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University of Experience

People & Culture

Why BTS Leads And Why I Am A Fan

Power

Forecasting Future Energy Prices: An AI-Enabled Engine To Power AP’s Price Planning

Sustainability

SMA Joins Global CEOs In Renewed Cooperation For UN SDGs

Infrastructure

Lima Water Ensures Adequate, Clean Water Supply Amid Pandemic

Aboitiz Group Advisory to External Stakeholders regarding COVID-19

2019 Bankers’ Night

2019 Brigada Eskwela Cebu

Aboitiz Eyes

By Marie Tanate, VP Group Internal Audit, AEV
If you do not know BTS yet, then let me introduce you to them.
BTS is a seven-member K-pop group from South Korea that debuted in 2013 and has
since then skyrocketed to global stardom…and I mean G.L.O.B.A.L. Their ARMY,
BTS’ official fandom name, spans over a hundred countries with the Philippines
taking the top spot at 21% of its worldwide count. Jungkook, Jimin, Jin, J-Hope,
RM, Suga, and V. 

BTS composes, sings, raps, dances. As of this writing, BTS member V’s
self-composed song ‘Sweet Night’ is No. 1 on the iTunes Top Chart in 117 out of
120 countries save for Venezuela, Nepal, and Turkmenistan. If The Beatles is to
the Baby Boomer generation, BTS transcends all generations from the Boomers to
the Gens X, Y, and Z.  My Gen Z daughter is an ARMY. And I am a Gen X ARMY Mom.

Let me share with you an ARMY Mom’s insights on why BTS leads and what we have
to learn about leadership from these men-boys.

BTS Breaks Barriers.
For a boy band whose spoken words are splattered with annyeonghaseyo (안녕하세요) and 
saranghae (사랑해), it comes as a surprise why and how the world understands them.
Language has never been a barrier to music. Music has no rules. Yes, there are
formulas on what works, what sells. End-of-day BTS music communicates to people.
Their music speaks a language understood by listeners of different cultures,
ages, races, gender, walks of life. There is a clear, unmistakable message in
every song that finds its way to relate to everyone, a message that touches a
heartstring or maybe even your core. BTS builds a commonality that motivates the
ARMY to move as one. BTS break barriers through their music in whatever language
it was sung—Korean, English, and even Japanese.

Great leaders break barriers, too. They unite. They do not separate. They do not
confine. They find ways to overcome limitations and roadblocks to achieve their
next big breakthrough. They forge new paths. They speak a language so clear, so
inspiring that makes you want to be one with them. Leaders create opportunities
that build an openly authentic environment that connects people.
BTS addressed the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly in 2018 to launch a
new partnership on global education and training for all young people by 2030.
BTS Transforms.
BTS is one of the world’s biggest influencers.

When the music video of their first all-English single “Dynamite” debuted on
August 21, 2020, BTS shattered YouTube records by having 10 million views in the
first 20 minutes of release and 101 million views all within the first 24 hours.
(Watch the video here [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLkAepWjdylmXSltofFvsYQ]
.)

Big Hit Entertainment, the founder of BTS, describes “Dynamite” is a disco-pop
single that sings of joy and confidence, bringing a new surge of much-needed
'energy' to reinvigorate the global community during this pandemic.

A year ago in one interview, BTS said that performing a song fully in English is
not something they will do as they do not want to change their identity or the
“genuineness” of their music. Yet they took this on. They transformed. Not only
are they talented, they adapt.  And they are timely.

Great leaders do not stay static. They morph. They become better. They have
foresight. They respond quickly to both threats and opportunities. They create a
vision that inspires change and transformation. They seize the day and take
risks. Time is of the essence. They transcend beyond regular innovation. And
people follow.
A still from the “Dynamite” music videoBTS Stimulates.
Mobilizing power. K-pop fans are known for their prolific social media activity
and have used their influence to support social justice issues. BTS and its
record label, Big Hit Entertainment, donated USD1 million in support of Black
Lives Matter on June 5, 2020.  As soon as the news became public, the ARMY
organized an online campaign #MatchAMillion and reached its goal within 25
hours!

