country’s economy and in the fabric of UAE’s vibrant multicultural society, are the very reasons why Filipinos have chosen the UAE as their second home.”

True, we are given the opportunities to do whatever we prefer as long as we don’t violate the laws of the country and disrespect the religion. Thus, I would like to narrate what I had contributed to my fellow Filipinos in the past two decades:

• I brought entertainment shows and information programs inside the villas, flats and accommodations of Filipinos in the UAE and Middle East by promoting The Filipino Channel when I was with the major dealer of ABS-CBN Middle East and then the company itself from November 2002 to April 2007.

• I participated in the Philippine Independence Day (PID) events organized by the alliance of Filipino organizations from 2007 to 2009 when I represented Gawad Kalinga, the social ministry of CFC at that time. As a former PID executive committee chairperson in 2008, I shared my time with previous PID chairpersons and vice chairpersons in organizing the Filipino Social Club (FilSoc) from 2018 to 2020.

• I raised the profile of the Filipinos in the UAE by advocating that professionals, entrepreneurs and community leaders widely and systematically publicize their enterprises, events, and even causes in the UAE mainstream media since 2008. In the past years, I have included some social media platforms as another communication channel to promote Filipino excellence, craftsmanship and professionalism. I continue to share my best practices in public gatherings and online sessions. 

• My wife, Rachel Salinel, and I co-hosted the Filipino Excellence in the Middle East (FEME) talk show on Dubai Eye 103.8 FM every other Tuesday night from October 2010 to February 2013. We invited guests from various economic classes and professional categories, including entrepreneurs and Philippine government officials, to share their struggles and best practices. We wanted our listeners to be inspired by their stories, to be encouraged to overcome their own challenges, and to empower them just like how the guests were able to stand up again and become triumphant.

• Consequently in 2016, we launched the FEME Connect free directory of professionals, entrepreneurs and talents and the FEME Forum, a by-invitation small gathering where subject-matter experts on business enterprise and promotion, and on other issues,  interact with our selected guests. The FEME Forum has been conducted seven times in six years. 

To quote the Christian prayer of new Philippine Business Council – Dubai and Northern Emirates Chairman, Edwin Duria, last June 10: “Lord, we lift up our nation before You, asking for unity among all Filipinos, regardless of background or belief. May we embrace our diversity and work together towards the common goal of building a harmonious society.”

Indeed, we have fully embraced diversity with the other 199 nationalities, and we have also worked together with them in building a dynamic and tolerant UAE. Thank you, UAE, for letting us celebrate our Independence Day with great pride. Salamat uli at Mabuhay tayong lahat.

The post Celebrating Philippine Independence in our second home of one million Filipinos  appeared first on The Global Filipino Magazine.

Thank you dear TGFM readers for accompanying me in my 51 weekly columns and today, my 52^nd. I thank God for giving me the will to write every week and to the Editorial Team led by the Editor-in-Chie Ryan Namia for always accommodating my contributions.

My goal in column writing is straightforward: to inspire, encourage and empower people.  I am therefore sharing some key messages from various columns:

• Be prepared with your 30-second elevator pitch. You will never know that one day when, literally, you will be inside the elevator or lift and the only one inside is the person you have been wanting to meet to achieve your dreams, may it be personal, professional, or business.   

• If you are planning to get married, then prepare yourself for a life that you will need to give a lot of yourself to your spouse. If you are already married, then continue the journey of intimacy with a lot of understanding and forgiveness.

• Think of the people who have hurt you. Think also of the people you have hurt. Forgive the first set and ask forgiveness from the second set. It will be very liberating dear readers. By the way, don’t neglect to forgive yourself, too. Blessings, small and big, will eventually come your way.

• We should be safe drivers on the road. Just think of the innocent passengers and even bystanders who can become victims of reckless driving and road traffic accidents. Think of them as your loved ones. Drive safe everyone not only this Ramadan but every day. 

• I treat my wife and women as having the same intellect, competencies, and potential as men. I therefore would like to declare that March 8 is not the only International Women’s Day, but it is every day.

• Be part of any Catholic or religious group wherever you are or while you are here in the UAE/Middle East. It helps a lot to have someone, a brother or sister, to talk to and to pray with and worship together. After all, prayers are always answered: Yes. Wait. No (there is something better).

