(Standing, l-r) Paul Abastillas (SKYCable HR); Jay Lopez; Lito Mapolon (Operations); Jenie Chan (ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.), Eduard Santos (SKYCable); chairman emeritus Oscar M. Lopez; Caesar de los Reyes (SKYCable); Kimrey Gomez (ABS-CBN, Regional Office Headquarters); a representative from EDC; Christopher Santos (ABS-CBN), Jonas Uy (EDC); Dine Luaurena (ABS-CBN) and Cedie Vargas (HR Council). Seated, EDC representatives. Not in photo are Gonzalo Roque Jr. (SCM Sector); Pedro Abellano (SFO sector); Edgardo Tadlas (NNGP); and Edgardo Cadungog (SFO Sector), all of EDCEarly this year, chairman emeritus
Oscar M. Lopez (OML) invited employees to share in an email how they applied the Lopez values in their work in their respective companies (see related story on page 5). Here are excerpts from the entries of the top eight finalists as selected by OML and the Oscar Summit team, led by winner Eduardo Santos.
Eduard Santos
SkyCable Evaluation and Standards Engineer, Operations Support Services, Bench Department
Good Afternoon. I apply the Lopez Values in my daily work by simply thinking that I am the owner of the Company. In this way you will do all the best you can to do all your work not just by completing it but by exceeding your target everyday, by not being absent, not being late & always aiming for the higher goal as what we say in Tagalog; "di pwede yung pwede na, dapat Pwedeng Pwede!".
As a kapamilya I always think of everybody in the Company as member of my family, which is a good thing because you will deal with them always in a compassionate way, being understanding & with brotherly/sisterly love, which will result in good relationship among our co-employees and the greatest result of this is a good bond among you, which will make us strong as one Company because we all are bonded together as one. Lastly, I think that whenever I'm at the office, I am also at home, because I always think that this is my second home and this surely make me feel comfortable, and by being comfortable in your second home, you will be able to attain your goal very easily.
That's all I can Share Sir.
Jenie Chan
ABS-CBN Foundation, Events and Communications Dept.
Dear Mr. Oscar Lopez :
Happy Chinese New Year to you ! I have two entries for you. One is mine (brown title), one is in behalf of my department (red title) called Events and Communication Department. It is my honor to share these stories with you. I hope you like them.
THE COURAGE TO LOSE
Last year, a major sponsor wanted us to cheat a nationwide contest because the organizers did not want the inconvenience of spending Christmas outside of Manila for the awarding ceremony . At stake was an on-going P50 Million sponsorship for the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Network which included a P10 Million donation for the E-Media Program of the ABS-CBN Foundation. Out of malasakit to our mother company and respect for our partners and benefactors who have trusted us for more than 18 years, our small team of 7 chose to give up the sponsorship rather than compromise the credibility and integrity of our organization. As a department we firmly believe that if we continue to do excellent work and live by the values that we teach ( through the educational television programs that we produce), other sponsors will come our way.
(P.S. Five days later the sponsor came in full force with their ad agency, PR agency and top bosses in an elaborate effort to convince us that they will no longer cheat. They gave our organization their word … and yes, the P10M sponsorship as well.)
WHAT MAKES A LOPEZ EMPLOYEE DIFFERENT
We may come from different Lopez companies, but there is a common mindset amongst us that distinctly distinguishes us from employees of other companies - it is our firm belief that each of one of us is a valuable contributor to achieving the social purpose of every Lopez’s business – service. Knowing that we are part of an organization committed to the betterment of Filipino society, the drive to consistently pursue excellence, create and implement pioneering projects becomes second nature. We are inspired to take care of ourselves and our peers because in doing so, we are able to bring out the best in us and in others. Excellence is not used to define our achievements in our fields, but we as a single workforce, moving towards our shared vision of bequeathing a better Philippines to the next generation.
Christopher Santos
ABS-CBN, Creative Programs, Inc.
