At the height of the dotcom boom in late 1990s, many businesses were created using the web technology as their backbone. With the World Wide Web (WWW) the world became borderless, information can be shared to other people in just a matter of seconds. One of the successful business who use the power of the web is Facebook, it is social networking sites launched in February 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg from a mere idea of sharing information and being connected with fellow computer students in Harvard it grows to be a billion dollar company with projected gross revenue of $1 Billion (P45 Billion) this year. Making Mark a certified billionaire at the age of 26.
In the next few weeks, Facebook will officially reached its 500 millionth virtual citizen, and it would the third largest population next to China (1.3B) and India (1.1B), with US ranking fourth at 309M. In just six years in operation, the Facebook Republic hit us by storm and this is the biggest thing that happened in the 21st century. There were many web superpowers: Goggle helps us search out information, YouTube keep us entertained and different social networking sites like twitter, Facebook, Friendster and myspace, but it is only Facebook that touched lives and be connected – it makes us smile, exchanges happy thoughts and memoirs.
The Facebook Citizens are comfortable sharing their information and pictures on line, and the data they are providing feeds bottom line – meaning it can be shared endless for advertising and referral marketing. This is where facebook earned, although it is free to the users these information that citizens upload will become the data mine of these companies. According to Time Magazine, Facebook flashed more than 176 billion banner advertisement in the first three months of this year or 58 billion a month with a total of 700 billion a year (let say $1 per ad, its $700M). This is big moneymaking company.
The business model of Facebook is very good, they are earning on the information being shared by its citizen. With a simple clicking “like” button, it transform information useful to advertisers per demographic. Anyone over the age of 13 (legally) can become a Facebook users.
In the article of Ronald Gonzales in The Philippine Star, he mentioned that aside from creating new avenues to generate revenue we are also leaking corporate and personal information that pose potential problem for there are some updates “over-share”. This is virtual melting pot where privacy and security can be sacrificed.
Open your favorite social network site and it’s difficult to miss that people already surrendered a tremendous amount of personal information online. Creating a person’s profile from online resources is no longer the area of espionage and investigation bureaus. A 12-year- old can put together a dossier on a company CEO in the time it takes to drink a can of soda. Some company banned the use of Facebook during office hours to discourage employees wasting time.
“But I only allow people I know to access my data,” you might say of these networking sites; but nobody really checks these sites’ privacy policies. Facebook has, what the Electronic Frontier Foundation describes as an “eroding privacy policy” that already makes public, by default, certain personal information. This information, in turn, is made available to Facebook’s partners for advertising. Twitter also shares personal identifiable information with its business associates.
Yes, you were careful not to share your information with people you do not know and went through the pain of customizing your privacy settings; but the more popular social network sites already decided to whom your information can be made available. Aside from the friends of friends of friends, search engines, and other internet crawlers, you also share your personal information with Web applications and other sites that are connected to your social network site.
Security must be our top priority, a determine attacker will know you, your family and friends – thanks to the on-line photo sharing. They will know the house lay-out, how many dogs you have and even your schedule (Off to Boracay for a weekend with family). Most security professionals will agree that if you don’t want anybody to know something about it then don’t post it on-line. Chances are, information will find its way to the public domain. I am not saying to close down your Facebook or twitter account, but be aware of the dangers exposing personal and company information on the internet and how easy it is to leak out these data.
Remember when the President Arroyo’s brother-in-law questioned regarding the Jose Pidal Account, your honor I am entitled to Right to Privacy. This will hold through on the net by not sharing information on the World Wide Web (WWW).
Points of Discussion:
1. How important is your privacy?
2. What is your position in this case?
3. Discuss the Business Model of Facebook? What are your thoughts about it?
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
I liken to have the Bees, ants and Spikers attitudes
It was one of those days I did not wish to live again. I had been working for weeks to secure a deal that would give me a nice commission. Everything seemed to go perfectly and I had already been joking with co-workers what I would do with the extra income.
I picked up the phone and called to the customer to get the deal finalized, only to hear that the recession had hit the company. My customer told me that half of the staff had been let go and that all purchases were put on hold.
I had so concentrated on this deal that I had not worked much on my other customers and knew that instead of getting a big fat check I’d be having one of the smallest ones I had ever received.
I just couldn’t stay at my desk. I got up and went to get some coffee. The cleaning lady was just washing the vending machine. I slumped to a chair and felt awful.
“Bad day?” she asked.
Startled, I looked up. The cleaning lady was looking at me.
“You could say that again,” I sighed.
“What is the matter?” she asked.
She was a motherly type of a woman with kind eyes. I had seen her around for years but I never said a word to her really. And yet I suddenly found myself telling the whole pitiful story to her. She listened intently, finished cleaning the vending machine and nodded.
“Your situation reminds me of my own father,” she said. “He was also a salesman, but not lucky enough to be able to sit in one office. He was a travelling salesman. You know: big suitcases and all. Vanished for weeks sometimes and came back with an empty bag, pay check and a big hug for us kids and mother.”
I looked at her, not knowing where she was going with this.
“There was a time when he also lost a big sale. It was just before Christmas and he had to tell us children that there would be very few presents. We were disappointed, but he gathered us around him and told a story. I shall always remember those inspirational words. First, he asked us which animals we liked best. My answer was cats. My older brother liked dogs and my younger brother loved ponies. Then, he asked if we wanted to know which animals he admired the most and, of course, we did. The bees, the ants and the spiders, he told us.”
I lifted my eyebrows. The cleaning lady smiled.
“Now, of course, we did not agree with him but asked why ever would he like such nuisances. Didn’t they bite or sting or just look plain ugly? He explained to us and his inspirational words have been my guideline ever since.
“He said he liked the bees because if a bear breaks their nest and steals their honey, they keep on building their honeycombs, making more honey. And he liked the ants because if the same bear destroys their nest, they also immediately start building their nest anew, working together for a common goal. And he liked the spiders because if their webs are destroyed, they start repairing the damage right away — or building a whole new, better one.
“He said that the lesson that he had learned from these little insects was that the world may surprise us sometimes by destroying even our most carefully-built plans but if we choose to be ready to start all over again no matter what, eventually we shall achieve great results. We shall just have to start again, one step at a time.”
At that, the cleaning lady nodded to me and pushed her cart out of the room.
I sat there for a while, thinking of what she had said. Then, I got up, walked back to my desk and started to build my next pay check, one customer at a time.
I picked up the phone and called to the customer to get the deal finalized, only to hear that the recession had hit the company. My customer told me that half of the staff had been let go and that all purchases were put on hold.
I had so concentrated on this deal that I had not worked much on my other customers and knew that instead of getting a big fat check I’d be having one of the smallest ones I had ever received.
I just couldn’t stay at my desk. I got up and went to get some coffee. The cleaning lady was just washing the vending machine. I slumped to a chair and felt awful.
“Bad day?” she asked.
Startled, I looked up. The cleaning lady was looking at me.
“You could say that again,” I sighed.
“What is the matter?” she asked.
She was a motherly type of a woman with kind eyes. I had seen her around for years but I never said a word to her really. And yet I suddenly found myself telling the whole pitiful story to her. She listened intently, finished cleaning the vending machine and nodded.
“Your situation reminds me of my own father,” she said. “He was also a salesman, but not lucky enough to be able to sit in one office. He was a travelling salesman. You know: big suitcases and all. Vanished for weeks sometimes and came back with an empty bag, pay check and a big hug for us kids and mother.”
I looked at her, not knowing where she was going with this.
“There was a time when he also lost a big sale. It was just before Christmas and he had to tell us children that there would be very few presents. We were disappointed, but he gathered us around him and told a story. I shall always remember those inspirational words. First, he asked us which animals we liked best. My answer was cats. My older brother liked dogs and my younger brother loved ponies. Then, he asked if we wanted to know which animals he admired the most and, of course, we did. The bees, the ants and the spiders, he told us.”
I lifted my eyebrows. The cleaning lady smiled.
“Now, of course, we did not agree with him but asked why ever would he like such nuisances. Didn’t they bite or sting or just look plain ugly? He explained to us and his inspirational words have been my guideline ever since.
“He said he liked the bees because if a bear breaks their nest and steals their honey, they keep on building their honeycombs, making more honey. And he liked the ants because if the same bear destroys their nest, they also immediately start building their nest anew, working together for a common goal. And he liked the spiders because if their webs are destroyed, they start repairing the damage right away — or building a whole new, better one.
“He said that the lesson that he had learned from these little insects was that the world may surprise us sometimes by destroying even our most carefully-built plans but if we choose to be ready to start all over again no matter what, eventually we shall achieve great results. We shall just have to start again, one step at a time.”
At that, the cleaning lady nodded to me and pushed her cart out of the room.
I sat there for a while, thinking of what she had said. Then, I got up, walked back to my desk and started to build my next pay check, one customer at a time.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Smart Wireless Enginnering Enhancement Program: An Analysis
Summary
The general problem of the study is: How does the status of implementation affect the level of effectiveness of the Smart Wireless Engineering Enhancement Program (SWEEP)?
Specifically the study, sought answers to the following:
1. What is the status of implementation of the program in terms of:
1.1 Program Awareness;
1.2 Program Training;
1.3 Curriculum Integration; and
1.4 Laboratory Program?
2. What is the level of effectiveness of the program in terms of job relevance on the following areas:
2.1 Basic Training;
2.2 GSM System Training;
2.3 TCP/IP Training;
2.4 Wireless Fidelity Training; and
2.5 3G System Training?
3. Does the status of implementation of the program significantly affect its level of effectiveness in terms of job relevance?
4. What recommendations may be posited to make the program more effective?
The study covered the SWEEP of Smart Communications in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Region III covering five (5) years from the period of January 2003 to December 2007. The researcher limits the study in NCR and Region III because of their proximity and has the largest number of school partners.
The respondents of the study are 77 faculty members of the partnered schools and 48 former students who are now employed in mobile communications companies. These respondents provided the needed information for the completion of this study.
Questionnaires were used to gather the needed data which were supported by unstructured interview. The data gathered were tabulated and treated using frequency, percentage, mean, ranking, multiple regression analysis and analysis of variance through SPSS.
This study was conducted in the different school partners in the National Capital Region and in Region III. Table 1 presents the distribution of respondents. There were six (6) school partners in Metro Manila included in this study namely: (1) Adamson University; (2) Ateneo de Manila; (3) Feati University; (4) New Era University; (5) Polytechnic University of the Philippines; and (6) Technological University of the Philippines. For Region III, there were five (5) school partners namely: (1) Bulacan State University; (2) Holy Angel University; (3) Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology; (4) Tarlac State University; and (5) System Plus College.
The following are the hypotheses were tested in this study:
1. The extent of implementation of the program does not significantly affect the level of its effectiveness in terms of job relevance with regard to the Basic System Training.
2. The extent of implementation of the program does not significantly affect the level of its effectiveness in terms of job relevance with regard to the GSM System Training;
3. The extent of implementation of the program does not significantly affect the level of its effectiveness in terms of job relevance with regard to the TCP/IP Training;
4. The extent of implementation of the program does not significantly affect the level of its effectiveness in terms of job relevance with regard to the Wireless Fidelity Training; and
5. The extent of implementation of the program does not significantly affect the level of its effectiveness in terms of job relevance with regard to the 3G System Training.
