Silver Threads Volume 8 by Silver Threads

Editor’s Note

Back in 1983, 4 years after the United Bayani‐ han Foundation was officially launched and a year af‐ ter the UBF office was organized, the need for a UBF logo became apparent. We looked for an icon that would quickly tell the nature of the organization and moreover identify it with Unilab, its prin‐ cipal benefactor. The assignment went to the late Romy Jocson, resident artist from Corporate Affairs. The product was two hands clasping in a “ritual embrace of help and sup‐ port…” Since then, the logo has faithfully served to symbolize the mandate of the Foundation, the two clasped hands an expression of duty beyond the inter‐ pretation of common speech. Today, 27 years later, the old logo gives way to a new one. The original concept of hands is retained but the clasping hands are orientated upwards, which is more expressive of the real Bayanihan, that is to raise a fellow to an improved state of being yet in a way that speaks of a partnership rather than of charity flowing from the privileged to one who is not quite so. The hands too are centered now in a circle instead of a square box to portray more passion, more fervor and a deeper commitment to each other in an unbroken, seamless stream. Maybe in another 27 years when the realities of the times shall have nuanced further, we shall think of something else. Who knows?

The revamped logo, with a circle and colors of the mother company’s logo The original logo artwork Volunteering knows no age, sex, creed or religion. On the Cover: Ruben Magboo, 70 years old, Engineering Department. Roof repair, Lualhati ng Maynila Photography by : AJ Lumpan

SILVER THREADS Silver Threads is a quarterly publication of The United Bayanihan Foundation for Unilab retirees and their families. Comments, suggestions or contributions can be sent to the Editor‐In‐Chief, care of UBF Secretariat, United Street, Mandaluyong City or emailed to marissacayabyab@unilab.com.ph or faxed to 8581835 . Tel No: 858‐1000 Loc.7264 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Jocelyn Campos‐Hess PRESIDENT AND CEO Clinton Campos Hess PUBLISHER Lamberto S. Lara EDITOR‐IN‐CHIEF Gonzalo E. Perez ASSOCIATE EDITOR George J. Mañalac EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS Guillermo C. Gastrock Eduardo S. Alcaraz Virgilio M. Ofiana, M.D. EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Carlos T. Ardosa LAYOUT & ART DIRECTION Spot On Productions PUBLICATION COORDINATOR Marisa M. Cayabyab CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS AJ Lumpan Arvin C. Bailey Miguel Hidalgo CONTRIBUTORS Danilo A. Kagahastian Aurora G. Macaspac CIRCULATION Miguel Hidalgo Genaline Binsol

5 AGING MYTHS DEBUNKED Myth 1. Old People Become Senile Society’s propensity to label elders as senile (having memory and reasoning disor‐ ders) or victims of AD has become so pervasive that, tragically, many older adults have started to believe the labels and internalize them. The fact is that IQ and cognitive functions don’t decline with age. In the absence of real disease or organic brain damage, intellectual decline is only minor and not progressive.

that people over 65 have only half as many of the acute illnesses per year as do people of all ages. This is supported by studies that older employees have better attendance records than their younger counter‐ parts.

Myth 2. Older workers are not productive Older workers are not as effective as younger ones. They are a liability. But the fact is that, as research has shown, compared with younger workers, older employees are more productive, are absent less frequently, and have fewer accidents on the job. Bear in mind this partial list of famous people who were still productive in their eight‐ ies and beyond: THOMAS EDISON was in his eighties when he invented the Dictaphone and dupli‐ cating machine. He had already invented the light bulb and phonograph. At 89, ALBERT Schweitzer was running a hospital in Africa. GRANDMA MOSES was still an active artist at 100. PABLO PICASSO was still painting at 92. MICHELANGELO who painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling continued his art at 88. SOPHO‐ CLES wrote Oedipus at Colonus at 92. LEO TOLSTOY wrote another novel at 82; earlier he wrote War and Peace and Anna Karenina. He was 81, when BENJAMIN FRANKLIN medi‐ ated in the adoption of the US Constitution. FRANK SINATRA was already 80 when he came to Manila and gave a concert. GEORGE BURNS became a dramatic actor at age 79; he would live up to a 100.

Myth 3. Older People Are Always Sick The noted gerontologist Alex Comfort who is famous for his advice “never retire” points to statistics in his book,. A Good Age,

Myth 4. Sex Is Unenjoyable After 60 People who are very active sexually in their middle years are more likely to have a comparatively vigorous sex life well into their 70s. A weak sex drive or loss of sexual confidence at midlife is unlikely to improve in the golden years. It should be noted that older adults have a fuller appreciation of the many dimensions of love and sexual expression, with inter‐ course being only one aspect of that fullness. Touch‐ ing, hugging and kissing reflect sexual expression as well.