• My own understanding about Integrity is that it is related to Legacy. We can only be branded as a person with Integrity once we have crossed over the afterlife. It is like the saying that ‘Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future’. How about you? How do you define Integrity as a leader and as an individual?

• Travelling is good as you have more time for yourself while at the airport and on the plane. It also gives you a broader perspective in life as you contemplate on your future while 25,000 to 35,000 feet up in the air. Happy traveling dear readers. 

• “Keep the faith and entrust your journey to God. Once you get past your first few months, you’ll be fine. Once you’ve created the life you want by God’s design, you won’t even think of going back to the UAE to work anymore. You are now your own boss. It’s your chance to give back all that you’ve learned abroad and make the Philippines a better place to live in,” Jaja summarizes their reintegration journey which could also be your own story dear readers. Keep the faith, indeed. 

• The journeys of these three ex-expats show that staying and working overseas do not have to be very long. All it takes is a firm decision to say ‘it’s about time’ without any hesitation or regret. Again, as I mentioned in last week’s column that it’s never too late nor too early to start preparing and saving for our eventual reintegration. All the best everyone.    

• As a PR consultant, I always recommend that a press release be issued first to the mainstream media if there is no formal launching of a product, service or even a campaign. This applies, too, for a grand opening of a facility or an outlet like a fine dining restaurant. Once the press release is posted online as most newspapers and magazines have digital versions, you may then share the link on your social media platforms and corporate website. By combining these tactics, you will be able to reach the Baby Boomers, Generation X where I belong, the Millennials and Generation Z. Each generation has its own preferred platform. For me I still love to hold and read a newspaper and magazine.      

• We, too, dear readers of The Global Filipino Magazine can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by taking the efficient public transport system of the UAE, specifically in Dubai. And rather than drive our own vehicles alone we can share rides or take the company-provided shuttles. There are a hundred more things we can do to protect our environment. One small act will be a giant leap to preserve Mother Earth.

I would also like to thank my wife, Rachel Salinel, for inspiring, encouraging and empowering me to write my column every week. I just wanted to contribute to TGFM whenever I feel writing, but she insisted to do it regularly which is similar with her advocacy which is ‘Journaling to Heal and Succeed’. Rachel said we need to jot down our thoughts regularly because one day when we review them, we will realize how we were able to overcome the challenges, frustrations, or disappointments which we had experienced. We will, too, realize that there is a Supreme Being guiding and helping us accomplish our dreams and aspirations.

The post A full year inspiring, encouraging and empowering TGFM readers appeared first on The Global Filipino Magazine.

We were invited by Mylene Moreño-Ante, owner of iChips Plus Foodstuff Trading LLC, the exclusive distributor in the UAE of IRVINS famous snack products such as the Salted Egg Fish Skin and Salted Egg Potato Chips. The snacks are formulated by expert chefs in Singapore. Mylene’s husband, Norbert Ante, was on hand to oversee the ribbon cutting ceremony. Norbert is a Quality Assurance professional.

According to Mylene, they operate two other kiosks at Deira City Center on the 1^st Floor along the Metro Walk near Caribou Coffee and at the DMCC Metro Station – JLT side exit. They also have modern trade partners such as Little Bangkok,  Super Bowl, Joy Bubble Coffee Shop, Grandiose Supermarket, Noon, and Drops.

My wife and I invited some Abu Dhabi-based friends to join us. We were very glad to see Daisy Dy-Liacco who conducted an ‘Expressive Art To Heal’ free basic painting online workshop organized by my wife, Rachel, on June 5, 2021. The participants were individuals who lost their loved ones during the pandemic. Daisy is a certified Art4Healing facilitator. She said that Art4Healing is a method designed to help people express themselves when it is difficult to articulate emotions with words. Daisy is an Art Teacher.

After 25 years in the UAE, Daisy and her husband, Ray, and their children, are going back to the Philippines for good. I had known Daisy for over 30 years. We were together with the Philippine Airlines Mountaineering Club (PALMC). The picture in this column was taken in December 1991 at Mount Pulag in Benguet which is the highest peak in Luzon. I am on the left side – very young and slim.