Summary of Findings
The findings of the study were summarized as follows:
1. Status of Implementation of the SWEEP
The data revealed that the majority of the faculty members were considerably aware of the program. Majority of the faculty members have most number of training attended on the Basic Training and they are considerably satisfied on the program training. Majority of the respondents perceived that SWEEP was highly integrated in the curriculum and the laboratory program was somewhat useful.
2. Level of Effectiveness of SWEEP in terms of Job Relevance
As perceived by the former students who are now working, the level of effectiveness of SWEEP in terms of job relevance on basic training and GSM system training was considerably relevant. On the other hand, TCP/IP training, wireless fidelity training and system training were perceived as somehow relevant.
Generally, the level of effectiveness of SWEEP in terms of job relevance was considerably relevant.
3. Effects of the Status of Implementation of SWEEP on its Level of Effectiveness in terms of Job Relevance
The program training and laboratory program showed significant relationship in the level of effectiveness of the program in terms of job relevance.
The status of implementation of the program in terms of program training showed negative significant effect on its level of effectiveness in terms of job relevance on TCP/IP training while the laboratory program showed no significant relationship.
4. Recommendations to make the Program more Effective
Majority of the faculty members recommended for the installation of new equipment. Majority of the former students who are now working recommended that the program should provide hands on training.
Conclusions
Based on the findings of the study the following conclusions were drawn.
1. The extent of implementation of the program in terms program awareness, program training, curriculum integration and laboratory program showed no significant effect on the level of its effectiveness in terms of job relevance with regard to the Basic System Training.
2. The extent of implementation of the program in terms program awareness, program training, curriculum integration and laboratory program do not significantly affect the level of its effectiveness in terms of job relevance with regard to the GSM System Training.
3. The extent of implementation of the program in terms of program training significantly affects the level of its effectiveness in terms of job relevance with regard to the TCP/IP Training. The program awareness, curriculum integration and laboratory program, however, showed no significant effect.
4. The extent of implementation of the program in terms program awareness, program training, curriculum integration and laboratory program do not significantly affect the level of its effectiveness in terms of job relevance with regard to the Wireless Fidelity Training; and
5. The extent of implementation of the program in terms program awareness, program training, curriculum integration and laboratory program showed no significantly effect on the level of its effectiveness in terms of job relevance with regard to the 3G System Training.
Recommendations
Based on the findings and conclusions arrived in this study, the following are offered as recommendations:
1. The school partners and Smart Communications must be accredited Dual Training System (DTS) institution. In this manner the instructional delivery and training plan is collaboratively crafted so that the appropriate work skills and desirable work habits and attitudes developed. This also recommends that the SWEEP program be align with the Republic Act of 1994 also known as the “Dual Training System Act of 1994” signed into law last February 25, 1994;
2. The improvement of the incentives for the participating business establishment from the amount fifty per cent (50%) to one hundred per cent (100%) of the system expense paid to the Dual Trainings System educational institutions deductible from the taxable income provided that such expense shall not exceed 5% of their total direct labor expenses but in no case to exceed twenty-five million pesos (P 25,000,000.00) a year;
3. To strengthen the involvement of the Private sector in the area of environmental management. The government already started the program through the Private sector participation in Managing the Environment (PRIME), unfortunately the program ended in 2001 and it is high time that we commission this program again to complement the government regulatory mechanism. In this way the telecommunication industry can promote self-regulation through the implementation of environmental management system (i.e disposal of telecommunication equipments). In the end, the private sector pro-active position will lead to less regulation and better integration of environment to business decision; and
4. It is recommended that further study be made about the different programs of many corporations under the Corporate Social Responsibility program. Also, study on the level of performance of the beneficiaries of the SWEEP who are now employed be evaluated.
The general problem of the study is: How does the status of implementation affect the level of effectiveness of the Smart Wireless Engineering Enhancement Program (SWEEP)?
Specifically the study, sought answers to the following:
1. What is the status of implementation of the program in terms of:
1.1 Program Awareness;
1.2 Program Training;
1.3 Curriculum Integration; and
1.4 Laboratory Program?
2. What is the level of effectiveness of the program in terms of job relevance on the following areas:
2.1 Basic Training;
2.2 GSM System Training;
2.3 TCP/IP Training;
2.4 Wireless Fidelity Training; and
2.5 3G System Training?
3. Does the status of implementation of the program significantly affect its level of effectiveness in terms of job relevance?
4. What recommendations may be posited to make the program more effective?
The study covered the SWEEP of Smart Communications in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Region III covering five (5) years from the period of January 2003 to December 2007. The researcher limits the study in NCR and Region III because of their proximity and has the largest number of school partners.
The respondents of the study are 77 faculty members of the partnered schools and 48 former students who are now employed in mobile communications companies. These respondents provided the needed information for the completion of this study.
Questionnaires were used to gather the needed data which were supported by unstructured interview. The data gathered were tabulated and treated using frequency, percentage, mean, ranking, multiple regression analysis and analysis of variance through SPSS.
This study was conducted in the different school partners in the National Capital Region and in Region III. Table 1 presents the distribution of respondents. There were six (6) school partners in Metro Manila included in this study namely: (1) Adamson University; (2) Ateneo de Manila; (3) Feati University; (4) New Era University; (5) Polytechnic University of the Philippines; and (6) Technological University of the Philippines. For Region III, there were five (5) school partners namely: (1) Bulacan State University; (2) Holy Angel University; (3) Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology; (4) Tarlac State University; and (5) System Plus College.
The following are the hypotheses were tested in this study:
1. The extent of implementation of the program does not significantly affect the level of its effectiveness in terms of job relevance with regard to the Basic System Training.
2. The extent of implementation of the program does not significantly affect the level of its effectiveness in terms of job relevance with regard to the GSM System Training;
3. The extent of implementation of the program does not significantly affect the level of its effectiveness in terms of job relevance with regard to the TCP/IP Training;
4. The extent of implementation of the program does not significantly affect the level of its effectiveness in terms of job relevance with regard to the Wireless Fidelity Training; and
5. The extent of implementation of the program does not significantly affect the level of its effectiveness in terms of job relevance with regard to the 3G System Training.
Summary of Findings
The findings of the study were summarized as follows:
1. Status of Implementation of the SWEEP
The data revealed that the majority of the faculty members were considerably aware of the program. Majority of the faculty members have most number of training attended on the Basic Training and they are considerably satisfied on the program training. Majority of the respondents perceived that SWEEP was highly integrated in the curriculum and the laboratory program was somewhat useful.
2. Level of Effectiveness of SWEEP in terms of Job Relevance
As perceived by the former students who are now working, the level of effectiveness of SWEEP in terms of job relevance on basic training and GSM system training was considerably relevant. On the other hand, TCP/IP training, wireless fidelity training and system training were perceived as somehow relevant.
Generally, the level of effectiveness of SWEEP in terms of job relevance was considerably relevant.
3. Effects of the Status of Implementation of SWEEP on its Level of Effectiveness in terms of Job Relevance
The program training and laboratory program showed significant relationship in the level of effectiveness of the program in terms of job relevance.
The status of implementation of the program in terms of program training showed negative significant effect on its level of effectiveness in terms of job relevance on TCP/IP training while the laboratory program showed no significant relationship.
4. Recommendations to make the Program more Effective
Majority of the faculty members recommended for the installation of new equipment. Majority of the former students who are now working recommended that the program should provide hands on training.
Conclusions
Based on the findings of the study the following conclusions were drawn.
1. The extent of implementation of the program in terms program awareness, program training, curriculum integration and laboratory program showed no significant effect on the level of its effectiveness in terms of job relevance with regard to the Basic System Training.
2. The extent of implementation of the program in terms program awareness, program training, curriculum integration and laboratory program do not significantly affect the level of its effectiveness in terms of job relevance with regard to the GSM System Training.
3. The extent of implementation of the program in terms of program training significantly affects the level of its effectiveness in terms of job relevance with regard to the TCP/IP Training. The program awareness, curriculum integration and laboratory program, however, showed no significant effect.
4. The extent of implementation of the program in terms program awareness, program training, curriculum integration and laboratory program do not significantly affect the level of its effectiveness in terms of job relevance with regard to the Wireless Fidelity Training; and
5. The extent of implementation of the program in terms program awareness, program training, curriculum integration and laboratory program showed no significantly effect on the level of its effectiveness in terms of job relevance with regard to the 3G System Training.
Recommendations
Based on the findings and conclusions arrived in this study, the following are offered as recommendations:
1. The school partners and Smart Communications must be accredited Dual Training System (DTS) institution. In this manner the instructional delivery and training plan is collaboratively crafted so that the appropriate work skills and desirable work habits and attitudes developed. This also recommends that the SWEEP program be align with the Republic Act of 1994 also known as the “Dual Training System Act of 1994” signed into law last February 25, 1994;
2. The improvement of the incentives for the participating business establishment from the amount fifty per cent (50%) to one hundred per cent (100%) of the system expense paid to the Dual Trainings System educational institutions deductible from the taxable income provided that such expense shall not exceed 5% of their total direct labor expenses but in no case to exceed twenty-five million pesos (P 25,000,000.00) a year;
3. To strengthen the involvement of the Private sector in the area of environmental management. The government already started the program through the Private sector participation in Managing the Environment (PRIME), unfortunately the program ended in 2001 and it is high time that we commission this program again to complement the government regulatory mechanism. In this way the telecommunication industry can promote self-regulation through the implementation of environmental management system (i.e disposal of telecommunication equipments). In the end, the private sector pro-active position will lead to less regulation and better integration of environment to business decision; and
4. It is recommended that further study be made about the different programs of many corporations under the Corporate Social Responsibility program. Also, study on the level of performance of the beneficiaries of the SWEEP who are now employed be evaluated.
Speech - Alumni Homecoming last Feb. 10, 2008
The last time I spoke before my classmates is on April 1986, that was almost 22 years ago and my parting words is that “this is not goodbye but rather so long and until we meet again”. Today, it becomes a reality and not only for me but for the hundreds of graduates this school had produced. Nothing change for me since I left this school, I am the same student & friend. The only change I had is my age and the biological changes that is taking place in my body – big belly, poor eyesight, minor aches, dental problems but definitely not impotence. These are just natural elements of the aging process.
Before I continue, I would like to give thanks and show our appreciation to the following:
To our Teachers – thank you for all the patience and understanding you’ve shown, we are just a little boys and girls then who are beginning to explore this world. You provided us with the tools – love, thrust, patience, simplicity and right values so we can travel the road. There are lots of humps and bumps but you thought us how to face it and we learn from it. Our journey becomes not just bearable but pleasant because of your help. Maari po bang mag-sitayo ang ating mga guro – mga kamag-aral bigyan po natin sila ng masigabong palakpakan…………Salamat po Ma’am.
To my classmates – thank you for being a good friend, I’m glad I have friends like you. After high school, our friendship becomes stronger – we’ve laughed together, dined together, cried together, worship together but I’m still waiting the time on when we can study the bible together. No man is designed to be alone. He needs friends and his friends need him, too. The only reason why friendship last is because love is there. Ngayon, magpasalamat kayo sa mga classmate natin na dumalo at marami pa kayong mapag-uusapan mamaya.
To Mrs. Francisca Valarao, our Mommy – thank you for establishing this school, it becomes a beacon in the community and it continues to do so. Look at your alumni, Mommy. These are the quality of graduates this school has produced; they are indeed the pride of our dear land as what the lyrics in our school hymn. Salamat po, Mommy Valarao.