Myth 5. Older People Are Sedentary

In the absence of active disease, there is no

reason older adults can’t be active. FRED KNOLLER, at 86 was declared by a sports magazine as one of the top athletes of 1981; he was a bicyclist. He took up climbing lessons at age 90; TESICKI TAGARASHI climbed Mt. Fugi at age 100! Hereabouts, CON‐ SUELO “Lola Elong” DANCEL ‐SISON, at age 89, graduated April 2010 from the Lyceum of the Philip‐ pines with a master’sdegree in educational manage‐ ment.

Text by | Long Perez

n the old days at least, many of the p i o n e e r s who hired out to Unilab did s o t h r o u g h word of mouth, that is, a friend, a relative, or a neighbor who’d joined the company earlier would tell the job‐seeker that there was a vacancy or a scheduled mass inter‐ view and “why don’t you try your luck, you’ll never regret it.” The sub‐ text was that the person making the recommendation felt enough about the company to boldly make the assertion Couple Zeny and Pepe Baradas, center, surrounded by children, daughthat, “Pare, ‘di ako mapapahiya sayo!” On ters-in-law and seven grandchildren. the other hand the company, in a subtle way, encouraged employees bringing in stop or a stepping stone before jumping into something friends, even relatives, knowing that nobody more serious and substantial. Famous last words! As would vouch for anyone who obviously was with many of the same frame of mind upon joining the unfit; this was a long time before campus re‐ company, pit stop for Pepe became final stop and step‐ cruitment, headhunters and online job applica‐ ping stone, his personal monument to his efforts and suc‐ tion. cesses in UAP‐Promotions. The new guy on the team It was pretty much the same with Jose garnered his 1st of 4 TODUAP Award in his first year in “Pepe” Baradas. His classmate from UP days, UAP; the award is the most prestigious in the division Rene Lirio (retired SVP‐GM, Greenfield Dev., and to earn one is like going through the proverbial eye Corp.) then a UAP‐ PSR, told him about a forth‐ of the needle. Fleeting between field assignments in Ma‐ coming mass interview and Pepe lined up, sur‐ nila and Central Luzon, Pepe was promoted to PSS in prised that 800 other people had exactly the 1975, winning awards for himself and the areas that he same thing in mind: to get into Unilab. Mass managed. One of the highpoints of his career was bag‐ interviews were a merciless bloodbath then and ging an all‐expense employee and spouse Trip‐to‐ Hong at the end of the day in this particular one, only Kong in the 90s, peanuts by today’s standards but more 8 remained standing, Pepe being one of them. memorable because the culminating activity was a dinner It was 1965. And began a 30‐year Unilab (UAP) tendered by JY. “It was here that I fully realized how JY career for Pepe. loved his people. He mingled with us and the wives, all It was not as if Pepe desperately 2000 of us, exchanging pleasantries and passing out little needed to find work. His family ran a very suc‐ red envelopes that contained shopping money.” cessful self‐serve cafeteria at the old DBP office Running parallel to Pepe’s career was Zeny’s in Escolta, with a turn‐over of 700 meals a day. own, in itself an engrossing story that needs telling at It was here too where Pepe who with his sisters some appropriate time. Suffice it to say that one day, managed the business, met his wife, Zeny, a Bert Santos, Pepe’s supervisor in UAP, having heard of fresh Nutrition graduate from UP hired by the Zeny’s background in food preparation, asked to her Baradases to work in the cafeteria. cook for a beach outing of resident physicians of St. Perhaps Pepe looked at Unilab as a pit

Luke’s. From that day on, Zeny was off and run‐ ning, parlaying her UP course and cafeteria experi‐ ence for a fulfilling and materially rewarding food catering business that spanned more than 3 dec‐ ades. Zeny’s customer list reads like a who’s who in the pharma and medical circles: divisions of Unilab, Abbott and other drug companies, the Phil. Med. Asso. and its component societies like the