Korean ambassadors. The ARMY is learning to read, write, and speak Korean. Why?
Learning a new language empowers the fans to access BTS information that would
otherwise be off-limits. My own ARMY daughter has a strict, designated
self-study time for spoken and written Korean and, mind you, that is over and
above the time spent for her university requirements.

Great leaders “do” to inspire people to action. They make you think. They make
you question. They stimulate innovation, creativity, intellectual learning as
well as social consciousness. 
BTS on the cover of TIME magazine, October 2018Break barriers. Transform. Stimulate. These make for a great leader. Learn to be
one.

So, what is BTS? What is ARMY? Find out more about why BTS leads and why the
world loves them. Join the ARMY. (Or are you are already part of it?) I hope
this short article was enough to stimulate your curiosity. Read on them.  Listen
to them. Watch them.  Send me a line or two of feedback on who your favorite
member is and why. Hopefully, not only because they all look good because they
do.

I am an ARMY Mom. Yes, we have an official ARMY Bomb lightstick ordered online
directly from Korea.

BTS I purple you.
[https://www.newsweek.com/bts-kim-taehyung-purple-meaning-1453501] Why? Read.



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University of Experience is a new Aboitiz Eyes section that features leadership
insights drawn from the unique experiences, perspectives, and wisdom of leaders
who have stood at the helm of Aboitiz over the years.

If you enjoyed this article, would like to suggest a topic, or share your
feedback, please CLICK HERE
[aboitiz.eyes@aboitiz.com?subject=UXP%20Reader%20Feedback%20].
[aboitiz.eyes@aboitiz.com?subject=UXP%20Reader%20Feedback%20]

Gia Mendoza

By Erika Tan [https://aboitiz.workplace.com/profile.php?id=100026896620950]
[https://aboitiz.workplace.com/profile.php?id=100026896620950]

In Aboitiz, we try to improve our ways guided by our core values. This year, we
were forced to adjust to a new work set-up. Connecting with our own team became
more challenging, what more with other teams and business units?

This was a situation that didn’t stop one of our A-Clubs—Aboitiz Women’s Club
(AWC), to create a way to unite team members virtually. Guided by our core
values of teamwork and responsibility, AWC spearheaded a Trivia Night for a
cause last May 8, which was open to all Cebu-based team members. The engagement
activity was joined by Team Leaders and Team Members from Aboitiz Equity
Ventures, Aboitiz Construction, AboitizLand, AboitizPower, and Pilmico.

> Living the values of Teamwork and Responsibility, AWC still manages to have time
despite our busy schedules to organize fun and learning activities to A-People
at the same time, make it beneficial for others. The risk of the pandemic did
not stop us to look for ways how we can help and make other people happy,
especially the senior citizens from the chosen community.

– Marinel Mangubat (AEV), AWC Club President
Not only did the event bring team members together through a fun and competitive
way as #OneAboitiz but the event was also able to give back to the community
through the proceeds that were raised during this initiative– truly living out
the Aboitiz brand promise of advancing business and communities. All proceeds
were donated to the most affected individuals of the COVID-19 pandemic in Cebu
City, specifically in Mambaling Cebu.

Great things deserve a part two! In the same month, AWC led a part two with the
same objective last May 27. It is indeed a great way to bond and give back.

Aboitiz Women’s Club: Giving Has Never Been This Fun!

Aly Virrey

Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. is venturing into the small cells business to
supplement its common tower project that would boost the country’s connectivity
and network quality.

Heeding the government’s call to help improve the Philippine’s Information and
Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure amid the Coronavirus-19
(COVID-19) pandemic, the company is offering its small cell network nationwide
to support telecommunication companies (telcos) and internet service providers
(ISPs) with their wireless network capacity and coverage.

A small cell network is a series of small low-powered, short-ranged antennas
that provide coverage and capacity, meant to work in conjunction with macro cell
towers. Small cells are expected to play a key role in the deployment of 5G,
which requires antenna density to deliver larger quantities of data at higher
speeds.

