JCI Philippines - The Philippine Leader 2021 (JCI RISE issue)

THE PHILIPPINE LEADER

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JCI PHILIPPINES JUDE ACIDRE National President

JOHN GLENN LEE

National Executive Vice President

YVETTE CHRISTINE HERRERA National Treasurer

LIEZL ALFONSO

National Secretary General

CONSTANTINE IGNACIO National Executive Director

2021 NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORATE SCOTT JOSEPH VALENCIA National Communications Director

RAPHAEL JUSTIN PAGUYO Deputy NCD - Brand Development and Strategies

ENRIQUE FLORES

National Director for Publications

JED BRYAN MANGUERRA National Director for Broadcast

VONNE SEIRYNE MAGBANUA

National Director for Social Media

DAVID CLADO National Director for Marketing Services

SECRETARIAT Naysa Martinez Realiza Peria Wilson Ines Nancy Salcedo Rodante Tanola Rolando Gallebo

Junior Chamber International Philippines Inc. No. 14 Don Alejandro Roces Avenue, Barangay Paligsahan, Quezon City, National Capital Region, Philippines 1103 Telefax No.: (02) 8 374 4138 jciphilippines.com

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Rising with Responsibilities Kit Flores

2021 National Director for Publications

Stories have a tremendous weight in moving minds and hearts towards positive impact.

Looking back at the stories of 2020, we were young citizens thrown into the midst of a pandemic. Cases rose. Cities were locked down. Everyone scrambled to make sense of the situation. Amidst the rush, JCI Philippines and its members answered the call of service and leadership by adapting to the new normal.

These challenges lay the foundation for 2021, wherein we built on the strengths and skills the pandemic taught us. We engaged our membership through online and hybrid activities. We organized community projects and initiatives that ensured everyone’s health and safety. Finally, we proved to ourselves that we can create these opportunities of impact, instead of waiting for them.

This year also introduced the formation of the National Communications Directorate at a time when a unified and synergized communication strategy was needed. For The Philippine Leader, our team wanted to reenvision it from a newsletter into a magazine, as an avenue to tell the real-life stories of our projects and members.

This first issue is JCI RISE (Rebuild. Invest. Sustain. Evolve), focusing on our economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic through three pillars:

1. Sustaining and rebuilding economies by supporting small, local

businesses

2. Motivating the workforce through youth entrepreneurship

3. Preserving mental health and well-being The Leader’s contributors have poured their heart into writing these pieces.

You will hear first-hand not only the success they achieved but also the challenges and lessons they learned as leaders during the pandemic. At a time when our communities needed us most, we responded and will remember our choice to be #MoreForOthers.

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National Skills Development Directorate launches Gabay: Mentoring & Certification Program for JCI Trainers by: Chris Aquino National Director for Membership Skills Development

Gabáy [noun] guide; guidance

On the eve of March 19, a total of 62 member-trainers graduated via Zoom on the first ever Gabay: A Mentoring and Certification Program for JCI Philippines Trainers. The 2021 National Skills Development Directorate launched the said program to serve as the first step towards creating a pool of worldclass trainers among the members. It aimed also to highlight the value of feedback in the learning process and upskilling of trainers to work in a digital environment.

The said program was one of the highlights during the National Skills Development Month. It was a 6-session and 18hour course conducted last March 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, & 19. Other highlights were the launching of Skills Development Playbook, Wazzup 2.0 with National Executive Vice President and National Secretary General Team, and the Presidents’ Academy Booster.

Day 1 & 2

Everyone was hyped up to meet each other virtually since it will be a flock of trainers. The opening ceremonies were conducted on the first day. Participants were warmly welcomed by the team.

On its first meeting, participants were already given tasks which were to prepare an individual presentation through video and create a mind map. Moreover, the first topic discussed was “The Learning Styles” by Head Trainer JCI Sen Aracid. Day 1 was focused on “Training Adults in a Digital Environment.”

On the second day, trainers JCI Sen Peñaverde and JCI Sen Dasmariñas taught “Course Development”. This was followed by breakout sessions where members per group were partnered in pairs for their task to come up with an 8-minute course topic.

Afterwards, the second topic for the day was rolled

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out by trainers JCI Sen Damariñas and JCI Sen Pimentel, the “Training Presentation”.

Before capping off the day, another break-out session was done wherein partners started to design the flow of their respective presentations on their chosen topic. Day 2’s aim was “Training Course Development.”

Day 3 & 4

After 4 days of preparation with their respective partners, every participant was tense as they entered the Zoom meeting room. Day 3 started by welcoming the participants again and with a lesson on “Training Methods” with trainers JCI Sen Bobiles and JCI Sen Gabor. The topic itself was also the focus on this day.

As the training concluded, the meeting room was broken out into 5 session rooms with 2 coaches per room. Participants presented their crafted module in a strict time of 8 minutes only.

After the presentation, coaches gave their constructive feedback on how the participants can improve their presentation, the course flow and delivery, based on their performances.

The fourth day was all about “Training Resources,” which is why trainers JCI Sen Arquiza and JCI Sen Manubag talked about “Training Resources and Techniques.” During the breakout session, participants were tasked to decide on what topic they will cover and plan for the flow of their individual 8-minute presentations on the culmination day and were free to consult with their respective coaches.

Wrapping up, participants were given an assignment which was to make and design their own profile poster.

Day 5 & 6

On the second to the last day, everyone felt jittery because it was the time for them to conduct their individual presentations in front of their mentors. This was a rehearsal and done for the purpose to help participants sharpen their presentation. By this time, they will experience a new room, new FIRST ISSUE

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group, and new mentor facilitating the activity.

As soon as the practice presentation was over, everyone was back at the main room for the last topic which is the “Training Style, Profile, & Standards” that was conducted by JCI Sen Padilla and PNP JCI Sen Ravanzo.

Focus of day 5 was “Training Content and Delivery.”

On the last day, which is the “Final Presentation Day,” every Gabay participant delivered their 8-minute presentation in their respective rooms with their assigned mentors. It was a sigh of relief for them when they finally finished the activity.

When everyone was done, the closing ceremonies followed. Gracing the commencement, JCI Sen Teresita Margerita Alberto (JCI Intan), 1997 JCI Executive Vice President and 1994 JCI Malaysia President, delivered her very inspiring speech for the Gabay graduates.

“The role of trainers is not to be stars but to make stars out of our members,” she exclaimed.

After the commencement speech, certificates for both mentors and participants were awarded. Formally closing the event, National Executive Vice President JCI Sen John Glenn Lee gave his closing remarks. This was followed JCI Sen Jude A. Acidre, 2021 JCIP National President, who delivered his message.

Though the training was conducted fully virtual, it was well-packed with activities and interactive discussion and games for learning.

What is next for the graduates? With the Gabay Mentoring and Certification Program concluded, a new journey awaits JCI Philippines as a pool of trainers will be provided opportunities for future national and international skills development events.

The Gabay Family, comprised of mentors and batchmates, is and will always be behind each other to support each and everyone’s growth in Skills Development. They will be a fuel of CHANGE IN PARADIGM in JCIP’s skills development as their bank on the wisdom of their mentors and each other’s feedback.

These graduates will be the living testament of JCI’s Mission that is to provide development opportunities.

Today, Gabay graduates have been guided by their mentors. Tomorrow, they will be the ones who will provide guidance to present and future members.

