Get to Know the Masters of Enterprise Risk Management

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Get to know more about the masters as we conquer together the modern age of business in a paced changing society.

Risks adversely affect enterprises either in a creeping way; or in just one fatal blow. Enterprises are most vulnerable to all sorts of risk. As Daniel Wagner succinctly puts it Some risks that are thought to be unknown, are not unknown. With some foresight and critical thought, some risks that at first glance may seem unforeseen, can in fact be foreseen. Armed with the right set of tools, procedures, knowledge and insight, light can be shed on variables that lead to risk, allowing us to manage them.

Risk could be everywhere, that’s why we are here to offer the best prolocutors in the country, these people definitely knew how to manage and overcome risk.

Let’s meet them!



Juan Carlos Robles CPA, CIA, CFE, CISA, CRMA, FICD, MM Managing Partner & CEO

Juancho has gained over 25 years of combined experience in public accounting, government auditing, internal audit, risk management, corporate finance, strategic planning and fraud forensic audit services. He is currently the Managing Partner & CEO of Chan Robles & Company and ChanRoblesKonsult of the ChanRobles Group of Companies. Previously, Juancho was connected with Punongbayan&Araullo (P&A), where he was a Partner and the Head of Advisory Services Division. He also previously occupied the positions of Audit Committee Chairman and Risk Management Partner at P&A. Earlier in his auditing career, Juancho trained in New York with another firm. Subsequently, he worked abroad, where he received various awards and commendations from U.S. government agencies (including the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation) for his work against white collar crimes and public corruption. He also received a special award as ―Outstanding Filipino Professional‖ from the Philippine Consulate General.

Juancho is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) both in the United States—where he obtained the highest possible rating in auditing of 99% in the 2000 U.S. uniform CPA examinations—and in the Philippines—where he obtained the 11th highest overall rating in the 1984 CPA licensure examinations. Juancho obtained his Masters in Management Degree, with Distinction, from the Asian Institute of Management and his Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy, Honourable Mention, from De La Salle University. He recently graduated from the prestigious Harvard Business School's Owners-President Management Program (2013 - 2015).


Manuel Joey A. Regala President Information Security Officers Group (ISOG)

Manuel Joey A. Regala or Joey has more than 30 years of management experience in Information Technology and IT Security on Financial Systems. He has a proven record of accomplishment on implementing an effective information security infrastructure to protect clients’ Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and the company’s information assets from unauthorized access and disclosure. He is also a specialist in designing, providing and implementing effective information security architecture suitable for an organization. Joey is presently serving as Vice President and Head of Information Security Department of UCPB, one of the leading providers of financial products and services to corporations, private and government institutions, middle market companies, small-and-medium-sized businesses and individuals. He is currently President of Information Security Officers Group (ISOG), an organization comprising of Security leaders of the different financial institutions in the Philippines. Chairman of the PNP ACG-Council (Anti-Cybercrime Group). He became a Board Member of ISACAManila (Information Systems Audit & Control Association)and ITIP Vice President for TSIG Interest Group in 2014 · President of ISACA- Manila, 2012 · Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). 

Dante Fuentes Chief Compliance Officer, Security Bank Corporation

Dante graduated in University of Mindanao under BS Accountancy, he took his Mastered Degree in Middle Management at Ateneo Graduate School of Business. He became the Head of Accounting department in Philippine Banking Corporation for fourteen years. He handled the financial control of the bank and responsible for supervising the quality of accounting and financial reporting as Comptroller for five years in Asian bank Corporation and Philippine Bank of Communication for four years, he was promoted to be a Chief Compliance Officer from January 2001 up to December 2008. In the same position he directs the implementation of the Bank’s Compliance Group involving major undertakings such as overseeing and monitoring of the Bank’s Compliance System, Corporate Governance and Anti- Money Laundering Programs at China Banking Corporation from December 2008 to June 2013.

In June 2013 he transfer at Security Bank Corporation as Deputy Chief Compliance Officer and became a Chief Compliance Officer since January 2014 up to present.

He is the current President of Association of Bank Compliance Officers, Inc for twelve years. He is also the current President of Association of Certified Fraud Examiners – Philippine Chapter since February 2014



Jesus Naquila Manager - Technical Services Department at Anchor Insurance Brokerage Corp (A Subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation)

Jess has more than 30 years of experience in risk management, he took his MBA, Business Administration and Management, General in International Academy of Management and Economics from 2001 – 2002.