Similar to the common towers business model, telcos and ISPs can co-locate in
Aboitiz InfraCapital’s network sites, thereby helping fast-track expansion,
increase service reliability, reduce costs, and lessen redundant sites.

“Consistent with our commitment to help meet the demand for better
telecommunication services, we are happy to partner with telcos and other ISPs
in accelerating the expansion of their network capacity and coverage throughout
the country. Our small cell network, which is readily available in high-density
urban cities such as Subic, Cebu, and Davao, will surely complement their
individual efforts to boost service quality,” said Rafael Aboitiz, General
Manager of Aboitiz InfraCapital’s small cell business.

As telcos and ISPs seek to increase antenna density to provide for the data
demands of 5G technology and address network congestion, small cells are viewed
as a quick and scalable solution. Likewise, small cells deployed in strategic
areas are expected to facilitate network innovation like IoT
(Internet-of-Things) services.

“We are optimistic about our prospects in digital infrastructure and are keen to
pursue more opportunities in the industry with the government and our partners,”
Aboitiz shared.

The Aboitiz Group has a strong nationwide presence with a track record for
project development, execution, and asset management, which makes the company
the perfect partner for developing innovative and sustainable ICT infrastructure
in the Philippines.

Aboitiz InfraCapital Ready To Deploy Small Cell Network In Key Cities To Boost Connectivity

One Aboitiz

Our 'Aboitiz 100' Content Survey

Josa Marie Salazar

With the world undergoing a health-related crisis, now is the time to be more
mindful of our immune systems, and show regard to nutritional needs not just for
our own sakes but for everyone else.

According to various science journals and nutritionists, there are many foods
that can boost our immunity, like milk, meats, and leafy greens. However, one
food item in particular stands out in corralling all those nutrients together:
chicken eggs.

Pilmico offers unbeatably fresh brown and white eggs, delivered from farm to
shelf in one day.A single large egg can give us as much as 30 grams of protein.
It also has quite a list of vitamins from Vitamin A, B2, B5, B6, B12, D, E, and
K. In fact, many literature cited in the US National Library of Medicine
(National Institutes of Health), conclude that eggs are especially beneficial to
growth and nutrition because they promote calcium absorption.

Meanwhile, the protein provided by egg intake also helps in muscle and tissue
generation, and vitamins, especially vitamin D accelerates the absorption of
nutrients into our system.

How many eggs can we eat?
Before, many people believed that eating more than two (2) eggs per week is
unhealthy and even dangerous. Eggs were associated with high amounts of
cholesterol, and people feared this connotation. However, much research in the
recent years debunked this and later on, it was proved that an average healthy
person can eat up to seven (7) eggs per week.

According to Harvard Health Publishing’s Editor-in-Chief, Howard LeWine, M.D.,
eating one to two eggs daily is not harmful. In fact, it is encouraged because
eggs are relatively low in calories and saturated fat, and contain essential
nutrients like lutein and zeaxanthin, both of which are good for the eyes, the
brain, and the nervous system.

Where to get high quality eggs
Pilmico’s brown and white eggs are produced by quality hens housed in clean and
modern facilities. All their facilities follow strict guidelines and biosecurity
measures at all times, which is why Pilmico is able to ensure that all their
hens are kept healthy to produce farm-fresh and high-quality eggs.

To ensure egg quality and safety control, Pilmico’s layer farms have egg washing
and sanitizing capability. All layer farms have the latest technology design
from Europe, which assists in automated grading and packing. This also limits
human handling, minimizing possible risks of contamination.Aside from growing in
stress-free environments, the layer hens  are fed with premium quality feed made
with the choicest ingredients. Pilmico’s eggs are fortified with selenium that
reduces the risk of cancer and serves as an antioxidant, Vitamin D that fosters
stronger bones, and Vitamin E for reduced risk of heart diseases, and
nucleotides for proper immune response. These are unbeatably fresh as they are
able to deliver from farm to shelf in one day.