Regional Space & Occupancy Analyst with the rank of AVP. The sons have gifted Pepe and Zeny with 7 won‐ derful grandchildren. One wonders at how richly blessed the Baradas family is. The answer undoubtedly lies in the strong religious faith of the family which has adopted Psalm 128: 1‐2, as its scriptural inspira‐ tion: “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways. You will eat the fruit of your la‐ bor. Blessing and prosperity will be yours.” That, cou‐ pled with unshake‐ able family core values of loving and serving the Lord, academic preparation, family unity, humility and integrity. Even now, Pepe and Zeny continue their old practice of gathering the chil‐ dren as often as they can for some quality time to‐ Pepe, right, and Gabby Sta Maria, with his perennial clutch bag, join chest specialists in a Unilab – gether be it for sports, outing or sponsored Philippine College of Chest Physician seminar in Cebu City in 1990. the family favorite, PPS, POGS, and hospitals like the Heart Center, the culinary sessions. The get‐togethers are now just Quezon Institute and the PAF Hospital, to name a more exciting and lively with 7 grandchildren run‐ few. ning all over the place. The union of Pepe and Zeny is blessed The Baradas couple has been members of with 3 boys and 1 girl, all grown‐ups now with the Couples for Chirst Foundation for over 20 families of their own, except for the youngest, years, immersed in such activities as evangeliza‐ Karen Joy. Karen holds an MBA from Ateneo de tion, social action, cooperatives, medical missions Manila and works at the Jollibee corporate office as and environment protection. “It is just our way to Executive Secretary. The eldest son Joel is a BS serve the Lord and return the many blessings,” Mgt. Eng’g graduate from the Ateneo with an says Pepe, a perennial volunteer in UBF Bayanihan MBA from AIM. Joel is the country head of a large Agad free clinics. The Baradas children have fol‐ global chemical company. The middle son Jason lowed in their parents’ footstep doing their share finished BS Marketing at De La Salle and has un‐ as members of Youth for Christ and Singles for dergone Mgt. training in the US, in Europe and in Christ Ministry. the Asia Pacific region. He is the President and Pepe sums it up: “We believe that to CEO of Sika Philippines. Sika is a 100 year old achieve one’s aspiration, he has to invest the nec‐ Swiss company producing and marketing con‐ essary effort, dedication and passion to what he is struction chemicals. Last son Jonas Joseph is a BS doing, not only relying on his human capacity but Architecture Graduate from UST who trained ex‐ especially on the Lord’s guidance and will.” Who tensively in the US, London and in the AsPac re‐ can argue with that? gion. He is employed with Citibank as Asia Pacific

IMPORTANT TRAFFIC INFORMATION 1. MMDA officers are not allowed to group together in order to apprehend. They are not even allowed to stand together in groups of 2 or more. The only time they are allowed to work together is for spe‐ cial operations (probably when they apprehend groups of buses for smoke belching) 2. Swerving IS NOT a traffic violation. Moving one lane to the left or right is not swerving, no matter where on the road you do it. And, it is even less of a violation when you do it with a signal. Swerv‐ ing is defined as shifting 2 or more lanes very quickly. So, you can argue your way out of this, and call the Metro Base for help. 3. Sadly, using the yellow lane is a traffic violation and will get you a ticket. However, buses are not allowed to go out of the yellow lane, so if you see selective apprehension of private cars only, you may complain. 4. MMDA has confirmed that your license MAY NOT BE CONFISCATED at a traffic apprehension. The only time they can do so is if you are part of an accident, or it is your third violation and you have not settled your fines yet. They are only al‐ lowed to give you a ticket, which you can contest. He recommends actually receiving the ticket in some instances, so that you can report the officer who did it. 5. Also, you are free to ask any of these officers for their ʺmission orderʺ, which is written by their supervisor. If they apprehend you for a violation that is not in their mission order for the day, you can report them and they will receive disciplinary action. (Note: If you are issued a legitimate ticket, go to the nearest Metro Bank to pay the fine. Keep your deposit slip of the fine with your driver’s license to avoid problems when you renew it. The records of MMDA and LTO may differ.)

Courtesy of Pepito “JP” Pascual

CAR CODING INFO SHEET 1.

No window hours: Makati, Malabon, and Las Piñas. Number Coding is in effect from 7am to 7pm!

2. No number coding: Taguig, Marikina and Parañaque. So, feel free to roam around these cities anytime. 3. Pasig City has window hours of 9am to 4pm (note the 1 hour additional to the normal 10‐3pm window). 4. San Juan has window hours now according to MMDA website. 5. Pasay City is implementing Number Coding ex‐ cept on the following roads: Ninoy Aquino Ave‐ nue, MIA Road, Domestic Road, Portions of Air‐ port Road, Sales Road, and Tramo. 6. EDSA, C5, Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Avenue, Roxas Blvd (Pasay have window hours regard‐ less of the city) (meaning one can drive via EDSA in Makati any day). 7. For the rest of Metro Manila (Caloocan, Manda‐ luyong, Manila, Muntinlupa, Navotas, parts of Pasay, Pateros, Quezon City, Taguig, and Valenzuela) number coding is in effect (window hours of 10am‐3pm is also observed). If any of the following abuses seem familiar to you, Mr. Antonio Pagulayan (Personnel Officer) has asked that you call either the MMDA hotline (136 local 2) or call the METRO BASE at 0920 9389861 or 0920 9389875 and ask for ask for an Inspectorate. They will send inspectors to the place where these MMDA officers are extorting, even while you are arguing out of your apprehension.