He started his business career as the Head of Insurance and Risk Management at Globe Telecom for eleven years from 1995 to 2006. He became Risk Manager, Insurance and Risk Management at Singapore Telecommunication Pte.Ltd. - 2006 – 2007. Senior Manager, Risk Management at Certis Cisco Singapore for 2 years 2007 to 2009. From December 2009 up to May 2012

He became Assistant Vice President, Risk Management in Singapore Post Ltd. AVP - Specialized Risk Management at Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc May 2012 – November 2012.

He is currently Manager in Technical Services Department at Anchor Insurance Brokerage Corp (A Subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation) since November 2012.

He is now the Chairman of the Board and President of Risk and Insurance Management Association of the Philippines since October 2015.



Now that you already know these high calibre people, take the chance to learn from their words. Come, learn and apply their fresh ideas as we offer the TRENDS AND CHALLENGES IN ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT on March 29, 2017 from 9AM to 5PM at Development Academy of the Philippines, L.S Virata Middle Room, Pasig City.

Wazzup Pilipinas is a proud media partner!

For more inquiries and concerns, you may reach Ms. Lyzeil Rebutica at +639506555634 or email at pupcac.riskmanagement@gmail.com

Don't forget to like and share our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/riskmanagement.pup See you there!

Global Athletes and Celebrities Join Under Armour's Test of Will

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine leg of Under Armour’s ‘Test of Will’, took place last weekend (March 25 and 26, 2017) at Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City.

Some of the athletes and celebrities who joined the event on UA Test of Will’s first were Filipino-American Bellator fighter AJ Matthews, Alliance Gym’s top coach George Castro, UAAP football player Kali Huff, volleyball player and TV Host Gretchen Ho, actor JC de Vera, MMA fighter Mark Streigl, fitness expert Elle Adda, three-time world Jiu-jitsu champion Meggie Ochoa and Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz.

Participants witnessed MMA fighters AJ Matthews and Mark Striegl slug it out in the 4-minute challenge ‘Test of Will’. Striegl won over Matthews 119 to 101 in terms of total repetitions.

UA’s ‘Test of Will’ which is on its second year is designed as “the most advanced urban fitness challenge”, was held last March 25 & 26 at Glorietta Makati City.

It offers athletes the chance to compete in a simple 4-minute circuit consisting of Burpees, One Arm Thruster, TRX Rows and Sandbag Throw.

UA’s ‘Test of Will’ which is on its second year is designed as “the most advanced urban fitness challenge”. It offers athletes the chance to compete in a simple 4-minute circuit consisting of Burpees, One Arm Thruster, TRX Rows and Sandbag Throw.

The side-events also included arm wrestling challenge and a fitness session with Elle Adda.

Each competitor was scored based on the maximum number of repetitions they can achieve within 60 seconds. The highest scoring man and woman of the national Heats from each respective country will be sent to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on May 6, 2017, to face-off with other representatives from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Brunei.

This year’s overall champion of the regional finals will walk away with S$2,500 cash prize, or around Php 88,000.00, winners will also get free head-to-toe gear and special discounts.

For more information regarding ‘Test of Will’ and other events, you may visit www.tripleready.com/events. Make sure to follow Under Armour Philippines via @underarmourph on Instagram and Twitter for updates as well as Facebook at www.facebook.com/underarmoursea.

Mindanao Art Student Tops 31st PLDT Directory Art Contest

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Artemio Bongawan Jr. of the University of Mindanao won the grand prize of the 31st Visual Arts Competition (VAC 31) of the Directories Philippines Corporation and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company.

Bongawan’s hyperrealistic entry "AGEnt of Success", which showed an old woman who dreams of finishing her studies, captured the interest of the judges with its rendering and clear, uplifting message. This year’s competition challenged fine arts students nationwide to interpret the theme “Habang May Buhay, May Pag-asa”.

"I wanted to show that as long as you have hope and you persevere, nothing comes too late. Age doesn't matter when it comes to aspiring for success," Bongawan explained.

