“Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.”
–Bruce Lee
In this edition of University of Experience, we feature the GT story shared by Lima Water’s Hazele Manalo at the launch of the GT Storytellers Leaders Caravan during SuperDuperCon last June 13. Read through the following and see if you can spot some A+ Core Behaviors from her experience.
Hello A-People! I am Hazele Manalo, General Manager of Lima Water Corporation. We provide end-to-end water and wastewater services for multinational companies across the the economic estates under Aboitiz InfraCapital—LIMA, West Cebu Industrial Park, and Mactan Economic Zone II. Nearly five years have passed since I first joined AIC, and while much has changed over that time, one thing has remained the same: the organization never stopped looking for ways to adjust to the environment as it changes.
Swimming in the neighboring rivers and lakes during my childhood was one of the happiest and most memorable experiences I’ve ever had. But as I was growing up, I have witnessed how some rivers deteriorated and later on were no longer feasible for recreational activities. I wanted kids nowadays and the future generations to experience that and so I made a promise to myself that someday, I would help restore those bodies of water. Back in college, I took a course that matched the objective.
During my undergraduate thesis days, I decided to research on Fenton technology to treat the greasy wastewater of fast food chain restaurants. I was amazed how the nasty yellowish and smelly wastewater turned to clear water. After completing a cadetship program of an electronic company, I was given the opportunity to choose which department I wanted to be assigned at. Without a doubt I said “to the Wastewater Treatment”—and so I became the first female cadet to be part of the Wastewater Treatment Group.
Nearly five years have passed since I first joined AIC, and while much has changed over that time, one thing has remained the same: the organization never stopped looking for ways to adjust to the environment as it changes.
When I transferred to Lima Water, I saw this huge and newly constructed Sewage Treatment Plant (STP2). However, the challenge was that the facility was only about 5% utilized. Clearly, the team’s job was to figure out how to make the most of this asset. Do we wait until the locators use and discharge more water? Although there’s centralized STP in LIMA, this facility is only designed to treat the common type of wastewater to all locators which is domestic. Locators are required to have their pre-treatment plant whenever they use the water for manufacturing. Some locators had difficulty implementing the pre-treatment process. We reached out to these locators, evaluated their wastewater and eventually offered them with “Specialized Wastewater Treatment and Septage Acceptance Services”. During the same period, there was a mandate to water districts and LGUs to implement a septage management program, and so we started to extend the septage treatment services too to nearby municipalities. By doing this, we help protect the environment and preserve the quality of water resources while achieving the goal of maximizing our asset.
Bottomline here is that when you know your purpose, you create positive energy. That even if there are obstacles, you don’t get tired, you keep going, you move forward. And when you listen to the needs of others and you are open to change, you harness opportunities and you create positive impact. Good day A-People and I hope one day, I’ll see our kids jump into the river again.
How are you making positive changes for yourself or for others in the Great Transformation? Click this LINK or scan the QR code below to inspire A-People with your story!