By Long Perez

Ask a hundred households about how they do the Filipino national dish and you will probably get 100 different answers. Indeed adobo, that pungent fare that eludes description is ren‐ dered in as many ways as there are Pinoy kitch‐ ens, here and abroad. Locals visiting Filipino homes in the US have been known to exclaim, when the tight blend of pork, garlic, vinegar, pep‐ per and soy sauce cooking begins to suffuse the air: “What the hell’s that smell, man?” And when they get a taste of it: “Man, this is sooo good!” Filipino cluster communities in the States are in‐ variably tagged as adobo alley, in the same depre‐ cating tone that white trash and rednecks use on us noodle‐slurping, frog and dog‐eating Orien‐ tals. In Unilab, the adobo that comes out of the Food Service Department kitchen under the watchful eye of Pam Romasanta, manager, has drawn a cult following of all the FSD culinary creations as it makes its way to the various com‐ pany cafeterias and the Executive Dining Room. And beyond, for it has become the “special re‐ quest” in divisional meetings, medical symposi‐ ums and sundry company gatherings. Its appear‐ ance on any dining table elicits reverential com‐ ments from those who appreciate food as work of art and lip‐smacking anticipation from those sim‐ ply love to eat. And yet it was not always so. As the story goes, once in the early days of Doc Sonny Sam‐ son’s presidency, adobo was the entree at the EDR. It was a mess of chopped indiscriminate pork parts swimming in a soupy dark sauce. We can only imagine how it must have tasted but how‐ ever it had, it was enough for Doc Sonny to call

Maurice, permanent fixture at the EDR, to his presence. Then and there, Maurice got a crash course on the finer points of doing adobo from DBS, no less. Since then, adobo in Unilab was never the same again and when be‐ fore the dish merited only neutral reaction if at all, it has become the subject of conversation, academic discussion and even debate, and any pre‐ announcement that it was going on the menu, en‐ sured perfect attendance at lunch or dinner. The adobo version was easily traced to Doc Samson, its veracity corroborated by Maurice: “This is how Doc Samson likes his adobo.” For better or for worse the dish came to be known as Adobong DBS, or more properly, Adobo, DBS‐style. On the dining table, the viand is invariably the first to disappear, the target of repeated assault from the slavering mob, amidst loud but insincere vows to start taking Vidastat again, to exercise beginning tomorrow or to have just one more tiny bite, promise pa! In the meantime, 2 heap‐ ing plates of steaming rice are put away, for what is adobo without its handmaiden, rice? Forget the bum who said we eat to live. Wrong! We live to eat, period. Surprisingly, the recipe for adobo, DBS‐style is decep‐ tively simple, although caveats accompany it: Use only pork liempo (layered belly meat up to the lower rib portion) and no ‐no to MSG. The cooking liquid or sauce is evaporated thor‐ oughly until the fat starts to flow. The meat is then fried in its own fat until slightly tostado.

Adobo, DBS-Style Recipe 

 

Marinate 1 kg pork liempo in a mix of 1 cup soy sauce, I cup vinegar, freshly ground black pepper(to taste), 2 pieces crushed dried laurel leaves, ½ cup brown sugar, 3 pieces chopped siling labuyo and 1 tablespoon melted margarine. 1 hour marinating time is sufficient although longer is better. Bring to a boil then simmer until tender If meat is tough, add soup stock and continue to cook until the desired “tenderness” is achieved. Allow the sauce to evaporate completely and finish by slightly frying the meat in its own fat. As Maurice tells it, the siling labuyo was not always there, being a recent insertion suggested by Polly Matic. Actually it adds zing to the pot, making it all the more mouth-watering. I have also seen versions of it where the geniuses from FSD throw in uncooked siling haba and small bits of banana leaves cut in geometric patterns just to make the serving dish look refreshing.

Here, grab a bite. It’s quite unlike any adobo you have tasted.