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Ten esteemed trainers devoted their time for the Gabay, served as mentors of the participants, and guided them to become effective trainers. They were: •JCI SEN MENNEN ARACID (JCI Kagayhaan Gold) 2007 JCIP National Training Director and International Training Fellow; •JCI SEN STEVE LAWRENCE M. ARQUIZA (JCI Davao) 2020 JCI Senate Davao President; •JCI SEN SAMUEL BOBILES (JCI Legazpi) 2012 JCIP National Training Director; •JCI SEN GLEENDO DASMARIÑAS (JCI Iloilo) 2009 National Training Director and 2009 JCI Asia Pacific Conference Most Outstanding JCI Trainer; •JCI SEN BIMBO GABOR (JCI Kagayhaan Gold) 2013 National Training Director; •JCI SEN DARWIN MANUBAG (JCI Iligan) 2010 National Training Director; •JCI SEN MARC PADILLA (JCI Quezon City Capitol) 2009 JCIP National Training Commission Chairman and 2011 JCIP Most Outstanding Trainer; •JCI SEN LAVI PEÑAVERDE (JCI Perlas Pasay) 2001 National Director for Training; •JCI SEN FLORICA AIRA TALAH F. PIMENTEL (JCI Puerto Princesa Peacock), 2017 National Training Director; and •JCI SEN RYAN RAVANZO (JCI Dagupan) 2013 JCIP National President.

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By Sam Uy National Director for Membership

For the participants, it seemed like everything was going smoothly and that my biggest struggle was Coach Brigitte’s leg workout. Except in reality, it was a lot more than that. Here’s the REAL scoop behind the scenes.

It was the first week of January 2021 with the ND Academy on January 12 to 14. We were tasked to present our proposals on January 15. I already had two failed proposals at the time, but you know what they say, third time’s the charm.

After a week of brainstorming with NSG Liezl, we finally had our light-bulb moment: To make a 21-day challenge that can promote good health and well-being to all JCI members in the Philippines.

We chose 21 days because that’s how long it takes to create a habit on average. The goal is for these healthy habits to be a part of our lifestyle, because we want the impact to be long-term and sustainable. After the National Board meeting, I got the good news that my proposal was approved. With the national launch pegged at 01 April 2021, this gave me enough time to prepare but not too much time that I would lose momentum. But the bigger question is, where do I begin?

Before that, let me explain why I have a passion for good health and well-being in the first place. A couple of years back, I found myself feeling down and opened up to my friend, Robert.

He gave me these simple tasks to follow: exercise, eat healthy, and meditate. He also gave me the book, The Magic by Rhonda Byrne, that teaches about the power of gratitude. These all made a difference in my life. Since then, it has become my passion to help others just like my friend helped me. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. The pandemic and the current circumstances are less than ideal, but it gave us a chance to connect online and create a community with people across the different islands. We also need physical, mental, and emotional wellness now more than ever to strengthen our immune system against Covid19.

Going back to the program, I needed a game plan to start. As I recall, IPP Samantha sent me a podcast that I listened to everyday, and it kept me motivated. So I shared the plan with her and we came up with the idea to invite expert speakers to talk about different topics every day throughout the challenge.

Samantha, being such a Ms. Congeniality, knew ten times more JCI members than I did! She suggested JCI members for every topic I could think of. And because I’m the least techie person ever, she also offered to make the Facebook Group, Instagram Page, and first few ad materials. This is how I knew that Sam should be DD Sam.

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February 2021. Two months to go before the target date and all we had were the guidelines and social media platforms.

Nevertheless, it was time to promote the program and get as many people involved because this is what the JCI Mission is all about. On one random Sunday, I was in a mountain resort with Jaye and Jacob, my son. Sitting at the other table was Jarra and we ended up talking. I told her about the program and asked if she could be one of our speakers. She said YES on the spot!

How lucky am I to have the 2020 National Debate Champion as a resource speaker? This gave me all the confidence I needed to convince the other lecturers to take part as well. At this point, I already knew that God was on my side and that He would provide all the right people at the perfect time. I just had to trust the process.

The next question is, how do you get participants to join? I had two strategies in mind. First, to ask friends from different Areas to support by joining and inviting others. Second, to participate in activities for publicity, such as Wazzup JCIP 2.0.

Additionally, I also created a training module called Healthy Habits FIRST ISSUE

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Orlando Casipiti (JCI Kulintang)

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and presented it to our sister chapters under the JCI Mandaue program, Engage Interactive Series. After the second session, around 40 people joined the Facebook Group, and this got the ball rolling. During March, that number multiplied exponentially until we had 1600+ members in the Group. This was when I realized that the program was getting much bigger than I expected, and that I would need a team to pull this off.

Since our team is composed of different areas, I chose people that I instantly connected with based on the few times we met. As it turns out, they’re also passionate about good health and well-being. If you asked me to name my top three weaknesses, I would say I lack organizing, computer, and design skills. What were the odds that three members of the team are current or former Secretaries of their respective chapters? This made the dynamics of the team as perfect as I could hope for. AD Eda is so organized that she prepared the whole tech script for the Grand Launching and the Closing Ceremonies. This made it easier for our host, DNSG Jahan and our Tech Director, Eisen to understand the flow right away. AD Janelle has a talent for designing collaterals and enjoys using Canva, while AD Katrina, AD Jason, and AD Abigail invited people from their areas to be the Coaches and participants. When it comes to leading the team, I guess I did one thing right. I was able to share my vision that the purpose of the Challenge is to inspire the JCI members to be better. Since this is a National Program, we can’t bid this for awards and recognition. However, we still strived for excellence because our hearts were in the right place.

April 2021 is officially the start of the challenge. To say that it was challenging for us is an understatement. Our team was incredibly busy with what was happening in our respective chapters. My chapter was planning our induction, chartering another chapter, and participating in JCI week simultaneously.

It came to a point that my only free time of the day was spent working out and meditating because we have to practice what we preach. This is where the love and concern for each other in the team took over. We would take turns fulfilling our responsibilities so that the others can rest. Overall, it was such a positive environment for all of us and I hope that our positivity overflowed to the people we serve. Because it was our love for the participants, your posts, and your kind words that kept us going during those days that we were already feeling drained. Seeing all the Finishers of the #JCIP21DayChallenge and their inspiring

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What did I learn throughout this whole thing? I learned that as much as we try to control the outcome, we can only do so much because some things are based on outside factors like timing, luck, and other people. This is why we need to learn to be happy regardless of the result. Every single part of the program from the Team, Partners, Sponsors, Speakers, Coaches, to the Participants made it successful beyond our expectations. I also learned that whenever we get the opportunity to step out of our comfort zones, we should just take a leap of faith. That way, we won’t have any regrets. We just have to give it our best and hope it works out. And if it does, always remember to stay humble because almost everything can be taken away from us in an instant. This reminds us to work on ourselves and aim for constant improvement. When all is said and done, that’s something that we can take with us wherever we go. We have to prioritize ourselves because when we show up as our best, we can be a blessing to everyone around us and we can do More for Others.

Our JCI careers are not going to last forever, but the lessons and experiences will always be ours to keep. If we’re lucky, we get to leave a mark that will be remembered as our legacy. On behalf of the whole Membership team, I’d like to thank JCI Philippines and its members for giving us both this opportunity and experience that we will forever treasure. It is our dream to see this program continue to touch the lives of more people. Because at the end of the day, people don’t remember the awards or the positions, but they will remember how we made them feel. How much we loved, cared, and chose to do the right thing even when it’s not always the easiest option. And in the end, that is what leads to real and long-lasting happiness, knowing that we made the world a better place. We are truly grateful for the overwhelming support that we have received during this whole program, and we hope that we made as much an impact in your lives as you have in ours. Congratulations, everyone!

Jane Dablos (JCI Lanao Greenfields)

Finisher’s Report (Kit Flores/ JCI Ortigas)

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JCI WEEK 2021, FIRST WEEK-LONG, ALL VIRTUAL CELEBRATION BY: JOVEN BERNADOS 2021 JCI WEEK NATIONAL CHAIRPERSON

For the past 43 years the Junior Chamber International Philippines celebrates JCI Week to affirm the JCI Values that bind and to celebrate the friendship that brings together more than two hundred local affiliates all over the country. A weeklong program which includes; projects, trainings and meetings are conducted by JCI local organizations geared to showcase the work that JCI does, including its flagships and national programs.