Now, I’ve seen that almost of our alumni are successful in life and success for me can be defined as having a happy and content family. The title of my talk this afternoon is composed of three little words – COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS.
Look around you, this is the school we attended in high school. Each part of this school has a story. For four years this has become our second home, in here we have our laughter’s, sadness and even heartaches. Who can forget that? Me! I can never forget that - It is always been a part of me. From that experiences and teachings we become strong to face the game of what we called life. I wish all of our alumni were here today for this is not simply a get together but a coming home, a celebration of life and paid homage to our Lady of Lourdes who continue guiding us on our journey.
Let me share some paragraph from a poem forwarded by my friend through e-mail entitled “Lord, Forgive Me When I whine.”
Today, while on a bus, I saw a lovely girl with golden hair
I envied her. She seemed so gay. And wished I were as fair,
When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle
She had one leg and wore a crutch; But as she passed…. A smile!
Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two legs. The world is mine
“Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor’” say Benjamin Franklin.
Very true, isn’t it? This poem reminds me of the saying that goes this way:
“I had no shoes and complained until I met a man who had no feet. And then I was content”.
Ang patuloy na pagtaas ng bilihin, sa kabila ng pag ganda ng piso. Ang kakulangan ng hanapbuhay at serbisyo publiko. Ang mga bagay na ito ang nagbibigay sa atin ng problema upang tayo mag-isip. The best way to deal with all these things is to simply remember: No person can ever be happy until he has learned to enjoy what he has, and not to worry over what he does not have. Let us count our blessings………. Our body parts are complete, we are alive and we are all given 24 hours in a day to be productive.
Today is the most important day of my life, I say to myself every morning I wake up. Most mornings, I wake up to the alarm on my mobile phone. Amazing what this little piece of technology can do.
While driving off to work, My wife and I listen to the sound of the soul by Father Larry Faraon on radio at 105.1 Cross Over. We have 15 minutes prayers to guide us for a days work. When work time is over. Home time begins. We walk into our home and there were my two daughters waiting for us. Look at them now! Aibee (my eldest) is eight years old and AJ, six years old are in hurry to talk about their classroom experiences and I will teach them their assignment. And soon, in the next two weeks my wife will give birth to another baby girl. Tres Marias! They are all pretty! Must gotten it from their Nanay. But they says they want to be smart – like their Tatay. So what else could I ask for in life? I am really bless! I must also give thanks to my wife OB-GYNE who happens to be an alumni and a good friend – Dr. Shiela Marie Giron Santos of Batch 87 for taking good care of my wife. She is a very good Doctor.
When the day is over, I get into bed and lie down with the woman who’s been with me all these years. This woman who could have chosen somebody else wealthier, smarter – but not necessarily better-looking than me (that’s the attitude) yet has chosen to live her life and grow old with me – in sickness or in health. Whether richer or poorer, till death do us part. Sounds romantic? Perhaps. But not all the time. Most of the times it wasn’t romance, it was just plain and serious commitment. It still is now.
I thank God for Grace, maybe this is why they call it: Amazing Grace!
I always count my blessings so start counting yours.
Meron lang akong kwento na gusto kong sabihin sa inyo, tungkol ito sa isang may-ari ng isang kumpanya na umuwi sa kanyang probinsiya para mag-bakasyon. Sakay siya ng kanyang kotse at habang nasa daan ito ay may nadaanan siya sa isang maputik na kalsada at siya ay nabalaho. Hindi niya malaman ang kanyang gagawin dahil sanay lamang siya sa risk management at paggawa ng financial projections. He is totally helpless... May dumating na magsasaka at nag-alok ng tulong para hilahin ang kanyang kotse sa tulong ng kanyang kalabaw na ang pangalan ay Malakas.
Itinali na ng magsasaka si Malakas para mahila ang kotse, at nagwika ng hila ,FIDEL, hila. Hindi kumilos si Malakas.
Tapos, sumigaw ang magsasaka ng HILA, ERAP, HILA. Hindi pa rin kumikilos si Malakas.
Sumigaw ulit and magsasaka, HILA, GLORIA, HILA. At wala pa din nangyari
Habang ito ay nangyayari ay nakatingin lamang ang may-ari ng kumpanya. Hindi niya maintindihan ang ginagawa ng magsasaka. Pero nanatili siyang nagmamasid sa mga mangyayari.
Walang anu-ano’y sumigaw ulit ang magsasaka HILA, MALAKAS, HILA at nahila ng kalabaw ang kotse ng walang kahirap-hirap. May pagtatakang tinanong ng may-ari ng kumpanya ang magsasaka kung bakit tinatawag niya ang kanyang kalabaw sa iba’t ibang pangalan sa loob ng tatlong beses bago niya bigkasin ang tamang pangalan nito sa ika-apat na pagkakataon.
Sumagot ang magsasaka, ang aking kalabaw na si Malakas ay hindi nakakakita at kung alam niya na siya lang ang hihila ay hindi niya ito gagawin. Pero ang alam niya ay may tatlo pang kalabaw na katulong niyang humila kaya niya sinunod ang aking utos.
Ang aking tanong: - Have you ever encountered people in the workplace or in the community who wouldn’t even lift a finger unless he or she knows that someone else has been tasked to do the same thing? Meron po ba? Lahat po tayo ay binigyan ng mata para makita ang nangyayari sa ating kapaligiran, may puso para maipadama ang pagmamahal, at tayo may talino upang mag-isip kung paano tayo makakatulong hindi lamang sa ating kapwa kundi pati na rin sa komunidad.
Today, our Alma Mater is asking each of us to do the same, to work together - katulad ni Malakas, FIDEL, ERAP at GLORIA. Hindi tayo mga bulag para hindi natin Makita ang pangangailangan ng ating komunidad. Balikan natin ang ating mga sarili nuong tayo’y nag-aaral pa dito, may mga panahon na hindi tayo makabayad ng tuition dahil sa kahirapan ng buhay. Meron tayong mga kamag-aral na hindi nakatapos ng highschool at dito nais nating maging tulay para mabigyan sila ng oportunidad na magkaroon ng mahusay na edukasyon.
The idea was spearheaded by Father Rectorino from Batch xx, right now what we have is the scholarship program but we want to institutionalize it by registering as a foundation, the suggested name is LOURDES COLLEGE OF BULACAN ALUMNI AND FRIENDS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION (LAFS Foundation). We are presenting this idea so that we can have a vehicle to help providing quality secondary education to our poor and talented students. Sa tulong ng ilan nating alumni at kaibigan ay meron na tayong mga ilang beneficiaries. At gusto pa natin itong mapalawak para masilbihan ang malaking bilang ng mag-aaral.
Nais ko ng ibahagi ang Misyon and Bisyon ng Foundation sa iyong lahat.
VISION
Ang ating adhikain ay makatulong na mabawasan ang problema ng kahirapan sa ating komunidad sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay oportunidad sa ating mga kabataan na magkaroon ng mataas na antas ng edukasyon. Nais din natin isa-puso at isa-isip ng bawat mag-aaral na nagtapos sa paaralan ito na tayo ay naninindigan at tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng ating komunidad.
MISSION
Ang pangunahing layunin ng samahan ay makatulong sa pinansyal at moral na pangangailangan ng mga mahirap at natatanging mag-aaral na gustong patuloy na makapag-aral sa Lourdes College of Bulacan. Bukod ditto, nais din nating imulat and mga nagsipagtapos sa ating paaralan at mga kaibigan na mayroon tayong magagawa upang matugunan ang pangangailangan ng ating komunidad sa isang mahusay at mataas na antas ng edukasayon.
Ang okasyon ito ay ginawa hindi upang tayo ay magkita-kita lamang at pagsaluhan ang pagkain na inihanda ng school administration. Kundi gusto nating ito ay maging makabuluhan sa pamamagitan ng paglulusad ng isang samahan na tutulong sa ating mga mag-aaral. Sa mga gustong sumuporta sa pagtatatag ng LAFS Foundation, meron po tayong pinamimigay na papel. Dito po nating isusulat ang ating pangalan at contact details para matawagan po namin kayo. Magkakaroon po tayo ng separate na pulong para maihain ang detalye.
Sana’y marami ang maging MALAKAS, FIDEL, ERAP at GLORIA na magtutulong-tulong para mai-ahon natin ang ating komunidad sa kahirapan sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng isang mahusay na edukasyon.
It will be a challenging task but if Lourdesian will embrace this opportunity, collectively we can make it happen and will soon make a difference. Tayo ay binibigyan ng pagkakataon tumulong sana’y tugunan natin ito.
I would like to close by saying that a paradigm shift has emerged– the graduates of LOURDES are men of others. Tayo ay naririto para magsilbi sa iba at hindi sa ating sarili. We are graduates that SHARE, DARE and CARE for this community.
START COUNTING YOUR BLESSINGS AND SHARE IT TO OTHERS.
Salamat po.
Before I continue, I would like to give thanks and show our appreciation to the following:
To our Teachers – thank you for all the patience and understanding you’ve shown, we are just a little boys and girls then who are beginning to explore this world. You provided us with the tools – love, thrust, patience, simplicity and right values so we can travel the road. There are lots of humps and bumps but you thought us how to face it and we learn from it. Our journey becomes not just bearable but pleasant because of your help. Maari po bang mag-sitayo ang ating mga guro – mga kamag-aral bigyan po natin sila ng masigabong palakpakan…………Salamat po Ma’am.
To my classmates – thank you for being a good friend, I’m glad I have friends like you. After high school, our friendship becomes stronger – we’ve laughed together, dined together, cried together, worship together but I’m still waiting the time on when we can study the bible together. No man is designed to be alone. He needs friends and his friends need him, too. The only reason why friendship last is because love is there. Ngayon, magpasalamat kayo sa mga classmate natin na dumalo at marami pa kayong mapag-uusapan mamaya.
To Mrs. Francisca Valarao, our Mommy – thank you for establishing this school, it becomes a beacon in the community and it continues to do so. Look at your alumni, Mommy. These are the quality of graduates this school has produced; they are indeed the pride of our dear land as what the lyrics in our school hymn. Salamat po, Mommy Valarao.
Now, I’ve seen that almost of our alumni are successful in life and success for me can be defined as having a happy and content family. The title of my talk this afternoon is composed of three little words – COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS.
Look around you, this is the school we attended in high school. Each part of this school has a story. For four years this has become our second home, in here we have our laughter’s, sadness and even heartaches. Who can forget that? Me! I can never forget that - It is always been a part of me. From that experiences and teachings we become strong to face the game of what we called life. I wish all of our alumni were here today for this is not simply a get together but a coming home, a celebration of life and paid homage to our Lady of Lourdes who continue guiding us on our journey.
Let me share some paragraph from a poem forwarded by my friend through e-mail entitled “Lord, Forgive Me When I whine.”
Today, while on a bus, I saw a lovely girl with golden hair
I envied her. She seemed so gay. And wished I were as fair,
When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle
She had one leg and wore a crutch; But as she passed…. A smile!
Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two legs. The world is mine
“Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor’” say Benjamin Franklin.
Very true, isn’t it? This poem reminds me of the saying that goes this way:
“I had no shoes and complained until I met a man who had no feet. And then I was content”.
Ang patuloy na pagtaas ng bilihin, sa kabila ng pag ganda ng piso. Ang kakulangan ng hanapbuhay at serbisyo publiko. Ang mga bagay na ito ang nagbibigay sa atin ng problema upang tayo mag-isip. The best way to deal with all these things is to simply remember: No person can ever be happy until he has learned to enjoy what he has, and not to worry over what he does not have. Let us count our blessings………. Our body parts are complete, we are alive and we are all given 24 hours in a day to be productive.