Ang United Bayanihan Foundation- Isang Pananaw By L. S. Lara, UBF Executive Director

Other than Unilab, I am not aware of any company in the Philippines that has organ‐ ized and funds a foundation committed to improve the quality of life of its retirees and their families. UBF is arguably one of its kind and the Founders’ deep concern and unwavering support for the company’s retirees have made it possible. Employees and retirees of other companies who have heard about Unilab’s assistance program for retirees are simply awe‐ struck, sometimes even incredulous. Not a few remark, “ang swerte naman ninyo” or “ang bait naman ng Unilab.” We are sure that many of you have personally experienced this. There are times though, because retirees become automatic recipients of UBF’s assistance programs, that the context of a UBF type foundation, from its intention, creation and implementa‐ tion seems distant and its true meaning is often given less the importance and appre‐ ciation it deserves. A few of us seem to harbor the impression that whatever retirees receive from UBF are benefits rather than assistance. What is it really: assistance or benefits? Apparently some sort of confusion exists maybe be‐ cause of the similarity between what retirees now receive and the benefits they were entitled to while still actively employed in Unilab. That is not surprising, for in truth, many of UBF’s assistance programs for retirees are based on Unilab’s Employee Welfare and Benefit Programs. How‐ ever, the similarity ends there. Assistance to retirees is

not, by any measure, the same as employee benefits. The latter is an entitlement; the former is wholly de‐ pendent on the benevolence of the giver. Sa totoo lang, dahil na nga ang ibinibigay ay pawang tulong, ito ay nangan‐ gahulugang maaring itigil kung talagang nanaisin at kalian man naisin ng donor. The same cannot be said of em‐ ployee benefits. The deci‐ sion to ex‐ tend assis‐ tance (tulong) to retirees rests solely on the goodwill and the willingness of the giver ‐ in this case, the stockhold‐ ers –to un‐ dertake such an activity. The Author at the Bayanihan Day CeleThey are bration at the Ultra. under no compul‐ sion or obligation to provide assistance other than their own desire to help those who served the company in the past. Unilab retirees are fortunate and blessed to have had someone in the person of Mr. JY Campos who envi‐ sioned the role that UBF would play in the lives of retir‐ ees. It is no less this noble act and moral commitment on the part of the Founder that allow us to enjoy what we now partake in. Dahil dito nararapat lamang na maliwanag sa atin na ang pagtanggap ng tulong sa UBF ay may kaakibat na responsibilidad. Our loyalty to Unilab should not cease even after retirement. In short, it is still our solemn re‐ sponsibility to uphold and protect the values and inter‐ ests of the company and its good name. Assistance can never be demanded the way a benefit can. An employee has the right to demand and expect a bene‐ fit, it being part of his employment package. On the other hand, the same cannot be said of assistance. We cannot and should not try to second guess the motives of the founders of the company. We can just surmise that we as retirees continue to be recipients of the stockhold‐ ers’ benevolence and generosity through UBF, because of

the great value the owners put on past services rende‐ red. Para sa mga may‐ari, ito ay pagpapahalaga at pagtan‐ aw ng isang malaking utang na loob. Nararapat lang na ang ganitong walang kaparis na pag‐aaruga ng may‐ari sa mga retirees ay tapatan naman ng kaukulang pagpapahalaga galing sa retirees. Nakakalungkot isipin na patuloy ang pagtanggap natin ng mga tulong nguni’t ang ating isipan at puso, pananalita at gawa ay salungat sa ikabubuti at ikaaasenso ng Unilab at ng kulturang Bayanihan. Lubos na mahalaga na maliwanag ang ating pananaw sa bagay na ito. Putting things in perspective hopefully shall result in a better appreciation of the magnitude and impact that this single act of the stockholder to create a foundation for the avowed purpose, has in our lives as retired individu‐ als. Knowing the difference is also essential in under‐ standing UBF’s humble role in ensuring that every retiree is properly assisted in his time of need. . Moreover, it should also change the way we deal with UBF and its staff. Kung kulang tayo sa pang‐unawa, malamang na maging dahilan ito ng samaan ng loob dahil sa maling akala na ang mga tulong ay isa ring “benefit” at dapat lang na ipagpilitan. We have had occasions when some retirees became very edgy and overly sensitive to the point that they could not make allowances for even the slightest mistake from the staff. We had a personal experience with one who angrily accosted us because he claimed that he was being given the runaround on his loan application. Others intimidate the staff by throwing their weight around with words like “hindi mo ba ako kilala?” All this we have learned to take in stride although it is not an unreasonable wish on our part that if somehow we have failed to rise to anyone’s full expectations, please let us know of it in a kinder and more gentle manner. Isa lang po ang aming hiling sa lahat ng ating mga kasamang retir‐ ees, ang kaukulang respeto at paggalang sa lahat ng staff tulad ng pagrespeto at paggalang naming lahat sa inyo. UBF is committed to serve everyone in the best possible way. Everyone gets the same quality of service regardless of past position in Unilab. After all, no one carries his pre‐ vious rank or position in the company upon retirement. . Walang dahilan upang hindi namin kayo pagsilbihan at lalong walang ring dahilan para aming ipagkait sa inyo ang mga tu‐ long galing sa stockholders. Remember that UBF, just like any other unit in Unilab, works on a budget and must exercise extreme prudence to operate within that budget. We should all be thankful for assistance, in whatever form we are receiving now through UBF. Many if not all will agree that we are much, much better off than most retired and senior citizens who have not had the good fortune to have worked with a company such as Unilab.

