Communi-K: Healed. Empowered. Restored.

VOL 15 NO 1

JOKING OR BULLYING?

Learn to differentiate

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FEATURING MARK JENELLE KHO

How he went from test to testimony Page 12

FINANCIAL SCAMS BEGONE!

Spot scams with these tips!

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INSIDE VOL. 15 NO. 1

ORGANIZATIONAL NEWS PG. 4 PG. 5 PG. 5 PG. 6 PG. 7 PG. 7

KMBI Holds Regional General Assembly, Retreat and APPEND Commissioning KMBI Bares New Set of Trustees More Than 60 International Delegates Visit KMBI KMBI Celebrates Ganding’s CMA Win in GenSan Key Officers Join 2019 MCPI Annual Conference T KMBI Extends Relief to 110 Fire Victims in Manila lorem ipsum

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NEWS BRIEF PG. 8 CLC Empowers More Than 10,000 Women Leaders Nationwide PG. 9 Wellness Caravan Goes to Subic PG. 9 KMBI Now Operates in 75 Branches Nationwide

MDSK GROUFIE CORNER PG. 10 2018 Regional Assemblies

COVER STORY PG. 12 From Test to Testimony (The Story of Mark Jenelle Kho)

LEADERS’ EDGE PG. 14 PG. 16 PG. 20 PG. 24

Na-Fake News Ka Na Ba? Be a Blessing in the Workplace How to Make People Stay (F)o(r)giv(e)n(e)ss

MF INDEX PG. 17 Investment 101: How to Avoid Investment Scams

FEATURE STORY PG. 18 The Fine Line Between Joking and Bullying

SA KLASRUM NI KUYA K PG. 22 10 Ways to Love Yourself Online

TIPS

Sa KLASRUM ni KUYA K

PG. 26 T.H.I.N.K. Before You Click

CROSSWORD PUZZLE PG. 27 All Things KMBI 2

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Most of the graphics in this edition are attributed to artists from freepik.com and pexels.com

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THE

PRESIDENT’S NOTE KMBI has been seeing significant breakthroughs ever since we started our humble mission 33 years ago. While we certainly cannot erase the things behind us, the best thing we can do is to rebuild ourselves—and we cannot afford not to, because many more of our poor fellowmen need our help. We will never tire of spending our resources to relay the same process of restoring people’s wellbeing, relationships, and trust in the One who created our lives.

Despite the fact that we’ve been here for more than three decades, we are still learning new things and embracing new developments, a reality which I feel humbled to know. Our role then is to keep up and improve on the noble work into which we are called, and hold on to the promise that we will never be without God’s guidance.

Everything I said above is best contained in the latest edition of Communi-K. This is the most special volume yet, as this edition gives us an insight to our way-forward after our restoration from 2014. I am saying this because we are now leaving behind the things that are no longer relevant as we enter into another exciting phase of our journey— digitalization. A timely topic, indeed, to equip us with preparedness and anticipation toward what’s coming ahead.

It is our fervent wish for everyone to stick around, for we are about to witness something that has never been seen before—a future where KMBI has fully adopted digital technologies to make our services more efficient and easier to reach the masses.

Masaya ba dito sa KMBI? Hindi lang. MAS masaya pa, because the best is indeed coming!

EDUARDO C. JIMENEZ President

EDITORIAL BOARD Princes O. Dacca Editor-In-Chief

Mary Christelle V. Castro Photographer

Kenneth S. David Managing Editor

For editorial suggestions and inquiries, please contact:

Communi-K is Looking for Writers!

Kung mayroon kang talento o passion sa pagsulat, welcome ka na magsumite Rianne Aybil U. Peñaredondo Corporate Affairs Office ng iyong article o magKabalikat para sa Maunlad na Blesilda H. Visaya Buhay, Inc. (A Microfinance NGO) iwan ng mensahe sa Nikki John C. Nabat ksdavid@kmbi.org.ph Mark Anthony L. Arcibal 12 San Francisco Street, Contributors Karuhatan, Valenzuela City (02) 8291-1484 to 86 na Buhay Inc. (A Microfinance NGO) Kabalikat para sa Maunlad 3

ORGANIZATIONAL NEWS

KMBI Holds Regional General Assembly, Retreat and APPEND Commissioning

KMBI held a back-to-back General Assembly, Spiritual Retreat, and APPEND Commissioning, spread across three months. The Luzon rollout happened at Seda Vertis North, Quezon City on January 24–26.

The second leg was held the following month in Mindanao at Waterfront Insular, Davao City on February 14–16, 2019.

The last leg concluded in Visayas on March 7–9, 2019 at Seda Atria, Iloilo City.

The 2019 General Assembly centered on the rollout of 2019 Plans and Activities. Also included were orientation on Road Signs 3, Reinforcements on Microinsurance (MI) and TIN issuance to clients, Training of Trainers (TOT) for the Gideon Program, and orientation

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on the Human Capital Department’s new hiring tool.

KMBI held an open forum to give officers a chance to directly ask the Board of Trustees and Management to address operational concerns and issues.

Ascura from Butuan Branch placed 2nd, followed by Mr. Jeffrey Cardinal from Visayas.

Regional Staff Retreat The 2019 staff retreat focused on biblical foundations, inner healing, and forgiveness. It was facilitated by Dr. Gloria Jimenez, Mr. Jerry and Mrs. Alma Francisco from REACH Discipleship Ministries.

