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INSIGHT
MAGAZINE
CONTENTS
Place
Editor in Chief
Ma. Michaela P. Garcia
Associate Editor
5
Events
Alexander M. Calma
Managing Editor
Maria Gilda Isabel A.
Parreño
6
Feature Editor
Mirella Medenilla Santiago
Writers/Researchers
Gernane P. Pureza
Guia P. E. Elloso
Jo-Anne Kristine A. Silvala
Charmaine A. Villanoa
Layout and Design
RIchard Leandro Z. Garcia
Ericka Cresel P. Nañola
JAIRO C. Cabriga
Advertising Manager
Eran Llanora Lagos
Consultants
Medardo B. Medenilla
Bernardo B. Jamilla
The Scholar Institute Section
Editor
Krystelle Ariane D.
Aguilar
Staffers
Bernadette B. Alpuerto
Sharlene May E.Flores
Luwijen C. Mahinay
Ellalyn P. Ramirez
Publisher
Quezon Center for Research
and Studies, Inc.
2nd floor Garcia Corporate Tower
Lucena City
For comments and suggestions please email
[email protected]
Calauan, Laguna
Quezon’s May Festivals
Pahiyas Festival
Mayohan sa Tayabas
Agawan Festival
People
8
10
Jose Tomas Cardinal Sanchez
20
Rev. Horacio de la Costa, S.J.
Young Bosses
Rochelle Suaverdez
Bernadette Quimora
Jasper Ricamora
Banking News
12
13
15
16
Baby Steps to Business Success
Advancing the Growth of SMEs with
QCRB Ka-Asenso Loans
Proposed House Bills Allowing
Foreign Equity in RBs
Banking on Best Practices!
A Sure Way to Success
Special Feature
18
21
Shaping your Character,
Building your Future
The Scholar
Another Step to Success
A Sneak Peek at a Certified QCRB Loyalist
Lilia de Luna - Gadia
Rizal @ 150: A Legend worth Reminiscing
The Challenge Continues
Students’ Perspective: The Dispute at the West Philippine Sea
For the Glory of God
Erratum:
We deeply regret the errors on the previous issue’s article “Virginia
R. Nañagas, MD: The Doctor, The Writer”. First, she didn’t work at the
Philippine General Hospital. Second, while a college student in Manila,
instead of the Spanish Invasion disrupting activities in the country, it
should have said the Japanese invasion.
Our sincerest apologies.
Feedbacks
From The Editor
Thanks for the
beautiful, excellently
written article
In the business of sharing…
about our Infanta
Prayer Garden. Lella
captured the deepest
The months of May and June don’t have a lot in common. While May is the
conclusion of summer, June is the prelude to the rainy months. May is the month of
fiestas; June is back-to-school time. May is longer with 31 days; June has only 30. But
here in INSIGHT, since we come out bimonthly, they will always share something,
an issue per annum. And speaking of sharing, let me just reiterate our mission - we
aim to share insights, simple or complex, shallow or deep, obvious or otherwise, in
the hope that they may somehow inspire you in this journey called life. It’s quite safe
to say then that we made sharing our business. It is the essence of our existence. We
find people who are generous enough to share their experiences, events that aspire to
enrich, and news that impart valuable information. More than to entertain, we strive
to be an agent of improvement and development, if not entirely of change; all for the
betterment of humanity.
As the end of our second year draws to a close, we remain true to our purpose. We
pay tribute to one of the greatest Filipinos that ever lived, Rev. Horacio de la Costa,
S.J. who happened to hail from Mauban, Quezon. We talked to his eminence Jose T.
Cardinal Sanchez, D.D. and discovered the reason why he chose to spend the rest of
his retirement years back home instead of in Rome. Gilda Pico, President and CEO of
Landbank, was guest speaker at the 58th National Convention of RBAP and we’ll be
sharing with you her insightful speech in four parts starting with this issue. Similarly
found inside are the words of wisdom Rustico “Chito” Recto, President of Rural Bank
of San Antonio, shared during the 5th Graduation Ceremony of our very own QCRSIM. If these sound interesting, wait until you see the rest of our features.
May you always enjoy our company as you seek for reasons, explanations,
solutions, and whatever else you seem to need in your life. We’re only too happy to be
of help. INSIGHT is at your service.
meaning of the
Prayer Garden in our
hearts. Dennis was
stunned and reread
it many more times. I
was teary eyed while
reading it and was
so touched by Lella’s
kind words.
- Mrs. Dulcinea Abcede
I am deeply touched
with your excellently
written article about
me, Mike. You have
written an objective
story of my banking
career. Thanks a
lot. More power to
INSIGHT!
- Voltaire Rex Castro
Ma. Michaela Prudencio-Garcia
Former Regional
Head of UCPB
Southern Luzon
Editor
4
Insight Magazine
MAY - JUNE 2011
Calauan, Laguna
Home of the ‘Pinya Festival’
T
Located at the central part of the province of Laguna, Calauan is a town rich in history and
resources. Accessible via land, it is 75 kilometers from Metro Manila, 21 kilometers from the
capital town, Sta. Cruz and 5 kilometers from the town of Bay.
his town of 17 barangays has an
interesting story behind its name. It
is said to have come from the term
“kalawang”, which means rust. According
to earlier settlers, for a long time, lumps
of rust used to drift along a small body
of water, which is now aptly called
Macalawang Spring. Another version
tells of an old man who discovered a cross
made of stone. Because of their Christian
belief, the townsfolk held a mass at the
place where the cross was found. To their
surprise, rusty, yellowish water sprang
out from the exact spot. They built a
church on the site to commemorate the
mysterious event.
People of Calauan are an industrious
lot. Blessed with fertile soil which is
perfect for farming, agriculture is its top
industry with rice and coconut being
the major crops grown. Though they
grow other fruits such as lanzones and
rambutan, they are rather known for their
pineapples. Locals claim their production
as the sweetest in the country. An inland
town, not having a coastal area to speak
of, residents use fishponds to grow tilapia
fingerlings that they transport and sell
to nearby towns and provinces. CandyMAY - JUNE 2011
Farming, being the main source
of livelihood, Calaueños chose San
Isidro Labrador as their patron saint.
To give thanks for a bountiful harvest,
the municipality holds a week-long
celebration of the annual Pinya Festival
from May 12 to 15. This festivity not
only celebrates the feast day of San
Isidro Labrador but also its primary
agricultural product – pinya. The annual
event features cultural presentations,
mardi gras (street dancing), float parade
with pineapple motif and native products
décor contest, beauty contest, fireworks
display, cooking contest, and variety
show. Town officials, headed by the town
Mayor, make sure nothing is spared for
the celebration. Locals and tourists alike
look forward to this grand occasion.
To assert its claim of producing the sweetest
‘pinya’ in this part of Luzon a giant monument
of this tropical fruit was erected at the town
center, commanding an imposing view to all
passers by.
making is a profitable home-based
enterprise. Candied macapuno, ube,
and meringue are made throughout the
municipality.
At the town plaza, a giant pineapple
monument stands tall and proud; symbolic
of the hardworking farmers who toil the
land. The sweet fruit may very well be
considered the heart of Calauan but its
soul is its people who actively take part
in the pursuit of a better future for their
beloved town.
Insight Magazine
5
It’s the merry month of May once again! The summer heat is still on, so is the fiesta fever.
Every municipality in the country has its own festival, but the province of Quezon is one of the
busiest during this time of year.
In Quezon, the May celebrations are usually expressions of thanksgiving for another year’s
bountiful harvest and peaceful life. Here are some of the most popular and most attended festivals
in the province.