Today is the most important day of my life, I say to myself every morning I wake up. Most mornings, I wake up to the alarm on my mobile phone. Amazing what this little piece of technology can do.
While driving off to work, My wife and I listen to the sound of the soul by Father Larry Faraon on radio at 105.1 Cross Over. We have 15 minutes prayers to guide us for a days work. When work time is over. Home time begins. We walk into our home and there were my two daughters waiting for us. Look at them now! Aibee (my eldest) is eight years old and AJ, six years old are in hurry to talk about their classroom experiences and I will teach them their assignment. And soon, in the next two weeks my wife will give birth to another baby girl. Tres Marias! They are all pretty! Must gotten it from their Nanay. But they says they want to be smart – like their Tatay. So what else could I ask for in life? I am really bless! I must also give thanks to my wife OB-GYNE who happens to be an alumni and a good friend – Dr. Shiela Marie Giron Santos of Batch 87 for taking good care of my wife. She is a very good Doctor.
When the day is over, I get into bed and lie down with the woman who’s been with me all these years. This woman who could have chosen somebody else wealthier, smarter – but not necessarily better-looking than me (that’s the attitude) yet has chosen to live her life and grow old with me – in sickness or in health. Whether richer or poorer, till death do us part. Sounds romantic? Perhaps. But not all the time. Most of the times it wasn’t romance, it was just plain and serious commitment. It still is now.
I thank God for Grace, maybe this is why they call it: Amazing Grace!
I always count my blessings so start counting yours.
Meron lang akong kwento na gusto kong sabihin sa inyo, tungkol ito sa isang may-ari ng isang kumpanya na umuwi sa kanyang probinsiya para mag-bakasyon. Sakay siya ng kanyang kotse at habang nasa daan ito ay may nadaanan siya sa isang maputik na kalsada at siya ay nabalaho. Hindi niya malaman ang kanyang gagawin dahil sanay lamang siya sa risk management at paggawa ng financial projections. He is totally helpless... May dumating na magsasaka at nag-alok ng tulong para hilahin ang kanyang kotse sa tulong ng kanyang kalabaw na ang pangalan ay Malakas.
Itinali na ng magsasaka si Malakas para mahila ang kotse, at nagwika ng hila ,FIDEL, hila. Hindi kumilos si Malakas.
Tapos, sumigaw ang magsasaka ng HILA, ERAP, HILA. Hindi pa rin kumikilos si Malakas.
Sumigaw ulit and magsasaka, HILA, GLORIA, HILA. At wala pa din nangyari
Habang ito ay nangyayari ay nakatingin lamang ang may-ari ng kumpanya. Hindi niya maintindihan ang ginagawa ng magsasaka. Pero nanatili siyang nagmamasid sa mga mangyayari.
Walang anu-ano’y sumigaw ulit ang magsasaka HILA, MALAKAS, HILA at nahila ng kalabaw ang kotse ng walang kahirap-hirap. May pagtatakang tinanong ng may-ari ng kumpanya ang magsasaka kung bakit tinatawag niya ang kanyang kalabaw sa iba’t ibang pangalan sa loob ng tatlong beses bago niya bigkasin ang tamang pangalan nito sa ika-apat na pagkakataon.
Sumagot ang magsasaka, ang aking kalabaw na si Malakas ay hindi nakakakita at kung alam niya na siya lang ang hihila ay hindi niya ito gagawin. Pero ang alam niya ay may tatlo pang kalabaw na katulong niyang humila kaya niya sinunod ang aking utos.
Ang aking tanong: - Have you ever encountered people in the workplace or in the community who wouldn’t even lift a finger unless he or she knows that someone else has been tasked to do the same thing? Meron po ba? Lahat po tayo ay binigyan ng mata para makita ang nangyayari sa ating kapaligiran, may puso para maipadama ang pagmamahal, at tayo may talino upang mag-isip kung paano tayo makakatulong hindi lamang sa ating kapwa kundi pati na rin sa komunidad.
Today, our Alma Mater is asking each of us to do the same, to work together - katulad ni Malakas, FIDEL, ERAP at GLORIA. Hindi tayo mga bulag para hindi natin Makita ang pangangailangan ng ating komunidad. Balikan natin ang ating mga sarili nuong tayo’y nag-aaral pa dito, may mga panahon na hindi tayo makabayad ng tuition dahil sa kahirapan ng buhay. Meron tayong mga kamag-aral na hindi nakatapos ng highschool at dito nais nating maging tulay para mabigyan sila ng oportunidad na magkaroon ng mahusay na edukasyon.
The idea was spearheaded by Father Rectorino from Batch xx, right now what we have is the scholarship program but we want to institutionalize it by registering as a foundation, the suggested name is LOURDES COLLEGE OF BULACAN ALUMNI AND FRIENDS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION (LAFS Foundation). We are presenting this idea so that we can have a vehicle to help providing quality secondary education to our poor and talented students. Sa tulong ng ilan nating alumni at kaibigan ay meron na tayong mga ilang beneficiaries. At gusto pa natin itong mapalawak para masilbihan ang malaking bilang ng mag-aaral.
Nais ko ng ibahagi ang Misyon and Bisyon ng Foundation sa iyong lahat.
VISION
Ang ating adhikain ay makatulong na mabawasan ang problema ng kahirapan sa ating komunidad sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay oportunidad sa ating mga kabataan na magkaroon ng mataas na antas ng edukasyon. Nais din natin isa-puso at isa-isip ng bawat mag-aaral na nagtapos sa paaralan ito na tayo ay naninindigan at tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng ating komunidad.
MISSION
Ang pangunahing layunin ng samahan ay makatulong sa pinansyal at moral na pangangailangan ng mga mahirap at natatanging mag-aaral na gustong patuloy na makapag-aral sa Lourdes College of Bulacan. Bukod ditto, nais din nating imulat and mga nagsipagtapos sa ating paaralan at mga kaibigan na mayroon tayong magagawa upang matugunan ang pangangailangan ng ating komunidad sa isang mahusay at mataas na antas ng edukasayon.
Ang okasyon ito ay ginawa hindi upang tayo ay magkita-kita lamang at pagsaluhan ang pagkain na inihanda ng school administration. Kundi gusto nating ito ay maging makabuluhan sa pamamagitan ng paglulusad ng isang samahan na tutulong sa ating mga mag-aaral. Sa mga gustong sumuporta sa pagtatatag ng LAFS Foundation, meron po tayong pinamimigay na papel. Dito po nating isusulat ang ating pangalan at contact details para matawagan po namin kayo. Magkakaroon po tayo ng separate na pulong para maihain ang detalye.
Sana’y marami ang maging MALAKAS, FIDEL, ERAP at GLORIA na magtutulong-tulong para mai-ahon natin ang ating komunidad sa kahirapan sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng isang mahusay na edukasyon.
It will be a challenging task but if Lourdesian will embrace this opportunity, collectively we can make it happen and will soon make a difference. Tayo ay binibigyan ng pagkakataon tumulong sana’y tugunan natin ito.
I would like to close by saying that a paradigm shift has emerged– the graduates of LOURDES are men of others. Tayo ay naririto para magsilbi sa iba at hindi sa ating sarili. We are graduates that SHARE, DARE and CARE for this community.
START COUNTING YOUR BLESSINGS AND SHARE IT TO OTHERS.
Salamat po.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Early Family photo
That was I sitting on the lap of my mother, maybe I was only 2 years old at that time. Together with me far left standing is my Ate Lou, Nanay, kuya Gerry, lolo Hanoy, Tatay, ate teresa and ate grace. How time flies? I am already in my 40's, the picture was already 38 years old. This is indeed one of my precious photos with my Lolo - Marciano Zafra.
Cialo
When I was kid, I cannot pronounce "Halo-Halo" and my Lola Luning (still alive) is very fond of me. She mentioned that I say it as "Cialo". Look at this picture, that was me when i was beginning to crawl. I always hope that the people who share my life realize how lucky they were to be in a presence of a present like ME.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Speech - Boys & Girls week (11/4/06)
Maraming Salamat kay Gng. Elsa Cruz mula sa aking Alma Mater, Lourdes College of Bulacan sa magandang pagpapakilala.
Magandang Araw-araw sa inyong lahat, nais kong magbigay galang sa mga lider ng ating bayan sa Pangunguna ng ating mahal na Alkade Kgg. Narding De Leon, Bise-Alkalde Kgg. Reggie Santos, at mga konsehal Kgg. Loreng Santiago, kgg. Robin Cruz, kgg. Tony Nunez, kgg. Tristan Cruz, kgg. Magic Dela Cruz, sa aking kamag-anak na sina Kgg. Roman Cruz, Kon. Tenteng Junio at kay Kon. Ruping De Guzman – na ama ng aking matalik na kaibigan. Sa tagapamahala ng ating katahimikan at kaayusan, P/Supt. Aurelio R. Ducay Jr. Sa ating masisipag na Kapitan Del Barrio sa pangunguna ng ating ABC President Kgg. Crisostomo Garcia, kay Kgg Rey Bautista ng San Roque nakasama ko sa partido, kay Kgg Seko Nicolas ng Sulukan, Kap. Felicito Chiapco ng Tabok at Kgg. Arvin Agustin ng Donacion. Lalung-lalo na sa sentro ng okasyong ito, ang mga guro at mag-aaral sa bayan ng Angat - ako’y nagbibigay puri sa pagkakataong ito.
It is a privilege of mine to be here. In May 1998, I was also here addressing the crowd campaigning for the local election as Municipal Councilor. And I’ve lost……Opo, tumakbo po ako at natalo. Hindi ako nahihiya na sabihin ito sapagkat ito ang nagbigay sa akin ng pagkakataong mapuntahan ko ang lahat ng barangay at makipagdaupang palad sa mga mamamayan. And after that lost, I said to myself that if ever there would be an opportunity to speak again this is true the only invitation I cannot refuse to accept, addressing the future leaders of this town. That is why when Ma’am Fe Valdecantos informed me about this invitation, I answer YES without any hesitation. You may be asking, “Why is that?” It is simply because of my attachment to my hometown, this is where I grew and developed values that my great grandparents, grandparents and parents have instill in my life. Kaya nais kong samantalahin ang okasyong ito upang pasalamatan ang pamilya na nagturo sa akin and nagbigay ng impluwensya upang maging isang mabuting mamamayan – ang pamilya Zafra, Villarama, San Pedro, Gonzales, Sincioco, Nicolas, Cruz, De Leon at Lopez.
That is why I am here. So thank you very much for the privilege. I am actually quite excited and nervous to address all of you. I don’t know if I am fitted to speak before you today for there are other successful sons of Angat who make this town proud and must rightfully take my place. I humble myself for this great opportunity.
I was also there in your place twenty years ago (1986), I was nervous and anxious to be in the position of an elected official for one week. I played the role of then Vice-Mayor and now our current Mayor Leonardo “Narding” De Leon, my office then is on the building beside the market. Nagtataka nga ako, halos lahat ng kasama ko ay sa Munisipyo nagoopisina at ako na Boy Vice-Mayor ay sa palengke. Akala ko nga Market Master ako, ang lamang ko lamang ay malapit ako sa tindahan ni Kon. Ruping dahil libre ang miryenda ko. Yes I was the only one who hold office there, and I think I was an outcast. But that experience taught me a lot of lessons that even you are being put down by other people there is no reason to be ashamed of – as long as you are doing your job and performed even more. Since then, Mayor Narding never looked back and never took it against them instead he focus on leading our town on where it is now – a progressive, peaceful and god fearing municipality. After that, he never lose an election and the town of Angat gave him 5 term as Mayor - it is indeed true that you cannot put a good man down he might take a rest but not quit.