APPEND Commissioning The event featured the 103 APPEND Party-List nominees composed of KMBI President, Mr. Eduardo C. Jimenez; Taytay Sa Kauswagan Inc. (TSKI) Board Member, Mr. Peter Montalban; KRCI Board Member, Mr. Narciso San Miguel; APPEND CEO and President, Dr. Virgina P. Juan; and APPEND Chairman and KMBI Corporate Treasurer, Mr. Edgardo F. Garcia.

KMBI also launched for the first time its Memory Verse Challenge. Mr. Michael John Del Rosario from Antipolo Branch was hailed as the first national champion, while Mindanao contestant Ms. Jojielyn

The APPEND campaign managers gave an orientation to all staff about the platforms and mandates of the partylist and asked for an affirmation of support through the oath-taking.

Communi-K vol. 15 no. 1

ORGANIZATIONAL NEWS

KMBI Bares New Set of Trustees KMBI leaders convened for the Annual General Membership (AGM) Meeting on February 23, 2019 at the KMBI Panay Conference Hall, Panay Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, to elect officers and members of the Board of Trustees.

Dr. Virginia P. Juan now serves as the new Corporate Secretary. Meanwhile, Mr. David D. Gutierrez retained his position as Chairman and Vice-President. Likewise, Mr. Eduardo C. Jimenez remained as President & Vice-Chairman, and Mr. Edgardo F. Garcia as Corporate Treasurer.

Trustees elected from the AGM were: Mr. Sergio Edeza, Ms. Mila M. Bunker, Dr. Rodolfo P. Estigoy, Mr. Lemuel David Salmo, and Bishop Jose D. Dalino.

The AGM is held annually as part of KMBI’s good governance practices. Through this meeting, the think tanks of KMBI assess the strategies implemented over the past year and elect corporate officers and members who will help them in guiding the organization toward realizing its vision, mission, and goals.

More Than 60 International Delegates Visit KMBI

20 delegates from different countries form part of the international exposure visit of Lausanne Global Movement to KMBI. Notable nations include the United States of America, South Korea, Australia, Uruguay, and Ivory Coast, among others.

Several foreign institutions have visited KMBI from January to September 2019. Among these institutions were Lausanne Global Movement, Asia-Pacific Rural and Agricultural Credit Association’s Center for Training and Research for Agricultural Banking, RMDC Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd., and Center for Self-help Development, which brought a total of 62 microfinance practitioners from various countries to KMBI for an exposure visit.

These international visits were made possible through the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, and hosted by the Transformational Development and Training Group of KMBI. Kabalikat para sa Maunlad na Buhay Inc. (A Microfinance NGO)

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ORGANIZATIONAL NEWS

KMBI Celebrates Ganding’s CMA Win in GenSan

(Left) Ms. Marisa Ganding gives an emotional testimony about how thankful she is to KMBI for being part of her success; (Right) KMBI and CMA celebrate Ms. Ganding’s win.

KMBI, together with the Microfinance Council of the Philippines (MCPI), Citibank Foundation, and the City Government of General Santos, celebrated the victory of Ms. Marisa Ganding as Special Awardee for Start-up Microbusinesses during the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards held on December 2018. The town hall celebration happened on March 24, 2019 at Mix N’ Magic Restaurant, General Santos City.

Ms. Ganding, a spa owner with three branches in Mindanao and counting, spoke of how KMBI became part of her achievement. She thanked the institution for giving her an opportunity

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to develop her business, taking her to where she is right now.

Following the celebration was a whole day of intensive enterprise training courtesy of Bayan Academy, participated by fifty KMBI Program Members.

Gracing the occasion were KMBI President, Mr. Eduardo C. Jimenez; MCPI Executive Director, Mr. Allan Robert Sicat; and City Councilor, Atty.

Jun Lagare. This event was also made possible through the efforts of the Credit Operations Group and the Entrepreneurial Development Division under the Transformational Development and Training Group.

Ms. Ganding is also the 2017 winner of the KMBI Story Caravan, a search for outstanding microentrepreneurs and a platform to recognize their contributions to their communities.

Ganding poses for picture with her CMA trophy.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEWS

Key Officers Join 2019 MCPI Annual Conference Thirty KMBI Key Officers joined the 2019 Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. (MCPI) Conference on July 24–26, 2019 at the Manila Prince Hotel, Ermita, Manila. This year’s event coincided with MCPI’s 20th Anniversary, with the theme “Transforming Microfinance through Digitalization.”

The conference discussed how digital technology is shaping financial systems and how microfinance institutions can proactively embrace the technology to provide more opportunities for microentrepreneurs.

Another highlight of the event was an orientation seminar on the Truth in Lending Act, Data Privacy Act, and Credit Information System Act. MCPI also held the 1st Microfinance Client Summit, which served as a knowledgesharing platform for clients

of various participating microfinance institutions.

The summit aims to familiarize participants with their rights as microfinance clients, impart effective marketing strategies, and teach proper utilization of various government services and social media.

KMBI Extends Relief to 110 Fire Victims in Manila

Children of fire victims in Manila pose with KMBI staff during the relief operations on March 15, 2019.