Meanwhile, John Merick Eupalao of Adventist University of the Philippines of Cavite and Maria Teresa Ramos of Far Eastern University won second and third prizes, respectively. Eupalao won for his colorful acrylic on canvas painting entitled “Pag May Pagmamahal, May Pag-asa , while Ramos won for her painting entitled “Light of Hope”. FEU has been the winningest university through the years in the directory art competition.

Besides the top three winners, Arvin Cantalejo Jr.'s Reflection of Hope, a disabled man who paints himself as a whole person, won the People's Choice Award. The winning entries will be used for the 2017-18 White and Yellow Pages PLDT directories.

87 art works with different interpretations of the theme were submitted for the competition, with 30 entries moving up as finalists. The 30 finalist entries were exhibited at the Pasilyo Vicente Manansala at the Cultural Center of the Philippines prior to the final judging and awarding ceremony.

Rotortrade Services Signs Partnership with Philjets Group and Starline Global Industries

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The photo above is taken at the Leonardo booth during HAI HELI-EXPO 2017: Aurelien Blanc Managing Director, Emilio Dalmasso Senior Vice President Commercial Business Unit and Philippe Lubrano President from Rotortrade Services with Thierry Tea Chairman PhilJets Aero Services & Managing Director of Starline Global Industries

Further cementing its position to become the international leader for the growing pre-owned helicopter market, Rotortrade Services, the independent multibrand helicopter brokerage service company and exclusive global distributor of Leonardo’s pre-owned helicopters, enters into a strategic partnership with the PhilJets Group and its major shareholder Starline Global Industries to access the Philippine and Cambodian markets.

Established in 2013 in Singapore by Philippe and Raymond Lubrano, Rotortrade Services continues its development plan to explore professional partnerships with outstanding international aviation companies in line with its global vision. PhilJets Group and Starline Global Industries have a proven track record of offering the best value in regards to the helicopter needs of their respective markets in Cambodia and the Philippines. Partnerships such as this aim to create win-win solutions for all companies involved that will ultimately enhance total customer satisfaction.

“Rotortrade is thrilled to cement and extend a long-lasting relationship with Starline and PhilJets. Both companies share the same values and drive to elevate the (pre-owned

helicopter) market by providing uncompromising quality and service to its customers by offering the right aircraft,” says Lubrano.

Founded in Manila by Chairman & CEO Thierry Tea, PhilJets Group is a leading boutique aviation company that services the Asia Pacific region, specifically the Philippines. By fourth quarter of 2017, PhilJets Helicopters Division will be accounting nine Helicopters including eight Airbus Helicopters, making it the largest Airbus Helicopter operator in the country.

Consolidating purchases for PhilJets Group is its major shareholder Starline Global Industries, the group’s holding company based in Singapore and founded by Tea in late 2012. Starline Global Industries has purchased, leased, sold and financed more than 12 helicopters in the past 18 months for the Southeast Asian region.

Tea, of Cambodian-French descent, has been developing both Starline and PhilJets’ activities in Cambodia since 2014, resulting in the group’s first three transactions in the promising emerging Cambodian market.

Together, the Starline teams’ track record comprises over USD11 billion in aircraft sales, including over USD290 million for 68 helicopters sales.

“Thanks to this partnership with Rotortrade Services and all of its network partners, we will be able to have more exchanges and to learn from other partners worldwide. We are delighted to be joining such formidable group of experts on a global stage,” says Tea.

This network agreement will allow Rotortrade Services to offer the Philippine and Cambodian markets a wider selection of pre-owned helicopters while PhilJets Aero Services Inc., the PhilJets Group’s MRO and aerospace trading arm, will have access to a larger potential worldwide customer base of helicopters and a stronger back office support. Geoffroy Cahen, Head of Sales & Marketing added, “Our success with the Airbus range has been great, though various opportunities with Bell, Leonardo and Robinsons were available that we were not able to fulfill. We believe this strategic alliance will allow our customers’ needs to be better addressed.”

Philjets Group Adds Brand New H145 to its Fleet

Wazzup Pilipinas!

PhilJets Group, a leading boutique aviation company that services the Asia Pacific region— specifically the Philippines—charges forward in its thrust to become the top leader in business aviation by introducing a new helicopter manufacturer to its fleet for 2017.