Pahiyas Festival
Lucban, Quezon
Lucban’s colorful festival every
15th of May is now famous the
world over. It is the second most
visited celebration in the country
next to Cebu’s Sinulog. This event
that showcases the locals’ creativity
is a tradition that dates back to the
early 1500s. Colorful “kipings”
or rice flakes and other harvests
transform the facades of houses.
Simplicity is a forgotten word in
the vocabulary of the Lucbanins;
extravagance is the name of the
game. The streets literally burst
into a gamut of exuberant hues
imaginable. The Pahiyas highlights
all the best the town has to offer.
Throng of tourists from here and
abroad flock and endure the heat at
this time of year to experience this
unique celebration that has become
not only Quezon province’s pride
but of the nation as well.
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Insight Magazine
MAY - JUNE 2011
Mayohan sa Tayabas
Tayabas, Quezon
The aim of this 10-day celebration
which runs from May 6-15 is to promote
commemoration of Tayabas’ historic
past; its highs and lows. It is also time
for Tayabenses from near and far to be
reunited. Together they give thanks
for another good and fruitful year of
their beloved town. Various activities
sponsored by the municipal government
such as trade fair, games, pageant, battle
of the band and a variety show mark the
event. The highlight is a grand procession
similar to the yearly procession of the
Black Nazarene in Quiapo. Participants
are mostly males because the “agawan”
requires
physical
strength.
All
throughout the procession, the devotees
participate in the “hagisan ng suman”.
Suman symbolizes the Tayabense’s way
of sharing their blessings. It is also their
belief that the suman they gathered would
mean prosperity for the coming year.
Agawan Festival
Sariaya, Quezon
Another town that honors San
Isidro de Labrador is Sariaya.
Agawan is the main event of the
procession every May 15. Houses
are adorned with bright colored
hats and fans while some use
vegetables, other crops and banana
trees. “Pabitin” or goodies are
hanging on “bagakay” or young
bamboo branches. There are fruits,
candies, junk foods and sometimes
money hanging on the bagakays.
During the parade, people grab
at these pabitins. The Sariayahins
believe that no matter how tall the
bagakays are, they will bow on
their own once the image of San
Isidro passes by, making it easy for
them to snatch the pabitins.
MAY - JUNE 2011
Insight Magazine
7
Jose Tomas Cardinal Sanchez:
The Road to Rome and Back
By: Mirella Medenilla-Santiago
“I had decided to stay in Rome after my retirement
and die in Rome. I was comfortable in my little house
there. But I became aware of what was happening in
the world, of the changes in Christian life. To tell you
the truth, when I learned about it, I cried for 3 days. I
couldn’t believe that this is happening after 2000 years.
I couldn’t believe that after God created Adam and Eve,
man is telling God that He should have created man for
man and woman for woman. But had He done that there
would be no humanity in the world. He created man and
woman precisely to be the origin of humanity.”
“It is unthinkable that many countries are now
accepting marriage between man and man and between
woman and woman. They are even given the right to
adopt children. Brazil, the biggest Catholic country in
8
Insight Magazine
the world, has accepted this. Even in Italy, they have
presented a bill in Parliament. When I read about this, I
went to the Holy Father and said, ‘I am aware of what is
happening in the world. In the Philippines, this has not
yet been discussed but it could also become a problem
there. Before this happens, I would like to go home,
remain there and see what I can do. If I can still stop
people from destroying what God has instituted since the
very beginning then I will try.’”
At 91 years old His Eminence, Jose Tomas
Cardinal Sanchez, still has noble goals to pursue. This
is not surprising for the only Filipino who has held key
positions in the highest offices in the Vatican where
he stayed for 26 years. He worked directly with the
Pope when he sat in the Secretariat of State, the most
important body within the Roman Curia. The Cardinal
MAY - JUNE 2011
remembers the regular meetings and lunches with Pope
John Paul II and the closeness they shared especially
because they were of the same age.
Rome with all its pageantry and a princely office
overlooking the piazza must not even have been a flicker
in the dreams of a boy born in Pandan, Catanduanes.
Despite a priestly vocation at a tender age and a family
devotion to the religious life, the road to Rome was a
distant one for Jose. His father, a former seminarian,
already planned for him to enter the priesthood when
he was only in 4th grade. This was after Jose’s elder
brother died while a 4th year high school student in
the seminary. Jose was to be his replacement in the
vocation.
But things did not go as planned. His Papa
also died when Jose was in Grade 7. He had to stop
schooling. With 9 surviving offspring, his mother
could not afford to send him to school, much less the
seminary. Providentially, the bishop of Bicol went
around the region looking for vocations. The parish
priest of Pandan recommended him. He was called for
an interview and after two days left with the bishop for
Naga. While studying in the seminary, he lived in the
bishop’s residence. But another blow came in his 4th
year in school. The bishop died leaving Jose without
a benefactor. He was only able to continue his studies
with the help of his friends from Naga and his brothers
who were already employed by the government at that
time.
After his ordination, he served as a priest for 20
years in Bicol before he was appointed as bishop. His
Episcopal ministry started in 1968 in Naga as Auxiliary
Bishop before he was assigned to Lucena in 1972 and
later to Vigan in 1982 as Metropolitan Archbishop.
All throughout his ministry as priest, teacher and
later bishop, his sharp intellect gained for him a high
reputation. This distinction led to his being named to
top positions in the Philippine Conference of Bishops’
council and committees. Through the Papal Nuncio,
the Pope learned about his remarkable abilities and
brought him to Rome.
His Eminence has a long list of influential posts
he held during his stint in the Vatican but he considers
two to be the most significant. The first is the Secretary
of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
Here he was involved in organizing missionary work
for religious institutions. The other is the Prefect of the
Congregation for the Clergy which he held in 1991 to
1996. This was bestowed on him on the same year he was
elevated to the Sacred College of Cardinals. As Prefect,
Cardinal Sanchez was in charge of all the priests in the
world. He was privileged to travel to all the corners of
the globe to supervise and minister to the clergy.
After decades of service in Rome and two Papal
awards (Papal Chamberlain and Honorary Prelate of
His Holiness), this Prince of the Church has returned
home to safeguard the souls of his beloved countrymen.
When he is invited to give talks on Christian principles,
he exhorts Filipinos to be more aware of their
responsibilities to protect the Christian family. He
stresses that once the Christian family is destroyed, the
Christian faith will disappear.
Jose Tomas Cardinal Sanchez has spent a lifetime
in the service of God. Even in his retirement, he
continues with his appointed task.
MAY - JUNE 2011
Insight Magazine
9
Bold, daring and adventurous. . .
T
he trend of entrepreneurship has become so
popular that the younger generation is joining
in on the fun. Business owners are getting younger
and younger. It used to be only among the Chinese
who are known to be highly business-minded that
we hear of the young being encouraged to have
their own businesses. Now, around the world, the
youth are creating their own opportunities albeit
without experience but with a lot of enthusiasm,
new innovations, and fresh perspectives. While a
few opt to drop out of school and concentrate on
their ventures, some do stay and just learn to juggle
homework and making payroll.
For obvious reasons, Metro Manila’s business
scene has long been abuzz with young capitalists
opening businesses of every nature and size. But
this side of Luzon is fast catching up. Tycoons in
the making are similarly growing in number.
Despite their age, they deserve to be taken
seriously if only for the sheer guts that made them
decide to carve a niche for themselves in a world
dominated by grown-ups. Without further ado,
meet the next big stars of Lucena’s chamber of
commerce:
Rochelle Suaverdez
Nail Pad Wellness and SPA
26 year old Rochelle is a BS Food Technology graduate of the
University of Sto. Tomas. She first worked at the laboratory of
Ginebra San Miguel in Manila. While working there for three years,
she discovered and harnessed her business acumen. She sold cellular
phones to her officemates. When she resigned in 2009, she set her
heart into being her own boss. Together with her younger sister,
she started an online clothing store. Then she became interested
with franchising, but the tedious and long process discouraged her
from pursuing it further. Determined to seek other opportunities,
she attended a Global Pinoy Trade Fair to gather inspiration and
generate ideas. She went home with a fresh concept in mind.