It was a rewarding experience meeting students from almost all of the schools in Angat, and this is not an ordinary student – they are the best. Everyone should be proud on the trust and confidence your school bestowed upon you to lead this Municipality for a week. It is also a good venue to meet new friends. After 20 years I still remember my Girl Mayor, she was a very charming lady and daughter of our former Vice – Mayor, Hon. Cornelio Junio, she is Ms. Vilma Junio who happened to be a successful medical doctor in the United States of America.
Our occasion for today is the observance of Linggo ng Kabataan, it is stated in Republic Act 7160 known as the Local Government Code that every province, city, municipality and barangay shall conduct this activity. During this week, they shall hold office as boy and girl officials and shall perform such duties and conduct such activities as may be provided. There are lots of activities we need to conduct during the Lingo ng kabataan among of which are the following:
1. Commemoration of young Filipino heroes who made significant contributions to the development of the country or locality.
• Who among you haven’t ate at Jollibee, the man behind the phenomenal success is Tony Tan Caktiong. He began with an ice cream scooping station in Cubao and now, 500 stores later 20,000 employees with annual sales of P20B. But beyond this, he was able to provide jobs, incomes and opportunities for countless people.
(Sabi nga nila, pay may Jolibee daw sa isang lugar, ay masasabi daw natin na maunlad na. Mayor, kailan kaya tayo magkakaroon para lalo tayong umunlad)
2. Recognition and awarding of outstanding youth organization for their achievements and contributions to development,
• Have you heard about Gawad Kalinga, it started on a simple dreams of Tony Meloto to help provide shelter to poor families. Together with Couples for Christ, the group already constructed thousands of houses in collaboration with some private companies. Tony was the recipients of Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) and Ramon Magsaysay medal.
3. Awareness campaign on environmental issues, sports festivals and competitions, cultural activities, arts and skills exhibition, volunteer work, tour of historical places, and such other youth-oriented activities as may be relevant.
Ang tema ng ating programa sa linggong ito ay “Kabataang Angatenyo…. Kaagapay tungo sa Kagalingang Panlipunan“ sa araw na ito nais kong bigyan diin ang kahalagahan ng magagandang aral tungo sa kagalingan. I will focus of my talk is about values, moral & ethics. For I do believe this is the basic foundation an individual must have to faced future. Sino sa inyo ang nakakaalam ng pangalan ng mga taong tumulong sa ating paaralan? Sa Lourdes, nandiyan si Ka Natoy, Aling Belen, Mang Albert, Mang Boy, Mang Erning, Aling Celestina. Bakit ba nating kailangan na malaman pa ang kanilang pangalan? Dahil sila ang ang mga taong nagbigay sa atin ng dahilan para tayo magsikap at maging inspirasyon. Dahil naniniwala akong kung sino ang kasama mo ngayon sa paglalakad ay sila din ang makakasalubong mo bukas. Sana pagbalik ninyo sa inyong mga paaralan ay kilalanin ninyo ang mga taong tumutulong sa atin para maging maayos at maganda ang ating pag-aaral.
For a week, you will not only be part of the government as citizens but rather take the role of a leader. BTW, I will throw a question before you today - what is the meaning of government? Mr. Webster defines it as the exercise of authority over a state, district, organization, institution to set direction, control, rule & management. According to the book Re-inventing the Government by David Osborne and Ted Gaebler, the word government comes from a Greek word, which means “to steer”. The job of the government is to steer, not to row. Delivering services is rowing, and the government is not very good at rowing. Steering requires people who see the entire universe of issues and possibilities and can balance competing demands for resources. Rowing requires people who focus intently on one mission and perform it well. Steering organization need to find the best methods to achieve their goals. Rowing organizations tend to defend their method at all costs.
I have a story to tell, one day a child asked his mother what is the meaning of Government. The mother gave her the definition like what I said earlier according to Mr. Webster and Osborne/Gaebler and it puzzled the child. He cannot understand what government is. The mother continues and told her that the government is like a family. The President will be played by the mother basically because he plans and controls the family as far as budget and taking care of the children. The Father is the one providing money to the mother and we could called him as a capitalist, you will play as the citizen for you are already grown-ups, the Baby is our future for he will have a big contribution to the society when he grows up and Nanny she is the one assisting the mother in the house chores we can called her a worker.
From that comparison, the child understand what is government was, the mother asked his child to tell her what did he understand about government and he says that as the President (Mother) is busy attending to his job, the capitalist (Father) is giving her money to support her. As the citizen (Brother & sisters) is busy watching TV, the future (baby) suddenly cries for milk - the adult didn’t mind him because they don’t want to be disturb and the President cannot hear the future (baby) cry for she is busy preparing the meal. The workers (nanny) can not hear the future because the she is her room being abused by the capitalist (father). You may be laughing for the story is exaggerated, let us pause for a while and think about are family – is it the same ……. I hope not.
It is true that a government can be compared to a family in fact it is the smallest form of government. If our family is not shaped by the right values, ethics and morality how can we as the smallest unit contribute to the society at large. We are heading for a humpty road ahead, madami butas at lubak ang kalye ating dadaanan papunta sa isang maunlad na buhay.
The prevailing perception nowadays is that the Philippines is a country with a substantial, sometimes dramatic, decline in ethics, values and personal responsibility. Examples of this perceived decline include – some Filipinos appear to have a little sense of right and wrong: domestic, school and workplace violence that now are too commonplace: teenage pregnancies that occur at an alarming rate; drug abuse and pornography; aggression and violence, rape and sex molestation, pervade the news media, the entertainment industry and the internet. Lifestyle checks of government employees indicate graft and corruption. In fact, it is reported in the newspapers that the Philippines ranks second as the most corrupt in the world and number one in the number of prostitutes.
Moral education should occur at home, but should also be taught, modeled and reaffirmed by members of the community (including teachers, friends, extended family and others). Today we have a new term for teenagers, we called them screenagers for these are the people who grew up watching television and playing computers, these devices baby sits for them. Economic and other pressures may cause some families to voluntarily or involuntarily fail to meet their responsibility to teach morals and values to their children. Every child should learn values, morals and ethics. Every adult should strive to be a hero to a child. Every adult should be responsible of being a model for morals and values by example. We should encourage children to consider the long term effects of their behavior, instead of concentrating on immediate gratification.
If, however, a child does not receive adequate moral training at an early age, society should not give up on that child. Community groups and school must intervene to teach morals. If they fail to do so, society may have to intervene later in a more costly, less effective, and more punitive manner, such as through the criminal justice system. It is both more successful and cost-effective to instill values at a young age that it is to instill them later on in life.
It is timely that we should raise the bar of our ethical and moral standards, and this is the special role of the family – a role that could spell the difference and propel the growth of the country. The “Golden rule” defines a standard that can guide human relations in all respects, relations among neighbors and family, interaction with strangers. We can conclude that “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” remains a fundamental ethical requirement and an essential element of our social contact.
Five to ten years from now, almost all you have completed your college diploma. It is important that we should think right now, what we want to do with our careers, either serve our countrymen locally or work in other countries. It is your call depending on your perspective but I will give you a school of taught for you to think or consider – right now we have a migration flock of nurses to the United States, Europe and Canada basically because of the high salaries ranging from P150,000 to P500,000 a month. It’s cool, and I have no problems with that. In addition, we have doctors who became nurses for the sake of seeking a greener pastures sometimes I’m beginning to think of if being a doctor is a prerequisite for becoming a nurse. Tatay, tapos na akong maging Doktor. Ang galling talaga ng anak ko eh di pwede ka ng mag-aral ng pagiging nurse.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we are having a “brawl and brain drain”. I am not surprise, if tomorrow instead of sending our loved ones to an emergency situation using an ambulance, we are using airplane. Instead of bringing them on local hospital, we are bringing them to the hospitals in the United States. Why? Because we have no good doctors anymore, they are all in the United States. I may sound rude but it will happen, it is a matter of time unless we kept off our eye on the green money and instead focus on what we can contribute to help this country moving.
We should never lose our heart for our country. Yes, we have a career and family to take care of, but we should never ever forget we have a country to serve.
You may ask, How? How do I serve the country? One way is actually quite simple. I’ll share with you the answer of Butch Jimenez – VP of PLDT for Marketing and I will give you the same answer – If you are great, if you are smart, if you are the best this town has ever produced, then, please STAY. Just Stay in the country. You would have actually done a great service to our country just by staying.
But if you can’t stay, or you don’t want to stay, that’s fine. If you think you want to make it out there in the world bigger, that’s ok with me. But I want to ask two things for you.
First, go out there and prove to the world how great Filipino is. In whatever field you’re in, prove to the world how special we Filipinos truly are.
Second, don’t just plan to COME back. Plan to GIVE back to the country. If you that, if every Filipino who goes out there in the world – and there are millions –proves to everybody how great the Filipino race is, and not only plans to come back, but actually plans to give back to this country, in less than one generation, we will be an even greater nation.
Lastly, for the last 37 years of my life, I have realized one thing, “There is no destination beyond the reach of those who walk with God.” We just need to take God’s hand and walk with him. Because when you do, whatever destination we are hoping to reach, and if God walks with you and takes you through, there will be no destination beyond our reach. And if you reach your destination, don’t ever forget that “of those to whom much is given, much is required”. Take an extra step to help others in need, Dahil SMART Tayo.
Maraming salamat po.
Magandang Araw-araw sa inyong lahat, nais kong magbigay galang sa mga lider ng ating bayan sa Pangunguna ng ating mahal na Alkade Kgg. Narding De Leon, Bise-Alkalde Kgg. Reggie Santos, at mga konsehal Kgg. Loreng Santiago, kgg. Robin Cruz, kgg. Tony Nunez, kgg. Tristan Cruz, kgg. Magic Dela Cruz, sa aking kamag-anak na sina Kgg. Roman Cruz, Kon. Tenteng Junio at kay Kon. Ruping De Guzman – na ama ng aking matalik na kaibigan. Sa tagapamahala ng ating katahimikan at kaayusan, P/Supt. Aurelio R. Ducay Jr. Sa ating masisipag na Kapitan Del Barrio sa pangunguna ng ating ABC President Kgg. Crisostomo Garcia, kay Kgg Rey Bautista ng San Roque nakasama ko sa partido, kay Kgg Seko Nicolas ng Sulukan, Kap. Felicito Chiapco ng Tabok at Kgg. Arvin Agustin ng Donacion. Lalung-lalo na sa sentro ng okasyong ito, ang mga guro at mag-aaral sa bayan ng Angat - ako’y nagbibigay puri sa pagkakataong ito.