Though PhilJets has sustained constant dynamic growth these past three years, it strives to strengthen its position in business aviation. To complement its existing fleet of single engine helicopters: five Airbus H130 and one Airbus AS350B2 squirrel, PhilJets is delighted to welcome one Airbus H145 T2, its first twin-engine helicopter that will provide its customers with a bigger payload and capability. Moreover, as it can comfortably seat two pilots and eight passengers for long flights, it is very much adapted to the landscape of the 7,107 Philippine islands.

The latest member of the Airbus 4-ton-class twin-engine rotorcraft product range, Airbus H145 T2 is compact in size, boasts a small footprint and yet offers a cabin that can comfortably fit two pilots and eight passengers. The H145 T2 is the perfect aircraft to take passengers on longer rotary flights around the Philippine archipelago and features large windows with excellent visibility that both pilots and passengers will appreciate. As the quietest helicopter in its class, the H145 T2 can efficiently land in busy work sites, office zones and urban areas.

As PhilJets’ first twin-engine helicopter, the company will soon be able to strengthen additional segments such as Medevac and cargo. The delivery of the brand new H145 T2 is scheduled in fourth quarter 2017 and it will give PhilJets a total of eight Airbus Helicopters—the group has two H130T2 on order scheduled for delivery in second and third quarter– making it one of the largest Airbus Helicopters operators in the Philippines in 2017. 

Celebrities and Athletes to Join Under Armour’s ‘Test of Will’ on March 25 & 26

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With the recently concluded Under Armour ‘Test of Will’ national Heats in Malaysia and Thailand, the spotlight is now focused on the Philippines; as to who will be the Philippine representatives to the much awaited regional competition of Under Armour’s ‘Test of Will’.

Celebrities and athletes such as Gretchen Ho, JC de Vera, Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, 2x Jiu-jitsu world champion Meggie Ochoa, fitness trainer Elle Adda, MMA fighters Mark Mugen and AJ Matthews are all expected to make an appearance during this weekend’s highly anticipated local leg of the regional event.

The Philippine national Heats is set to take place on March 25 & 26 at Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City. The winners on said dates, will then face-off against representatives from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Brunei during the final round on May 6, 2017, set to take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Participants can still sign up for UA ‘Test of Will’, which is on its second year, and designed as “the most advanced urban fitness challenge.” It offers athletes the chance to compete in a simple 4-minute circuit consisting of Burpees, One Arm Thruster, TRX Rows and Sandbag Throw. Each competitor will be scored based on the maximum number of repetitions they can achieve within 60 seconds. The highest scoring man and woman of the national Heats from each respective country will win an all-expense paid trip to compete in the regional finals, happening in Kuala Lumpur. This year’s overall champion of the regional finals will walk away with S$2,500 cash prize, or around Php 88,000.00, winners will also get free head-to-toe gear and special discounts.

Newly signed Under Armour Ph athlete, Bellator fighter AJ “the Filipino Punisher” Matthews, who has an 8-5 record, is also expected to join the UA ‘Test of Will’ on said dates.

AJ Matthews also called out to other Philippine participants, who can still sign up for the event, set on March 25 & 26. “Go test your will and join Under Armour’s event, and see what your body is capable of achieving. I will see you there”, says the FIlipino Punisher. Matthews is expected to head-to-head with One Championship fighter Mark Mugen on the first day of the event.

For more information regarding ‘Test of Will’ and other events, you may visit www.tripleready.com/events. Make sure to follow Under Armour Philippines via @underarmourph on Instagram and Twitter for updates as well as Facebook at www.facebook.com/underarmoursea.

LoveYourself and Partners Beef Up HIV Awareness After Anvil Win

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Advocating for greater HIV awareness, LoveYourself and its partner Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., which is the corporate social responsibility arm of the Shell Philippines Exploration (SPEX), B.V., has continuously strengthened their HIV programs for businesses, students and the youth, and other vulnerable sectors.

LoveYourself Executive Director Ronivin G. Pagtakhan said, “We need to be aggressive and varied with our programs to curb HIV and AIDS, especially now that there are 27 Filipinos getting infected every day from only four (4) individuals in 2010.”

“Through our LoveYourself Caravan, our volunteers are sweeping through schools and private companies in key cities in the National Capital Region to educate the participants on correct and consistent condom use, timely testing and treatment, and safe and satisfying sex (TSC) as well as how companies can implement an HIV Policy in their respective offices,” Pagtakhan relayed.