Pilmico brings its farms closer to customers through several initiatives like
the Eggs on Wheels which covers areas in Metro Manila. Pilmico’s eggs are also
available at its brick-and-mortar and online store The Good Meat
[https://thegoodmeat.ph/]for residents of Metro Manila, Tarlac, and Pampanga.
Quality eggs are also available Pimico’s key partner grocery stores and shopping
centers.

Food

Eggs: The Height of Nutrition

By UBP Data Science and AI Group and AboitizPower ETS Team


We live in a world where smart devices are everywhere. They are “smart” mainly
because they possess what we call artificial intelligence or AI. AI has been
helping us detect spam emails for a while but it is only recently that we have
been seeing breakthroughs covering various applications in different fields.

AI can now beat professionals in the field of radiology
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kLPyDmUUwU], particularly in brain tumor
diagnosis, with record-breaking accuracy and speed. In economic development, AI
can directly measure the poverty
[https://science.sciencemag.org/content/353/6301/790] of inaccessible places
through satellite images, which is helping policymakers decide where to
prioritize their projects. In e-commerce, we’ve experienced how online shopping
sites use AI in profiling digital footprints or the trail of data one leaves on
their platform and recommend products tailored to an individual’s needs. There
are certainly many more applications, most of which are present in our
smartphones, smartwatches, and other smart devices.

With so much information available to it, AI is like our natural intelligence,
learning through examples and experiences. For example, some radiologists
learned to detect cancer from several samples of images of cancer tumors from
their education. At the same time, others knew more from their own separate set
of experiences. These events are similar to how AI learns too, by going through
each example’s specifics or reviewing its previous mistakes. In fact, in the
context of AI, these examples are what we refer to as data; and the science of
learning from the data defines the field of data science, and those in this
profession are called data scientists. Therefore, we can say that AI and data
science are related, with data science being the factory that engineers the
artificial intelligence of smart devices or tools.

The examples mentioned so far make a clear case as to why companies must take
advantage of the capabilities of AI. Recognizing this, the Aboitiz Group is
investing heavily in making data science and AI part of the decision-making
process across SBUs. Indeed, there are many opportunities to take advantage of
various available datasets to help target potential customers and improve
current customer experiences. For example, in power, the goal is to innovate in
delivering reliable and sustainable electricity at reasonable and competitive
prices. AboitizPower, being the top power-generating company in the country, is
embracing AI and adapting to today’s fast-changing technologies. The company
teamed up with UnionBank in optimizing its energy trading activities by
introducing AI to supplement the traders.

The project aims to produce AI-enabled tools for all forecasting activities,
which include energy demand forecasting and price forecasting*. This will not
only help AboitizPower anticipate unexpected economic fluctuations brought by
sudden effects of external factors, such as pandemic, but also help the company
stay true to its commitment to provide secure, reliable, and affordable
electricity, energizing the dreams and hopes of the Filipino people for a better
future.

Business Challenge
AboitizPower, like other power generation companies, comes up with optimal
prices—albeit manually—based on the traders’ expert assessment in order to
remain competitive. With the growing renewable energy sector coupled with
unexpected external factors, energy prices have become even more volatile for
traders to forecast. On top of that, traders need to adapt to the
soon-to-be-implemented five-minute trading market, which will translate into
increased forecast points to fill in. Low accuracy in the forecast due to these
variable factors can have considerable cost implications for the company, a loss
in opportunity.

Solution
In exploring how to turn its “data as the new currency”, AboitizPower teamed up
with UnionBank’s Data Science and AI Group to build an AI tool for its energy
trading activities. The product is designed to help traders automate and
optimize the central part of their routine processes and tasks, which saves time
and resources. Tests on the first forecasting tool have yielded positive results
that have even outperformed current methods. This encouraged end-users to expand
their project and automate other processes as well, which will lead to further
savings. Currently, this first forecasting tool is undergoing its second phase
of improvement, which will incorporate recent advancements in energy forecasting
activities.

