Maniolas

Corazon P. Guidote Success doesn’t come easy. Ironically, the earlier I accepted that, the easier it became. And so, for every goal I make, I take with me a set of guideposts to help me succeed. Persevere. Maintain focus. Work hard. Pray. Be flexible. Integrity matters. Celebrate milestones. Learn something new each day. Be positive, no matter what. These guideposts helped me build my career. To start with, I am one of those who didn’t know where my career would take me. Initially, I wanted to be a doctor. But because of health reasons, I ended up being an accountant; I even became a Certified Public Accountant. Oddly, I never worked in an accounting firm. Instead, I ended up working in an economic research institution and my first task was to build an econometric model. You can bet that really sounded Greek to me. What seemed incongruent directions eventually led me to a fulfilling career and jobs that eventually made sense. Though challenging, they were and continue to be very rewarding. I have worked with a total of 9 institutions–my employers being a good mix of a research institution, foreign multinationals, the Philippine government and domestic corporates. Each time, I’ve had to earn the trust and confidence of my employer. Stepping into a new job always required me to first to rely on my skill set. That alone, however, doesn’t earn trust. What does are integrity, perseverance, hard work, the willingness to learn and adjust in a new environment. When Read More …

Corazon P. Guidote Sometime in 2005, I began observing a subset of society: the youth. It stemmed from independent studies I read that began labeling a generation born in the Eighties as generation Y or millennials as they are more commonly referred to now. In the Philippine, some call them philennials. Born in the age of information technology, they only know a world equipped with computers that keep getting faster, smarter and smaller. At a young age, they easily find access to mobile/smart phones. Many of them don’t have a proper concept of ”dial’ a number. The thumb for them has become a more useful finger, and popularity can come in an instant through a unique Youtube post. Millennials have taken a quantum leap in the understanding of both big and micro data, in storing knowledge, mutli-tasking, borderless communications, various forms of artistic expression, and scientific breakthroughs, among many others. They are known to be confident, self-expressive, free spirited, upbeat and very open to change. They learn through traveling with cheaper transport options now available. They can be anywhere and still be able to navigate through Google maps and Waze. They have gadgets that provide greater stimulation to both the left, and especially the right side of the brain which tends to explain such diverse set of skills and talents. Even toddlers find their way into features or ‘apps’ that seemingly go beyond their years. My four-year old niece, for instance, learned to take selfies on her own at age Read More …

Prudence Foundation and National Geographic presenting the official Safe Steps poster to Manny Pacquiao [via Facebook] A public service program adopted by private companies and supported by the nation’s risk management agency was recently launched to address the needs for Filipinos to be more aware of the risks they face as residents in the third most calamity-prone country in the world. Resorts Word Manila (RWM) in partnership with Prudence Foundation adopted ‘Safe Steps’ for information dissemination and to strengthen the country’s calamity awareness. Safe Steps is a program which aims to provide public awareness specifically in Asia with its key-educational messages to prepare for natural calamities. The program has been developed in partnership between National Geographic Channel and Prudence Foundation with international boxing champion, icon and humanitarian Manny Pacquaio as the educational programme ambassador. Barry Stowe, Chairman of Prudence Foundation and Chief Executive of Prudential Corporation Asia, in a media release said, “Being prepared is the first and most important step in handling and surviving a disaster. It is extremely important for people to be equipped with the knowledge of how to protect themselves when a disaster strikes.” Safe Steps consists of 60-second videos on National Geographic Channel and thirteen cable channels of the FOX International. The videos have been approved by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. It specifically shows survival steps for individuals and households on typhoon, flood, earthquake, and fire. It is expected to reach over 24 million households in Asia. There are Read More …

The Sandiganbayan Third Division will conduct the bail hearing of Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged brains behind the pork barrel scam, at the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City on Friday. In a press conference Thursday, clerk of court Dennis Pulma confirmed that the CIW has set aside a hall in the facility’s medium security area for the hearing. “For tomorrow’s continuation of Mrs. Napoles’ bail hearing, the venue will be inside the premises of the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong. Same time, 8:30,” Pulma said. The hearing will be the first since Napoles was convicted of serious illegal detention by the Makati Regional Trial Court. According to Pulma, Napoles’ bail hearings for her graft and plunder charges will be in the CIW since the Supreme Court has yet to act on the Sandiganbayan’s request for her to be brought out of jail every time she needs to attend a hearing. “So far we have not yet received any notice or resolution or action to the letter of the Presiding Justice. In the meantime, we made some arrangements with the officials of the CIW, to hold the hearing tomorrow in the premises,” Pulma said, referring to the letter written by Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Serreno. Pulma said accredited media will be allowed to cover the hearing. “When we went there we were informed that usually they do not allow media coverage for hearings, except upon the permission of the Secretary of Justice herself. Read More …

In the latest trade of diplomatic barbs with China, the Department of Foreign Affairs on Thursday brushed aside a Chinese media editorial calling the Philippines a “cute little submissive” of the United States. It is believed that the commentary ran by the Global Times this week reflects the position of the Chinese government since the paper is known as the Communist Party’s mouthpiece. “Unable to defend their unlawful position both on the core issue which is the nine-dash line claim and their unilateral and aggressive activities, our northern neighbor has reduced its lack of response to name-calling once again,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose told a press briefing on Thursday. “What they should be doing is to accord their positions and actions with the 2002 conduct of parties in the South China Sea and international law,” Jose said. —KG, GMA News