Sisters Rochelle and Lovelia opened Nail Pad Wellness and Spa
on May 15, 2010. Located along Allarey St. in Lucena City, the
center is redefining the nail pampering experience. It is the first to
offer luxurious signature hand and foot pampering treats such as
Detox Green Tea and English Garden hand spas, Chocolate Vanilla
Mint and Espresso Mint Luxury foot spas, to name a few. It also
has a digital nail art machine. Nailaholics can choose from over a
thousand designs or even have pictures customized according to
their preferences. It is the only one, too, to have a manicure and
pedicure spa especially designed for kids. Aside from nail care,
Nail Pad also offers total body spa services such as Ceragem and
Pyroenergen which combine the benefits of alternative medicine
and innovative technology for curing a variety of illnesses. And
of course, it also has the usual offerings, body scrub, body wrap,
Swedish massage, and threading and waxing. Men and women
customers are welcome. Open all days of the week, it prides itself
on giving the best and safest services possible. Sanitation system
is under the strictest standard and products used are free from
harmful chemicals.
10
Insight Magazine
MAY - JUNE 2011
Bernadette Quimora
Atiena Fashion Station
Fresh out of college from Sacred Heart College in Lucena,
Bernadette put her passion for fashion into good use. Like
Rochelle, she started by selling clothes online. Her start-up
capital was a Php 10,000 gift from her father who is working
abroad. Atiena Beteena Online Shop was an instant hit on
Facebook. Thrilled over the warm response to her merchandise,
she dared herself to take the next big step. She opened an actual
boutique where shoppers can touch and try on the clothes. From
the profits of her online store, she was able to buy an adequately
sized commercial space along Merchan Street, near her college
alma mater. It is a very strategic location what with the large
population of SHC students. The trendy shop has a vibrant and
attention-grabbing design that lures passersby into going inside.
On display are clothes, bags, shoes, and accessories imported
from Thailand. The selection is wide and the prices, reasonable.
There will surely be something you’ll notice, like, and eventually
purchase. Shortly after its opening, it already has regular
customers who await every new arrival. Again, this encouraged
her to take success further. She bought another store space, this
time along Barcelona Street. The extension shop is being overseen
by her mother.
Not really one to rest on her laurels, Bernadette is already
planning her next move. More branches around Quezon and
neighboring provinces.
Jasper Ricamora
7/11 Convenience Store
Still in college, taking up Bachelor of Science in Business
Administration Major in Marketing at the Sacred Heart
College, Japi is already managing two 7/11 Convenience
Stores. Originally, he was set to study Culinary Arts in order
to be of help to the family’s restaurant and catering business
but before he could start, the family decided to diversify.
During a family brainstorming session, franchising of 7/11 was
suggested by one of his brothers. They didn’t waste any time.
They immediately inquired and applied for a unit in Lucena.
Eventually, that unit became two. However, it’s not to say
that take off was smooth and easy. They needed a big capital
and fast. The family turned to BPI Family Savings Bank for
financial assistance.
The first branch was opened in July of 2006. According to
Japi, the first two years were critical. “There’s no assurance yet
of return on investment (ROI) or big profits”, he added. He
was the appointed President of the family corporation. The
family was only too glad that luck was on their side and hard
work really does pay off. After five years, they were able to
operate another branch. Since he was a little boy, Japi was
already exposed to hard work. For their food business, he
used to come with his parents to the market and help wash
the dishes. He would go straight home after school to take
over manning the restaurant. While growing up, he read
a lot of business-related books. Citing business titan John
Gokongwei, Jr., his icon, “Entrepreneurship is not for the
weak of heart. There is no easy path to success. You will need
to work harder than your employees. Keep your mind sharp
and face your inner fears. In the end, entrepreneurship is not
only finding opportunities to create value in the business
sense, but also finding the opportunities to be your best self ”.
Japi is convinced that skills and knowledge are the perfect
combination for success.
MAY - JUNE 2011
Insight Magazine
11
Baby Steps to
Business Success
© bnpdesignstudio * www.clipart.dom/99553
By: Marianela Garcia-Villamayor
D
reaming about being
your own boss? You
think you have a great
idea going? Pause, think some
more, and plan. Owning a
business regardless of size is not
a walk in the park, so start up
smart. Proper planning is the
key to starting a business. If you
take the time to research and put
together a business plan, you will
have a much clearer and focused
idea of what you can expect from
your business. Don’t ever think
that you have it all figured out in
your mind. Most businesses fail
because they don’t have a clearly
spelled-out plan. Don’t make
that mistake. Running a business
involves some amount of risk so
it’s better to be very careful at
the onset than be sorry later.
A
business
plan
is
sometimes called a feasibility
study. You definitely need one
to start a business. It is a living
roadmap to your future. It is not
just a bunch of paper for bank
loans or for soliciting investors
into your business. It is any plan
that works for a business to
look ahead, allocate resources,
focus on key points, and prepare
for problems and opportunities.
Don’t be intimidated by this
outline. It is actually easy. There
are templates available online.
12
Insight Magazine
Outline of a Business Plan
Cover sheet
Executive summary (statement of the business propose)
Table of contents
Body of the document
A.) Business
Description of business
Marketing
Competition
Operating procedures
Personnel
Business Insurance
B.) Financial Data
Loan applications
Capital equipment and Supply list
Balance sheet
Breakeven analysis
Profit and loss statements
Three- year summary
Detail by month, first year
Detail by quarters, second and third year
Assumptions upon which projections were based
Pro- forma cash flow
C.) Supporting Documents
Tax return of principals ( partners in the business) for last three years,
personal financial statements ( all banks have these forms)
Copy of proposed lease or purchase agreement for building space
Copy of licenses and other legal documents
Copy of resumes of all principals
MAY - JUNE 2011
You may even find readymade plans adaptable to your
proposed business. It would
probably take minor tweaking
to tailor fit it to your business
situation.
If you’re still trying to
convince yourself
about its
importance, read on. If anything,
it forces you to think and write
down all the little details about
your business. In so doing, you will
see the bottlenecks, adversities,
market conditions, competitions,
and general problems. So you
plan, strategize, and revise. That
is why a business plan is a living
document that outlines every
critical aspect of your business
operations.
What do you need to keep
in mind when making a business
plan?
www.myownbusiness.com
spells them out with the following
among others:
1. Don’t be too optimistic (on the high
side) in estimating future sales. Sure you
have big dreams. But be realistic.
2. Don’t be too optimistic (on the low
side) in estimating future costs. This
is especially true when you don’t
have control over rising prices or your
suppliers.
3. Do not proceed without adequate
financial and accounting know-how. You
need to be able to understand “money
coming and going out” on paper.
4. Don’t disregard or discount
weaknesses of your plan. Spell them out.
You want to be prepared.
5. Don’t stress long-term projections.
Focus on first year projections.
6. Don’t depend entirely on the
uniqueness of your business. Don’t base
your plan on a wonderful concept alone.
Test it first.
Remember, those who fail to
plan, plan to fail. So go ahead; put
that dream business of yours on
paper. Interview people, make a
research, use the internet. Should
you need financial assistance,
don’t hesitate to call QCRB or
other banks for help.
MAY - JUNE 2011
Advancing the Growth of SMEs with
Ka-Asenso
Loans
The micro, small and medium enterprises, which make up the biggest
percent of businesses operating in the region, show huge potential in terms of
employment and support to the economy.