As an organization who believes that actions are much more meaningful than words and that hugs and shaking hands could express brotherhood more than any gestures. This PANDEMIC made it hard for us to change our usual norms into things we are all not so familiar with. Turning face to face trainings and physical projects into an all virtual/online celebration was really tough, we encountered challenges from the day we started planning until the JCI WEEK LONG ONLINE EXECUTION itself.

This year our theme was, “JCI Philippines, Rising up by lifting up others” because we knew it in ourselves that we can never make all these things possible without the help of each and every single JCI members worldwide. Our determination to create positive change and our openness to INNOVATIONS had brought us this success and I really owe this to the whole JCI Philippines and to the hardworking 2021 JCI Week Team.

As this year’s National Chairperson it is always my dream and it makes me happy to help others. And it was very timely that I got this opportunity in the midst of the pandemic because I always believe that those who are the happiest are those who do the most for others! I can now finally say, WE DID IT & MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

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MIALIN ROSE FERRER AREA 1 JCI WEEK CHAIRPERSON

JCI Week has been one of the most anticipated celebrations in JCI Philippines as all local chapters gather and unite to celebrate our values, mission and vision.

As the Area 1 Chairperson for JCI Week, this year’s celebration has been a challenge yet meaningful. We might not able to celebrate it physically but, as Jaycees, that didn’t hinder us.

We became more festive and united as one JCI Area 1. We became more to ourselves and to others regardless of the circumstances.

Truly, JCI Week brought us to really realize that Jaycees always live by their virtues.

ANALYN AREA 2 JCI WEEK CHAIRPERSON

I would say this 2021’s JCI week celebration is something that I really would not forget. I am extremely grateful for being part of this celebration and I really enjoyed all the activities throughout the seven busy days.

Initially, as Chairperson of Area 2, I did not have any idea what to do, luckily I have very supportive Area Vice President and Regional Vice Presidents. I really have a very approachable National Chair. And very participative Local Organizations which in its own local areas managed to conduct different activities during the week whilst supporting the Region, Area, and National activities. Special mention to JCI Makati which accepted the challenge the Area’s Baby Shark Tank. The Area Directors for art and media worked hard and we had very reliable point persons for each activities. These key persons made the work really fun and easy. We got in touched with RVPs as well of different areas who were equally supportive of our Baby Shark Tank Competition and ML tournament.

This year’s theme “JCI Philippines, Rising Up By Lifting Up Others” was very timely considering the present pandemic. I believe that all the activities successfully lifted others not just by my making the members learn from webinars but also enjoy with the games and prizes.

With this year’s successful JCI week celebration, I look forward to the activities we well be having next week because I am certain whatever activities we may come up with for promoting JCI, with or without the restrictions in physically conducting them, young active citizens would be surely encouraged to join our JCI family. Love live JCI Philippines!

DIOSPYROS “PEPS” FUENTES AREA 4 JCI WEEK CHAIRPERSON

This year’s JCI week celebration is a testimony of a true Visayan spirit “Padayon” (keep going). Despite the challenges brought by this pandemic JCI Area 4 Visayas continues to celebrate our brotherhood and commemorates the values of JCI in unison through this JCI Philippines week celebration.

Gathering 31 chapters in three regions across islands in the Visayan seas JCI Area 4 proved that we can all do this together. As the Area 4 chairperson for JCI week, I took advantage of the use of media and internet access to collaborate with our local chapters and region to celebrate this year’s JCI week celebration. Virtual meetings and online streaming become the new alternative platforms to gather and celebrate JCI week 2021.

Unity in diversity, sharing talents and abilities in editing, broadcasting, and in Tiktok is a manifestation that JCI is endowed, gifted, and resourceful young leaders.

Limitless and borderless, no distance can hinder network and partner local chapters and regions in the Visayas to celebrate JCI week virtually.

This year’s celebration showcased the best collaboration practices among chapters both local and international. I am grateful to witness and listen to the insightful sharing of their collaboration program with other private, government, and non-government organizations, as well as JCI chapters across the globe. Truly, it is a genuine epitome of our values as JCI.

Our talent showcase in Area 4 also depicts the culture, talents, and creativity of our local chapters. Our Tiktok dance challenge not only highlights the art of dancing but also promoted JCI as a community service organization that celebrates the individual’s unique gifts.

This year’s JCI week might be celebrated in hybrid mode yet we were able to celebrate our brotherhood through media and the web. I am grateful to be part of this milestone of JCI Philippines as it continues to celebrate our organization’s triumphs and accomplishments. Padayon JCI! FIRST ISSUE

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Forty Under 40: Startup Academy

JCI (Junior Chamber International) Philippines, headed by its 2021 National President Jude Avorque Acidre, and StartUp Village (SUV), headed by its Founder/Chairman, Jay Bernardo, and Founder/President, Carlo Calimon, enter into a partnership by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to help enable entrepreneurs and startups, particularly those who are part of the JCI network through the Startup Academy. This program is just one of the many programs planned by JCI under its newest national program, Forty Under 40 — a series of master classes on different disciplines to be offered to JCI members.

JCI Philippines, formerly Philippine Jaycees, Inc., is a nonprofit organization with local chapters all over the country composed of young active citizens aged 18 to 40 years old who take the initiative to solve local challenges focused on sustainable impact locally and globally. On the other hand, SUV is a one-stop startup enabler that focuses on bringing entrepreneurial ventures into the mainstream for incubation and acceleration.

Through this partnership, Forty

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Under 40’s Startup Academy will be the first among JCI’s entrepreneurial skills development initiatives open to all JCI members. This is an entrepreneurship development program of JCI Philippines that trains and helps young JCI memberentrepreneurs to become full-fledged and socially responsible entrepreneurs.

“Following the thrust of JCI globally, we hope to provide engaging opportunities for young, business-minded JCI leaders for a changing world,” according to Tertiana Alexie Tupas, an Asian Institute of Management alumna and JCI Philippines’ 2021 national program director for Forty under 40.

The program will adopt SUV’s existing incubation program, further customized to address the emerging needs of entrepreneurs while still following its core framework that follows the three masteries: Mastery of the Self, Mastery of the Environment, and Mastery of the Enterprise. The program will be delivered through a combination of virtual classes and group/individual mentoring by industry experts and resource persons from the academe. As a culminating activity, the

participants are expected to do a pitch before a group of potential funders and angel investors during the Philippine Startup Week in November for a chance to turn their dream startup into a reality.

“The crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic has become a providential period of catharsis, of transformation, as we prepare ourselves for the greater challenges ahead. Now more than ever, young leaders need to better ourselves and improve our capacity to create and sustain innovative solutions to everyday community problems,” said JCI Philippines 2021 National President Jude Avorque Acidre.

This 40-online session program will begin on April 10, 2021 following the MoA signing scheduled last March 10, 2021.

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JCI Think Green 2021: The Bamboo Bends but Does Not Break

By Joshua Dizon National Chairman, Think Green

What is the importance of bamboos? Why do we need to plant bamboos instead of other plants and trees? What is so special about bamboos? These are the questions that are usually raised. Bringing bamboo knowledge to the community became the challenge of JCI Think Green. Our goal was to inform, educate, and promote the planting of bamboos.

To this end, we held Bamboo Training sessions on propagation, Bamboo Planting events in different regions, and Training on Bamboo products. We steadily went about information dissemination through Information Education Campaigns to the National and Regional areas of JCI Philippines. All of these JCI Think Green undertakings were done to support our environment and to sustain livelihoods in the community.