I AM HERO
I write this entry at a moment when our country is beleaguered by shameless corruption issues and tons of bad news; at a precise moment when I feel down and doubtful with my own job. And I ask why am I still here and realized that after a minute of contemplation that it is not about my doubts but my faith in this impressively (and expressively!) monument of an organization. It is in my blind walk of faith that somehow I could start a positive change inside the Lopez Group.
As I write my copies and produce my plugs even for a niche audience I confidently believe that its words/ my words could reach even a single consciousness of youth and influence him or her to MOVE and make a change. That suddenly trickles my nationalism and integrity even as it seeps through the air-waves and feeds my audacity for social justice even with my daily copies. These are all unarmed truths even inside the violent messages of the anime culture. I competently and consciously convert these into positivities!
I say that one day I could completely make peace with my doubts as I continue with my sightless walk…with faith of course!
Gonzalo, Roque Jr.
EDC, Invenotry Analyst, SCM Sector
Boss,
Since 1992, when I was hired by PNOC-EDC to work for the drilling group, and now as a KAPAMILYA, I stood by my moral values.
Several years ago, I was once bribed by a contractor. They wanted me to favor them in the bidding. I immediately declined the offer and confronted the contractor. I told him that he cannot buy my dignity and my love for EDC. I also inform my boss about this and he was pleased with the decision I made.
Despite my disappointment when my boss promoted somebody (whom I used to teach in drilling maintenance) instead of me, which eventually resulted to my transfer to another department (i.e., in Supply Chain as inventory control analyst), I promised that I will never change the values my parents have taught as a child. Even with the inevitable changes in my work, my love and concern for EDC will never change.
If ever I win in this contest, I will donate my price to Efren Peñaflorida so that he could use it for teaching the street children. And I hope that I could personally give it to him.
Pedro Abellano
EDC, Shift Supervisor, SFO sector
Good day po Chairman,
It is a privilege and an honor to write an e-mail to you. As one of a few a privileged people to have joined one of the various Lopez Group of Companies, as an employee that belongs to EDC’s Steam Filed Operation at Mt. Apo I am proud to be a Kapamilya.
About the Lopez Values, my share of upholding it in our daily activities here at Mt. Apo Geothermal Production field. I am doing the best that I can to give my share of protecting our image as Green and Clean Company working in area that is frequented by Tourists both local and international.
It becomes one of our prime concern to uphold the integrity of our company by ensuring the full implementation of Zero Waste disposal in our daily operation at Steam Field. In this way when somebody asks me about our operation at Site, I can look straight to their eyes saying that we are protecting the environment and we are acting Locally to protect the Mother Nature that can influence Globally.
I treat the Company as if it is my own and I am mindful in my bearing so as to show people from outside that we are respectable and professionals working in a prestigious Company. It become inherent to us to be upswing in our duties to uphold our vision at Fluid Collection and Recovery System to ensure efficient utilization of our Geothermal steam to supply the Power Plant. In this way I can reciprocate the best things that the Company provided for my family.
As RBT said, Service conquers everything. Not mindful who the credit goes to as long as it will result what is best for our operation and the Company. Thanks and my best regards.
Respectfully yours, Pedro
Kimrey Gomez
ABS-CBN Regional Office Headquarters, Pte. Ltd. (ROHQ), Accounts Receivable Management
Hi Sir OML,
Wishing you a good day! I'm in charge of the Accounts Receivable Management for ABS CBN and its affiliates. For me, this area that was entrusted to me is so important and demanding. It involves making decisions that can make or break us. Our role is quite unique and complex that we are an intricate part of the total customer service of ABS CBN.
When I came on board last year, I was firmly convinced that the only way for our team to succeed in our role as stewards of accounts receivable, is to fully engage our clients - agencies and advertisers; and such should be on a regular basis.
We used the simple Pyramid of Engagement as our guide, where the base is Communication, in order to build Confidence, Cooperation and ultimately Benefit as the tip.
In engaging our clients, Integrity was very important. Hence, we made sure that we are consistently honest and fair in dealing with them. Ensuring that we deliver our commitments, and similarly, we expected them to deliver too - we made sure that we hold them accountable for their commitments. I have also challenged each and every individual member of our team to have courage in doing the right things. I firmly believe that doing and standing up for what is right, regardless of the situation and impact to personal interest, defines our character and integrity. In this regard, I lead by example.