Thus, Quezon Capital Rural Bank though its Marketing and Business
Development Division has set sight on the small and medium enterprises (SME)
realizing the importance of this sector in the business landscape, and hoping
to curve its own niche in the market. The bank has launched the SME Initiative
called KA-ASENSO LOANS which is focused on advancing the growth of SMEs
in the region using business loans that address the specific needs.
QCRB KA-ASENSO LOANS Package provides the answer that will drive
the SME and enhance its growth. One product is the EQUITY CREDIT LINE,
which is primarily designed for small and medium businesses. This product
advantages the client to save time and interest. It is a pre-approved stand-by
credit where clients just draw and issue checks within the approved limit without
the hassles of going back to the bank to sign documents everytime the need
for funds arises. The Equity Credit Line (ECL) is a 2-year term loan secured
by a real state mortgage (REM) which will commence upon the release of the
special checkbook specifically for the product. The minimum amount of checks
to be issued by the borrower shall not be less than P20,000.00 per check. We
offer financial solutions that fit the needs of every business size. From business
expansion, franchise financing, purchase of equipment/materials, renovation of
commercial building. Our outstanding service can help put your mind at ease so
you can focus on managing your business and doing whatever it is that you do
best.
As it renews its commitment to help SMEs grow, QCRB hopes to reach out
to more SMEs this last quarter of the year by pulling off promotional materials
through leaflets, banners, billboards and other print media values.
Experience the benefits of having business and financial
solutions to support your operations. Consult our Branch
Relations Manager, visit a branch today, call the QCRB
Customer Service Hotline 1800-10-3737272 or log on to
www.qcrblive.com today to find out more.
Insight Magazine
13
SOLUTIONS TO CROSSWORD PUZZLE
INSIGHT MAG MARCH-APRIL ISSUE
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M A G I
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F U R
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M I
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N R A
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A R M M
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A I R A
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C B A
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N S
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E
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D U Y A N
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About
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G O S H
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All Quezon Club
The All Quezon Club is an exclusive membership
restaurant, bar, and lounge, located at the 7th floor
of Garcia Corporate Tower, Lucena City.
A place for fine dining for members and their
families, for business meetings, and even for social
drinking, relaxation, or simply lounging, and
unwinding, it is also for entertaining guests and
friends while enjoying the view of the city.
It aims to foster fellowship and closer business
relations among the executives and business leaders
of Lucena and of the whole Quezon Province.
The Club operates regularly from Monday to
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
It offers Filipino, American, Chinese, Japanese,
Spanish, Italian, and Mexican dishes.
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QCRS Printing and
Publishing
3rd floor Garcia Corporate
Tower, Lucena City
Call 042-6601897
[email protected]
For your mono and full
color printing needs
Forms
Receipts
Invoices
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Flyers
Bookmarks
Calendars
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Using our Heidelberg, Solna
offset printers, vertical, Minerva,
mimeo, RISO and other printing
machines.
14
Insight Magazine
MAY - JUNE 2011
Breakthrough in Rural Banking. . .
Proposed House Bills Allowing
Foreign Equity in RBs
T
hree separate bills have been proposed in Congress - HB 4805 and HB
4854 to allow rural banks to have as much as 40% foreign equity while
HB 4519 allows up to 60%. The author of House Bill 4805 which
was filed on June 6, 2011 is no less than the Chairman on Banks and Financial
Intermediaries and Leyte Representative Sergio A.F. Apostol. According to
him, infusion of foreign capital to rural banks will be a catalyst in countryside
development. This will benefit and boost RBs that cannot expand and sustain
the increasing demand of their clients. With this regard, the Rural Bankers
Association of the Philippines (RBAP) has posed its intention of amending the
law governing RBs, to allow limited foreign ownership.
Moreover, the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines,
Inc. headed by its Executive Director Jeffrey C. Woodruff has expressed its
support to the recommended amendment of Republic Act 7353. AmCham
further states that by allowing foreign capital in RB will increase their
services, enhance lending capacity, invest in modern technology and cater
to the remote areas where commercial banks do not operate. AmCham
also suggests that the proposed limit of foreign equity be fully lifted.
Meanwhile, RBAP and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas have extended
their full support to the said Bill.
Foreign equity will help rural banks to expand their operations by
introducing new services to serve a wider scope of clientele particularly
to the sector of SMEs, micro-finance and agriculture. Foreign capital will
also put RBs on a level playing field with commercial banks.
MAY - JUNE 2011
Insight Magazine
15
Banking on Best Practices:
A Sure Way to Success
The 58th Annual National Convention and Corporate Meeting of the Rural Bankers Association of the
Philippines was held on May 25, 2011 at the SMX Convention Center. Keynote speaker was Landbank
President and CEO Gilda E. Pico. Her speech was a very insightful one aimed at contributing to the
advancement of the rural banking sector. INSIGHT will share it in four parts.
Part I
The Colosseum (Italy)
RBAP President Cora Miller, other
RBAP officers, friends and partners
from the rural banking sector,
distinguished guests, good morning.
I am pleased to join you in what has
become a tradition of gracing your
annual conference. As mentioned
earlier, I have become a suki in your
forums and I find it a challenge to
come up with what I hope are bright
ideas that may contribute towards
fulfilling your visions and goals, and
advancing the rural banking sector
as a whole.
Last year, with your theme “Towards
Greater Financial Inclusion and
Social Protection”, I put the spotlight
on five extraordinary bridges across
the globe and related them to your
role as rural banks in connecting
people, linking with partners, and
bridging communities.
In the next 20 minutes or so, I hope
you will indulge me to take you on
a tour once again, but this time to
visit some of the most spectacular
ruins in Europe, Central and South
America and of course, Asia.
I chose to relate your theme with
these grand architectural remains
because ancient ruins - while no
longer in perfect shape or form
-are symbols of careful planning,
of invincible strength, and of solidrock foundation. Such is the scale of
work that went into building these
structures that many centuries later,
these ruins stand tall and proud, and
are visited and admired by people
16
Insight Magazine
far and wide.
As your theme today is banking on
best practices, I shall focus on the six
pillars of a strong organization. And
as we take off to our six detinations,
I hope you will glean a lesson or two
from ancient ruins which are no
doubt grounded on pillars of strong
foundation.
David Allan Coe, a noted artist, said,
“It is not the beauty of a building you
should look at. It is the construction
of the foundation that will stand the
test of time.”
The Colosseum (Italy)
Our first stop is the Colosseum in
Italy which is the most recognized
ruins in the world. The Colosseum
was constructed in 72 AD during the
reign of Emperor Vespasian and was
completed eight years later under
the reign of his son, Emperor Titus.
Throughout the centuries, emperors
used the Colosseum to entertain the
public with spectacle and games
held for several days. If you saw the
film Gladiator, you have an idea
of the kind of games played in the
Colosseum.
Staging these games
symbolized prestige and power , and
was used by emperors to increase
their popularity.
The elliptical building was designed
to hold some 55,000 spectators with
80 entrances, four of which were
reserved for the Emperor, VIPs and
the gladiators. The Colosseum was
designed for easy crowd dispersal
such that the entire audience could
MAY - JUNE 2011
exit the building in five minutes.
Its monumental size and grandeur
as well as its practical and efficient
organization
for
producing
spectacles and controlling large
crowds make the Colosseum an
iconic symbol of Imperial Rome.
The architects and engineers of that
era thoroughly combined their skills
and expertise to realize the vision of
Emperor Vespasian. The result is a
breakthrough achievement, regarded
as one of the finest architectural
monuments accomplished by the
ancient Romans.
Pillar #1: The Board of Directors
Such harmony and blending of
skills and expertise is the first pillar
in sustaining a strong organization.
Having the right board of directors
with a good and qiverse composition,
coupled with the right mix of
competence, skills and expertise is
a basic element in the strength of a
rural bank, or companies at large.