Interface of AboitizPower's AI-enabled tool for traders (Some proprietary
information not displayed)With Aboitiz’s digital DNA built on agile and DevOps
principles, the project teams are concurrently developing the second forecasting
tool to maximize time. These tools aim to equip traders with technologies that
can help them better position their market pricing.

Lastly, the teams are looking into expanding the applications of data science
and AI in the energy trading field by exploring opportunities that would look
deeper into the use cases of customer profiling, high-frequency forecasting, and
grid optimizations. An exciting future indeed built on data-driven solutions!


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Equipping A-People On Data Science & AI Basics
To demystify analytics and encourage A-People to explore professional
development opportunities in the area, Aboitiz Academy has embarked on a series
of online brown bag sessions conducted by UnionBank Senior Adviser for Data & AI
David Hardoon. 

David and his team are working with various centers, groups, and units to
reinforce data infrastructure and governance, behavior modelling, machine
learning, and AI capabilities as well as applications both at UnionBank and
across the Aboitiz Group. 

David Hardoon shares five ideas to keep in mind in building AI capabilities



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* These projects are complementary to other ongoing efforts of enhancing the
forecasting output, which are either internally developed or engaging
third-party experts.

Dave Devilles

By the UnionBank Xcellerator Squad

It has been six months since the pandemic forcibly disrupted the workplace.
Businesses have closed, people lost their jobs, and some are struggling with job
security. Companies all over the world have proven that there is no
cookie-cutter approach to teching-up the workplace. But with early adoption and
constant experimentation, some companies have started to champion PeopleTech.
But what is it, and why does it matter now more than ever?

In the 5th episode of Gamechangers, a learning series run by UnionBank's
Xcellerator Squad, people tech takes center stage as human resources leaders
define it and why it is necessary to build a future-ready Filipino workforce. As
it is, the pandemic has hastened that future prompting even more for people to
beef up their capabilities and skills to be able to thrive in the age of
pandemic.

The episode featured Michelle Rubio, Chief Human Resource Officer of Union Bank
of the Philippines, and Anj Vera, CEO of Talentview. Both leaders shared their
companies' best practices and learning about business continuity, leadership,
adaptability, and capability building. Migs Bustos, ABS-CBN Sports Anchor,
moderated the program.

Focus on Capability Building and Learn New Skills
As part of an organization that champions the agile ways of working and
advocates PeopleTech, Michelle Rubio shares insights on how we can help other
people. "We need to adopt a shift in mindset to effectively tech up the
workplace, we have to democratize learning and encourage people as much as they
can to learn different skills,” she said. 

According to Anj Vera, experience, education, and exposure are the essentials
when introducing change. "We need to understand, learn, and integrate ourselves
with technology fast. And if we do, we would be able to cope and thrive in this
now normal," she said.

What are the essential skills in the now normal?

Adaptability. We have to embrace the change. This is forced digital disruption,
which is something we have to adapt to.

Cognitive flexibility. How quick do we learn something new or adjust what we
already know?

Leadership. Leadership is key, and first person you lead is yourself.

More importantly, we need to help people who resist change

Hot Skills of the Now Normal
Whether you want to learn a new skill or take a refresher, these are the skills
of the future that you may want to add on your list:

Data Analytics. By understanding data, you do not just look at data for what it
is; you must piece the puzzle to get the bigger picture and relate a story out
of it.

Content Creation. Creating content, developing videos, graphics, and writing
content that people will consume.

Analytical thinking and innovation. Being a visionary and a forward thinker is
critical in solving critical problems and creating rational decisions that may
impact our day-to-day lives in these unprecedented times.

Do you want to get more insights on PeopleTech? Visit
https://ubpxcellerator.apptitude.xyz/ and know more about UBP Xcellerator’s
course offerings and free webinars.

UBP Xcellerator is a one-stop learning resource that offers various on-demand
learning programs and learning pathways aligned to digital capability building
and emerging technologies such as Blockchain, Data Science, Artificial
Intelligence, API, and more. Aligned with the bank's higher purpose to tech up
the Philippines, the program offers free webinars bi-monthly covering various
topics that advocate upskilling and retooling to future-proof the Filipinos.