We also practice business excellence, by ensuring that the data that we use and present to client are accurate to deny them any possible reasons not to pay or to delay payment. We also conduct review and objective setting, a day before the scheduled meeting. Moving-in to any meeting, our team has a clear purpose and united to achieve specific objectives.
We have some wellness too Sir, when we go around Makati for agency meetings and if the weather permits, we just walk from one meeting to another, we walk thru the parks and walkways.
It is also a time of bonding for the team, discussing anything under the sun - even their personal problems. I always look forward to this because it is also my opportunity to learn more about my teammates.
Sir my day begins with a prayer, seeking God's help and guidance so we can perform well and be of service to others and my day also ends with a prayer thanking God for the blessings and challenges thru out the day and asking forgiveness for my short comings.
That's my story Sir, quite a bit long.
Thanks and regards.
Kimrey
Edgardo Tadlas
EDC, R. E. E. Power Plant Operations Engineer, NNGP Power Plant Operations & Maintenance Department
To take on the task of a power plant operations engineer is both an honour and privilege for me for I believe that it is a God given duty and having been blessed to assume such responsibility, combined with a humble notion that I am just a small component, a miniature rotating gear linked to other elements that makes up a very large machinery that is keeping the wheels of progress of this nation in motion, further inspires me to carry out this task to the best of my ability.
I make sure that, with the collective efforts of my superiors and co-workers, working together as a team, the generating unit we handle are always in tip-top condition. To be able to carry out and maintain such condition, I meticulously look out for worn-out conditions on equipments every time I perform daily local routine checks for early reporting and action, respond to unusual parameter indications during conduct of local gauge readings, being ready always for plant start-up in case of a forced plant tripping, keeping myself completely familiar with the equipments and machines that we handle, always ready to provide detailed technical reports when needed, taking down notes on the activities that are being carried out for given day for easy and detailed instructions during turn-over to incoming shifts, religiously adhering to the safety requirements and programs of the company and proper coordination with NGCP during abnormalities in grid condition for appropriate action ensuring continuity of service.
I will be a brother and a sister to my colleagues in this company, may it be in other departments, or other sites, treating them with utmost respect, inculcating unity, harmony and fairness in everyday dealings, inspiring younger siblings, respecting the knowledge, experience, and wisdom of the older, always open to suggestions and opinions vital to the company’s growth. I had always been, and always will be, fair in dealing with contractors, seminar/training presenters and other business partners by planning ahead thru time organization so that precious time and effort on both parties are not wasted.
I would always apply, just as I have and as what I am doing now, the Lopez Values by appreciating and loving what I do, and realizing that by doing so, I am serving EDC, my family, and my country the way God wants me to.
Edgardo S. Tadlas, R. E. E.Power Plant Operations Engineer NNGP Power Plant Operations & Maintenance Department Energy Development Corporation
Edgardo Cadungog
EDC, Senior Supervisor, SFO Sector
Hi Sir Oscar!
I am blessed as member of Kapamilya in the Lopez Group of companies. I valued working in EDC as I valued serving the needs of my family.
Reading the Lopez values, I was able to evaluate my work attitude and performance to check where I could start to comply the expectations of EDC being member of the management.
First and foremost, I have to continue my regular activity which I believed still an effective tool for my work, as follows;
1. Report for work at least 30 minutes before and after office hours
2. Weekly meeting/dialogue to staff
3. Conduct daily personal follow up and monitoring of important activities to ensure meeting the deadlines/commitment so that no wastage of resources and genreations.
Second, since EDC is going global. I have to commit of the following;
1. Open to system change
2. Improve adherence to safety and health by ensuring all personal protective equipment for the job is in place and continue compliance 100% of employees ehe.
Third and last, is to continue the weekends evangelization activity in the areas of Tongonan, Lake Danao, Cabingtan and Gaas so that Folks/Stakeholders within the area believe that not material things that matter most but faith in God.
God Bless, Kapamilya.