Over 110 fire victims from Brgy. 272, Zone 25, District III in Manila received assistance from KMBI during its relief operations on March 15, 2019.

KMBI handed 92 sacks of cement, galvanized iron sheets, 46 sacks of white sand, and grocery packs to 23 families to help them rebuild their homes.

They also held a feeding program which benefited approximately 60 children.

This effort is in line with the organization’s Disaster Preparedness and Response Management (DPRM) program, intended to mitigate risks caused by calamities and enable families to transition in such time of need.

Alongside the relief efforts, two scholars also received educational funding from KMBI through the Dalawang Iskolar kada PUH Program.

Kabalikat para sa Maunlad na Buhay Inc. (A Microfinance NGO)

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NEWS BRIEF

CLC Empowers More Than 10,000 Women Leaders Nationwide

A total of 10,300 KMBI Program Members across all KMBI Branches participated in the Center Leaders’ Conference (CLC), which spanned from January to May 2019.

Program Members from other partner microfinance institutions, such as Taytay sa Kauswagan Inc. (TSKI) and UPLIFT Philippines Inc., also joined the series of events.

One of the topics discussed was responsible citizenship, in which KMBI encouraged community leaders to become movers

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of the nation by actively participating in national events, including the recent May 2019 elections.

The CLC also became a venue to impart financial literacy to the participants.

The conferences concluded with a livelihood seminar teaching Program Members how to make beaded accessories.

The events were in coordination with KMBI Partners: First Life Financial Co., Pinoy Ako Insurance Services (PAIS), Standard Insurance, Philippine Bible Society, KMBI

Communi-K vol. 15 no. 1

Development Foundation Inc. (KDFI), and APPEND. The CLC is a capacitybuilding program that aims to enhance the leadership capacities of center leaders to make them better in dealing with people and managing their communities.

The programs were made possible through the joint efforts of the Transformational Development and Training Group (TDTG), Management Services Group (MSG), and Credit Operations Group (COG).

NEWS BRIEF

Wellness Caravan Goes to Subic

The recent Wellness Caravan was held at By the Sea Resort Hotel in Olongapo City on August 16, 2019. It was attended by 269 Program Members from the Pampanga Area.

With the theme “Kalusugan para sa mga Ina ng Bayan,” the Caravan gave talks on health and wellness, free breast and cervical cancer screening, free massage and haircut, and fun games with

prizes. The event was made possible through the efforts of Social Protection Division of KMBI’s Transformational Development and Training Group (TDTG), KMBI Olongapo Branch, KDFI, and partner sponsors: First Life Financial Co., Standard Insurance, Pinoy Ako Insurance Services, Philippine Bible Society, Philippine Cancer Society, PhilHealth, and The Generics Pharmacy.

Present during the event were TDTG Deputy Executive Director, Ms. Hazel Christine R. Bayaca; COG Deputy Executive Director, Ms. Rachelle M. Basiya; OIC for Programs and Services Department, Ms. Maria Cecilia V. Wee; Regional Director for Luzon Operations, Ms. Lanie C. Montaño; and KMBI Pampanga Area Manager, Mr. Jose Archie R. Cruz.

KMBI Now Operates in 75 Branches Nationwide KMBI now serves more than 183,000 clients with its 75 branches and 17 satellite units nationwide!

As of September 2019, KMBI has opened branches in Dipolog, Pagadian, Balanga, Tanauan, Binangonan, Solano, Daraga, San Fernando (La Union), Oton, and Ozamiz.

Moreover, the intensified operations brought new satellite units: Iba, Tanza, Lucena, Maasim, San Miguel, Pasig, Barobo, Cantilan, Gingoog, Balingasag, and Iligan.

In total, KMBI is now operating in 92 different locations across the country. The organization is seen to close 2019 with 79 branches, its most number of branches to date.

Kabalikat para sa Maunlad na Buhay Inc. (A Microfinance NGO)

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MASAYA DITO SA KMBI

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GROUFIE CORNER

o bang makisa sto m li? u G

Just send your “Masaya Dito sa KMBI” groufies to rupenaredondo@kmbi.org.ph

Kabalikat para sa Maunlad na Buhay Inc. (A Microfinance NGO)

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COVER STORY

From

Test to Testimony The story of Mark Jenelle Kho

By Blesilda H. Visaya and Rianne Aybil U. Peñaredondo

G

od never misses His mark. He would test us in so many different ways.

These tests may even break us. But He, being God, remains faithful even if we fail Him numerous times. And numerous times did Mark Jenelle L. Kho fail the Lord in the past.

Mark was accustomed to a life of comfort, as he came from a family of medical professionals. They have properties that they rent to other people. This led him to meet his wife, Joycie. Mark was 16 and Joycie was 14 when they fell in love with each other. At 19, Mark became a father to a baby girl who would later on become very instrumental to Mark’s return to God. As Joycie recounts the early years of their marriage, she was very thankful to Mark who stood by her all throughout her pregnancy. She said Mark was brave enough to face the ire of her parents and calm her fears during those times. Mark had no vices and was very dedicated to the family he was starting to build. They were quite fortunate that their families were also there to support them. Mark was able to finish his nursing degree but was not able to pass the board exams. He started working as a medical

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representative. His earnings were more than enough for his young family. But Mark was not a godly man then. As Joycie puts it, the old Mark would skip going to church on Sundays and would not take time to pray, which is a far cry from who Mark became after God had changed him through a very difficult test.