It is a privilege of mine to be here. In May 1998, I was also here addressing the crowd campaigning for the local election as Municipal Councilor. And I’ve lost……Opo, tumakbo po ako at natalo. Hindi ako nahihiya na sabihin ito sapagkat ito ang nagbigay sa akin ng pagkakataong mapuntahan ko ang lahat ng barangay at makipagdaupang palad sa mga mamamayan. And after that lost, I said to myself that if ever there would be an opportunity to speak again this is true the only invitation I cannot refuse to accept, addressing the future leaders of this town. That is why when Ma’am Fe Valdecantos informed me about this invitation, I answer YES without any hesitation. You may be asking, “Why is that?” It is simply because of my attachment to my hometown, this is where I grew and developed values that my great grandparents, grandparents and parents have instill in my life. Kaya nais kong samantalahin ang okasyong ito upang pasalamatan ang pamilya na nagturo sa akin and nagbigay ng impluwensya upang maging isang mabuting mamamayan – ang pamilya Zafra, Villarama, San Pedro, Gonzales, Sincioco, Nicolas, Cruz, De Leon at Lopez.
That is why I am here. So thank you very much for the privilege. I am actually quite excited and nervous to address all of you. I don’t know if I am fitted to speak before you today for there are other successful sons of Angat who make this town proud and must rightfully take my place. I humble myself for this great opportunity.
I was also there in your place twenty years ago (1986), I was nervous and anxious to be in the position of an elected official for one week. I played the role of then Vice-Mayor and now our current Mayor Leonardo “Narding” De Leon, my office then is on the building beside the market. Nagtataka nga ako, halos lahat ng kasama ko ay sa Munisipyo nagoopisina at ako na Boy Vice-Mayor ay sa palengke. Akala ko nga Market Master ako, ang lamang ko lamang ay malapit ako sa tindahan ni Kon. Ruping dahil libre ang miryenda ko. Yes I was the only one who hold office there, and I think I was an outcast. But that experience taught me a lot of lessons that even you are being put down by other people there is no reason to be ashamed of – as long as you are doing your job and performed even more. Since then, Mayor Narding never looked back and never took it against them instead he focus on leading our town on where it is now – a progressive, peaceful and god fearing municipality. After that, he never lose an election and the town of Angat gave him 5 term as Mayor - it is indeed true that you cannot put a good man down he might take a rest but not quit.
It was a rewarding experience meeting students from almost all of the schools in Angat, and this is not an ordinary student – they are the best. Everyone should be proud on the trust and confidence your school bestowed upon you to lead this Municipality for a week. It is also a good venue to meet new friends. After 20 years I still remember my Girl Mayor, she was a very charming lady and daughter of our former Vice – Mayor, Hon. Cornelio Junio, she is Ms. Vilma Junio who happened to be a successful medical doctor in the United States of America.
Our occasion for today is the observance of Linggo ng Kabataan, it is stated in Republic Act 7160 known as the Local Government Code that every province, city, municipality and barangay shall conduct this activity. During this week, they shall hold office as boy and girl officials and shall perform such duties and conduct such activities as may be provided. There are lots of activities we need to conduct during the Lingo ng kabataan among of which are the following:
1. Commemoration of young Filipino heroes who made significant contributions to the development of the country or locality.
• Who among you haven’t ate at Jollibee, the man behind the phenomenal success is Tony Tan Caktiong. He began with an ice cream scooping station in Cubao and now, 500 stores later 20,000 employees with annual sales of P20B. But beyond this, he was able to provide jobs, incomes and opportunities for countless people.
(Sabi nga nila, pay may Jolibee daw sa isang lugar, ay masasabi daw natin na maunlad na. Mayor, kailan kaya tayo magkakaroon para lalo tayong umunlad)
2. Recognition and awarding of outstanding youth organization for their achievements and contributions to development,
• Have you heard about Gawad Kalinga, it started on a simple dreams of Tony Meloto to help provide shelter to poor families. Together with Couples for Christ, the group already constructed thousands of houses in collaboration with some private companies. Tony was the recipients of Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) and Ramon Magsaysay medal.
3. Awareness campaign on environmental issues, sports festivals and competitions, cultural activities, arts and skills exhibition, volunteer work, tour of historical places, and such other youth-oriented activities as may be relevant.
Ang tema ng ating programa sa linggong ito ay “Kabataang Angatenyo…. Kaagapay tungo sa Kagalingang Panlipunan“ sa araw na ito nais kong bigyan diin ang kahalagahan ng magagandang aral tungo sa kagalingan. I will focus of my talk is about values, moral & ethics. For I do believe this is the basic foundation an individual must have to faced future. Sino sa inyo ang nakakaalam ng pangalan ng mga taong tumulong sa ating paaralan? Sa Lourdes, nandiyan si Ka Natoy, Aling Belen, Mang Albert, Mang Boy, Mang Erning, Aling Celestina. Bakit ba nating kailangan na malaman pa ang kanilang pangalan? Dahil sila ang ang mga taong nagbigay sa atin ng dahilan para tayo magsikap at maging inspirasyon. Dahil naniniwala akong kung sino ang kasama mo ngayon sa paglalakad ay sila din ang makakasalubong mo bukas. Sana pagbalik ninyo sa inyong mga paaralan ay kilalanin ninyo ang mga taong tumutulong sa atin para maging maayos at maganda ang ating pag-aaral.
For a week, you will not only be part of the government as citizens but rather take the role of a leader. BTW, I will throw a question before you today - what is the meaning of government? Mr. Webster defines it as the exercise of authority over a state, district, organization, institution to set direction, control, rule & management. According to the book Re-inventing the Government by David Osborne and Ted Gaebler, the word government comes from a Greek word, which means “to steer”. The job of the government is to steer, not to row. Delivering services is rowing, and the government is not very good at rowing. Steering requires people who see the entire universe of issues and possibilities and can balance competing demands for resources. Rowing requires people who focus intently on one mission and perform it well. Steering organization need to find the best methods to achieve their goals. Rowing organizations tend to defend their method at all costs.
I have a story to tell, one day a child asked his mother what is the meaning of Government. The mother gave her the definition like what I said earlier according to Mr. Webster and Osborne/Gaebler and it puzzled the child. He cannot understand what government is. The mother continues and told her that the government is like a family. The President will be played by the mother basically because he plans and controls the family as far as budget and taking care of the children. The Father is the one providing money to the mother and we could called him as a capitalist, you will play as the citizen for you are already grown-ups, the Baby is our future for he will have a big contribution to the society when he grows up and Nanny she is the one assisting the mother in the house chores we can called her a worker.
From that comparison, the child understand what is government was, the mother asked his child to tell her what did he understand about government and he says that as the President (Mother) is busy attending to his job, the capitalist (Father) is giving her money to support her. As the citizen (Brother & sisters) is busy watching TV, the future (baby) suddenly cries for milk - the adult didn’t mind him because they don’t want to be disturb and the President cannot hear the future (baby) cry for she is busy preparing the meal. The workers (nanny) can not hear the future because the she is her room being abused by the capitalist (father). You may be laughing for the story is exaggerated, let us pause for a while and think about are family – is it the same ……. I hope not.
It is true that a government can be compared to a family in fact it is the smallest form of government. If our family is not shaped by the right values, ethics and morality how can we as the smallest unit contribute to the society at large. We are heading for a humpty road ahead, madami butas at lubak ang kalye ating dadaanan papunta sa isang maunlad na buhay.
The prevailing perception nowadays is that the Philippines is a country with a substantial, sometimes dramatic, decline in ethics, values and personal responsibility. Examples of this perceived decline include – some Filipinos appear to have a little sense of right and wrong: domestic, school and workplace violence that now are too commonplace: teenage pregnancies that occur at an alarming rate; drug abuse and pornography; aggression and violence, rape and sex molestation, pervade the news media, the entertainment industry and the internet. Lifestyle checks of government employees indicate graft and corruption. In fact, it is reported in the newspapers that the Philippines ranks second as the most corrupt in the world and number one in the number of prostitutes.
Moral education should occur at home, but should also be taught, modeled and reaffirmed by members of the community (including teachers, friends, extended family and others). Today we have a new term for teenagers, we called them screenagers for these are the people who grew up watching television and playing computers, these devices baby sits for them. Economic and other pressures may cause some families to voluntarily or involuntarily fail to meet their responsibility to teach morals and values to their children. Every child should learn values, morals and ethics. Every adult should strive to be a hero to a child. Every adult should be responsible of being a model for morals and values by example. We should encourage children to consider the long term effects of their behavior, instead of concentrating on immediate gratification.
If, however, a child does not receive adequate moral training at an early age, society should not give up on that child. Community groups and school must intervene to teach morals. If they fail to do so, society may have to intervene later in a more costly, less effective, and more punitive manner, such as through the criminal justice system. It is both more successful and cost-effective to instill values at a young age that it is to instill them later on in life.
It is timely that we should raise the bar of our ethical and moral standards, and this is the special role of the family – a role that could spell the difference and propel the growth of the country. The “Golden rule” defines a standard that can guide human relations in all respects, relations among neighbors and family, interaction with strangers. We can conclude that “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” remains a fundamental ethical requirement and an essential element of our social contact.
Five to ten years from now, almost all you have completed your college diploma. It is important that we should think right now, what we want to do with our careers, either serve our countrymen locally or work in other countries. It is your call depending on your perspective but I will give you a school of taught for you to think or consider – right now we have a migration flock of nurses to the United States, Europe and Canada basically because of the high salaries ranging from P150,000 to P500,000 a month. It’s cool, and I have no problems with that. In addition, we have doctors who became nurses for the sake of seeking a greener pastures sometimes I’m beginning to think of if being a doctor is a prerequisite for becoming a nurse. Tatay, tapos na akong maging Doktor. Ang galling talaga ng anak ko eh di pwede ka ng mag-aral ng pagiging nurse.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we are having a “brawl and brain drain”. I am not surprise, if tomorrow instead of sending our loved ones to an emergency situation using an ambulance, we are using airplane. Instead of bringing them on local hospital, we are bringing them to the hospitals in the United States. Why? Because we have no good doctors anymore, they are all in the United States. I may sound rude but it will happen, it is a matter of time unless we kept off our eye on the green money and instead focus on what we can contribute to help this country moving.
We should never lose our heart for our country. Yes, we have a career and family to take care of, but we should never ever forget we have a country to serve.
You may ask, How? How do I serve the country? One way is actually quite simple. I’ll share with you the answer of Butch Jimenez – VP of PLDT for Marketing and I will give you the same answer – If you are great, if you are smart, if you are the best this town has ever produced, then, please STAY. Just Stay in the country. You would have actually done a great service to our country just by staying.
But if you can’t stay, or you don’t want to stay, that’s fine. If you think you want to make it out there in the world bigger, that’s ok with me. But I want to ask two things for you.
First, go out there and prove to the world how great Filipino is. In whatever field you’re in, prove to the world how special we Filipinos truly are.
Second, don’t just plan to COME back. Plan to GIVE back to the country. If you that, if every Filipino who goes out there in the world – and there are millions –proves to everybody how great the Filipino race is, and not only plans to come back, but actually plans to give back to this country, in less than one generation, we will be an even greater nation.
Lastly, for the last 37 years of my life, I have realized one thing, “There is no destination beyond the reach of those who walk with God.” We just need to take God’s hand and walk with him. Because when you do, whatever destination we are hoping to reach, and if God walks with you and takes you through, there will be no destination beyond our reach. And if you reach your destination, don’t ever forget that “of those to whom much is given, much is required”. Take an extra step to help others in need, Dahil SMART Tayo.
Maraming salamat po.