Recently, LoveYourself Caravan’s Philippines Business Sector Response (PBSR) to HIV, which a SPEX-funded program and implemented largely by LoveYourself, has won a Silver Anvil Award last 10 March for helping address the key health issues of the country. 

Receiving the Silver Anvil Award on 10 March 2017 at the Makati Shangri-La are (L-R) PBSR Senior Officer Dr. Stella Flores (2nd from left), PSFI Project Manager Marvi Trudeau, PSFI Executive Director Edgar Veron Cruz, SPEX Managing Director Don Paulino, LoveYourself Executive Director Ronivin Pagtakhan, PBSR Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Julius Elorpe, LoveYourself Deputy for Strategic Communications Raybert Domingo and members of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines.

This is the first time that a LoveYourself-implemented program has been awarded an Anvil award, considered the most prestigious recognition for public relations campaigns in the country. The PBSR program won in the category of Public Relations Programs: Directed at Specific Stakeholders, External Consumers, Communities and Special Interest/Advocacy Groups.

The PBSR is a program dedicated to businesses or enterprises which entails HIV awareness, testing and facilitating the creation and implementation of an HIV Policy in the Workplace.

Apart from PBSR, LoveYourself also has a committed program for schools and universities providing HIV education and screening. The LoveYourself Caravan programs are in cooperation with the Department of Health-Philippine National AIDS Council (DOH-PNAC), the UNAIDS, and the PSFI.

“We’ve gone through various companies and academic institutions in the cities of Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa, Quezon Pasay, San Juan, Taguig and even Puerto Princesa in Palawan to support their needs towards HIV education and policy requirements,” informed Earl Patrick B. Penabella, LoveYourself PBSR and Caravan Program Officer.

LoveYourself Caravan and TestMNL.org provided HIV education, counseling and testing to the FEU Tamaraws in Manila last 08 March.

Penabella added that in 2016, the PBSR team conducted HIV related trainings to the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) member-participants in Metro Manila, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro.

Based on January 2017 DOH data, there were 844 new individuals diagnosed to have been infected with HIV, which is 5% higher compared to the same period last year and the highest reported cases since 1984.

Currently, LoveYourself Caravan is being boosted through the TestMNL (testMNL.org) campaign, which is an adaptation of the TestBKK in Bangkok, Thailand funded by the Elton John AIDS Foundation through the APCOM, a regional organization that promotes HIV issues that affect the lives of men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people, including rights, health and well-being.

On 24 March, LoveYourself Caravan and TestMNL will be conducting an alternative learning experience to the Pre-Medical Society of the University of the Philippines-Diliman in Quezon City concerning HIV and AIDS, which also includes HIV counseling and testing.

To answer queries on HIV and other sexual health inquiries, LoveYourself Volunteers set up booths during PUP’s celebration of LGBT Pride last 10 March.

In March alone, LoveYourself Caravan and TestMNL have conducted HIV education, counseling and testing at the Far Eastern University (08 March), Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Sta. Mesa (10 March), Philippine Normal University (11 March) and UP Los Baños (13 March).

For more details on other LoveYourself’s services, individuals may visit the group’s official website at www.loveyourself.ph or follow and like its social media channels: Facebook- @loveyourself.ph, Twitter- @loveyourselfph, and Instagram- @loveyourself.ph.

Kaye Morales: Designer, Lesbian Icon’s Quest for Equality

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The month of March celebrated the woman; her achievements, her independence, and her total empowerment. Our world today is not perfect and inequality continues to cast its shadow across the darkest corners of our day to day lives. In our world today, being a woman is not just a personal experience, but a political one as well.

Today’s women are motivated to defy convention with every step they take and there’s no other woman who embodies those forward-thinking ideas quite like fashion designer, Kaye Morales.

“With all the emerging talents in the fashion industry, being a woman in 2017 means pushing myself harder”, says Kaye Morales.

Progressive and fashion-forward, Kaye Morales has grown to become one of Manila’s youngest and hottest street-wear designers. Her latest collection, Identity, broke through the gender-binary with pieces that were adaptable to people of all genders and body types. Since its launch in December 2016, Identity has become a critical and commercial success.