Foremost in our participants’ concerns is the question, “Are there any Bamboo Businesses thriving during this pandemic?” To gain deeper insight, I looked to two notable advocates, Mr. Edgardo Manda and Fr. Victor Labao, to shed light on the subject.

An alumnus of International Organization for Bamboo & Rattan, Mr. Edgardo Manda is a former Presidential Assistant to the Office of the President, a former Undersecretary, General Manager of NAIA and General Manager of Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA). He is currently the President of the Philippine Bamboo Foundation.

As LLDA General Manager, Mr. Manda was invited by the Ministry of Science and Technology to observe a bamboo province in China where he saw firsthand the development of the Bamboo Industry. He discovered that the bamboo industry saved and transformed the lives of the residents in that province. This discovery is what led to Mr. Manda’s bamboo advocacy. He became a member of the Philippine Bamboo Foundation in 2007 and went on to become its President in 2010, a position that he currently holds. The Philippine Bamboo Foundation continues to educate people on bamboo as an Agri commodity and works to promote the value of bamboo to the government.

Fr. Victor Labao, a retired priest, is the CEO of Kabilin Bamboo Farm. After seeing the devastating effects of typhoon Yolanda, he looked into the possible reasons for the extent of the damage brought about by the typhoon.

He was alarmed at how many lives were affected and wanted to see if there were changes to be made to prevent the Filipino people from going through the same tragic experience in the future. In his research, he read that carbon dioxide was one of the causes of climate change. Furthermore, he learned that bamboos are rapid carbon sequesters. Armed with this newfound knowledge, he started his advocacy and founded Kabilin Bamboo Farm, where he planted many species of bamboo, propagated them, and distributed them around the Philippines. Fr. Labao also holds training sessions on the propagation of bamboo to enable the public to distribute them within their community.

To answer our question, Mr. Manda stated that the bamboo businesses have continued to be successful even in the midst of the pandemic, but especially after domestic travel was resumed. Bamboo ecofarm tourism experienced a boom after people, striving to escape crowded cities at higher risk for Covid, flocked to open areas filled with bamboos where they could relax. Aside from being a tourism attraction, the ecofarm offers bamboo poles to sell or made into products that are used every day. Fr. Vic echoes this sentiment, saying that his own business, the sale of high quality bamboo propagules, has not been affected by the pandemic. Both the government and private sectors were consistent in their purchasing of Bamboo propagules. He added that families probably visited his farm as a brief respite from their work but left with bamboo propagules to plant in their own gardens and properties.

Initially, I thought that the bamboo business would not have been exempt from the effects of the pandemic. In this case, I’m happy to have been proven wrong. Many thanks to these two leading authorities on bamboo, Mr. Edgardo Manda and Father Victor Labao, for opening my eyes and bringing about my realization that bamboo is an emerging industry. Let us not forget that part of our role as citizens in our community is to educate and promote what is good for our environment, and assist in the betterment of the livelihood (and lives) of our fellow Filipinos. Like the Filipino spirit, the bamboo truly can bend but does not break

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JCI PHILIPPINES

2021 NATIONAL BOARD

JUDE ACIDRE National President

MARK JOSEPH DAVID

JOHN GLENN LEE

National Executive Vice President

Immediate Past National President

LIEZL ALFONSO National Secretary General

YVETTE CHRISTINE HERRERA National Treasurer

MARIA RONETTE SALVE BARREDA

CONSTANTINE IGNACIO

JOHN CARLO LIM

SCOTT JOSEPH VALENCIA

National Executive Director

General Legal Counsel

JOSE PAULO JAQUE WALICAN

National Skills Development Director

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National Awards Chairperson

National Communications Director

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AREA VICE PRESIDENTS

EARL JAMES AQUINO

JOSEPH GINNO JARALVE

Area 1

ABRAHAM CATAQUIZ

Area 2

ERIC PAOLO SMITH Area 4

Area 3

MARK PETER QUILANETA Area 5

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS

SHARLAINE MARQUEZ

JASON GAVINA

MARK JESTER MANARANG

DEANBERT PAULE PRADO

Area 1 Central Luzon

Area 1 Cagayan Valley

Area 2 Metro North

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ALFREDO MONDIGUING JR.

RICHARD PARAS

KAREN MAY ROMARATE

PHILIP JEISON CRUZ

Area 1 Northern Luzon

Area 1 Ilocandia

Area 2 Metro East

Area 2 Metro Rizal

Area 2 Metro South

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JOHN GERALD SIA

MARK CHRISTIAN SIGUE

KRIZEL ANNE MANALO

LAREINA CAMILLE MEDINA

MARK ANTHONY PRECONCILLO

DOMAR NICOLAS SARA

MAE ANGELYN TE

JINUARD ASIS

OSMOND RUBINOS

DEO ANTHONY ALCUDIA

LOVAH SABURAO

DIEGO GUINANAS JR.

ILYN ANDALE

MARNELLI BERBA

ABDURAHMAN UTO

Area 3 Southern Tagalog

Area 3 Laguna

Area 3 Palawan

Area 4 Western Visayas

Area 3 Cavite North

Area 4 Central Visayas

Area 3 Cavite South

Area 4 Eastern Visayas

Area 3 Bicol

Area 5 Central Mindanao

Area 5 Southern Mindanao

Area 5 Northern Mindanao

HANNAH CLOE CANO

Area 5 Western Mindanao 1

Area 5 Western Mindanao 2

Area 5 Western Mindanao 3

Area 5 Davao

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all about Jude With a battle cry of “More for Others”, the National President is responsible for leading the entire JCI Philippines and its membership through the incredibly challenging times of 2021. You often see him delivering inspiring statements, assisting projects, and attending meetings. And behind every leadership position, there is always a JCI Member and a story to tell.

Through this interview, let us hear the story of NP Jude Avorque Acidre from none other than the man himself!

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I was working as a director of the International Emergency and Development Aid when I encountered JCI. As I needed people who shared the same work, ideas, and convictions, JCI perfectly made the fit. At first, I was just like any other ordinary member. I didn’t have plans of going up. I simply attended meetings, joined projects, and paid my dues.

I was amazed by how young people, at the time of great difficulty for us in Tacloban after Yolanda, would find the time and opportunity to continue contributing to the growth and betterment of other people. Seeing young people who were that generous and willing to go beyond the call of duty and professions struck me a lot. That’s how I got engaged to participate in JCI. I was a regular member until I became our 2017 chapter EVP. In 2018, I was our LO President. And in 2019 and 2020, I was the Area Vice President for Visayas and National Treasurer respectively.

Everything that followed after my term LO President wasn’t planned. It felt like a natural eagerness to be of service, not only to the community but also to the organization. After all the experiences you have received as a member, now comes an opportunity to return the favor and multiply the goods. That’s how I look at the leadership position that came after and how I got into JCI. 2. WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT WORKING WITH JCI?

What surprised me most is that leadership doesn’t go out of style. For example, leadership is a lesson that you can learn from friends. The best thing about my own JCI chapter is that we’re all friends; you feel valued and appreciated being part of the chapter. Your chapter will always be behind you. That is significant because, as you know, I’m in politics. And in politics, it’s practically a dog-eat-dog world. That sense of competition and purpose gets easily blurred in the process.

What surprised me also is that leadership is not something that you learn detached from life. Leadership doesn’t have to be boxed in, in the sense that you have one role and one responsibility. Leadership can be a product of friends, friendship, experience, and fellowship. There is so much to learn about leadership by simply living life better and more meaningfully.

Even in my own personal experience, I’m surprised at what we can accomplish in a pandemic. At a time when people are sup-posed to be holding back on their resources, we find so much generosity from our members and volunteers.

The generosity that we see in JCI is refreshing. It’s refreshing to see people work beyond the call of duty and be of greater service to others. To be honest, it surprised me in a good way. It sparked in me an even greater willingness to do my part and ask “Why can’t I do the same? Why can’t I do more?” That is what inspired me to move forward.