Highly
effective
directors
are
leaders in their respective fields and
respected in their communities.
Directors should be visionaries,
strategic thinkers and have large
doses of common sense. Of equal
importance is their character. The
business of banking requires the
highest degree of ntegrity foremost
from directors and management
alike, and the entire workforce as a
whole.
Keeping
your
stakeholders
informed is another important
way of upholding transparency in
your bank. This helps build the
trust and confidence of your clients
and the community where
you
operate. The Board should take the
lead in ensuring proper disclosure
of your bank ‘s periodic financial
statements and the highlights of
your operations, as well as new
products and services.
If you don’t have it yet, consider
coming out with your newsletters.
You can also send articles to your
community newspapers and I ‘m
sure they will be delighted to carry
your press releases. Websites, when
MAY - JUNE 2011
The Parthenon (Greece)
used effectively, are also very good
channels to reach out to your public
s. There are other communication
tools to consider. Choose what
works for your target audienc e,
craft your message and send them
out there.
Another helpful tip is for your
directors to set an 9genda calendar
for the year which you follow
through as the year progresses. The
conduct of regular board meetings,
complete with well­ prepared agenda,
is critical in enabling the Board to
monitor the implementation of your
bank’s plans and programs, review
and evaluate polices and strategies,
and strengthen risk management
systems and compliance procedures.
The Parthenon (Greece)
We now proceed to our second
destination, Greece and the equally
famous Parthenon. The Parthenon
was built in the 5th century BC on
the Athenian Acropolis, dedicated
to the goddess Athena,
revered
protector of the Greeks. Regarded
as an exceptional icon of classical
Greek art and Athenian democracy,
the Parthenon owes its grandeur
from the refinement of conventional
Greek architecture and its excellent
sculptural decoration.
Today, the Parthenon is a protected
historical and archaeological site,
and has been undergoing massive
restorations in the last several years
to rebuild and hopefully relive the
great structure’s former glory.
The architects of the Parthenon
were outstanding scholars of visual
illusion. Subtle intricacies set the
Parthenon apart from all other
Greek temples as the refinements
required exact precision that would
be challenging to achieve even in
our time.
The Athenians took pride in their
cultural identity and were equally
conscious of the historical magnitude
of their ideas. They believed that they
were a cut above the rest - civilized
among barbarians , and that their
cultural and political achievements
were meant to drastically impact the
history of all civilized people.
The idealism of the Greek way of
living, the attentiveness to detail,
as well as the understanding of a
mathematically explained harmony
with the natural world were best
represented in the Parthenon’ s
perfect proportions and intricate
architectural designs.
Learning from the Greeks, you too
can develop an identity that will
make you stand out. This is the
second pillar which I recommend to
be reinforced in your organization
- an identity built on well­defined
purposes, values and principles.
(to be continued)
Insight Magazine
17
Shaping your Character,
Building your Future
RUSTICO V. RECTO
Guest of Honor & Speaker
5th Commencement Exercises - QCRS IM
With the theme “Character: A
Key Factor to Success”,
QCRS
Institute of Management held its 5th
Commencement Exercises at All
Quezon Club on May 18, 2011. The
graduates were composed of fifteen
(15) students – five (5) from Financial
Management,
three
(3)
from
Marketing Management, and seven
(7) from Operations Management.
This year’s graduation theme
focused on the importance of
character in defining a person’s
measure of success. Mr. Rustico
“Chito” V. Recto, President of Rural
Bank of San Antonio served as the
guest speaker and he shared to the
graduates the following points:
CHARACTER
It is the set of traits that form the
nature of the person, the mental
and moral qualities distinctive to an
individual.
It simply means “who we are”. It is
what we do when no one is looking.
It is the accumulation of thoughts,
values, words and actions of an
individual. At this point, Mr. Recto
imparted the story of a person and
his pet snake.
A person found a baby snake and
18
Insight Magazine
took care of it. He gave it shelter,
fed it well, gave the snake love and
became so close and attached to the
snake up to its adulthood. But one
day, as he was about to feed the
snake, it just attacked him and bit
him. As he was dying, he asked the
snake, “How could you do this to
me? I took care of you, I gave you
love, I gave you everything, I fed
you. Why did you bite me?” The
snake just shook its head and said, “I
am a snake. It is my nature to attack
people. I am just being true to my
character.”
CHARACTER: THE KEY TO SUCCESS
The prevailing truth in this world
is that, everyone desires and aspires
to be successful and to be great in
his/her chosen field of career. But
character plays a very important
role in one’s achievement of success.
With the set of good qualities, truly a
man of character will be successful in
all his endeavors.
Here is a simple test to check if
you are a person of good character. If
your answer is “yes” to the following
questions, then you are a person of
character.
a). Do you finish your assigned
MAY - JUNE 2011
tasks?
b).
Can
handshake?
people
trust
your
c). Can people depend on you?
d). Do you bring a sense of belonging
to people?
WHY IS CHARACTER A KEY TO SUCCESS?
Consider this statement—It is a
common principle that the more
admirable qualities which exist in a
person, the more he/she is esteemed
by society leading to the following
truism:
-people desire to enter into business
contracts with someone they know
is trustworthy
-people want to shop in stores
with efficient and helpful customer
service
Everybody is a leader in his/her
own capacity. But why do many
fail? The answer is lack of character
because you can’t give what you
don’t have. No one can rise above the
limitations of their character. Some
celebrities/talented people fall apart
MAY - JUNE 2011
when they achieved a certain level of
success. People who achieve success
but lack bedrock character to sustain
the success are headed for disaster.
Mr.
Recto
shared
valuable
pieces of advice to the graduates
emphasizing that “we are what we
make of ourselves”. Being a person
of character is learning to take
responsibility for one’s actions.
Moreover, what was greatly
instilled in the hearts of the graduates
is that in this life, there will be
setbacks and failures. But the true
measure of a man’s character is not
how successful he is but how he was
able to rebound from setbacks and
failures. “Pag nadapa ka, kailangang
tumayo at tumakbo ng mabilis. Kung
hindi, maiiwan ka ng husto.”
BE A PERSON OF CHARACTER
Because after all is said and done,
it is your character that will define
your destiny. The key to success is
your character.
With these words of wisdom, the
graduates are much more prepared
and inspired to conquer the world.
Insight Magazine
19
Rev. Horacio de la Costa, S.J. :
Writer, Academician, Man of God
A Tribute
T
here are many great Filipinos. But those of extraordinary
brilliance are only a handful. One of them is our
national hero, Jose Rizal. Another is Horacio de la
Costa. Fondly called Skeezix after a cartoon character known
during his childhood with the same unruly hair as his, he was
a Quezonian. Born to Judge Sixto de la Costa and Emiliana
Villamayor in the town of Mauban on May 9, 1916, he was
an only child. Like silent water that runs deep, as a student,
his gentle mien belies a mind immersed in ideas and a heart
overflowing with compassion and understanding far beyond
his age. It was not shyness though because all throughout his
scholarly pursuits he excelled. It was merely innate modesty
despite his tremendous talents.
When he transferred to Ateneo de Manila, it didn’t take
long for him to earn everyone’s respect. They were instantly
in awe of the boy who came from a public elementary school
in Batangas. He won accolades in various speaking and writing
contests. He became the editor of the school newspaper,
Guidon. For a newcomer, he most certainly had the highest
ideals. He stayed on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree, Summa
cum laude. From then on, everything just fell into place. The
path he would take was clear as day. Armed with his God-given
abilities, he would be of service to God and his fellowmen.