Banking and Financial Services

Redefining People Tech In The New Normal

Jomes Kemuel Ibanez

by FinScore Marketing and CitySavings Corporate Communications Teams

City Savings Bank (CitySavings), the thrift bank subsidiary of Union Bank of the
Philippines (UnionBank), and a member of the Aboitiz Group, has sealed a
partnership with FinScore as one of their technology partners for credit scoring
and fraud flagging. With the partnership, FinScore will provide credit scoring
for City Savings Banks’ motorcycle loan applicants. The bespoke model is based
on over 400 telco variables such as data and voice usage, top-up patterns,
location, and device data.

FinScore will also provide fraud detection tools that will allow City Savings
Bank to verify details such as the authenticity of the applicant’s declared
residential and place of work addresses. The program uses API integration to
make real-time inquiries that will help to determine the creditworthiness of
applicants.

With FinScore’s highly predictive machine learning technology, CitySavings is
now geared up to open more opportunities to approve loans for both banked and
underbanked applicants.

About FinScore:

FinScore (https://www.finscore.ph/) is a financial technology company in the
Philippines that offers a powerful credit scoring platform and fraud detection
tool based on alternative data, including telco-based data. As the pioneer in
lending and scoring of the unbanked in the Philippines, they continuously
empower banks, financial institutions, and credit bureaus with flexible
platforms to help them make insightful and reliable credit decisions.

City Savings Bank Gears Up Telco Credit Scoring with FinScore for More Inclusive Motorcycle Loans

Enrique Aboitiz Mendieta
10 04 2020

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The vacation policy of Aboitiz & Company in 1963 was something like every four
years you took six months off to travel to Europe and/or the USA. I imagine it
came from a time when one took a month through the Suez Canal to journey from
Manila to Barcelona by ship. Then you needed time to travel around by train
visiting relatives and sights and a month to return. My parents took that
holiday that year while Montxu and I were interned at Sacred Heart School with
the Jesuits to enjoy the mass every morning and the rosary at night. We were
young, naive, and ignorant and believed the myths of the smartest organization
in history, the soldiers of St. Iñigo de Loyola. 

The weekends were a treat. We either spent them with our grandparents, Vidal and
Ana, or with Tio Isidro and Tia Antonia, preferring the latter for some reason
as we had cousins there. I remember that wonderful house and the uling irons of
Tia Antonia. Her household help would iron clothes in a room on top of the
garage, I think, using heavy steel irons heated by charcoal as electric irons
consumed costly electricity. They watched the pennies in those days. I am not
sure if it was to save money or because some priest somewhere told them so. Tia
Antonia held the nuns of Immaculada de la Concepcion dear to her, and we would
munch on the leftover sheets of punched hosts. The nuns would make sheets of
think laminated flatbread. They would punch out round hosts for Holy Communion
and the leftover was a swiss cheese-looking sheet with holes to munch on,
contained in a Fita can of sorts. Tia Antonia indeed paid for the entire sheet
before the hosts were created to be sold to some priest somewhere. Tia Antonia
did not mind, I do not think, paying for some white sheets and air. 

We were at home and made to feel welcome as if it was home and it was. Tia
Martina was always there.

You see, I grew up with eight mothers, eight fathers, a few grandmothers, and a
few grandfathers. That was in Cebu alone. I had another set in Manila,
Barcelona, Madrid, and Euzkadi. 

Tias Antonia, Paqui, Maria Luisa, Evelyn, Annie, Hazel, Rosarito, Tona, to name
a few. Tias Lolita, Paquita, Maria, Martina et al. from the generation above
them. You can guess the names of my many fathers and grandfathers. Maybe I had
more than eight mothers in Cebu.

We would hop from house to house as we played with cousin to cousin. The smaller
houses were large and the larger ones with plenty of room to run around. The
food was as abundant as the rules. Then came Liloan every Sunday when we would
wander from the Vidal/Tia Maria house through the Tio Ramon house and end up at
the Moraza complex.