TEXT BY LONG PEREZ

ow beautiful then to start out in life with full expectations and an eagerness rarely seen! The world, viewed through dark, limpid eyes, is a wonder‐ land, pregnant with the sweet promise of grand tomorrows waiting to be dis‐ covered, every step an adventure, every misstep a lesson learned and added to a growing store‐ house of knowledge and experience. This is the aura that seems to surround Chanda Orozco nee Garcia, UBF staffer. Watch‐ ing her going cheerfully about her work, one gets the feeling that she is actually getting more from any interaction and transaction than the recipient Chanda, right, going quietly about her work. of her services, which are by no means insignifi‐ cant, dealing as they do with the most elemental which is just as daunting a destination travel‐wise, needs of retirees. These could come in the form coming and going. of medicine purchase, the encoding and issue of Understandably, such routine leaves maintenance medicine, the distribution of Ba‐ Chanda with nothing much else in the way of lei‐ yanihan Saving Plan statements, and the release sure and diversion. Weekends are more likely to of reimbursement and claim checks. find her laid up, recuperating from the rigors of the week. But she tries to make time for a bit of garden‐ Even as Chanda develops the necessary economy in time and motion (to be able to serve ing and cooking …“just simple home dishes, the daily stream of retirees) one can sense that really.” She would like to have 3 children and we each interview teaches her about life from those can all rest assured that husband and wife are work‐ who’ve been there and done that. Seniors, as ing hard on the first one. voluble as they are, are only too willing to share Even this early ‐ she joined UBF as a casual if quickly, their own view of the general state of employee in 2004 and was “regularized” in 2007‐ affairs and matters as disparate as love, children, Chanda shows all the earmarks of an ideal em‐ politics or their 30 or so years in Unilab. ployee, if such a creature ever exists. She is grateful In all possibility this impression is mere for the job and thankful to Marissa (Cayabyab) and conjecture and Chanda may not even be aware Boss Kit (Pamintuan) for recommending and ac‐ that as she serves, she gains. She says with obvi‐ cepting her to regular status. In Boss Bert (Lara) she ous sincerity: “I am happy to serve the retirees. sees a fair and understanding leader, low‐keyed but It gives me feeling of satisfaction to see them focused on results. She finds true joy and fulfillment happy.” The simple, uncomplicated lass from in working for and with retirees. Her personal the eastern Rizal town of Morong wraps her days goals are unassailably family, home, and job secu‐ around a rigid work‐week schedule that entails rity, the type of motivation that tells you you have a commuting daily from Guiguinto, Bulacan, keeper from whom you can expect a full 100 percent where she lives now with her husband of 1 year all the time, every time, as opposed to the other type and 4 months, Michael John ( an agency encoder who promises 100 percent and delivers 10 % on at Unilab Distribution) , to Crossing , Manda‐ Monday, 30 % on Tuesday, 30 % on Wednesday, 20 luyong and vice versa. That’s a 5:30 am start and % on Thursday, and 10 % on Friday. a 10:00 pm return. Just to be democratic, the Taken from another point of view, it is the couple alternately spends 2 weeks in Morong, joy of being a retiree‐ward of UBF and having some‐ one like Chanda looking after you.

11 UBF ACTIVITIES IN

PICTURES Compiled by Mar isa Cayabyab

ing wit First) partner h lt ea (H – I S HD s rian activitie in humanita Mission What: Medical Pasig High School, Where: Rizal 29, 2010 When: June

h UBF

Greening tips for gre en thumb What: Urb ed retiree an Garden s in g Where: UB by Harbest F Conferen c e When: Ap room ril 29, 2010

A little knowledge go es a long way What: Anti-Flu and First Aid Seminar in coopera tion with Health First and the Phil. National Red Cross (Mandaluyong Chapter ) Where: JYC Hall B, Bayan ihan Center When: May 27, 2010

orth a p tion is w n e v e r p e of ction An ounc ti-flu inje n A e re F What: t ealth Firs 10 Where: H ne 30, 20 Ju – 7 2 y a M : Wh e n

cure ound of

ners areâ&#x20AC;Ś.. ontest & Fun And the win ihan Photo C an ay B f o g in What: Award an Day ring Bayanih u d rs e n in w Run RA, Pasig Where: ULT 14, 2010 When: May