Highlights of a Prolific Life
June 20, 1935 Entry to the Society of Jesus
Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches
1939 – 41
Teacher of Philosophy and History
Ateneo de Manila
1944 – 45
Teacher of Classics and History
Sacred Heart College, Manila
March 24, 1946
Ordination as a Jesuit Priest
Woodstock, Maryland, USA
1947 - 48
Tertianship (final phase of training for a Jesuit)
Auriesville, New York, USA
1953 – 55
First Filipino Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Ateneo de Manila
1956 – 64
1958 – 62
Chairman, Department of History
College of Arts and Sciences
Ateneo de Manila University
1962 – 63
Research Associate
School of Oriental and African Studies
University of London
20
Consultant in Social Sciences
National Science Development Board
Insight Magazine
1959 – 64
1965 – 70
Editor
Philippine Studies
Ateneo de Manila University
First Filipino Provincial Superior
Society of Jesus, Philippine Province
1971 – 75
First Asian and Filipino Assistant to the Father General
Society of Jesus, Rome
1975 – 77
Professor of History
Ateneo de Manila University
During the Japanese occupation, he was imprisoned for two
months at Fort Santiago. He was caught helping the American
Jesuit superior Rev. Fr. John F. Hurley distribute clothes and
medicines to American and Filipino soldiers who had either
evaded capture or escaped from prison camps. For this, the
American government awarded him the Medal of Freedom in
1946. To this day, aside from the Jesuits’ focus on propagating
quality education, they are also known for their missionary
work and ministry in human rights and social justice. Every
guiding principle of the Society of Jesus came naturally to
Rev. Horacio de la Costa. Long before he became a priest, he
was already a man for others. He had a great sensitivity and
understanding of human weakness.
He had many written works that continue to inspire.
In 1965, President Diosdado Macapagal presented him the
Republic Heritage Award for his historical writings. At the
32nd General Congregation of Jesuits, the delegates entrusted
him to do the composition “The Jesuits Today”. He worked
on it for three straight days. His composition was approved
by the congregation exactly as he had written it; not one word
was edited.
For all his achievements in the Jesuit Philippine Province
and the congregation in general, the Loyola School of Theology
of the Ateneo de Manila University was inaugurated while the
Horacio de la Costa Hall in the same campus was named, both
in his honor. He died on March 20, 1977 at the age of 60. Until
that day, he was a meek soul who found profound joy in the
simplest of things. He belonged to a rare breed of Filipinos, a
rare breed of humans. Skeezix is now forever a great part of
History, the field of research closest to his heart.
Sources: http://www.admu.edu.ph/
http://www.wikipedia.org/
MAY - JUNE 2011
The Scholar
By: Luwijen C. Mahinay
II-BSBA
Marketing Management
“A journey to a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Another milestone has arrived to each student of
every school, especially to the students of QCRS-IM and
to their new enrollees, the freshmen. Sophomores have
experienced the unusual trimestral year…short trimestral
break, no summer vacation. The graduating students are
on their way to reach their success. One more year to
go… graduation day is near. Hopefully they will survive
through the difficulties of their last year of staying here
at QCRS-IM.
Freshmen now enter the institution which offers
Bachelors Degree in 3 years. They will experience the
no-summer-vacation-school-year. They will go through
trimestral year and they will have another expectation,
other adjustments, and another challenge to go through.
Every beginning comes from another beginnings
end. As we start another journey, it means that we have
successfully ended our last travel.
you shall become.” As we dream, it doesn’t only mean
that we shall dream. Twined to our dreams is our faith
and determination to turn our dreams into reality. Don’t
just dream! Take a step and make actions and survive to
the challenges and difficulties of life. Step up! Breathe…
and move on to the next level.
The Scholar
This section is the official publication of the
Quezon Center for Research and Studies Institute of Management. Formerly called the
Lodestar, it has now been incorporated as part
of the QCRB Group official magazine INSIGHT.
This will serve as the mouthpiece of the entire
studentry. The name represents the students
of QCRS-IM who are mostly scholars.
Somebody says, “Dream lofty dreams, as you dream,
MAY - JUNE 2011
Insight Magazine
21
The Scholar
A Sneak Peek at a
Certified QCRB Loyalist
Mary Honeyleen O. David
III-BSBA
Financial Management
B
lessed by God to act upon the beliefs
that she had silently written in her
heart, Lilia Gadia pursued the right
path of becoming a banker instead of a
teacher, which was her first dream. When
she was younger, she dreamt of taking the
noblest profession to follow the footsteps
of her relatives. But as the years went by,
her heart abruptly turned to joining the
corporate world. And she had made the
right decision. She is now a well-trusted
bank manager. According to her, she owes
her stature to the smart choices she has
made in her life.
She was born as Lilia de Luna in the
humble town of Sariaya. She belongs to a
typical God-fearing and fun-loving family.
Her parents’ perseverance in ensuring that
all their children were dedicated to God is
the very reason why she has an unwavering
faith to our Creator. She was able to lead a
happy and normal teenage life.
In 1979, Mgr. Lilia finished her
degree in Business Administration Major
in Accounting at Manuel S. Enverga
University Foundation. And from there
her engines to success started running. For
two years, she worked at Garcia, Lugue,
Vidal and Co., CPAs, an accounting firm.
And then she was hired by QCRB, where
she started as a rank and file employee.
Because of her perseverance and dedication,
she was able to rise from the ranks. From
“ Do not rush success.
Take it slowly but
seriously. Everything
comes at its most
perfect time.”
Lilia de Luna-Gadia
Branch Head, QCRB Candelaria
22
Insight Magazine
a simple accounting clerk she is now an
enthusiastic manager. God, being the
center of her life, made everything possible
for her.
As a manager, Lilia is very
dependable. She doesn’t slack off on the job.
She is even capable of being counted on to
stay late when there are times that require
her to do so. She is also a calm manager.
The role of being a manager can be a tough
position to be in. There are lots of stresses
involved in the daily task of management
but she knew how to stay calm and coolheaded with all these numbers of problems
that arise throughout the course of any
given time. She is optimistic. She thinks
positively and makes it a point to find the
bright side of any situation.
To her staff she is more of a mother
than an immediate superior. She is very
hands on and talks to them individually.
She always tells them to make sure that
they abide by the rules but never forget
to listen to their heart. She is the kind
of manager who will come smiling and
who will express genuinely good feeling
about the work that she is doing with her
team. She knows that people’s feelings are
important and people who feel positive
about themselves, their jobs, and those
around them will always perform better.
Outside the office, the way she handles
her life is way too admirable. She has a
clean lifestyle and she is always upbeat. She
is a bubbly, fun-loving personality. She
can be considered as “little miss sunshine”,
for anybody who will converse with her
will surely be smiling all throughout the
conversation.
Mgr. Lilia starts her day with a prayer.
She never fails to say her prayers wherever
she may be and whatever time of the day.
She is dedicated to the church. She is an
active member of SFO, an international
religious organization, a chairperson of
ANAWIN Association of St. Francis of
Assisi and a commentator in the Lame
Ministry of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.
In meetings or in any given situation she
is always called to lead the prayer. Below
is her prayer in the recent managers’
meeting:
“Lord God, heavenly Father, as you
have called us all present in this meeting,
send us your holy spirit to guide us with
all that is to be discussed. Our company’s
concern comes in various packages that
need to be accepted the way they will be
beneficial to us. May we learn to value
the importance of awareness and concern.
Let us realize that the engagement we’ve
made is a product of what we can still give,
much more care about it so that each of
us can mutually grow. This we ask of you
through your son, JESUS CHRIST, Our
Savior with the intercession of Mary, Our
Mother. AMEN.”
People say, love and career are not
like a buy one take one item in the mall
that you can easily bag. They say that these
two don’t stay long to an individual at the
same time; if you’re victorious in your
career, don’t expect that you too will be
triumphant in love. But Mgr. Lilia is one
great example of successful woman both
in love and career. She is happily married
to Mr. Florencio Panganiban Gadia for 29
years. It was, though distant, made to be an
untroubled relationship.