The Unshared Toyota Way
THE UNSHARED TOYOTA WAY
By: George Zafra Gonzales, DPA
Toyota Motor Corporation, commonly known as Toyota is the world largest automaker with sales of 7.8 million cars in 2009. In the Philippines, Toyota has 33% market share followed by Mitsubishi Motors and Honda. In the US, Toyota has 18.4% market share next to General Motors.
The company was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda in 1937 as a spinoff from his father’s Toyota Industries to create automobile. Now, Toyota is headed by Kiichiro Grandson – Akio Toyoda. Toyota first caught the world’s attention in 1980(s) when consumers noticing that Toyota cars lasted longer and required fewer repairs compare to American cars – Ford and General Motors. Toyota raised the bar for manufacturing, production line development and continuous process improvements. And today, it is the world’s most profitable car manufacturer consistently producing high-quality cars using fewer man hours and less on spare parts inventories.
Because of its lean production, a book entitled “Toyota Way” written by Jeffrey K. Liker was published in 2004 which direct the readers to the 14 Management Principles from the World’s Greatest manufactuer. The Toyota Way explains the management principle and business philosophy behind its success. It narrates Toyota’s approach to Lean Production and the 14 principles that drive Toyota towards quality and excellence. The book also explains how we can adopt the same principles to improve business processes, while cutting down on operations and production costs and material wastages.
The World Class Power of the Toyota Way
The Toyota Way: Using Operational Excellence as a Strategic Weapon
The Toyota Production System (TPS) and Lean Production
Toyota invented Lean Production in the 1940s and 50s. The company focused on eliminating wasted time and material from every step of the production process (from raw materials to finished goods).
The result was a fast and flexible process that gives the customers what they want, when they want it, at the highest quality and most affordable cost. Toyota improved production by:
1. Eliminating wasted time and resources.
2. Building quality into workplace systems
3. Finding low-cost and yet reliable alternatives to expensive new technology.
4. Perfecting business processes.
5. Building a learning culture for continuous improvement.
The “4P” model of the Toyota Way
How Toyota Became the World’s Best Manufacturer
Toyota developed the Toyota Production System (TPS) after World War II. While Ford and GM used mass production and economies of scale, Toyota faced very different business conditions. Toyota’s market was very small but it had to produce a variety of vehicles on the same assembly line to satisfy customers. The solution: making the operations flexible. This resulted in the birth of TPS.
TPS borrowed some of its ideas from the United States. The core idea of the Just in Time (JIT) system came from the concept of the “pull-system”, which was inspired by the American supermarkets. In the pull system, individual items are replenished as each item begins to run low on the shelf.
Applied to Toyota, it means that the first step in the process is not completed until the second step uses the materials or supplies from Step 1. At Toyota, every step of the manufacturing process uses Kanban to signal to the previous step when its part needs to be replenished.
The company was also inspired by W. Edwards Deming. Aside from broadly defining customers to include internal and external clients, he also encouraged Toyota to adopt a systematic approach to problem solving, which became a cornerstone for continuous improvement (known as Kaizen).
The Heart of the Toyota Production System: Eliminating Waste
The point of the TPS is to minimize time spent on non-value adding activities by positioning the materials and tools as close as possible to the point of assembly.
The Major types of non-value adding waste in business or production process are:
1. Overproduction.
2. Waiting or time on hand.
3. Unnecessary transport or conveyance.
4. Over processing or incorrect processing.
5. Excess inventory.
6. Unnecessary movement.
7. Defects.
8. Unused employee creativity.
A Shared Toyota Way. In April 2001 the Toyota Motor Corporation adopted the “Toyota Way 2001,” an expression of values and conduct guidelines that all Toyota employees should embrace. In order to promote the development of a global Toyota and the transfer of authority to the local level, this philosophy, which had been implicit in Toyota’s tradition, was published internally.
Under the two headings, or "pillars," of Respect for People and Continuous Improvement, Toyota sums up the values and conduct guidelines with the following five principles:
• Challenge
• Kaizen (improvement)
• Genchi Genbutsu (go and see)
• Respect
• Teamwork
The Business Principles of the Toyota Way
Principle 1: Base your management decision on a long-term philosophy, even at the expense of short-term financial goals.
The Toyota message is consistent: Do the right thing for the company, its employees, the customer and the society as a whole. This long-term philosophy is the guiding post of the company in its continuous quest to offer the best in quality and service to its customers, employees and stockholders.
Long-term goal should supersede short-term decision making or goals.
Develop, work, grow and align the company towards a common goal that is bigger than making money. Your philosophical mission is and should be the foundation of all your other principles.
Principle 2: Create a continuous process flow to bring problems to the surface.
Work processes are redesigned to eliminate waste (muda) through the process of continuous improvement — kaizen. The seven types of muda are:
1. Overproduction
2. Waiting (time on hand)
3. Unnecessary transport or conveyance
4. Incorrect processing
5. Excess inventory
6. Motion
Principle 3: Use PULL systems to avoid overproduction.
A method where a process signals its predecessors that more material is needed, the PULL system produces only the required materials after the subsequent operation signal a need for it. This process is necessary to reduce over production.
Principle 4: Level out the workload.
This helps achieve the goal of minimizing waste (muda), not over loading the people and/or equipment and not creating uneven production level (mura).
Principle 5: Build a culture of stopping to fix problems, to get quality right the first time.
Quality takes precedence (Jidoka). Any employee in the Toyota Production System has the authority to stop the process to signal a quality issue.
Principle 6: Standardize task and processes are the foundation for continuous improvement and employee empowerment.
It allows continuous improvement (kaizen) from the people affected by the system. It empowers employee to aid in the growth and improvement of the company.
Principle 7: Use Visual control so no problems are hidden.
Included in this principle is the 5S Program - steps that are used to make all work spaces efficient and production, help people share work stations, reduce time looking for needed tools and improve the work environment.
1st S – Sort: Sort out un-needed items
2nd S - Straighten: Have a place for everything
3rd S - Shine: Keep the area clean
4th S - Standardize: Create rules and standard operating procedures
5th S - Sustain: Maintain the system and continue to improve it
Principle 8: Use only reliable, thoroughly tested technology that serves your people and process.
Technology is pulled by manufacturing, not pushed to manufacturing.
Principle 9: Grow leaders who thoroughly understand the work, live the philosophy, and teach it to others.
Without constant attention, the principles will fade. The principles have to be ingrained, it must be the way one thinks. Employees must be educated and trained; they have to maintain a learning organization.
Principle 10: Develop exceptional people and teams who follow your company’s philosophy.
Teams should consist of 4 – 5 people and numerous management tiers. Success is based on team, and not on the individual.
Principle 11: Respect your extended network of partners and suppliers by challenging them and helping them improve.
Suppliers must be treated like employees, challenging them to do better and helping them to achieve it. We must provide cross functional teams to help suppliers discover and fix problems so that they can become a stronger and better supplier.
Principle 12: Go and see for yourself to thoroughly understand the situation (Genchi Genbutsu).
Toyota managers are expected to "go-and-see" operations. Without experiencing the situation firsthand, managers will not have an understanding of how it can be improved. Furthermore, managers use Tadashi Yamashima's (President, Toyota Technical Center (TTC)) ten management principles as a guideline:
1. Always keep the final target in mind.
2. Clearly assign tasks to yourself and others.
3. Think and speak on verified, proven information and data.
4. Take full advantage of the wisdom and experiences of others to send, gather or discuss information.
5. Share information with others in a timely fashion.
6. Always report, inform and consult in a timely manner.
7. Analyze and understand shortcomings in your capabilities in a measurable way.
8. Relentlessly strive to conduct kaizen activities.
9. Think "outside the box," or beyond common sense and standard rules.
10. Always be mindful of protecting your safety and health.
Principle 13: Make decisions slowly by consensus, thoroughly considering all options; implement decisions rapidly (nemawashi).
The following are decision parameters:
1. Find what is really going on (go-and-see) to test
2. Determine the underlying cause
3. Consider a broad range of alternatives
4. Build consensus on the resolution
5. Use efficient communication tools
Principle 14: Become a learning organization through relentless reflection (hansei) and continuous improvement (kaizen).
The process of becoming a learning organization involves criticizing every aspect of what one does. The general problem solving technique to determine the root cause of a problem includes:
1. Initial problem perception
2. Clarify the problem
3. Locate area/point of cause
4. Investigate root cause (5 whys)
5. Countermeasure
6. Evaluate
7. Standardize
Driving to be Number 1
The growth of Toyota is significant from the time they market their first brand – Toyopet in 1958 in the US. As the market share of GM decreases from 1980’s to 2009 at 45% to 19.6% respectively, the market share of Toyota increases from 5% to 16.7% on the same period. In 2000, Toyota produces 5.2 million cars and 2009 it has a plant capacity of 10 million cars. The production sites of Toyota increases from 58 to 75 to accommodate the market demand. The rapid expansion of the company needs the ability to transmit the know-how and technology over long distances and across different cultures.
2009 – 2010 Vehicle Recalls
In January 2010, Toyota announced recalling up to 1.8 million cars across Europe, including about 220,000 in the UK, following an accelerator problem.
The US Transportation Department has opened an investigation into brake problems in Toyota vehicles. This is after the department received 124 reports from drivers about the issue, including four involving crashes.
The company said its recall could cost the company up to US$2 billion in lost output and sales. Toyota later recalled the Prius model after problems were found in the ABS system. Many Toyota models were involved, covering 2007-2010 model years.
The U.S. Sales Chief, James Lentz, was questioned by the United States Congress committees on Oversight and Investigations on February 23, 2010, as a result of recent recalls.
Akio Toyoda, the grandson of corporations Founder – Sakichi Toyoda taking the requisite deep bow of disgraced and telling the congress that “I apologize from the bottom of my heart for all the concern that we have given to so many of our customer.
According to Time Magazine, there was a reported spike in the reported of inintended acceleration incidents in some Toyota vehicles in 2002 which is about the same time they introduced its electronic throttle control. In 2003, there were also small investigations on the same incident. Toyota has small recall in 2005 and 2007 but the number of accidents mounted and last November (2009) the company had to take the biggest recall of 3.8 million vehicles in the US.
Toyota initially blamed the floor mat and manner the driver was placing it then to the supplier of the defective pedal – CTS Corporation but its President mentioned that his company follows the engineering specifications of Toyota and the issue on the acceleration problem started in 2002 and CTS become a Toyota supplier only in 2005. Then came, the horrifying 911 call from a passenger of Lexus ES 350 in California, who happened to be a Filipino-American who mentioned on the phone that the accelerator was jammed and they cannot stop the vehicle. As a result, all passenger four people were killed in this crash.
Questions:
1. Was the incident happened in 2002 sends a strong signal to Toyota management?
2. Does these incidents are the result of Toyota’s reinventing the wheel of production?
3. What can Toyota do to repair its relationship with the consumers?
4. What can you say about the characteristic and culture of Japanese in handling this kind of situation?
5. How can Toyota re-build their brand?
6. Could it be possible that US government has a hand on this for they have bail out GM and the only way to be back on track is to eliminate its competitor?
By: George Zafra Gonzales, DPA
Toyota Motor Corporation, commonly known as Toyota is the world largest automaker with sales of 7.8 million cars in 2009. In the Philippines, Toyota has 33% market share followed by Mitsubishi Motors and Honda. In the US, Toyota has 18.4% market share next to General Motors.