3. WHAT MIGHT SOMEONE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I’m socially awkward. Every time I go inside a meeting room and see new people, I really think too much about what to say to start the conversation. That’s because my comfort zone is being by myself. As someone who talks too much, I am someone who spends more time at home and likes to live privately. Perhaps my political work has forced me in a way to “live a more public life.” I usually prefer to keep my circle small and be mindful of who my friends are and how I interact. Deep inside, it takes an effort to open up and be socially savvy.

One thing that has helped me work on that was to always remind myself that there’s always something you can contribute to the people you meet. It can be as simple as your time, thoughts, even a pat on the back or kind gesture. Be sincere about it.

For example, when I was already going up the ladder, I had to make decisions that were quite unpopular. There were times that I had to give opinions that were different from what others think. So, I would call them up and explain myself. I feel that life is too short to be faking it. Sincerity goes a long way in creating more meaningful friendships, especially in an organization wherein we all grow together based on relationships and connections with each other.

4. HOW HAS JCI PHILIPPINES ADAPTED TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC THIS YEAR?

We realized that we don’t have much of a choice. We must accept our situation, but not resign to it. That mindset was significant when we were planning this year and selecting the theme.

Originally before the pandemic, we wanted the slogan as JCI+ because it was more growth, membership, and experience. When COVID-19 happened, the term positive was not a kind word at the time. Thus, we shifted to More for Others because it encapsulates what we wanted. On top of being more than the usual JCI, it’s also about creating a difference at a time when people feel they need to receive and turning it into an opportunity to give.

This year, we took the commitment to look at the areas that we needed to change and practices that we needed to put forward. We revisited the basics of JCI life, which we call the tripod: efficiency, empowerment, and excellence. We’ve also moved from having a more international perspective to that of a local chapter. This involved redefining the role of the national organization from one that is focused on national presence, to that of local relevance. The local chapter is the best reflection of what JCI life is meant to be.

First, we revisited what efficiency meant through PEA. Now, it’s not about having so many projects, but making sure that they are consistently done over time. This was emphasized through the one meeting, one project, and one training per month scheme. To be honest, we thought that FIRST ISSUE

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the number of projects would go down. Surprisingly, we have even more projects than we had last year.

Second, we shifted our mindset from just attending one training after the other to a platform for growth through skills development. We had the foresight to train trainers for JCI and ensure a certification program in place. This helped us identify trainers over the long-term and that has worked out well for the organization.

Third, we put together an award system that not only communicates within the organization, but also communicates outward to other stakeholders and involves external judges. When more people know what we do, then they practically learn how relevant JCI is to their community.

And lastly, we have made sure communications became as effective and clear as possible. Oftentimes, communication is something that is an afterthought. However, it is integral to who we are as a leadership organization. That’s why we created the National Communications Directorate. Using our channels, social media, and website, we have a virtual platform for growth and connectedness.

We don’t expect to finish everything by the end of the year. Personally, I think of this stage in our JCI history as something like a cocoon experience. It’s the time when we retract inwards and build our inner capacities. And at the right time, when things are better in the outside world, we will emerge from this crisis even stronger than before.

5. WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST CHALLENGING IN YOUR ROLE AS NP?

There are three things.

First, the most difficult part was not being able to bring the entire leadership together in one place. Unless you can touch someone in the flesh, it will be very difficult to create the connection that you want to happen. This is important in an organization wherein people come from different settings, backgrounds, and professions. It’s also frustrating because I know we could do more if we have that connection. Looking back at our Leadership Roundtable, there’s always that spark that is strengthened and started when we come together in one place and see a purpose being shared by many.

Second, the uncertainty of what is

going to happen next. Almost all the National Presidents were able to plan their year and schedule what will happen every quarter, month, and week. Unfortunately, I am unable to do the same. Because unlike others, nobody can anticipate what will happen or develop in this situation.

What has been helpful is that everybody has been willing to be flexible, the ability to pivot and easily shift. During ASPAC, we were initially planning to focus on the awards night and have a local celebration. However, the restriction meant we couldn’t do that. We were still able to put on a good show for the Philippines night. More importantly, it proved that JCI Philippines continues to battle it out with the situation in the Philippines

Third, how to calculate risks for the organization. Unlike previous terms, both the financial and chronological space to pivot is not available. It has been challenging for us to weigh options for the organization. We came in with a comprehensive plan, and it takes courage to admit that we cannot do it that far. We can only get so much, considering the situation. Rather, you focus on what can be done, on what is possible, and on what’s the best for the situation right now.

6. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU AREN’T VOLUNTEERING?

If I’m not with JCI, I’m working! For people who are in politics and in public service, they know that there’s so much risk going outside. Even so, there’s no other way to be a leader than to be with the community. It can be demanding and challenging to an extent.

When I’m not working or volunteering, I’m on Netflix. I like to watch movies because they’re a way for me not only to relax, but also to remind myself how human people find meaning in their realities, problems, and homes. Movies and TV series are a good way for me to be more introspective about life. Whether it’s a comedy, family drama, or love story, you understand the lives of other people. It makes you closer and connected to your own human experience.

And of course, I like to cook for guests and wash the dishes after dinner!

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7. WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO IS THINKING ABOUT BECOMING A JAYCEE? Find your heart, because JCI is not for everyone. JCI is for people who make a conscious choice to make themselves better, so that they can help others in return.

JCI is for people who want to transform themselves so that they can transform communities. That choice must be conscious.

Yes, we invite people to JCI. Usually, the reasons for joining are not the same as the reasons for staying. It cannot just simply be an accident to be part of this organization.

When I give OTIs, I always tell them that when you become part of JCI you must embrace not only its perks, but also its responsibilities. Because if it doesn’t come from that, then you will have an empty experience and never stay.

Now, for you to get there, you begin with one thing: you find your heart and your passion. Find that why. Because without the whys, there will never be hows. If the why is not consistent with what we do as an organization, then you might be wasting your time with us.

There’s another side to it: JCI is like falling in love. You don’t plan it. It simply happens at the right point when you say, “This is what I want to do. I want to be part of this organization.”

Then, you try to be available as much as you can, and it becomes part of your daily experience. You put your best foot forward, and your presence becomes something positive to those you meet.

It’s staying in love with the movement. It’s staying in love with the principles we stand for. In that way, you fuel the same heart and same why you discovered when you first joined the organization.

Two things: Find your heart. Stay in love.

the NB did not put together a stronger JCI Philippines unto itself.

We weren’t aiming for accomplishments or accolades as officers.

Rather, we tried to make the national organization truly supportive of the initiative of the Local Organizations. If you notice this year, we had fewer large-scale national gatherings and instead used our resources towards building LO capacity, through a restructured PEA and skills development. It took a lot of courage and generosity on everyone’s part to share their time and skills to an end wherein they won’t get any formal recognition or award.

Simply put: Nagtrabaho ang lahat hindi para maging bida.

That’s where I would like to thank everybody for putting the heart and mission of being More for Others. It was not just an empty slogan, but it was as a consistent ethical and leadership principle that has guided us this year. That we need to look at how we can improve ourselves so that we can improve the organization. It was about how we can improve the organization so that we can do more, not necessarily as a national movement, but empowering local chapters to do more effective, efficient, and impactful projects.

And lastly, I’d like to thank everyone’s courage to correct and change things. For example, to change the PEA system is something that we need to be proud of this year. We also tried new things, such as being intentional with our national communications and undergoing a gestation period with it.

This courage, this commitment, and this compassion for the organization and the contributions that we’ve made are not mine alone. Hopefully, we have delivered a kind of leadership that is not because of one man, but one that is shaped and molded by all. That is because everybody has taken that vision for their own.