The difficult test came through a rare illness that befell his daughter. At the age of six, his daughter started to have frequent seizures. This prompted them to take her to hospitals in Davao to undergo a series of tests. There were times when she would have forty seizures in a day and doctors would just be dumbstruck and unable to do and explain anything

to them. That was the time when Joycie saw Mark went into deep prayer. As Mark narrates the whole experience, he tells us that he was deeply moved into

prayer because he could not stand seeing his daughter suffer. He found himself humbling himself before God, asking for God’s healing for his daughter, and making his own promise to let God work in his life. Mark had finally accepted God as his Lord and Savior.

By that time, the doctors were able to diagnose his child with epilepsy and give her the appropriate medical treatment.

Mark and Joycie were advised to keep the child under medication for two years.

Another test befell their lives when Mark lost his job as a medical representative.

But this did not stop him from living a life with God. He would pray with his wife for healing and provision. Their ardent prayer was if the Lord sees that He can use their daughter’s life for His glory, then please make her well. But if He cannot use their daughter in the future, then they will surrender to His will. Today, Mark’s daughter is a 14-year-old student and very much active in school. He and Joycie now have a son who is 8 years old.

Another good thing that happened to Mark when he accepted God was that he started going to church. This led him

to people who introduced him to KMBI. Now, Mark is on his sixth year at KMBI and his relationship with God has been solidified even further. He shares that he had struggled in the beginning but he had found confidence in knowing that God will take care of the rest as long as he does his best in his work. He believes now that God had been working in his life. He said he might not have been a nurse as he had planned to be but God made him a spiritual nurse at KMBI. He happily shares that working at KMBI allowed him to be God’s true testament of His goodness. He is able to share God’s Word to his fellow staff and Program Members.

Indeed, God never misses His mark. He will guide you always, satisfy your needs, and strengthen you. We see all these happening in Mark’s life and it can happen to you too, if you let God take control of your life.

Kho is among the winners of the 2018 Story Caravan Staff Edition. He is currently celebrating his 6th year at KMBI.

Kabalikat para sa Maunlad na Buhay Inc. (A Microfinance NGO)

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A

s the term suggests, fake news are deliberately invented stories designed to make people believe something false, buy a certain product, or visit a certain website riddled with advertisements that suck out your mobile data.

1) Check The Source If you come across a story from a source that you’ve never heard of before, do some digging! Find out a bit more about the publisher—is it a professional and well-known news agency or is it someone’s personal blog?

They are stories that may contain some truth, but aren’t 100 percent accurate.

Fake news is nothing new. But what is new is how easy it’s become to share information—both true and false—on a massive scale.

Tip: Trusted online sources like Snopes can help you to verify stories that sound too good to be true.

Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn allow almost anyone to publish their thoughts or share stories to the world.

The problem is that most people don’t check the source of the material they view online before they share it. This can lead to fake news spreading quickly or even “going viral.”

At the same time, it’s become harder to identify the source of news stories, particularly on the internet. This can make it difficult to assess their accuracy.

So how do we deal with fake news?

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2) Examine the Headlines If the title or headline seems to offer oneshot answers or solutions to a particular question/problem, it’s most likely a clickbait. Clickbaits are written in a way that sufficiently intrigues readers, which leads them to “click” the article. As you read on, you will be mortified at the lack of substance and relevant information.

Clickbaits are made for a variety of purposes, normally to generate website traffic—but mostly to feed you with loads of advertisements that translate to revenue for the site.

Tip: Avoid headlines like “These skincare secrets used by celebrities will shock you!”, “You won’t believe what happens next when this 15-year-old girl rocks the stage.”, “I tried this herbal slimming capsule for two days and the results were amazing!” No, they’re not really shocking or anything special.

In an era where content is king, anyone can be a source of information.

Watch out for the dangers of fake news!

3) Develop a Critical Mindset Ask yourself, “Why was this story written?

Is it to persuade me of a certain viewpoint?

Is it selling me a particular product? Or is it trying to get me to click through to another website?”

One of the main reasons fake news is such a big issue is that it is often believable, which means it’s easy to get caught out.

Many fake news stories are also written to create “shock” value.

This means it’s essential that you keep your emotional response to such stories in check. Instead, approach what you see and hear rationally and critically .

4) Examine the Evidence A credible news story will include plenty of facts, e.g., quotes from experts, survey data, and official statistics. If these are missing or the source is an unknown expert or a “friend,” question it!

Does the evidence prove that something definitely happened? Or have the facts been “twisted” to back up a particular propaganda?

Research shows that 59 percent of people are concerned about the effect that fake news has in the workplace, and with good reason!

LEADERS’ EDGE

Fake news can affect behavior, too. It encourages people to invent excuses, to dismiss others’ ideas, to exaggerate the truth, and to spread rumor. This can create divided, anxious workplaces where people are cynical and unsure of who to trust.

People might even begin to mistrust you if they believe that authority figures have lied to them, or that the information they are working with is suspect. This can sap people of the curiosity, enthusiasm, and ambition that they need to be successful.

Misinformation and fake news can also harm your organization. Invented reviews of your products or inaccurate financial updates, for example, can do serious reputational damage.