Performance withou t tears What: Values Formation and Stress Manageme nt for UBF College Scholars an d Grantees Where: JYC Hall B, Bayan ihan Center When: June 2, 2010

Magtanim ay di biro! What: Baya nihan Aga d Greening Where: Lu Project alhati ng M a yn When: 2 nd quarter, 20 ila 10

teoporobefore os s e n o b r u of yo Take care n! them dow Test courtesy of Bio s sis break ty si n e D Bone What: Free Health First d n femme a alth First Where: He June, 2010 Fridays of When: All

VOLUNTEERISM ESTATE

PLANNING

I would like to thank UBF for bringing Atty. Ariel Martinez to share his expertise about Estate Planning. I liked what he mentioned that “after all that has been said, the best legacy that we can leave our children is good education. Go sell your possessions and go around the world.” And if I may add, share your blessings with the less fortunate. Be generous! – Abbai Basilla The seminar was very pleasant and enjoyable, aside from enriching our knowledge about estate planning. Thank you to UBF particularly Mr. Bert Lara and his wonderful staff for looking after our welfare even up to the remaining days of our golden years to give us retirees a peaceful and tranquil life. - Ralph Santa Ana The presentation was done exhaustively. It was very informative and Atty. Martinez’ side remarks and witty adlibs aroused much interest from his retiree-audience. Kudos to UBF and to the resource speaker as well! - Many Cordeta The seminar was informative. It was a well prepared presentation and the speaker was humorous in his own way. He’s great. Mercy Bayani It broadened my knowledge, more so with the details, e.g., the valuation aspect, parts of the estate, factors to consider, deductible expenses, where to get the money, among others. It was very timely and useful. Kudos and more power to UBF for your unending support and concern for retirees. Thank you. - Rene Barona Atty. Martinez is no doubt a very knowledgeable and effective presentor. It would have been wonderful if we’d started earlier to accommodate all the concerns, questions, and clarifications from retirees.Thanks and God bless. –Jess Jimenez Ah yes, it gave me enlightenment especially as I am a single person. I finally decided to sell my house here in Q.C. and get a smaller place, since I have an ancestral house in Ilocos anyway. I have nephews and nieces but I don’t expect them to repay me etc., so I’ll enjoy what I have now to the fullest. – Lita Tilan All retirees must attend such a seminar. It’s a requirement before they knock at St Peter’s door! – Ed Alcaraz

As a retiree, I now look for a significant purpose and meaning in life. Life is not simply about material success. There should be value in life. I have realized this with the joy and fulfillment I have when I help others. I believe we are all part of one big community, a brotherhood. In essence, this is what has been instilled in us - the Bayanihan spirit even beyond Unilab. Antolin M. Silva 38 years, Biomedis

Among other things – Bayanihan is a give and take relationship. This is what life is in Unilab. Our activities in UBF sustain commitment to Bayanihan, a never ending feeling of mutual respect and shared vision. We cherish the opportunity of serving UBF. In short, dahil yan kay Maris, the UBF Staff and Boss Bert! Vicente S. Alcaraz 38 years, UAP/Westmont

Volunteerism for me is a trait that comes from within the inner soul of an individual. I’m happy to be a part of any activity of UBF that benefits the less fortunate members of our company and society as well. I’m closer to God whenever I render service to His people. Ricardo C. Mariano 37 years, Manufacturing

Though joining the activities of the UBF is not an obligation, I honestly feel that it’s my responsibility as a true Unilab warrior to give my share of Bayanihan in serving our countrymen. As a long-time sales, marketing, & support serviceman of Biomedis (37 years), quality service & bayanihan are an ingrained part of my system. And so, I agree with everyone that once a Unilab warrior always a Unilab warrior. Many thanks to UBF for taking care of its retirees! Alex M. Floro 37 years, Biomedis

COMPILED BY MARISA CAYABYAB

2010 CALENDAR OF EVENTS UBF CHRISTMAS PARTY December 3 at UL Main gym Health seminar on Dementia and Cancer August Values Formation and Stress Management seminar II (for UBF college scholars and grantees who missed the 1st Batch last June 2) August 21 or 23 Outstanding Youth Awarding August 21 or 23 Estate Planning (2nd batch) 3rd week of September Estate Planning Follow-Up for 2nd batch 3rd week of October Medical Mission – August 11 and September 15

HELLO! This is your Telephone Brigade Leader! Don’t be surprise if one of these days your caller or texter is a fellow retiree. UBF has selected retirees who will serve as telephone brigade leaders. They are assigned to coordinate with fellow retirees on UBF activities such as birthday and Christmas get-togethers, seminars, and other important announcements. The Foundation regrouped the retirees based on their location, e.g. subdivisions like Cainta Greenland, Pasig Greenpark and Greenwoods will have one or two coordinators, depending on the number of retirees residing in the area. Provincial retirees are grouped according to the province where they reside. This project will generate faster communication among retirees and promote closer ties among them. Likewise, car pools can be organized when attending UBF activities.. These are but a few of the benefits of a Telephone Brigade Team. Sama-sama tayo sa Bayanihan!

