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U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E S A L U M N I A S S O C I A T I O N (S I N G A P O R E)

(S I N G A P O R E)

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (SINGAPORE)

PRESS RELEASE: UPAAS-PNB OBLATION TALKS

UPAA

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES ALUM

(S I N G A P O R E)
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(June 18, 2012) The University of the Philippines Alumni Association (Singapore) (UPAAS)
and its title sponsor, Philippine National Bank Singapore (www.pnb.com.ph/singapore),
presented Oblation Talks: Magaling Ka Pinoy! to an estimated audience of 150 professionals on
June 16, 2012 at Singapore Management University. Oblation Talks is a series of career-oriented
talks open to Filipino professionals in Singapore.
Oblation Talks: Magaling Ka Pinoy! featured:

Ramon Jocson (UP Industrial Engineering 82), Vice President and General Manager,
Integrated Technology Services, IBM Global Technology Services, Asia Pacific;

Elizabeth Hernandez (UP History 87), Vice President, Government Relations for Asia
Pacific and Japan, Hewlett-Packard;

Rene Navas, Head of Legal Asia Pacific, Greater China, Japan, Cisco Systems Capital;

Cesar Balota, Associate General Secretary (Marketing & Corporate Strategy), Singapore
Kindness Movement and former Head of Commercial Projects Asia Pacific, SSL
International;

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U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E S A L U M N I A S S O C I A T I O N (S I N G A P O R E)

(S I N G A P O R E)

Roxanne Aquino (UP Business Administration 84), Managing Director, EffectiveBrands

and former VP-Marketing for LUX Asia, Unilever;

Arnold Mamaclay, Managing Consultant, Renaissance Solutions; and

Jason Salustiano, President and Chief Inspiring Officer, Invision Leadership.

Meaningful independence
UPAAS President Atty. Oscar Franklin Tan (UP Law 05) asked the audience to think of
Independence Day in the Oblation Talks context. In pursuit of meaningful independence, he
said, UPAAS hopes to allow Filipino professionals in Singapore to discover that many around
them have common concerns and create a venue for professional development as a community
instead of individuals.
Congratulations to UPAAS for organizing the recent gathering of Filipino professionals in
Singapore, announced Lito Camacho, Vice-Chairman of Credit Suisse Asia Pacific and former
Secretary of Finance. It was a welcome event that allowed for networking with and learning
from each other. UPAAS Professional Development Chair Dr. Vanessa Vans Lacuesta (UP
Biology 99) exclaimed, I saw something wonderful: Filipinos working together and inspiring
each other!
In my 20 plus years experience, Elizabeth summarized the Oblation Talks, I have followed
three principles that have served me well in my career: follow your Passion, choose People (not
companies) and know your Priorities. Its easy to remember. Just follow the 3 Ps. Rene, who
spoke in Filipino, outlined the elements for Passion in Work or Pag-ibig sa Gawa: Pagpili
(Choice), Pagtataya (Commitment) and Sipag at Tiyaga (Industry and Perseverance).
Deadlines in life
A mini-debate broke out when Jeremy Darren Pe, an Ateneo de Manila 2010 graduate, asked the
speakers whether there is a deadline for finding what one is passionate about. Elizabeth
immediately responded that there is no deadline, as one may not immediately find what one is
looking for and may need to try different things first. Rene countered that the deadline is
yesterday, as one should never hesitate to pursue what one realizes is ones passion. Its like
courting a girl, Rene explained. Jeremy reflected, It got me thinking about my previous
perceptions on having many deadlines in life. Sticking ones mind to creating deadlines may
make someone miss out on other opportunities for career and personal growth.

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U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E S A L U M N I A S S O C I A T I O N (S I N G A P O R E)

(S I N G A P O R E)

The UPAAS Oblation Talks were inspiring and an eye opener to many, reacted Faith
Gargollo-Mijares, a De La Salle University alumna. I liked the part when Mr. Ramon
Jocson mentioned: You cant be indispensable in your work place. I have always thought that
being needed is a positive thing. Mon shared that he received promotions during his career in
part because he made himself obsolete by training people to eventually replace him. Faith, a
newlywed, asked the speakers what factors she and her husband should weigh in deciding
whether to pursue MBAs.
Emphasis on networking is a great deal, declared Vlad Calayan, Association of Mapua Alumni
(Singapore) business development manager. In this very competitive world right now, knowing
a lot of people can increase your chances of getting the right job for you. Asked what else he
learned, Vlad responded in jest, Love your job but not the company. You never know when
your company will stop loving you!
The speakers were engaging, enthralling and encouraging! exclaimed Portia Dizon-Ho (UP
Statistics 78), former UPAAS President and head of compliance for ACE Asia Pacific. Cesar
Balotas parting words, though he is an Atenean, resonate with me: Ad majorem dei gloriam
For the greater glory of God.
Even speakers learned
It was interesting to listen to the other speakers, Elizabeth later mused from the audience.
Despite our diverse experiences, we seem to share similar insights on what have most
contributed to our fulfilling careers. In most cases, it involved a supportive husband or wife at
home, and a commitment to service to God and the broader community. Elizabeth emphasizes,
I would like to believe those are traditional Filipino values that have served as well in our
careers abroad.
To UPAAS, thank you again for inviting me, Mon remarked. Interacting and networking with
all of you last Saturday reminded me again of what makes the Iskolar ng Bayan special the
intellectual curiosity, the intense nationalism and the continuous commitment to professional
development. Mabuhay!
Cesar Santos, Jr., PNB Senior Vice President and Global Filipino Banking Group Head declared:
PNB is delighted to have sponsored Oblation Talks which featured overseas Filipino
professionals sharing their own recipes on how the Filipino can succeed in the global arena.
On behalf of the UPAAS Management Committee, I extend my heartfelt thank you to everyone
who attended the talk, ended Vans. To our wonderful hard working volunteers and generous
sponsors, thank you for being there and for making the event possible. To our speakers who