On a larger scale, fake news can manipulate our views to favor a particular narrative. This is especially critical when voting for a candidate during elections or when expressing our opinion toward house bills and several other societal issues. A simple fact check can go a long way in immunizing ourselves from misinformation.

Reference: https://www.mindtools.com/ pages/article/fake-news.htm

Kabalikat para sa Maunlad na Buhay Inc. (A Microfinance NGO)

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LEADERS’ EDGE

Sacrifices of a Leader

Be a in the

Workplace Say a cheery “Hello!” in the morning. Get into the habit of smiling and greeting everyone as you arrive in the morning or begin your shift. It’s amazing how fast this little courtesy can thaw chilly workplace relations.

Learn the art of small talk. Ask your co-workers about their interests—their favorite music, films, books, hobbies. Showing a genuine interest in them will make them feel comfortable around you.

Return calls and emails promptly. To win friends at work, a good place to start is good office etiquette. There’s nothing more frustrating to busy people than to have their emails and phone messages ignored.

Avoid gossip. When a co-worker sidles up to you bearing some gossip about an office romance or someone’s impending termination, respond with, “Really?” Then change the subject or get back to work. If you don’t respond, the gossiper will move on—and you’ll retain the trust and respect of your co-workers.

Spread your good cheer.

Be optimistic and appreciate the importance of teamwork and eagerness to accomplish things together. You may be good at one thing but encouraging a teammate will also be a big help especially during deadlines.

Ask what they think.

People love to be asked their opinion, so go out of your way to ask, “What do you think is missing from this report?” Then give the advice-giver a sincere thank you, even if the ideas are less than helpful.

Give credit where credit is due. Don’t withhold credit from deserving co-workers. Embrace the attitude that we all win together, and let others know when someone has done something above and beyond the call of duty on a project.

Always be considerate.

You will never know what other people or a workmate is going through. Always be sympathetic to other people’s experience and a tap on their shoulder or simple “how are you” may mean a lot.

Here’s one for the boss: Always work at least as hard as anyone working with or for you. Make it clear that you would never ask anyone to do a level of work you wouldn’t be willing to take on yourself.

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Always be on time to show that you respect other people’s time.

Done are the days when we reason out that Filipino time is part of our culture. As KMBI employees, we need to be punctual in reaching the centers to facilitate the weekly meetings, and set an example of showing courtesy to others by valuing their time.

Reference: https://www.rd.com/ advice/work-career/13-ways-to-be-abetter-coworker/

Investment 101: T i p s t o Av o i d I n v e s t m e n t S c a m s

Most financial gurus would agree that growing your money thru investing is a practical way to achieve financial freedom. Investment options such as mutual funds and even VULS allow you to grow your money without putting in so much time and effort. Ironically, this idea that you could grow your money without micro-managing your investments has opened the door for scams. Here are some warning signs that you should look out for:

‘Quick, easy, and risk-free investments’

01

If someone is promising you investments without risk, tell this to yourself over and over as they go on with their sales talk: “You are getting scammed.”

Investing is the discipline of managing risk; the more risk you take on, the higher your potential returns. If you’re offered deals like an absurd 80% return in one week, then it’s best to get your cards off the table.

‘More recruits mean better business’

02

“Open-minded ka ba?” One type of fraud takes the shape of networking schemes that rely on the number of recruits you introduce to the business. More commonly known as pyramid scams, these fraudulent business models use first-hand testimonials by their ‘business partners’ to lure in warm bodies.

The ‘everyone is doing it so it must be legit’ catchphrase

03

One big mistake of new investors is believing successful claims and getting overwhelmed by impressively articulate sales talk. Remember, they’ve done their spiel a thousand times before so it’s bound to sound professional and excellent. Most importantly, a large network/company doesn’t guarantee that it’s legitimate.

The ‘hurry while investments last’ type of talk

04

Reality check: You won’t find investments in the department store. Credible investments do not have limited offers. This technique is done by smooth-talking fraudsters looking to cash in a little extra before booting out of the country. They would often rely on urgency, very technical explanations of the investment, and special—limited time—offers.

‘Now you see me, now you don’t’

05

If you can’t find the investment company online, chances are high that it’s a scam. The secret is to do your own research. Search for the investment company’s registered name online, check with the PIFA (Philippine Investment Funds Association), or get the advice of a credible financial advisor. There’s no such thing as being too careful, especially when a lot of money is at stake.

Kabalikat para sa Maunlad na Buhay Inc. (A Microfinance NGO)

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Reference: https://www.securitybank.com/blog/dont-get-scammed-how-to-spot-investment-scams-in-the-ph/

FEATURE STORY

BY NIKKI JOHN C. NABAT

W

hen do you consider a joke or teasing an act of bullying?

Are you just sensitive or are they just insensitive?

In an office setting, the workplace should be a friendly environment for all employees. Everyone should feel that the work environment promotes positivity and safety. Employees should “look forward” to going to work rather than “feel compelled” to work just for the paycheck. A conducive, fun, and positive workplace is one of the keys to increased productivity and employee satisfaction.

Likewise, colleagues and co-workers play a vital role in establishing a good workplace.

It’s always fun to be around people/ officemates who tell jokes and make work synonymous to having fun. Every day you get to laugh, work, laugh, and work.