“This is my revolution of self, my freedom”, Morales shares, as she looks at Identity’s success. “It is a spectrum of emotions and experiences that I want to express.”

Morales came out about her sexuality in 2015 and expressed a desire in making the fashion industry a welcoming place for people all genders and sexual orientations. As a part owner of LGBT nightclub, Nectar, Morales launched Girl Nation – an event she hosts every Tuesday night for lesbian and queer women alike. Her efforts have cemented her place as an icon in the local LGBT community.

“Ngayon lang n​a​gkaron ng ganito sa Manila ​and my main goal is to build relationships within the community ​para maging closer ​yung members ng ​LGBT”, says Morales. “That's my main goal.

Morales is currently hard at work, working on her next collection, Vomit. Away from the design studio, Morales is a dedicated triathlete and is training for her next triathlon. 

“I believe that to be able to cope up with the physical and mental requirements that my job requires, I need to stay fit and healthy”, shares Kaye Morales. “Being a woman in 2017 is being a woman who takes control of her life and future.”

If there’s anything that truly sets Kaye Morales apart from her peers, is her ability to embrace the experiences of all women and to channel that into all of the work she does. Whether, it’s in the design studio, on the track, on in a club, Kaye Morales’ work inspires people to be themselves in the face of a world on the cusp of acceptance.

Hit Reality Show “The Amazing Race” Returns for Season 29 on AXN

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Get ready for a race unlike any before when the worldwide hit reality television show, The Amazing Race, returns for its 29th edition on AXN.

Unlike in previous seasons, this season offers a fresh, new format in response to the clamor of The Amazing Race fans for years. When the race begins on March 31, all 22 contestants are complete strangers who meet for the first time on the starting line.

They compete in a challenge that will determine the order for choosing a teammate, based on nothing but first impressions. Then, these new teams engage in fierce competition as they complete a series of physical and mental challenges while racing around the world, spanning 17 cities in nine countries across five continents.

These odd couples of newfound partners, which include an army drill sergeant, a professional snowboarder, a Wall Street banker, an auctioneer, and a college drum major, among others, discover for themselves how they handle the pressure and cope with the tension of competing and traveling with someone they just met.

The first team to arrive at the final finish line will win the grand prize of US$1 million and crowned the winners of The Amazing Race.

New Zealand television personality Phil Keoghan returns as host in this latest installment of the competitive reality series.

The Amazing Race Season 29 premieres on March 31, every Friday at 8:50pm within 12 hours of the U.S. telecast. First & Exclusive on AXN.

AXN is available on SKYCable Channel 49, Destiny Cable Channel 61, Cignal Channel 121, Dream Satellite TV Channel 20, G Sat Channel 51, and Cablelink Channel 38. AXN HD is available on SKYCable Channel 247.

City of Dreams Manila Fosters Employee Engagement and Gives Back to the Community

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Employee engagement and involvement in the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts are among the key drivers that foster employee satisfaction and well-being in City of Dreams Manila. Inspiring action, recognizing and expressing belief in the potential of its employees, the luxury integrated resort’s motivational and fun undertakings recognize outstanding performance, showcase diverse talents and promote sociability, alongside employee volunteerism that boosts morale.

"As City of Dreams Manila celebrates its second year anniversary, we recognize that human resources are one of our most invaluable assets and we are committed to deliver delightful and engaging experiences for our employees through our various activities. We endeavor to inspire them to take pride in their profession and have a sense of belongingness. As we stress the importance of observing work and life balance and being more productive and creative in their respective jobs, we motivate them to be actively involved in community outreach programs,” Property President Geoff Andres states. 

 
Employee Engagement

To recognize outstanding performance, the luxury resort presents “President’s Award,” a prestigious annual recognition given by the Property President for six outstanding employees from the ranks of associate to managerial level and front-of-the-house and heart-of-the-house categories. Selecting the best from some 5,000 employees, a stringent nomination process draws out the most outstanding performers. The awardees receive a trophy and pin, cash prize and gift vouchers, and a special dinner with the Property President. Two of the awardees last year also represented City of Dreams Manila in the regional BMW Hotelier Awards 2016 held in Macau.