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U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E S A L U M N I A S S O C I A T I O N (S I N G A P O R E)

(S I N G A P O R E)

selflessly shared their afternoon with us, your stories will continue to inspire us. To all attendees,
we hope that your afternoon spent with us has inspired you to carve your own success stories as
well. See you in the next Oblation Talks!
Ongoing series
Oblation Talks is an ongoing series. Oblation Talks: Find Your Passion! on July 13 will feature
Dr. VJ Yamat, Managing Director of McCann Healthcare and Danny Santos, street photographer.
The event will be held at The Substation, Armenian Street and will be accompanied by a photo
exhibit.
UPAAS organized Oblation Talks: Brewing the Right Mix last May 16, featuring Maria
Mercedes Mercy Corrales, independent director of Fraser & Neave and former President of
Starbucks Asia-Pacific. The event was hosted by Renato Bing de Guzman, CEO of the Bank
of Singapore, in his board room.
UPAAS is a society registered in Singapore in 2003 for the primary purpose of bringing together
University of the Philippines alumni in Singapore. The organization seeks to devote its efforts to
the advancement of the UP Cause and Ideals as well as pioneer in the identification,
conceptualization and implementation of projects for the benefit of the university and its
community at large. For queries and feedback, please contact Oscar Franklin Tan
(oscar.tan@post.harvard.edu).

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Panel discussion with Rene Navas, Elizabeth Hernandez and Cesar Balota

Estimated audience of 150

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Ramon Jocson (UP Industrial Engineering 81), Vice President, IBM Global Technology Services

Elizabeth Hernandez (UP History 87), Vice President, Hewlett-Packard

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Rene Navas, Head of Legal Asia Pacific, Greater China, Japan, Cisco Systems Capital

Cesar Balota, Associate General Secretary (Marketing & Corporate Strategy), Singapore Kindness Movement
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Roxanne Aquino (UP Business Administration 84), Managing Director, EffectiveBrands

Arnold Mamaclay, Managing Consultant, Renaissance Solutions

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Jason Salustiano, President and Chief Inspiring Officer, Invision Leadership

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Ramon Jocson (UP Industrial Engineering 81), Vice President, IBM Global Technology Services
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Elizabeth Hernandez (UP History 87), Vice President, Hewlett-Packard

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Rene Navas, Head of Legal Asia Pacific, Greater China, Japan, Cisco Systems Capital
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Cesar Balota, Associate General Secretary (Marketing & Corporate Strategy), Singapore Kindness Movement
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Roxanne Aquino (UP Business Administration 84), Managing Director, EffectiveBrands

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Arnold Mamaclay, Managing Consultant, Renaissance Solutions

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Jason Salustiano, President and Chief Inspiring Officer, Invision Leadership

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U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E S A L U M N I A S S O C I A T I O N (S I N G A P O R E)

(S I N G A P O R E)

UPAAS-PNB Oblation Talks: Magaling Ka Pinoy! (June 16, 2012)

Project Head
Vanessa Lacuesta

Title Sponsor
Philippine National Bank - Singapore

Promotion, Phone Brigade and Logistics

Oscar Franklin Tan
Windel Anne Lacson
Claudette Madronio
Nikki Erwin & Kaye Ramirez
Monti Lazaro
Gigay Quipanes
Judy Iris Salas
Melissa Abenir
Mona Esteban
Rica Puhawan
Jem Abesamis
Lester Ordan
Jazel Ann Caasi
Francisco Malapad
Anna Pasimio
Nannette Ratilla-Villajos

Sponsor
Century Properties/SGPinoy Realtors

Video Promotion
Marc Vincez Zara
Ian Fulgar
Vlad Calayan
Claus Arriola
Claudette Madronio
Windel Anne Lacson
Melvin Sico

Individual Sponsor
Nowella Labasbas
Tokens Sponsor
Human Heart Nature Singapore
Food Sponsors (Speakers)
Charlies Kitchen
(Far East Square, Raffles Place)
Food Sponsors (Buffet Table)
Amie Repizo-Magpantay
Cherrie Medrano
Chi Ching
Loida Corpus
Geoffrey Chua
Alexander Urbano
Mary Ann Chua
Marlon Regner
Novee Madronio

Event Photography
Arnold Apostol
Graphic Design
Raymar Lobaton
Gigay Quipanes
Event T-Shirt Design
Marc Vincez Zara
Sponsorships
Cecile Salazar
Amie Repizo-Magpantay
Emcees
Vanessa Lacuesta
Monti Lazaro
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