That was a treat after the torture of Sunday mass at 8:30 AM at the Asilo. Tio
Ramon would bless me as I approached him every Sunday to greet. He had the
mistaken opinion that I was naughty. I never understood why.

It was a fantastic atmosphere to grow up. One was welcome and loved everywhere.

Tia Antonia was in the midst of all. Her presence, her warmth, and her love were
felt by all of us, all of the time. I do not remember her scolding us. Maybe she
scolded Montxu. He was the naughty one. 

One by one, that generation joins our Diplomatic Core trading our sins, if any
exist, for their prayers as they find out that their children and nephews were
not the little saints they thought we were. They love us regardless as they
prepare the road of white roses for those to come to the Liloan of their world.

Tia Antonia had help from the cadre of Immaculada nuns who have been praying for
her for a century. She and Tio Isidro had a very rough time losing Jaime. I
remember vividly meeting them in New York when they were there to see doctors.
As a young teenager, those images were powerful.

Celebremos la vida de una de nuestras gran madres y mujeres Señora Doña Antonia
Roig Moraza acordandonos de esa sonrisa tan unica que expresaba su amor.
Todos te queremos mucho.

Endika y Valeria
Danel y Mariana
Vidal Augusto




Tia Antonia was mother to Tony Moraza (former AboitizPower President & CEO) and
grandmother to Jaime Moraza (One Food Group VP for Continuous Improvement).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notes By EMA | Tia Antonia – In Memoriam

by Romy Ronquillo, Director, CitySavings
The following is from 1995, the beginning of JRA and EIA’s assumption as the new
ACO/AEV leaders. We had launched the groupwide Total Quality Management campaign
and we needed to retrain all team leaders of all Aboitiz business units. This
topic comes from one of those seminars I had been conducting for our management
people—supervisors and above. I think, even today, too many cannot differentiate
training from coaching.

For the past 45 years, plus or minus, I have been spending time in training and
coaching people I am responsible for, eventually focusing on training, limiting
coaching to those directly reporting to me.

In POS, I am basically a facilitator more involved in training with the hope of
being to do some coaching.

Training to me is the important function of a supervisor’s job. You train to
improve skills and acquire more skills with the end in view of building a
person’s proficiency and efficiency. One refers to proven concepts and methods,
in short, the fundamentals. For those familiar with a team sport like
basketball, for example, you always find a coach and a trainer or trainers. 

You may also say training is tactical while coaching is strategic. Once trained,
you start coaching, developing your own style, using your inherent talent and
that is acquired from the training. You draw from your own resources. Attitude
is important and having the right paradigms aligned with the times and needs. 

As a coach, you start using your leadership attributes; setting up your own
goal, and departing when needed from the conventional. A positive and
enlightened mindset is required.

I mention this because I infer from your comments that coaching and training are
either the same or interchangeable, which they are not.


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CLICK HERE [aboitiz.eyes@aboitiz.com?subject=UXP%20Reader%20Feedback%20]to send
us your comments and suggestions!

University of Experience: Coaching/Training

Jill Ison

To further extend assistance in the early screening and detection of COVID-19
cases in the country, Aboitiz Construction through Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. has
donated a total of 1,560 rapid test kits (RTK) worth more than PHP730,000 to
partner communities of the construction arm of the Aboitiz group. Among the
beneficiaries were Barangay Solana in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental, Maasim Municipal
Health in Maasim, Sarangani, Barangay Mandangoa in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental,
and Rural Health Unit in the Municipality of Compostela.

Aboitiz Construction team members turnover rapid test kits to Barangay
Mandangoa.Aboitiz Construction team members turnover rapid test kits to Barangay
Mandangoa.Aboitiz Construction team members turnover rapid test kits to Barangay
Mandangoa.Aboitiz Construction team members turnover rapid test kits to Rural
Health Unit in the Municipality of Compostela.About Aboitiz Construction:

Aboitiz Construction, Inc., together with its international arm, Aboitiz
Construction International, Inc., is the construction arm of Aboitiz and Co.,
with a 45-year track record in delivering quality, safe, reliable and on-time
projects for its various local and international customers in the industrial,
infrastructure, energy and utilities and other commercial industries. 