However, we should find the balance between the time to be serious and the 18

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time to enjoy. But what if the topic of the joke or the teasing becomes you? Should you just laugh and ride along because it was “just a joke”? When does a joke cross the line?

First, let’s define what a joke means.

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a joke is “something said or done to provoke laughter.” On the other hand, bullying is defined as “abuse and mistreatment of someone vulnerable by someone stronger or more powerful.”

Bullying is often repeated and habitual.

Now that we’ve differentiated the two, when does joking and bullying really overlap?

Sometimes, we get too carried away just to make people laugh, especially when we are using others (co-workers) as our laughingstock. Mocking, mimicking, or imitating someone’s actions, gestures, and voice just to cause laughter may

JOKING

bu

g l ly i n

already fall under bullying. In general, people don’t like to be the subject of a joke. Just to act nice and not be a killjoy, people tend to laugh it off and pretend it’s really funny, but deep inside, it may impact their self-esteem. It can also be worrisome for others, causing them to stop interacting with their peers because of embarrassment.

Part of the culture we grew up in is making fun of someone else’s mistake.

Whether you’re the boss or the employee, there’s no escaping this. If you’re the boss, of course you won’t know that your subordinates are laughing their lungs out when you make a slight mistake with your speech or presentation (especially when you don’t have a good relationship with each other). If you’re a regular employee, which is more common, your co-employees laugh whenever you bust out a sentence with incorrect grammar, wrong answer and, sometimes, they would

even poke fun at your daily outfit. It’s disheartening when you’re trying to be your best, only to be the center of the joke with just one mistake.

It’s healthy to laugh during busy and serious situations at work, but not when fun is at the expense of others. While bullying is usually associated with force and physical abuse, others might not be aware that sometimes, emotional attack can inflict more pain than physical ones.

The fine line between joking and bullying is the emotional damage it causes to a person who is the subject of laughter.

Being sensitive toward the feeling of others is crucial in understanding the difference between joking and bullying.

There is nothing wrong with being funny, but we need to practice self-control when making fun of someone.

Yes to Fun, No to Bullying! Let’s make KMBI an enjoyable place of work!

Kabalikat para sa Maunlad na Buhay Inc. (A Microfinance NGO)

19

I QUIT!

“Hala! Bakit nag-resign si *toot*? Ano bang nangyari? May problema ba sa atin?”

Nakaka-relate ka ba sa mga tanong na ‘yan? Alam natin na may mga senyales na pinaparamdam ang isang empleyado kung magre-resign na siya o may balak nang umalis.

Ano-ano nga ba ang mga ito?

1. Batang walang gana – ’Yung dating sobrang active sa meeting—nagbibigay ng quality suggestions and ideas during the meeting tapos biglang naging tahimik; kung dati, lagi siyang maaasahan at nagpoproduce ng quality output, ngayon, laging di nakakapasa ng requirements on time o di na nami-meet ang targets, at downhill na ang performance niya.

2. Mr. or Ms. “Don’t Me” – “Huwag na ako, iba na lang” ’yung hindi na nagkocommit sa long-term projects kasi baka makaapekto pa sa kanyang pag-turn over at maantala pa ang kanyang pag-alis.

3. Ghosting – ’Yung dating masayang nakikipag-bonding sa lahat, ngayon naging loner na. ’Yung dating laging pumapasok 20

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nang maaga tapos biglang lagi na nage-SLL (Sobrang Laging nagle-Leave) at laging late kung pumasok. Ang matindi, ’pag hinanap mo sa cubicle—wala, ’yun pala, sobrang tagal kung mag-break.

4. Call Center Agent – ’Yung imbis na lagi niyang kausap ang kanyang boss o IS, lagi siyang may kausap sa phone tungkol sa personal matters. Kahit break, nasa harap pa rin ng computer, ’yun pala, nag-a-update na siya ng resume.

5. Negatron – Marami ka nang naririnig na negative feedback regarding sa workload, benefits ng company, ugali ng co-worker o boss, etc.

Kahit saan man tayo magpunta, marami tayong puwedeng masabing hindi maganda, pero try to realize this: 1. Ang unang apektado sa pagreresign ng staff ay walang iba kundi ang organisasyon na pinagtatrabahuhan natin. Ang manpower ang isa sa mga pinakamahalagang asset ng isang institusyon. The company that we are

How to Make People Stay

LEADERS’ EDGE

By Mar k

Antho ny

L. Ar ciba l

working for invested a lot of resources in us to give us a sense of purpose and help us provide for the needs of our family.

too. Humans, kagaya mo. May emotions, sariling buhay, hobbies, interest, at choices. Parte na rin sila ng buhay mo.

2. Every person has the right to decide for himself/herself. It might be sad to see them go, but if they are already firm in their decision, we just need to support and wish them the best on their future endeavors.

2. Celebrate small victories. By celebration, di naman ibig sabihin dapat laging may handaan. Kung may nagawang maganda, they deserve to be commended. This would make them feel that their contributions toward achieving targets are valued.

Pero as bosses or peers, what else can we do to keep them from leaving?

Masayang marinig na isa rin tayo sa mga dahilan ng pananatili ng isang staff. Kaya dapat maging kabahagi tayo sa pagbuo ng isang loving and caring work environment para sa bawat isa.

