Personal reminiscences on a great year

One of my favorite quotes about New Year is from popular American TV host Oprah Winfrey. She once said, “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”

It’s funny but her words seem to be timeless and continue to be applicable every year. On a good note, this only means that we continue to learn and improve our ways as we grow old. There is no limitation in discovering new things and correct our mistakes for as long as we live.

I am so thankful to our Lord Almighty for the blessings he gave me this 2016. I have reached personal and career milestones this year. I am very blessed as I turned 60 in good health. I became the AVP for Industry Relations of the Philippine Daily Inquirer as I took the role of being the National President of the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), the premier organization of people managers and HR practitioners in the country. Again, dear Father, Thank you so much for this blessing for this realization of one of my dreams

This great year also gave me the opportunity to visit the PMAP chapters nationwide. I would like to believe that I have gained our members’ trust and confidence based on the good feedback and many invitations that we receive to grace their occasions as either their keynote speaker or resource person for various topics.

I am very proud to have served PMAP and achieved a lot and this I dedicate to my family and all the members of the HR community. We have reaffirmed our status as being national and nationwide and we have grown to twenty-seven (27) chapters with the establishing of Ormoc Chapter and revival of Tacloban and Mariveles Chapters. Every journey was truly productive, from as far as Bauang, La Union to Davao, we have reached out to more than a thousand HR professionals during our Chapter Training Support Program (CTSP). We presented various relevant and timely topics like the ECOP-PMAP Labor Laws Compliance Code for Employers; Consultations about Contractualization; calibrated learning and HR topics. We also held successful regional summits and our 53rd Annual Conference at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) last October that coincides with the 60th Anniversary celebration of PMAP.

Despite of my busy schedule at work, I see to it that I continue to serve at Our Lady of Remedies Parish where I get holy intercession to be able to gain enough strength to recover and move on from every life’s challenge that comes along my way. The joy of having 38 dogs and counting also keeps me going. I also value the patience I gain in taking care of my Bonsai plants, the calmness from gardening, the inspiration from playing piano and the laughter and fun times with good friends.

All light moments in my travels are things I really cherish. During my trips, I make sure that I visit local churches, talk personally to HR people in the provinces, enjoy the native delicacies and find joy in catching early morning flights.

I would like to thank this opportunity to thank Ms. Sandy Prieto, our President and CEO in PDI. You have always given your trusts to me. Since day 1,, she has been a mentor and a pillar in charting my career although there are times she would grill me when I present my reports about Job Market Online. I take her challenges as opportunities to improve my work and maximize my capability.

Thank you too, Mr. Rene Reinoso, our COO, who gave me a new role at work so I can effectively fulfill my duties in PMAP this year and beyond. I definitely got the time I needed to have a fruitful term in PMAP. Thank you my dear boss and friend. I feel your trust and confidence to me every time you listen to my suggestions during our CBA negotiations and business strategies.

Thank you also to my family and friends who are my inspiration to give my all in everything I do and be the best that I can be in every opportunity that face.

Thank you my dear PMAP family and to all Past Presidents, fellow officers, board of trustees; and committee officers and members for their support. Special mention to Past Presidents Obet Policarpio and Lucy Tarriela; Vice President Leo Gellor; Atty. Noel Balsicas; Atty. Winston Cruz; Trustee Ellen Fullido, PR Chair Badette Cunanan, Executive Director Rene Gener and Professional Staff members Dette Tan, Cacay Ponce De Leon, Rene Del Rosario; Sarah Niguas, Toto Roldan and Richard Mamuyac.

So many years will pass and I still see myself to be active in PMAP because of the joy, learning, and pride that I get in every initiative or activity I become engage with. Cheers to this great year in PMAP. Looking forward for more success in 2017!