God’s help is clearly manifested
in her by way of accomplishment and
absolute love from her better half, family
and friends. For her, being a member of
QCRB family for more than half of her
entire existence is considered a milestone.
She expresses her deepest and utmost
gratitude to Atty. Leandro P. Garcia and
to Mrs. Milagros Z. Garcia, whom she
considered as second parents, for the trust
and appreciation.
MAY - JUNE 2011
The Scholar
RIZAL @I50
A Legend worth Reminiscing
Our history is haunted with fear, bloodsheds, fraud,
betrayal, anguish, despair, greed, love, martyrdom,
patriotism and legends. Let us recall the heroic deeds
and revolutionary cries of our ancestors as they adhere
and echo to the liberal walls of today.
I
t’s been a hundred and fifty years since a legend was born. On the
19th day of June, 1861, Teodora Alonzo successfully gave birth,
which would have been fatal, to the greatest hero of our nation.
He was the 7th to the eleven children of Francisco Mercado Rizal
and Teodora Alonso Realonda. Baptized in the Catholic church of
his town, Calamba, Laguna, under the name of, JOSE PROTACIO
RIZAL MERCADO y ALONZO REALONDA, which was chosen
by his mother who was devotee of the Christian Saint, San Jose, he
was a real blessing. Endowed by God with versatile gifts, he ranked
with the world’s geniuses and made name in history. He lived through
35 painful yet wonderful years; most of it was spend on studying and
unraveling this world’s wisdom and the rest on trying to redeem his
oppressed people which he sacrificed his life for.
didn’t
stop
news about his beloved
he started rebellion
(Noli Me Tangere,
published abroad,
their deep slumber
blinded by the
him from caring and hearing
country. As a matter of fact,
from underneath. With the novels
El Filibusterismo) he wrote and was
he awaken the hearts of the Filipinos from
and opened their eyes that have been long
cruel invader.
Homecoming and Exile in Dapitan
Though he was a frail and sickly child, he exhibited versatile God-given
talents especially in arts and literature and showed exceptional interest
to learn and suffice his curiosity. His poetic and artistic inclination was
first noticed by her mother.
Due to his revolutionary writings, his life was in danger. Despite his
friends’ warnings- not to go back to the Philippines- he still chose to
return. His homecoming was not of comfort but in constant peril that
he decided to go back abroad. In 1892, he was deceived and lulled to
return to Manila. Spanish authorities framed and allegedly accused him
for anti-religious and anti-patriotic agitation. Rizal was deported to
Dapitan. There he met Josephine Bracken who dispel him from his
melancholy mood. They lived as man and wife. Thus, his new found
happiness made his tragedy quite bearable. After his four-year exile, he
was freed and decided to go back abroad.
Early Education
A Tragic Ending
Rizal had his first informal education with his mother as his first
teacher. At the age of three, he learned the alphabet and the prayers.
Upon discovery of his talents, his mother encouraged and helped
develop his endowments. He received his formal education under his
proctor Justiniano Aquino Cruz in Bi–an School. Lessons in different
fields such as Spanish, Latin, painting, drawing and even brawling with
the bullies in his school honed his young mind.
In the end, Rizal embraced his bitter fate. In 1896, despite the fact that
he was facing the supreme test that might end his life, he decided to
come home, and faced it fearlessly.
His childhood years
Higher Education
Few days before turning 11, Rizal entered Ateneo de Manila (known
before as Ateneo Municipal), a college under the supervision of the
Spanish Jesuits. With his exceptional diligence and perseverance to
study, he passed through four years of education with sad delight,
loneliness and even tragic romance. Luckily, all his hardships finally
paid off, at the age of 16, he received his degree in Bachelor of Arts
with highest honor. He continued his studies at the University of Santo
Tomas and finished within a year a course in Philosophy, and then a
four-year medical course. Afterwards, he decided to pursue medicine
and enhance his expertise in various fields of education in Spain without
seeking his parents’ permission. In 1882, he departed from his Mother
Country.
Revolt from Abroad
He spent his days abroad building alliance with influential people and
learning the different customs and gaining new knowledge from the great
people he met along his travels from one country to another. Distance
MAY - JUNE 2011
With unjust trial, he was convicted and was sentenced to death. On
December 30, 1896, he was shot at Bagumbayan (currently known as
Luneta).
To die for a cause is heroic indeed. He died but his hope that one day
we will be able to get hold of liberty remains undying. Not so long ago,
with the perseverance of the people who believed in him and continued
his fight, his death was finally given justice. On June 12, 1898, we
obtained freedom.
His memory embarked an advocacy that we Filipinos must do well for
our country and be a hero in our own terms. We must all succeed in
our plights.
He imbued every Filipino with the greatest lessons in life.
He set a good example to us students, to excel in our studies; to the
children, to love, respect and feel blessed for having a family; to the
politicians, to serve the country and his people duly and justly; and to
every Filipino, to love our country and make the most of the freedom
that our forefathers worked hard for, and fully surrender ourselves to
God’s will. In commemoration of his birth, never was it enough that
we know his life and works. The least we can do to equivocate all his
hardships and sacrifices, is to have deeper understanding and realization
of everything he believed, fought and died for and prove him right in
his saying “Kabataan, Ikaw ang Pag-asa ng Bayan.”Krystelle Ariane D. Aguilar
III-BSBA
Operations Management
Insight Magazine
23
The Scholar
The Challenge Continues
As knowledge increases and innovation of technology
happens in seconds, young people also innovate from
generation to generation. This is one of the problems which
our nation is dealing with.
The general picture depicting the youth of today is
fading in the eyes of people that makes Dr. Rizal’s message
for the youth seem inapplicable. It is because many are being
involved in illegal groups, fatal activities and are soaked in
their vices. Some are in poverty and yet facing unwanted
pregnancy that makes their lives more miserable than before.
Because of this, another burden was added to the load they
are already carrying on their back that would result in them
being stuck right where they are. These are only some of the
issues for young people nowadays and I’m afraid if it will get
worse. Is this what our national hero pertaining to? Instead
of being part of the solution, some are our nation’s problem.
But the hands of the clock are still moving perpetually and
it’s not yet too late, let’s make positive changes.
With regards to what Dr. Rizal has written
particularly in his message to the Filipino youth, I’ve seen
a two-fold thing that we must imbibe. First, Dr. Rizal has
seen the abilities and capabilities of a young people for the
progress of our nation but it doesn’t mean that the hope of
nation depends only on the young people. He wrote in his
message that youth is the fair hope of the fatherland and not
the sole hope of the nation. It means, youth are in great need
of the help of others. They need the guidance of their parents
and most of all, the grace of our God.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 says, “Remember now your
Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days
come…” Let’s seek God in our early lives that we should
be molded to fear Him and to keep His commandments. In
those days, counseling and correction should take place. It’s
a time to fix and a time to change.
Young people are like clay which will be put on the
potter’s wheel and God is the potter who will shape the clay
into a pleasing form. God plays an important role in building
and developing the character, attitude and behavior of youth
with the help of their parents. If our parents are our first
teachers, then change starts at home. That’s the advantage
of being a youth because when they reach old age and
correction will only begin there, this may harm them or may
even destroy them. It’s like a pot that needs improvements.
If you force to correct its deformity, cracks will be noticed
on it and afterwards will be broken. If youth will be shaped
in a right form during their early lives even not into absolute
perfection but are matured enough, they will be competitive
when they reach the adult stage possessing knowledge and
characters making them an ideal being.