1. Try to dig into their personal lives. And keep it confidential. Wag alamin para lang may maitsismis sa iba. Trust begins when you know how to keep secrets. Kung may problema, try to help them. More personal ties can make up a cohesive work group. Inside KMBI, they are your staff or co-workers. Outside, they are people

3. Develop a “we’re all in this together” attitude. Share in the pain of others, because nobody really wants to feel alone in their struggle. Kung may problema ang isa, magandang makitang nagtutulongtulong ang lahat para mabigyan ito ng solusyon.

We’re one KMBI family. Let’s make one another feel that we are working in a family of loving and compassionate people, para kahit malayo man tayo sa mga tahanan natin, ramdam ng bawat isa na parang malapit lang din.

Kabalikat para sa Maunlad na Buhay Inc. (A Microfinance NGO)

21

Sa KLASRUM ni KUYA K

A

ng data ay maaaring tumukoy sa personal na impormasyon patungkol sa isang tao, kagaya ng pangalan, tirahan, birthday, at marami pang iba. With present technology, mas madali nang i-access ang ating personal data. Pero may kaakibat itong peligro. Kaya dapat alam mo kung paano pangalagaan ang iyong data at mahalin ang iyong sarili.

LOCK YOUR DEVICE Di ba kapag mahal mo, poprotektahan mo?

Leaving a device like laptop or cellphone unlocked is like leaving an open purse, which hackers are more than happy to take advantage of.

CREATE STRONG PASSWORDS Pumili ng password na kaya kang ipaglaban sa hackers. Choose strong passwords that are at least 12 characters long and contain a combina�on of upper and lower case le�ers, numbers and if possible, symbols.

Do not log in on personal accounts on free or public wi-fi Hindi lahat ng libre at willing magpagamit ay dapat gami�n. Open networks make it very easy for people to peek into your ac�vity and accounts, and the people you share the network with may also be using compromised devices.

INSTALL AND UPDATE YOUR ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE Hindi porket nakuha mo na, iiwan mo na lang sa ere. New viruses are being created all the �me, so simply installing an an�-virus program doesn’t cut it. It is important to update the programs to keep up with new and emerging threats.

Unfriend Facebook friends you don’t know personally

Kung si ex nga ang bilis mong na-unfriend, mas lalo dapat ang mga bogus account. With too many people’s names, birth dates, educa�on, and work history available online, these posers can steal one’s iden�ty, and send malicious links or spam a�acks.

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10 Ways to LOVE Yourself Online hango mula sa www.privacy.gov.ph

ALWAYS LOG OUT OF BROWSERS Matuto ng malinis na pamamaalam, lalo na kung hindi naman talaga sa’yo…ang laptop. Google Chrome has a unified log-in system, which logs you into the browser even if you only log in through email, so don’t forget to log out. Or be�er yet, use Incognito mode.

Back up your files and data

Kapag mahal mo, aalagaan mo. The threat of ransomware has been growing through phishing emails and pop-up ads. Ransomware is when a hacker locks your computer down and threatens to wipe out your data if you don’t pay up.

Be mindful of devices with company data on them Pangalagaan mo kahit never naman naging sa’yo. This goes without saying, but keep your boss and clients happy by respec�ng their data privacy as much as you do yours. Never open confiden�al files for work on public computers, and treat devices that contain these files with extra care.

Don’t be too public Sa panahon ngayon, mahirap nang ibigay ang lahat-lahat. While sharing details about your life can be fun and exci�ng, there are just some things you should never, ever share on social media. Things like your home address, birthday, vaca�on details, �cket numbers, and the layout of your house should always be kept private.

Avoid using work email addresses for personal matters

Trabaho lang, walang personalan. Company email addresses are typically controlled by your IT people and can be accessed by your bosses, so it’s best to keep personal ma�ers outside of work. Moreover, your work-email address is usually an easy target for spam and viruses, especially if it’s listed in your company website.

Kabalikat para sa Maunlad na Buhay Inc. (A Microfinance NGO)

23

Fo

s s r g iv e n e

I

used to be the center of fun when I was young. Maybe because of my physical appearance, or the way I would break into tears mid-class when my teacher would call on me for recitation.

My classmates would always subject me to their jokes. As a kid who was unaware of the context of bullying, I was too young to know I was being bullied, but old enough to feel emotional pain. My mind was imprinted with a negative memory of them, and I still carry it to this day.

What’s the use of forgiving if they’re no longer relevant to my present self? I’ll never know what I did to deserve being bullied, but one thing I know, for sure, is that they don’t deserve the slightest drop of forgiveness.

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One day, as I was preparing to work, I looked at myself in the mirror.

While fixing my hair and flossing my teeth, I immediately noticed my own imperfections. In front of me was a reflection of a human, as flawed and sinful as everyone else, who is incapable of forgiving. There I realized that I was a victim and prisoner of hatred. I never moved on, while the people who had done me wrong have most probably forgotten about it. The wound should have healed long ago, but I would always scratch it in the process whenever it itches. Thus, the bleeding keeps repeating.

When we bear hatred, we lock ourselves in the old identity of the people who hurt us, without realizing how much they can change for the better, a year from now.

LEADERS’ EDGE

We are stuck with how we knew them in the past, and at the same time blinded from the possibility of them becoming a wiser version of themselves.

When we choose to let anger sit in our hearts, the question will repeat inside our heads over and over: “When will I ever be satisfied and happy and free?”