To know more, visit the Aboitiz Construction website
[https://www.aboitizconstructioninc.com/].

Construction

Aboitiz Construction Donates Rapid Test Kits to Partner Communities

According to Gallup, recognition not only boosts individual employee engagement,
but it also increases productivity and loyalty to the company, leading to higher
retention. Employee Engagement has long been an important focus in the Aboitiz
Group through countless initiatives and activities to maintain high levels of
engagement, as well as breaking down silos and creating a collaborative
environment for its team leaders and team members. However, being apart due to
the pandemic has made the task a challenge. How does one celebrate as a team?
How do we stay proud of our achievements when we’re physically distant from each
other?

AEV HR’s Recog-NICE program does just that. Recog-NICE is an AEV recognition
program that aims to bring the spotlight to the team leader’s and team member’s
achievements, whether as a team or individually, with two ways of celebrating
these achievements—People Stories and Badges.

> Employee engagement is as important as your daily operations. Keeping the
spirits lifted despite the distance is a challenge in this new normal and in the
digital age, there are countless opportunities on how to keep in touch. This is
where Recog-NICE comes in - to boost productivity and make everyone’s hard work
and effort, whether big or small, be given a spotlight. 
– Erika Tan, Talent Optimization and Engagement Associate, AEV
Spotlight Is On You
The Recog-NICE program started as short features or people stories where
achievements are celebrated and shared on AGORA, the Aboitiz Group’s Workplace
by Facebook. From stories of gaining a new certification in their field to
showcasing their good deeds by living out our core values, AEV makes sure that
these stories do not go unnoticed.

Each feature celebrates our A-People’s achievements and moments that make
Aboitiz proud to have them as Team Leaders and Team Members. AEV has featured
countless team members who have continued to excel in their field by
continuously receiving awards and certifications in their specialized fields. In
addition, Recog-NICE also acknowledges A-People who have been great examples of
living out the company’s core values such as donating a raffle prize loot from
the company Christmas party to Taal Volcano eruption evacuees as well as
volunteering their time to care for frontliners amid the pandemic.

> Recognition is not just about highlighting what the good things the person did.
It is a simple yet powerful tool to uplift people’s morale and performance. It
multiplies exponentially when others take notice. I felt good, hyped, and
motivated when I was recognized. It's a confirmation at some point, I am living
the values of our organization. 

– Burn De Guzman, Talent Systems and Process Officer, AEV
Recognition Goes Digital
Shortly after, a new way of giving recognition to boost employee engagement was
introduced to AEV. Through the new HR system, MyTX, Team Leaders and Team
Members alike are encouraged to give a badge via MyTX to a colleague for a job
well done or to simply give them a virtual high five, especially since the
pandemic has made us out of touch (literally and figuratively) with colleagues.

There are currently six badges that can be given year-round: the Aboitiz values
of integrity, teamwork, innovation, and responsibility; a general Great Job
badge; and The Flash Badge that is awarded to TLs and TMs who work quick and
deliver quality output. They can also be accompanied by short notes. ‘Seasonal’
badges are also available for a short time.

> It is essential to consistently connect in a kind and positive manner,
especially in light of the challenging work environment where we are all
operating on virtual platforms of communication and engagement. Recognizing
laudable performance and contributions by fellow team members is a great way to
bring out the best in each other, motivate towards excellence, and improve
productivity in our organizations. So reach out and Recog-NICE a deserving team
member today! 

– Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, VP for Reputation Management, AEV
These stories and badges have been keeping the TLs and TMs spirits up long
before the pandemic hit, and even more so now. Everyone is encouraged to give a
badge even from on Team Member to a Team Leader. Truly, it’s a Recog-NICE badge
of honor every TL and TM should be proud of.

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