Second, Dr. Rizal’s message is to challenge the
young people who are walking in the darkened path. Since he
has seen the potentials of being a youth, his message reminds
us that we have a vital role to fulfill for our nation. If these
kind of young people are like plastic bottles thrown in every
place, contributing waste to the society, harming the nature
and later on will affect the nation negatively, and then these
bottles should be recycled into a useful one. Let’s help them
to realize that their destiny as a youth is not to be a trash in
which flies hover above but to be the fair hope of the nation
having butterflies around.
It’s again a new generation of youth on which
challenges are upon their shoulders. Let’s bring back the
natural pigment of the image of the young people. Besides, it
is not really costly to repair it; it’s a matter of commitment
and love for our country. Consider who will be greatly
affected if our nation will be in ruins. It’s us, who are residing
in it. We are indeed a part of our nation, treasure it like our
precious belonging.
Fritz B. Panganiban
III-BSBA
Financial Management
24
Insight Magazine
MAY - JUNE 2011
The Scholar
Students’ Perspective
The Dispute at the
West Philippine Sea
Noel G. Pastorfide
III-BSBA
Operations Management
T
he issue of sovereignty and ownership over the
South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) remains
unsettled; going back from the past decades, the
dispute among claimants (Brunei, People’s Republic
of China, Malaysia, Philippines, Republic of China
(Taiwan) and Vietnam) didn’t stop. In addition, a
Filipino adventurer Thomas Cloma issued and sent
copies of his “Notice to the Whole World” on each of
the islands as a vital indication of solid claim over the
territory. Recently, the forcefulness and eagerness of
the People’s Republic of China, which is considered as
the second most powerful in terms of economic affair,
to acquire the said islands, which are believed to be
rich in minerals and oil. Furthermore, the control of
the Spratly Islands is not only for economic rationale
but for the powerful image of a country. For this
reason, the Philippine government deployed the only
one and largest warship that the state has, the BRP
Rajah Humabon, to patrol and protect the nation’s
claimed territory. Moreover, the government plans
to streamline its military equipment in defending
and showing to the world that though we are a tiny
nation in terms of militarism but we are ready to
fight if necessary. Additionally Senator Juan Ponce
Enrile, Senate President, said in one of his interviews
concerning the dispute among the claimants, “Maybe
we will be defeated in actual war but we won’t be
overpowered in the word war.”
In the face of conflict of universal implications,
diplomatic settlement becomes a preferable option
for involved claimants to consider. Through
diplomacy, claimants maintain and can be at peace
with neighbors and still strengthen his relations and
work for their mutual benefit. Thus, the Philippines
is open for diplomatic settlement. In fact, the state
sent a representative in Beijing to resolve the tension.
The UN must step in to settle the dispute amicably,
through diplomacy, in favor for the rightful
claimant.
Aware of the situation, the students
of QCRS-IM air their comments, opinions, and
suggestions:
MAY - JUNE 2011
“This must be settled in a peaceful way, obviously we
cannot deny the fact that the Philippines is a tiny nation,
compared to other claimants particularly China, we do
not have enough equipment to fight in actual war.”
-Ms. Hannah A. Rosas
3rd year
“If the aggressiveness of China to get our properties in
the West Philippine Sea signifies war, we must carefully
weigh our options. Let us show that we are strong and that
we cannot be intimidated by threats of other nations.”
-Ms. Angelica M. Enelo
3rd year
“Filipinos are intelligent; we must fight peacefully for
what we believe we own to ease the tensions among the
claimants.”
-Ms. Maria Persidia A. Cancio
2nd year-A
“China must be out of the dispute. I respect the UNCLOS.
The Philippines owns the Spratly Islands because it is
place less than 200 nautical miles from the island of
Palawan, China’s distance is more than a 500 nautical
miles, so it should not be considered a claimant.”
-Mr. John Emmanuel Dayo
2nd year-B
“Diplomatic way is better than any other destructive way
of protecting our interest in the sea. The government must
be rational in deploying our warship in the area.”
-Ms. Jobelle Laurel Maningas
1st year-A
“Diplomatic way is better than any other destructive way
of protecting our interest in the sea. The government must
be rational in deploying our warship in the area.”
-Archelle A. Basbas
1st year
Insight Magazine
25
The Scholar
asked the guard if he can still apply
for the scholarship. Even though,
classes had started, he still got a 70
% scholarship. He felt so blessed
that God answered his prayer
immediately.
YLDONN RUIZ M. GERONA, IT Division Programmer of QCRS
For the
Glory of God
“For I know the plans I have for
you,” declares the LORD, “plans to
prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”
-Jeremiah 29:11 quoted Mr. Yldonn
Ruiz M. Gerona as he share his story
way back five years ago. Reaching
his position as a programmer of the
IT Staff of QCRS Garcia Corporate
Tower was never easy. He had
been through different hardships
and difficulties but he made it
nevertheless.
5 years ago…
He was then a fresh high school
graduate from Quezon National
High School, a Born Again Christian
and the eldest among five children.
As a student, he was neither the
serious (the nerd type) nor the
trouble maker; he was just in the
middle of the two. Given the gift
of knowledge, he was granted a
scholarship from UCPB bank that
made him a scholar at SLSU Lucban,
Quezon. Unfortunately, his parents
cannot sustain his other needs and
expenses at SLSU. He decided to go
to Lucban and get his card.
26
Insight Magazine
With just Php 22 in his pocket,
he arrived at around 6p.m. at SLSU,
Lucban but it was already closed. He
badly needed his card so he stayed in
Lucban not knowing where to spend
the night. Left without a choice,
he spent the night at the church.
At around 11p.m., he went to a
fruit stand and picked three unripe,
scattered santol for his dinner.
He was awakened by the cold
morning breeze of Lucban. Without
anything to eat, he went back to the
university. While waiting, he met
a friend named Kuya Jose. He told
Kuya Jose what happened to him,
and so, Kuya Jose lent him Php 50 for
his fare and food. Kuya Jose gave the
former composed song, in exchanged
for that, he gave Kuya Jose a poem
Yldonn composed himself, too.
As he returned to Lucena, he
silently prayed to God, “Lord, Kayo
na po bahala sa akin. Alam ko pong
may magandang plano kayo para
sa akin.” Eventually, as he walked
along Quezon Avenue, he passed by
the QCRB Garcia Corporate Tower
and noticed the poster of QCRS-IM.
Attracted by the advertisement, he
During his college days, he was a
working student. He experienced
being a gasoline boy, assistant at the
wooden lamination center of his
uncle, and a tutor. Being at QCRSIM molded him into a better and
responsible person than he was
before. He learned the value of
education and to be more practical.
He also learned the essence of time
management in his everyday life.
When he was asked what he can
advise students, he paused for a
minute and said, “Habang nag-aaral
ka, 30% lang ng napag-aralan mo ang
mare-retain sa’yo after graduation.
Everything you will encounter in
the workplace will be new to you.
Hindi lang kung ano ang pinagaralan mo ang importante, mas
importante kung paano mo pinagaralan ang mga iyon. Example, saan
mo ba magagamit ang “-sin at -co sin”
in Trigonometry in everyday life?
Wala naman di ba? Pero kung paano
mo nakuha yun, through patience,
industry or eagerness na makuha ung
sagot, that’s the most important thing
because those are the things that you
can apply to your future work.”
Yldonn is a person who is
contented with whatever he has. He
is also the type of an individual who
does not rush things. He believes
that God will give things to you at
the right time.
Right after his graduation, he was
hired by the IT Department. At
first, it was not easy. Everything
was strange to him yet he pushed
it through. He never gave up and
focused on his work, after all,
everything can be learned and can be
acquired if you want what you do.
As he continued, he emphasized that
the more you persevere, the farther
you can go.
Nothing in life is easy, but if you
do it for the glory of God, nothing is
impossible.
Sharlene May E. Flores
II-BSBA
Marketing Management
MAY - JUNE 2011
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