Thank you.

8. WHAT FINAL WORDS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOUR READERS?

I’d like to thank the organization for the very reassuring response, commitment, support that I received this year. In the end, this leadership is not just about me.

It’s about everyone, each one of us who shared in the vision that we proposed and contributed the best we can.

The two people I am thankful to have met were John Glenn and Yvette. Every listening session we held; they were there with me. That generosity on their part really struck me. As cliché as it sounds, I found a family in the two of them. I owe our success this year to that friendship that has bonded the three of us together. It’s not easy to find friends who are willing to give so much of their time for a purpose that is bigger than us. That realization is not only because of those two, but also for everyone who is part of the National Board, the Management Committee, our NDs and NCs this year.

Personally, the good thing about this year was that

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E L E C T I O N A M I D S T A PA N D E M I C

By Mabel Villarica-Mamba | 2002 National President, JCI Philippines

Section 1 of the Philippine Constitution provides “Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law, who are at least eighteen years of age, and who shall have resided in the Philippines for at least one year, and in the place wherein they propose to vote, for at least six months immediately preceding the election. No literacy, property, or other substantive requirement shall be imposed on the exercise of suffrage.”

Our right to vote does not discriminate. It does not require gender, educational attainment, bank account balance or any qualification that may favor one over another except for age, citizenship and residence.

We only have one vote and so do the tycoons and taipans, the doctors and the laborers, the senior citizen and the new voter. The vote does not multiply by the number of peso bills one has in his wallet or the credit limit of his credit card. It does not double because one has a doctorate degree. One cannot vote more than once because he is a Senator of the Republic.

This is why it has to be exercised with carefulness and judiciousness. It should not be bought and should not be sold. It is a constitutional right that has a tangible effect on what happens to us for the next 3 years if it is a local election or the next 6 years if it is a national election.

Thus, the campaign to register among first time voters and voter’s education through “Ambag Ko”.

Thus, the importance and at the same time peculiarity of the 2022 elections.

Who would have thought that what we have seen in those doomsayer movies were indeed possible? That there will be an illness, a disease, a virus that will slow down movement on earth and among its inhabitants; that it will keep people (most of them anyhow) inside their homes and behind masks; that it will force government and its leaders to step up and go beyond their comfort zones.

And it is not concentrated in one country or region. It is everywhere.

Here in the Philippines, there is no Filipino who could say they do not know what COVID is and what happened to their lives in this pandemic. Surely, anyone who can articulate their thoughts will be able to say something about GCQ, MCQ, ECQ and its mutations, ayuda, social distancing, face masks and face shields, online and

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modular schooling, work from home, vaccine, etc.

It is not expected that COVID will disappear anytime soon. We will have to learn to live with it and survive from it. How about our leaders? Have they learned to lead amidst the pandemic? How about the electorate? Have we decided whom to lead us considering the present and possible future circumstances?

COMELEC made itself clear that the 2022 elections will push through with 63 million registered voters for the 2022 elections, surpassing its target of 59 million.

Taking these into consideration, we should choose leaders who have a vision and can execute that vision to make us cope with the challenges of the pandemic. Leaders who can balance the protection and safety of its people with the imperative to keep the economic wheels churning. Leaders who truly care.

However, we will not be able to get the leaders we want and need if we do not vote.

Let us ask ourselves and others: Kabilang ka ba? Are you counted? Were you counted?

May gagawin ka ba? Are you going to do something about it?

The national project “Ambag Ko” endeavors to educate future, first time and current voters on the importance of their right of suffrage. If we can educate even a handful, we hope and encourage these handful of individuals to further educate a handful within their network, and so forth and so on. It creates a ripple effect which has long term and lasting effects.

Last August 13 and 23, the “Ambagan ng Bayan” podcast hosted

by JCI Marilao Marilag was aired on Facebook Live, and featured 2 guestdiscussants. I was the first guest in my capacity as the 2002 JCI Philippines National President and former National Youth Commission Chairperson and CEO. I spoke on the topic “Ano ang Kahalagahan ng Kabataan sa Eleksiyon.”

Since the youth (between the ages of 15 to 30 as defined in RA 8044 or the Youth in Nation-Building Act) comprise a sizable portion of the Philippine population, it can be deduced that the youth also make up a big chunk of the voting population. In fact, more than half of the 2019 registered voters were millennials and Gen Z as per COMELEC data.

Here lies the challenge. How do

you tap young voters?

Although there was 75% voter turnout during the 2019 election, the youth do not vote as one. There is no established youth bloc or youth vote. I believe the youth favor visuals and experiences – what they can actually see, touch, hear, feel or even smell. Politicians or candidates should be able to present platforms that have direct impact on them if they wish to court this vote-rich sector.

Meanwhile, COMELEC Executive Director and Spokesman James Jimenez discussed about the topic “Pilipino, Bakit Kailangan Mo Bumoto?”

According to him, it is important to vote because it will determine where our country is headed and what direction we wish it will take. When asked about the party list system, he explained that it is theoretically working.

Director Jimenez also talked about the potentials of the youth vote.

Nowadays, the youth are vocal and they are exposed to societal realities. The youth make no qualms about publicizing their rants on social media and for most of them, they also act upon it.

Remember the community pantries that sprouted across the country?

Can you just imagine if the full potentials of the youth are harnessed and engaged?

What I found most thoughtprovoking in Director Jimenez’s discussion is that the pandemic demonstrated the relationship between voting and governance because the ayuda is coursed through elected officials. Hence, the magnitude of the power of the people to elect officials resonates among the masa.

We have to do our part to make sure the right people get elected by encouraging voters to vote on May 9, 2022. This is our ambag. This is our contribution. This is our obligation to our country, our fellowmen, our children and the future generation.

It does not stop with us though.

We should take it upon ourselves to convince others, especially the most cynical, the frustrated, those that feel left out, the apathetic and the fence-sitters.

Dapat maging kabilang tayo. We should be counted.

Dapat may gawin tayo. We should do our part.

Dapat bumoto tayo. We should vote.

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Rising Up Together: Breaking Boundaries, Building Hope

JCI RISE depicts communityhumanitarian relief efforts for affected communities during the COVID-19 pandemic and victims of crisis such as the Taal Volcano eruption. These challenges have awakened the spirit of ‘modern-day bayanihan (cooperative undertaking)’. From individual citizens to private firms alike, we have all provided help, support and resources to augment government efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease, as well as mitigate its impact to the public. JCI Silang Cattleya and its members to move towards the goal of “Rising Up Together: Breaking Boundaries, Building Hope”. This program aimed to translate our vision of a well-being economy into action and to help build the resilience of communities to the economic fallout. These were our efforts:

In light of the Taal Volcano eruption, JCI Silang Cattleya also offered support groups and pocket sessions with displaced victims. Together with JCI Silang Pasimuno and other members from Area 3, JCI Silang Cattleya was instrumental in the planning and execution of the relief efforts to these communities. We also played a role in helping out the local executives of Silang in choosing key evacuation centers for certain demographics.

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In terms of livelihood, Be Vocal for Local campaign was an on-line group page designed to feature local talents, sellers, and food delivery people.

This campaign supported the local community of Iba Silang Cavite whose livelihoods were greatly affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine brought by the COVID-19 health crisis.

Additionally, JCI Silang Cattleya facilitated distribution of the Mom’s Love bags. This group immediately called for help in dealing with the current situation to support the most vulnerable sector which consists of pregnant and lactating mothers.

It is time to rise to our full potential as leaders, to meet challenges with innovation, and to lift each other up. Through the Rising Up Together: Breaking Boundaries and Building Hope program, our campaigns and initiatives support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals by promoting local products and services in a way that can uplift and boost the economy.