Fun and engaging employee activities include a monthly “Pasikatan” talent competition from which the year’s grand prize winners are awarded a cash prize of P8,888, an overnight accommodation at Nobu Hotel for two persons and gift vouchers for the complex’s various facilities. Other competitions held last year were holiday décor-making among the various departments, which awarded P15,000 to the grand prize winner; a poster-making contest that revealed latent artistic talents vying for the plum prize of P10,000; and the spectacular annual employees Christmas party.

The first Mr. and Ms. City of Dreams Manila pageant was launched late last year, where a series of preliminary rounds screened over 38 contestants vying for the title, as 16 finalists composed of eight men and eight women competed in their sportswear, cocktail and evening long gown. Iriz Bjergh Rodrin, Bell Captain, at Nobu Hotel and Elena Faith Cariño, Human Resources Training and Development Assistant were announced as Mr. & Ms. City of Dreams Manila 2016 respectively. Aside from a cash prize of P20,000 each and other attractive prizes, they were given the opportunity to attend the Miss Universe 2016 Governor’s Ball.

City of Dreams Manila also recognizes the importance of work and life balance for its employees, encouraging them to take scheduled vacations for rest and recreation – for which “Picture Perfect”, an enjoyable activity wherein employees submit their most interesting holiday travel photos. Zumba Nights, and “Palarong Pinoy” mini-olympics fostering team camaraderie and local culture are held for fun and fitness, while livelihood workshops and seminars are also offered for employees and family members.

“These undertakings advocate the well-being and productivity of our employees and develop their multi-faceted talents as they stand committed to create a positive impact for the community at large”, adds Andres. 

CSR Participation

Supporting City of Dreams Manila’s corporate culture and vision towards community service, its employees actively volunteer their time and services in charitable and civic institutions, building homes and rehabilitation for indigent communities, participating in environmental activities such as tree planting and coastal cleanup, Red Cross blood donation drives, and visits to various orphanages, homes for the elderly and nursing homes. .

For its year-round “Spoonful of Dreams”, City of Dreams Manila’s has adopted Parañaque’s Bahay Aruga orphanage as its key CSR beneficiary. Since the resort’s pre-opening, it has been conducting feeding programs, rehabilitating the facilities, and hosting field trips and varied activities that bring joy and learning to the children. Other children institutions supported by City of Dreams’ volunteerism program are My Father’s House in Sucat, Hospicio de San Jose and Virlanie Foundation in Metro Manila. Early this year, the integrated resort hosted cancer-stricken children of Child Haus Manila, in support of the Cabinet Spouses Foundation, and businessman Hans Sy’s and entrepreneur Ricky Reyes’ adopted charity. The children were treated to a day of fun at DreamPlay, the DreamWorks animation-inspired interactive play space.

For “Connecting Dreams”, the employees have also volunteered their time, provided meals and interacted with senior citizens at Anawim Home for the Aged and Graces Home for the Elderly; and persons with disabilities at the Tahanang Walang Hagdanan.

“Building Dreams”, another City of Dreams Manila CSR program, sees volunteers building shelters for impoverished communities. Together with Gawad Kalinga, employees participated in the construction of new houses to improve the living conditions of some 1,000 families presently residing at Gawad Kalinga Mangahan Kawayan in Parañaque. The activity targets to build roughly 600 homes within the next three to five years.

“Growing Dreams” is City of Dreams Manila’s tree-planting activity in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Employees donated over 1,600 seedlings for the project, while close to 100 volunteers planted trees in Barangay Perez, Calauan, Laguna.

City of Dreams Manila’s employees actively embrace their role in environmental conservation, participating in the Annual International Coastal Cleanup program. Last year, over 100 volunteers mostly from Security and Table Games departments partnered with about 70 members of the 107th squadron of the Philippine Coast Guard and initiated a coastal cleanup along the Manila Bay area, covering a shore-to-bay distance of roughly 10 meters by a shoreline distance of close to 100 meters. The efforts yielded hundreds of kilos of rubbish which were moved off the water’s edge and later on collected by the local city government.

City of Dreams Manila’s continuing CSR with The Philippine Red Cross engages employees in regular blood donation drives, for which it was recognized last year with a Diploma of Service during the Philippine Red Cross’ Annual Recognition Ceremony, celebrating the heroism and selflessness of volunteer blood donors.