The company was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda in 1937 as a spinoff from his father’s Toyota Industries to create automobile. Now, Toyota is headed by Kiichiro Grandson – Akio Toyoda. Toyota first caught the world’s attention in 1980(s) when consumers noticing that Toyota cars lasted longer and required fewer repairs compare to American cars – Ford and General Motors. Toyota raised the bar for manufacturing, production line development and continuous process improvements. And today, it is the world’s most profitable car manufacturer consistently producing high-quality cars using fewer man hours and less on spare parts inventories.
Because of its lean production, a book entitled “Toyota Way” written by Jeffrey K. Liker was published in 2004 which direct the readers to the 14 Management Principles from the World’s Greatest manufactuer. The Toyota Way explains the management principle and business philosophy behind its success. It narrates Toyota’s approach to Lean Production and the 14 principles that drive Toyota towards quality and excellence. The book also explains how we can adopt the same principles to improve business processes, while cutting down on operations and production costs and material wastages.
The World Class Power of the Toyota Way
The Toyota Way: Using Operational Excellence as a Strategic Weapon
The Toyota Production System (TPS) and Lean Production
Toyota invented Lean Production in the 1940s and 50s. The company focused on eliminating wasted time and material from every step of the production process (from raw materials to finished goods).
The result was a fast and flexible process that gives the customers what they want, when they want it, at the highest quality and most affordable cost. Toyota improved production by:
1. Eliminating wasted time and resources.
2. Building quality into workplace systems
3. Finding low-cost and yet reliable alternatives to expensive new technology.
4. Perfecting business processes.
5. Building a learning culture for continuous improvement.
The “4P” model of the Toyota Way
How Toyota Became the World’s Best Manufacturer
Toyota developed the Toyota Production System (TPS) after World War II. While Ford and GM used mass production and economies of scale, Toyota faced very different business conditions. Toyota’s market was very small but it had to produce a variety of vehicles on the same assembly line to satisfy customers. The solution: making the operations flexible. This resulted in the birth of TPS.
TPS borrowed some of its ideas from the United States. The core idea of the Just in Time (JIT) system came from the concept of the “pull-system”, which was inspired by the American supermarkets. In the pull system, individual items are replenished as each item begins to run low on the shelf.
Applied to Toyota, it means that the first step in the process is not completed until the second step uses the materials or supplies from Step 1. At Toyota, every step of the manufacturing process uses Kanban to signal to the previous step when its part needs to be replenished.
The company was also inspired by W. Edwards Deming. Aside from broadly defining customers to include internal and external clients, he also encouraged Toyota to adopt a systematic approach to problem solving, which became a cornerstone for continuous improvement (known as Kaizen).
The Heart of the Toyota Production System: Eliminating Waste
The point of the TPS is to minimize time spent on non-value adding activities by positioning the materials and tools as close as possible to the point of assembly.
The Major types of non-value adding waste in business or production process are:
1. Overproduction.
2. Waiting or time on hand.
3. Unnecessary transport or conveyance.
4. Over processing or incorrect processing.
5. Excess inventory.
6. Unnecessary movement.
7. Defects.
8. Unused employee creativity.
A Shared Toyota Way. In April 2001 the Toyota Motor Corporation adopted the “Toyota Way 2001,” an expression of values and conduct guidelines that all Toyota employees should embrace. In order to promote the development of a global Toyota and the transfer of authority to the local level, this philosophy, which had been implicit in Toyota’s tradition, was published internally.
Under the two headings, or "pillars," of Respect for People and Continuous Improvement, Toyota sums up the values and conduct guidelines with the following five principles:
• Challenge
• Kaizen (improvement)
• Genchi Genbutsu (go and see)
• Respect
• Teamwork
The Business Principles of the Toyota Way
Principle 1: Base your management decision on a long-term philosophy, even at the expense of short-term financial goals.
The Toyota message is consistent: Do the right thing for the company, its employees, the customer and the society as a whole. This long-term philosophy is the guiding post of the company in its continuous quest to offer the best in quality and service to its customers, employees and stockholders.
Long-term goal should supersede short-term decision making or goals.
Develop, work, grow and align the company towards a common goal that is bigger than making money. Your philosophical mission is and should be the foundation of all your other principles.
Principle 2: Create a continuous process flow to bring problems to the surface.
Work processes are redesigned to eliminate waste (muda) through the process of continuous improvement — kaizen. The seven types of muda are:
1. Overproduction
2. Waiting (time on hand)
3. Unnecessary transport or conveyance
4. Incorrect processing
5. Excess inventory
6. Motion
Principle 3: Use PULL systems to avoid overproduction.
A method where a process signals its predecessors that more material is needed, the PULL system produces only the required materials after the subsequent operation signal a need for it. This process is necessary to reduce over production.
Principle 4: Level out the workload.
This helps achieve the goal of minimizing waste (muda), not over loading the people and/or equipment and not creating uneven production level (mura).
Principle 5: Build a culture of stopping to fix problems, to get quality right the first time.
Quality takes precedence (Jidoka). Any employee in the Toyota Production System has the authority to stop the process to signal a quality issue.
Principle 6: Standardize task and processes are the foundation for continuous improvement and employee empowerment.
It allows continuous improvement (kaizen) from the people affected by the system. It empowers employee to aid in the growth and improvement of the company.
Principle 7: Use Visual control so no problems are hidden.
Included in this principle is the 5S Program - steps that are used to make all work spaces efficient and production, help people share work stations, reduce time looking for needed tools and improve the work environment.
1st S – Sort: Sort out un-needed items
2nd S - Straighten: Have a place for everything
3rd S - Shine: Keep the area clean
4th S - Standardize: Create rules and standard operating procedures
5th S - Sustain: Maintain the system and continue to improve it
Principle 8: Use only reliable, thoroughly tested technology that serves your people and process.
Technology is pulled by manufacturing, not pushed to manufacturing.
Principle 9: Grow leaders who thoroughly understand the work, live the philosophy, and teach it to others.
Without constant attention, the principles will fade. The principles have to be ingrained, it must be the way one thinks. Employees must be educated and trained; they have to maintain a learning organization.
Principle 10: Develop exceptional people and teams who follow your company’s philosophy.
Teams should consist of 4 – 5 people and numerous management tiers. Success is based on team, and not on the individual.
Principle 11: Respect your extended network of partners and suppliers by challenging them and helping them improve.
Suppliers must be treated like employees, challenging them to do better and helping them to achieve it. We must provide cross functional teams to help suppliers discover and fix problems so that they can become a stronger and better supplier.
Principle 12: Go and see for yourself to thoroughly understand the situation (Genchi Genbutsu).
Toyota managers are expected to "go-and-see" operations. Without experiencing the situation firsthand, managers will not have an understanding of how it can be improved. Furthermore, managers use Tadashi Yamashima's (President, Toyota Technical Center (TTC)) ten management principles as a guideline:
1. Always keep the final target in mind.
2. Clearly assign tasks to yourself and others.
3. Think and speak on verified, proven information and data.
4. Take full advantage of the wisdom and experiences of others to send, gather or discuss information.
5. Share information with others in a timely fashion.
6. Always report, inform and consult in a timely manner.
7. Analyze and understand shortcomings in your capabilities in a measurable way.
8. Relentlessly strive to conduct kaizen activities.
9. Think "outside the box," or beyond common sense and standard rules.
10. Always be mindful of protecting your safety and health.
Principle 13: Make decisions slowly by consensus, thoroughly considering all options; implement decisions rapidly (nemawashi).
The following are decision parameters:
1. Find what is really going on (go-and-see) to test
2. Determine the underlying cause
3. Consider a broad range of alternatives
4. Build consensus on the resolution
5. Use efficient communication tools
Principle 14: Become a learning organization through relentless reflection (hansei) and continuous improvement (kaizen).
The process of becoming a learning organization involves criticizing every aspect of what one does. The general problem solving technique to determine the root cause of a problem includes:
1. Initial problem perception
2. Clarify the problem
3. Locate area/point of cause
4. Investigate root cause (5 whys)
5. Countermeasure
6. Evaluate
7. Standardize
Driving to be Number 1
The growth of Toyota is significant from the time they market their first brand – Toyopet in 1958 in the US. As the market share of GM decreases from 1980’s to 2009 at 45% to 19.6% respectively, the market share of Toyota increases from 5% to 16.7% on the same period. In 2000, Toyota produces 5.2 million cars and 2009 it has a plant capacity of 10 million cars. The production sites of Toyota increases from 58 to 75 to accommodate the market demand. The rapid expansion of the company needs the ability to transmit the know-how and technology over long distances and across different cultures.
2009 – 2010 Vehicle Recalls
In January 2010, Toyota announced recalling up to 1.8 million cars across Europe, including about 220,000 in the UK, following an accelerator problem.
The US Transportation Department has opened an investigation into brake problems in Toyota vehicles. This is after the department received 124 reports from drivers about the issue, including four involving crashes.
The company said its recall could cost the company up to US$2 billion in lost output and sales. Toyota later recalled the Prius model after problems were found in the ABS system. Many Toyota models were involved, covering 2007-2010 model years.
The U.S. Sales Chief, James Lentz, was questioned by the United States Congress committees on Oversight and Investigations on February 23, 2010, as a result of recent recalls.
Akio Toyoda, the grandson of corporations Founder – Sakichi Toyoda taking the requisite deep bow of disgraced and telling the congress that “I apologize from the bottom of my heart for all the concern that we have given to so many of our customer.
According to Time Magazine, there was a reported spike in the reported of inintended acceleration incidents in some Toyota vehicles in 2002 which is about the same time they introduced its electronic throttle control. In 2003, there were also small investigations on the same incident. Toyota has small recall in 2005 and 2007 but the number of accidents mounted and last November (2009) the company had to take the biggest recall of 3.8 million vehicles in the US.
Toyota initially blamed the floor mat and manner the driver was placing it then to the supplier of the defective pedal – CTS Corporation but its President mentioned that his company follows the engineering specifications of Toyota and the issue on the acceleration problem started in 2002 and CTS become a Toyota supplier only in 2005. Then came, the horrifying 911 call from a passenger of Lexus ES 350 in California, who happened to be a Filipino-American who mentioned on the phone that the accelerator was jammed and they cannot stop the vehicle. As a result, all passenger four people were killed in this crash.
Questions:
1. Was the incident happened in 2002 sends a strong signal to Toyota management?
2. Does these incidents are the result of Toyota’s reinventing the wheel of production?
3. What can Toyota do to repair its relationship with the consumers?
4. What can you say about the characteristic and culture of Japanese in handling this kind of situation?
5. How can Toyota re-build their brand?
6. Could it be possible that US government has a hand on this for they have bail out GM and the only way to be back on track is to eliminate its competitor?
DREAM by Martin Luther King Jr.
If your a follower of American History, this speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr start the black revolution - to have equality of rights not to be determined by the color of their skin but by the day when they were born. It is a pity that people like Dr. King has to die to realize that dream, others will just passed by doing nothing and contend on whatever life has offered. But Dr. King see beyond more than the naked eyes can see that the world will can be a better place to live with if only there is fairness and equality. I have a dream, this is also what we've dreaming a country which is free from corruption, a country which place the education as the ultimate vehicle to propel growth, leaders who will less think for themselves and more for the country - i have a dream. I am still hoping that in my lifetime, I can see that dream realized that there still a Filipino leader who will direct our path to right path and lead our country to development. Coming May 2010, the Philippines will elect its President and I will go to have my vote counted for I have a dream. I will not go to the popular choice but rather go to my personal choice - for I have a dream of a better Philippines.
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