Another friend who is also a teacher is Dr. Rex Venard Bacarra. We call him ‘Doc Dom’ being a former monk in the Philippines. Dr. Rex has been in the UAE for 15 years. He relocated to Abu Dhabi at the start of the year where he teaches in a military institution. He has two doctoral degrees: Ph.D. in Management Research (Org. Dev. & HRM) and Ph.D. in Philosophy.

Rachel and I met Dr. Rex in November 2016 at the photo shoot of the second edition of Illustrado Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf. During the pandemic, our CFC community’s youth group has been fortunate to have Dr. Rex as resource speaker for several times. He talked about ‘Parenting in the Age of Covid-19’ which provides parents a greater understanding on the anxieties, fears, and boredom of the youth.   

Coincidentally, another friend who has been in the country for 15 years and who used to be based in Dubai is Irene Corpuz. She is passionate about empowering women in Cyber Security through the Women in Cyber Security Middle East (WiCSME) where is a co-founder and board member. She was one of our speakers at the 3^rd FEME Forum in Abu Dhabi in 2018 which was about ‘Using Mainstream and Social Media To Promote Business’. We met Irene in 2012 where she and husband Robert joined our CFC community in Jebel Ali.

Rommel and Maro Pacariem are our partners in the CFC community in Abu Dhabi who look after not only the spiritual nourishment of leaders and members but also their emotional and legal needs. Since 2018, we had organized in-person and online sessions on mental health awareness, financial literacy, labor issues, and reintegration preparations.  They have been in Abu Dhabi for 15 years and are involved in Audit, Finance, and Investment operations.

Thank you Norbert and Mylene for inviting us. We were very happy to take the trip to Abu Dhabi to support your entrepreneurial journey. Plus, the opportunity to see some of our personal and CFC community friends. 

The post Supporting an entrepreneurial couple and seeing friends in Abu Dhabi appeared first on The Global Filipino Magazine.

My own understanding about Integrity is that it is related to Legacy. We can only be branded as a person with Integrity once we have crossed over the afterlife. It is similar to the saying that ‘Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future’. How about you? How do you define Integrity as a leader and as an individual? Please therefore join us by registering https://rb.gy/m6a9n and share your own interpretation of Integrity.

The Philippines’ Top 30 Leaders on LinkedIn was compiled in the second quarter of 2022 by IMS Learning & Consulting and Coach Anda in collaboration with VB Consulting and in partnership with Marketing in Asia, ABS-CBN News Channel, Great Place To Work Philippines, and the Asian Institute of Management.

Ian Santos of IMS Learning & Consulting explains: “Filipino leaders are world-class and are among the best in the world. We want to put a spotlight on this fact through this initiative and are excited to begin the maiden search this 2022! We have been in challenging times over the last two years. But great leaders rise up in times of crisis, elevating their teams and organizations to even greater heights, hence our theme – Leaders of Great Workplaces in Times of Crisis.”  He added the objectives:

• Recognize outstanding Filipino leaders on LinkedIn who exemplify leadership traits worth emulating during this pandemic; 

• Start a movement to enhance and elevate leadership capabilities in the Philippines; 

• Create a community that helps each other become better leaders; and

• Inspire other leaders to elevate their game.

The inaugural Leadership Chat session was held on April 22 with the following panellists: Dr. Rey Fremista, President of the Philippine Society for Quality Foundation and Board Member of Philippine Society for Quality, Inc.; Annaliza Laxamana, Founder and CEO of Modern Ads & Promo, Inc.; and Ray Berja, Managing Director of airasia Superapp PH and CFO of Philippines AirAsia. Louie Banta, CEO and Chief Consultant of LJMB Consulting, was the moderator.

Here’s a recent quote from my co-panellist Daisy Lacuanan-Callanta: “Dazed and amazed to have received a congratulatory email that I was awarded as ‘Christian NPO CEO of the Year’ in the 2022 APAC CEO of the Year Awards. It is an award giving body that aims to shine a spotlight on the companies and individuals changing the business landscape in the Asia Pacific Region, featured by APAC Insider, published by AI Global Media, a UK based publishing group.

To be recognized internationally by a prestigious award giving body, for the work we do as a Christian NPO, is truly a testament that affirms and confirms God’s Kingdom work in and through us.

The Lord is putting Jesus HUGS Ministries in the world map as we continue to exalt His Name, glorify God, and serve others. All glory and honor to Jesus Christ alone.”