YOU’RE IT! UBF is in need of volunteers for its medical missions, Lualhati ng Maynila gardening and other corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects. Please register with any UBF staffer. JOIN WORTHWHILE, HUMANITARIAN PROJECTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE! New Policy on Cash Medical Assistance All official receipts, prescriptions and other supporting documents filed for cash medical assistance MUST be submitted within TWO (2) MONTHS from the date of payment. The new policy shall be strictly enforced starting October 1, 2010.

Policy on Non-Accredited Doctors and Hospitals Retirees who opt to for the services of a non-accredited physician or hospital during confinement shall shoulder the expenses thereof. They may request for hospitalization assistance by submitting to UBF the official receipts, medical certificate and statement of account.

Obituary February  Arturo “Art” Digdigan – Distribution March  Rodolfo “Roy” Buñag – PR&D,  Reynaldo “Rey” Rosales – Medichem April  Rene “Rene” Antonio - Westmont May  Emiliano “Emil” Ocampo – Manufacturing June  Atty. Francisco “Paquito” de Guzman  Bernarda “Minda” Arcaya – UAP

MY FIRST DAY AT WORK So after landing my new job as a Wal-Mart greeter, a good find for many retirees, I lasted less than a day. About two hours into my first day on the job a very loud, unattractive, mean-acting woman walked into the store with her two kids, yelling obscenities at them all the way through the entrance. I said pleasantly, 'Good morning and welcome to Wal-Mart! Nice children you have there. Are they twins?' The ugly woman stopped yelling long enough to say, 'Hell no, they ain't twins. The oldest one's 9, and the other one's 7. Why the hell would you think they're twins? Are you blind, or stupid?' So I replied, 'I'm neither blind nor stupid, Ma'am, I just couldn't believe someone slept with you twice. Have a good day and thank you for shopping at Wal-Mart.' My supervisor said I probably wasn't cut out for this line of work.

“Corporate Social Responsibility or simply CSR is about conducting business in ways that provide so‐ cial, environmental and economic benefits for the communities where businesses operate.” It makes sense for corporations to engage in CSR programs because of the many perceived benefits it brings. Improved relations with the government and good public reputation and acceptance are two of the ma‐ jor benefits that corporations gain. Ultimately the end result of such involvement is improved business profitability. UBF is now taking on CSR with programs in Luwal‐ hati ng Maynila (LNM), which is a home for the aged; and Rizal High School (RHS), the biggest high school in the Philippines. LNM provides shelter to about 200 neglected senior citizens, most of whom have been abandoned by their own families. Some chose to stay in LNM be‐ cause they find more comfort and peace in that stolid and extremely lonesome place. RHS, on the other hand is populated by close to 10,000 high school students, 70% of whom belongs to the D&E economic class. One cannot help but be emotionally touched by their own life stories and struggles.

Right now, we only have few retiree‐ volunteers who willingly get out of their comfort zones to serve, at times even under the searing heat of the noonday sun. Truly outstanding and dedicated individuals, if I may say. After a year, our line‐up of volunteers though has not changed much in terms of total numbers. There is so much to be done but so few volun‐ teers. UBF is seeking more kind‐ hearted individuals who see in these CSR programs, the chance to serve the least fortunate and the under‐ privileged without any reservations or reward. I encourage you to sign up and be a significant part of this at‐ tempt to make a difference in the lives of the many who have less. As retirees, we can perhaps use more of our time creatively by joining UBF in CSR projects. In so doing, we are in a way, repaying without being asked, our mother company for the generous assistance the stockholders have been extending to all of us. Unilab will, in time, be the ultimate beneficiary of the positive impact that an expanded volunteerism among UBF retirees can bring. Volunteering should result in sustaining people’s awareness and affinity to the brand name Unilab. And down the road, it will strengthen consumers’ trust and loyalty to the company. Retirees doing volunteer work in fact, is a very strong image building tool in sustaining and projecting Unilab’s Bayanihan values. Let us share of ourselves and our time. Let us share as a way of giving back something to the community that has supported us all this while.