The answer, whether we choose to accept it or not, is forgiveness. We just need to accept the fact that people can change.

Even if they are not asking for forgiveness, everyone deserves a second chance, a chance to rebuild marred relationships.

Giving second chances is not primarily for their benefit—it is, in fact, for ours.

Think about this. Every single day we make transgressions, but we would always wake up the next morning. Imagine how loving and compassionate God is for lending us another chance. We should realize that it is the same chances that He wants us to extend to people who did us wrong. While difficult, it is a requisite for moving on.

Once we have learned to forgive, we’ll also learn to forget—not exactly what they did,

but how it felt. Because when the pain is no longer as painful, it becomes so much easier to start anew.

So, as we wake up every morning, may this be a reminder of God’s unchanging love and renewed mercy. Let us then make the most of this day by exercising forgiveness and compassion to everyone, including those who brought us pain.

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

–Matthew 6:14 (NIV) In order to merit God’s forgiveness, we must learn how to forgive our fellowmen.

“Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.”

–Romans 4:7 (NIV) Forgiveness is a blessing. Let us extend it to people around us. We may not think everyone deserves it, but everyone definitely needs forgiveness—from us and from God.

Kabalikat para sa Maunlad na Buhay Inc. (A Microfinance NGO)

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before you clic

One revolutionizing benefit of the internet is wider access to information, facilitated mostly by social media sites where we can easily translate our thoughts into information that can be shared with anyone. However, it’s not without its dangers. Almost anything, like the internet, can be used for malicious purposes. This is why you need to THINK before you click. You may be sharing propaganda as truth—and thus, helping people who access the internet and social media.

T

Is it True?

H

Is it helpful?

I

A lot of propaganda and fake news have been spreading on the internet. In this generation, it takes extra effort to differentiate facts from fake news.

Before you hit that share button, always think, “Is this really true?” You may be unwittingly tarnishing the reputation of an individual by sharing a quoted word that he or she did not really say, or help in spreading a false medical claim that can potentially harm the misinformed.

Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Using the internet entails great responsibility. Why am I sharing/posting this? Is it to spread awareness? Will this information be helpful to my friends, family, or co-workers? When engaging in an online discussion, ask yourself, “Does it add to the substance of a particular topic?” Always remember that ad hominem, a logical fallacy that pertains to attacking the person instead of the argument, does very little help in getting your point through.

If you think social media is a dark and depressed place, then maybe you can start changing it by inspiring the people around you. Words of encouragement, a Bible quote, or any positive stories can lighten up one’s mood. Somebody, somewhere out there, may need it at that moment.

Is it inspiring?

N

Whether it is an opinion or own political view, we should always think twice before jumping into conclusions. Ask yourself: “Do my friends need to read/see this?” The internet is indeed a useful tool to navigate and explore; there are loads of information available for everyone’s consumption, but not all are necessary or relevant.

K

Behind the monitor or a smartphone screen, people who post on social media are the same complex human being as you. Even though you can always choose to hide yourself in anonymity, it’s never an excuse to spread hate and division by posting something inflammatory on social media. Make Communi-K vol. 14 no. 1 the virtual world a desirable place to visit.

Is it necessary?

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Is it kind?

CROSSWORD PUZZLE all things KMBI

1 2

3

4

5

6 7 8 9

10

11 12

13

14

15

16

Across 4. Animated Character ng KMBI 6. An income-genera�ng ac�vity 8. City where KMBI Head Office is located 12. Flagship Program of KMBI 14. Transforma�onal ___ and Training Group 15. Center ___ Guarantee 16. 20%

Down 1. Savings 2. Kasalang Bayan 3. PhP 100,000 5. A�er 6 months 7. Weekly Mee�ng 9. Tawag sa KMBI Clients 10. Hospital ___ Benefit 11. Tool used during Center Mee�ng/AG 13. Binabayaran sa insurance

Organizational Performance Indicators

As of September 30, 2019

Efficiency

Loan Activity

Cost per unit Lent

0.19

Client Outreach

167,662

Cost per Loan Made

Php 2,053.6

Loan Portfolio

Php 1.0B

Financial Self-Sufficiency

102.28%

Value of Loans Made

Php 2.6B

Operational Self-Sufficiency 114.81%

Portfolio-at-Risk

5.14%

Ave. # of Clients per Po

PA - 220

MF-Operations

1,033

No. of Loans Made

238,264

Support Group

307

Number of Staff

TOP 10 PERFORMING BRANCHES

As of September 2019

1 Quezon City 1 2 Angono 3 Metro Davao 1 4 Antipolo 5 Kidapawan

6 7 8 9 10

Valenzuela West Avenue San Mateo San Jose Santiago

Our Vision

“To see people in communities live in abundance with strengthened faith in God and in right relationship with their fellowmen and the rest of creation”

Our Mission

“KMBI is a Christcentered development organization existing to advocate and work for the integral transformation of the lives of low-income people and their communities, by providing responsive sustainable microfinance and non-financial services.”

Core Values

Christian Faith People’s Well-Being Good Governance Continuous Improvement Teamwork

(A Microfinance NGO)

12 San Francisco Street Karuhatan, Valenzuela City Tel (02) 8291-1484 to 86 www.kmbi.org.ph 28

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