Let us aim to promote more community and humanitarian projects in Rebuild, Invest, Sustain and Evolve towards ONE Future for ALL. Indeed, JCI definitely Cares for us to RISE.

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Yllana Pop-Up Shop The JCI Yllana Pop-Up (For People, Not for Profit) is an ongoing fundraising program that goes full circle in giving back to the community by showcasing and selling products made by local businesses and indigenous peoples and using the profits to aid people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awarded as the Best Fundraising Program during the 2020 JCI Philippines Temiong Awards—the highest recognition given to a project, chapter, or member of JCI Philippines – the program had the following activities that were conducted through physical pop-up shops and social media, maximizing its Facebook and website Shop Tab, live selling, and promotion through Facebook and Instagram posts.

Selling products made by indigenous communities such as the Yakan people of Basilan and the Subanen people of Zamboanga del Sur

Pooling donations in cash and in kind from generous individuals

Selling items from our flagship upcycling program Craftsura, which converts discarded materials into new products with added value, including garments made from flour sacks, bags from tarpaulins, and pillowcases from sublimation banners

Selling goods from our own members’ micro and small businesses

The highlight of the JCI Yllana Pop-Up is its partnership with various economic sectors and members of the community. Beyond generating funds for the local chapter, the flagship fundraising project also supported multiple sectors of the community needing help because of the pandemic. This initiative provided local businesses and indigenous peoples more marketing avenues and platforms for economic growth.

Other items were specially curated to include only the products that push the advocacies of JCI Yllana forward such as zero-waste products, water tumblers, stickers, rice straws, and upcycled products.

Furthermore, this fundraising program has truly embodied the core of JCI’s global effort, JCI RISE, helping businesses and economies stay afloat during trying times. It has allowed JCI Yllana to continue to serve the community despite a global health crisis.

Through sales made from Pop-Up products and donations from various stakeholders, the local organization was able to provide care kits to frontliners and persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) amounting to PHP 807,750 (USD 16,762). It also produced at-home learning kits for 115 kids affected by the suspension of academic activities in the country, with a total value of PHP 23,000 (USD 477).

Provided as a pandemic relief project, these care kits include food packs, personal protective equipment such as DIY face shields made from commonly-available school and office supplies, surgical and cloth face masks, and medical-grade suits, hygiene and sanitation products, vitamins and COVID-19 test kits. Despite the national lockdowns and the forced closure of businesses, it has provided income to local eateries, restaurants and local cooks who prepared the food packs and to the local suppliers of such items.

Overall, the JCI Yllana Pop-Up has an estimated value of PHP 851,150 (USD 17,662) for the year 2020.

This project started out as a simple fundraising project by the local organization.

However, as the COVID-19 outbreak intensified and affected more people in the community, it became a partnership that provided hope for all sectors involved during an overwhelming situation. It continues this hope through collaborations with more groups, businesses, and generous individuals for a wider scope of help moving forward, thus becoming for people and not for profit.

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Ayuda sa Balik Pasada The Philippine Jeepney is the most common form of public transportation in the country and is hailed “King of the Road”.

Jeepneys are usually painted in vibrant colors and adorned with flashy ornaments. Some even have religious icons, Philippine landscapes, and tourist destinations painted on them. Jeepneys are considered a Filipino icon as they are made and found only in the Philippines. In 1945, Jeepneys were first made to solve the mass transportation problem and have remained since. Most jeepneys can accommodate 10-25 passengers at once.

When the COVID-19 hit in March 2020, the national government put the country in quarantine. This has forced the people to remain in their homes, provincial borders to close and businesses to stop operations. Thereby, suspending all means of mass transportation, including the jeepneys. Life was at a standstill. Like the rest of the countries, the Healthcare industry was hard hit in this pandemic.

But one of those directly affected in the Philippines is the transportation industry.

The Kings of the Road or Jeepney drivers were forced to stop operations indefinitely.

This means they had no source of income for that time period.

Due to social distancing protocols

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and restrictions at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the transportation industry was severely hit, leaving most public utility vehicle drivers unemployed.

JCI Lipa, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Lipa, launched the project Assistance for Public Vehicle Drivers (Ayuda sa Balik Pasada) on September 8-12, 2020. The project raised 8,500 USD ( 412,000 PHP) in funding to provide 200 jeepney drivers from our local community with a free change oil service and a complete set of social distancing plastic barriers, an operational requirement set by the local government. These services and items were enough to support their operations for the next six months as they

slowly recovered from financial hardships.

Grocery packs from corporate sponsors were also provided for the jeepney drivers and their families.

The local government of Lipa City lauded this project’s impact on the local transportation industry, and JCI Philippines duly awarded it as the Best Local Economic Development Program at the 2020 JCI Philippines South Luzon Area Conference. Jasmine Silverio, who spearheaded the project, was also conferred the Most Outstanding Project Chairman merit award at the JCI Philippines 2020 National Convention.

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Businesses Amidst the Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many to transform in different ways: social distancing, health protocols, and moving to a digital ecosystem. Among those affected, businesses were disadvantaged as they navigated changing restrictions and lockdown schedules.

Despite the challenges, these entrepreneurs were able to innovate, adapt, and overcome these obstacles. By interviewing businesses owned by JCI members, our team is excited to share their stories on how they were able to pivot and create more opportunities in this new economy.

ELEATIST KITCHEN Facebook: EleatistKitchen Francis Fabie and Lalissa Singson (JCI Quezon City Luna)

MR. DELIVERY PH Facebook: MrdeliveryCauayanCity Mark Duque (JCI Cauayan Bamboo)

Mr. Delivery is a local delivery service in Cauayan City, Isabela. It caters to the immediate community by providing people with a localized courier service that runs errands for them within the region. It also extended its errand services to medicine and grocery items, as well as personal effects and parcels, where clients can customize the errands or deliveries.

Our service proved useful for COVID-19 patients and PUIs who were confined for quarantine. They could order food and other necessities and have these delivered to them by Mr. Delivery riders who were well-trained in standard health protocols.

More importantly,it helped local businesses survive the economic slump. When lockdowns began, many businesses had to close down for lack of customers. Fortunately, Mr. Delivery partnered with these vendors and withstood the financial difficulties. Mr. Delivery also capacitated the local workforce as it gave its riders and operators steady employment.

Mr. Delivery expanded its services and developed strong communication through different online platforms. This includes Facebook, Instagram, Viber, Email, which would cater all services needed by our clients. We also assigned Customer Service Representatives to focus on this area. As a result, people and businesses benefit more convenience.

One great advice which we can give is TO KNOW YOUR BUSINESS. If you fully know what you are capable of and your weaknesses, you can plan your strategies to survive. Such a strategy shall become your trademark-- the core of your endeavor.

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We serve graze boxes. It features the Eleatist Kitchen homemade garlic cilantro cream cheese, salted chocolate cream, and chocolate barks. Our graze boxes are curated to have the right balance of cheese, cold cuts, chocolates, crackers, nuts, and fresh and dried fruits. We carry limited-edition wines and cheeses from Europe and California. Aside to these, we also expanded to offer frozen USDA steaks, steak kits, and sous vide pre-cooked steaks.

We started Eleatist Kitchen in February 2020 to offer graze boxes right in time for Valentine’s Day. After that, we were preparing to be an exhibitor for a wedding fair. Weeks later, the lockdown was announced and the event was cancelled.

At the start of the pandemic, we were considering shifting to frozen foods because we were apprehensive that graze boxes will be a hit. However, since we already had the supplies from our cancelled event, we decided to take a leap of faith and market it as the perfect gift for ECQ birthdays and date nights. It worked!

Soon, we were the only graze box supplier open in Metro Manila and this accelerated our growth.

We took advantage of Facebook and Instagram as they were the most accessible social media platforms to everyone. We joined different Facebook and Viber groups and marketplaces like Let’s Eat Pare Association and Food Contacts Community.