Daisy is the President and CEO of Jesus HUGS Ministries Inc., a duly registered non-profit Christian organization in the Philippines that provides free community learning and outreach programs to help spread awareness and proper care for children with special needs.

Our moderator is Mariel Tablan, an Associate Director of AIA Philippines which is into Financial Services. She has this to say: “Integrity is about credibility and trustworthiness. People come to me for an objective conversation. They know that when they ask for guidance, it will be their agenda that I am focused on.”

With Mariel as moderator, I am sure that we will have a very engaging session this Saturday. Please do join us for an hour, from 6 to 7 pm Philippines / 2 to 3 pm UAE. Thank you very much.

The post How do you define Integrity as a leader and as an individual? appeared first on The Global Filipino Magazine.

On April 1 this year, I drafted an incomplete proposal for the Marcos Administration entitled ‘Filipino Excellence Across the Globe’. The objective: “To promote Filipino Excellence in the (specific country or region) that would create a positive image of the Filipinos as excellent, talented, professional, sincere, and trustworthy using the mainstream and social media.”

The net effect of my proposal is for ‘foreign governments, foreign companies and foreigners to appreciate the existence of Filipinos in their respective countries or regions that would lead to their support of the initiatives and programs of the Marcos Administration and the Philippine Government’.

These would be the expressions or concrete outcomes which I have not yet completed as I decided not to share anymore because I don’t really have any direct contact with President Bongbong Marcos:

– Government goodwill and investment support

– Private sector appreciation and investment

– Employment opportunities and maintenance

In a press release last Saturday, May 14, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Creative Communications (OPACC) said the government is embarking on promoting the talents and skills of Filipinos working abroad. In a two-page statement, OPACC Secretary Paul Soriano said that they are rolling out “a country branding campaign” to uplift the spirit of Filipinos doing well overseas. “We Give the World Our Best – The Philippines” is meant to promote and focus on the Filipino achievers abroad, Soriano said.

Soriano’s statement came after an ad on a London bus, featuring Filipina-British nurse May Parsons was misconstrued as part of the country’s tourism campaign. The London ad came out during King Charles III’s coronation where a large of international crowd attended the historical global event. Parson was featured holding up a syringe and was described as the nurse who gave the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine along with the tagline “A Filipina. We Give the World Our Best. The Philippines.”

“OPACC wants to clear the confusion and clarify that it was not meant, in any way, to promote the country’s tourist destinations,” Soriano stressed.

According to Soriano, the OPACC released simultaneously some video commercials featuring true stories of successful Filipinos in different countries, including an ad that tells the story of Charm, a Filipina caregiver in the UK, and DJ, a barista in Italy.

“Through this country branding campaign, we want to uplift the spirit of our Overseas Filipinos, and honor them particularly for their values that make Filipinos known to do their best at whatever chosen field, wherever they go and whatever it is they do,” Soriano pointed out.

On January 26, I emailed Rafael Jose Consing Jr., who was just appointed as a leading member of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Investment and Economic Affairs, to have a Liaison Officer of the Philippine Government with the Private Sector in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. The Liaison Officer should be based in Dubai who can start first approaching UAE companies to set up presentations.

I mentioned that it is a given that in every major company in the Gulf, be it locally owned or a multinational, there will always be a Filipino staff such as receptionist, personal assistant, secretary, Finance and HR staff, and of course technical staff like engineer, quantity surveyor, draftsman, etc. These people will serve as the backdoor to get appointments with the decision makers and owners.

Getting an appointment with Gulf conglomerates is always the challenge not only for Filipinos but other nationalities as well. If this is addressed by the Liaison Officer, then any member of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Investment and Economic Affairs could simply fly in and present why the Philippines is a viable country to invest in.

On September 22 last year when he was in New York, President Marcos said: “It is our belief that the Philippines is the smart investment choice and the best time to do business with us is now. We have grand opportunities, the timing, the window of opportunities for investment and especially in capital intensive investments in the Philippines which is what we need now. We believe the time is now.“

I hope my recommendation on designating a Liaison Officer in Dubai under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Investment and Economic Affairs also happens. I know very well what I am saying being a 22-year resident of Dubai. Filipinos will be delighted to help their beloved Philippines prosper.

The post Recommendations on Middle East issues to the Philippine President appeared first on The Global Filipino Magazine.