Most of our orders came from our business and personal pages.

Contactless payment options were helpful, such as online banking, GCash, and PayMaya; and, third-party delivery services such as Lalamove, Grab, DingDong, and more.

Take a leap of faith. You may have a lot of great ideas that you are thinking of doing but the most important step is to start. Don’t let your ideas just be ideas. Turn them into reality. strategy shall become your trademark-- the core of your endeavor.

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WELLSMITH Instagram: wellsmith.ph Lea Cruz (JCI Batangas Caballero)

services and our team will be the one to promote and boost their listings for free.

Our business runs 100% online. We put up our Facebook page, then built a directory listing site where consumers can easily type in a product to the search box. Bizhero will then populate business listings that are listed within a specific category. From a mere Facebook page to directory listing, we will soon launch our e-commerce platform which will enable ease of purchase and local shipping. Our team continues to research and innovate to further Bizhero’s functions and features.

To amplify our brand and to further our vision, we also use video advertising, online giveaways and partnerships with different business owners.

Piece of advice? Do not be afraid to innovate and explore. And if you ever feel lost in your business, go back to your target audience. Identify their needs and offer services that will answer their needs.

The pandemic gave me time to reflect and reset. I was able to discover & play around different pantry staples that were not only healthy, but also delicious. I wanted more people to know that choosing to live healthier doesn’t necessarily mean having a boring experience. That’s why I created Wellsmith. We thoughtfully curate products to help kickstart a healthy & more intentional lifestyle by adding fun & wholesome goodies to your pantry.

The pandemic pushed people to put health & wellness as a top priority. This helped us reach more people. People even outside our target market became loyal customers. Currently, Wellsmith has 3 hubs but we’re working on ways to be easily accessible to more areas

Piece of advice? Always operate from a place of love.

Anything done from that will always be done well.

SIARGAO WEDDINGS AND EVENTS Facebook: siargaoweddings Instagram: siargao.weddings Janis Medina (JCI Surigao Wensie)

BIZHERO Website: bizhero.com Queen Dionaldo (JCI Zugbuana)

The business was born on the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to lockdowns and limited movements, many business owners had to close down their stores and retrench their employees. Many were displaced from work, many business owners were depressed and many businesses need help.

Although some businesses have quickly transitioned online, yet some only rely on free social media posting and online advertising.

As someone from the digital marketing industry, I cannot just sit and do nothing. So I thought of creating a directory business listing where businesses can list their products and FIRST ISSUE

We were getting more than four destination weddings per month compared to only one before the Siargao Boom.

Additionally, more resorts wanted to partner with us, so we can offer destination weddings together. We even launched an onsite office/one-stop bridal shop in 2019 to cater to local and walk-in clients.

When the pandemic started, we started offering Elopement Weddings once gatherings were allowed. Couples feeling adventurous and still wanting to get married would contact us, conduct the ceremony with them and us as witnesses, and then broadcast the ceremony to their friends and relatives via Zoom.

We also offered home styling services and backyard wedding services. This requires minimal contact as we come in with no one around. The client comes in later, does their event, and then we return for egress when guests have left.

We relied heavily on digital marketing to generate leads.

Hosting events online has helped us bring people closer together and has made it more affordable for our destination wedding couples in the sense that they don’t have to fly everyone over.

Save for the rainy days. And those things you cannot control, let them go. It is also important to be purposeful in everything that you do because certainty is not guaranteed these days. Always remember your WHYs and ask God to always reveal His purpose and align your heart to that purpose.

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JCI Philippines steps up its digital efforts with PayMaya amid the pandemic

In this extraordinary time, the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines has realized how digital payment platforms like PayMaya are critical for the continuity of its operations.

With this, JCI Philippines has stepped up its digital transformation efforts to quickly and safely collect funds from members and various stakeholders for its initiatives.

Early this year, JCI Philippines availed of the PayMaya One, an all-in-one POS device for card and QR payments acceptance; PayMaya digital invoicing; and the PayMaya payment link—allowing the association to collect fees online for regional and national conferences and accept digital payments for the sale of JCI’s merchandise.

To further encourage its members to practice doing contactless transactions, which will mitigate the spread of the virus, the association asked its over 5,000 active members nationwide to open a PayMaya account and will be distributing PayMaya cards by end of September that will serve as the JCI Philippines Membership ID, giving them more flexibility in doing their online transactions.

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Digital payments 101 of JCI Philippines members with PayMaya

With the majority of JCI Ph​ ilippines members being business owners, the association has regularly conducted its Subject Matter Expert Townhall where PayMaya has been a regular resource speaker.

PayMaya shares tips, insights, and various solutions business owners can avail of as they plot out their business’ digital transformation during the pandemic where mobility and business operations are still limited.

JCI Philippines President Jude Acidre, said: “Today, equipping our association with the right digital payments platform has never been so critical because we are still facing this pandemic.

PayMaya has truly helped JCI Philippines to efficiently collect funds for various projects—ranging from conferences, merchandise sale, and even charitable activities.”

“PayMaya has also gone beyond just being a partner of JCI Philippines as it extends its expertise to empower our members who are business owners with the knowledge and tips they need as they equip their businesses with online business solutions,” he added.

For his part, PayMaya Regional Business Lead Bryan Enerio, said: “We at PayMaya are grateful to be a partner of JCI Philippines in their digital journey.

We salute the organization for not only undergoing their own digital transformation but also providing their members with

the knowledge of how digital payment platforms like PayMaya can help level up their businesses.”

PayMaya has been equipping merchants, communities, and government agencies with digital payment solutions as more Filipinos prefer cashless and contactless transactions.

PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines, with platforms and services that cut across consumers, merchants, communities, and government.

It provides more than 38 million Filipinos with access to financial services through its consumer platforms. Customers can conveniently pay, add money, cash out or remit through its over 300,000 digital touchpoints nationwide. Its Smart Padala

by PayMaya network of over 55,000 partner agent touchpoints serves as lastmile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved access to digital services. Through its enterprise business, it is the largest digital payments processor for key industries in the country, including “every day” merchants such as the largest retail, food, gas, and eCommerce merchants, as well as government agencies and units.

To know more about PayMaya’s products and services, visit www.PayMaya. com or follow @ PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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JCI PHILIPPINES BASIC TEE OPTIONS: SMALL LOGO, BIG LOGO MATERIAL: CVC COTTON SIZES AVAILBLE: XS – 3XL

PHP450 Models: (L-R) Michael Tolentino (JCI Tagaytay Kalikasan) Raneli Cruz (JCI Imus Haligue) Leila Constante (JCI Tagaytay Kalikasan) Ricardo Salas (JCI Imus Haligue)

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A

B

C

A. Black & White Windbreaker

B. Pastel Windbreaker Jacket

Material: Microfiber

Material: Microfiber

Sizes Available: XS-3XL

Sizes Available: XS-3XL

Php 1,500

Php 1,500

C. Black Active Poloshirt

D. White Active Poloshirt

Material: Semi-cool drifit

Material: Semi-cool drifit

Sizes Available: XS-2XL

Sizes Available: XS-3XL

Php550

Php550

E. Hoodie Jacket D

Material: Fleece Sizes Available: S – 2XL Colors: Navy Blue, White, Gray

Php 800

E

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THE PHILIPPINE LEADER G. Triblend Series

F. 3D Facemask

Material: CVC Cotton Sizes Available: XS-3XL

Material: Colduroy

Php150

F

Php550

H. Tricolor Sleeves Series

I. Statement Tees

Material: CVC Cotton Sizes Available: XS-3XL

Material: CVC Cotton Sizes Available: XS-3XL

Php550

Php450

SCAN TO ORDER jciphilippinesmerchandise

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