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2012 Ten Outstanding Subic Freeport Workers Honored EDITH BARRERA-GENIZA
“ We need to make heroes out of ORDINARY people ; we need to make HEROES out of ourselves ”. – Sec . Jesse Robredo
The Subic Bay Workforce Development Foundation , Inc . ( SBWDFI ) in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Labor Department honored recently ten individuals , who in their own simple ways considered themselves ordinary and yet had sought and found how to make heroes out of themselves through discipline , dedication and commitment to excellence at the 11th Awarding Ceremonies of the 2012 Ten Outstanding Subic Freeport Workers held at Harbor Point , Subic Freeport . The program was hosted by Edgar G . Geniza , President , Mondriaan Aura College ( MAC ), directed by Leo Eusantos and Lovella Jarobel with MAC ’ s Production Team .
SBWDFI led by Atty . Severo Pastor , launched the Search for the Ten Outstanding Freeport Workers in 2002 . Since its inception then , the Foundation and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority have honored the finest among the Freeport workers . The awarding coincides with the celebration of the turnover of the former US Naval Base to the Philippine government and the start of the operation of the Subic Bay Freeport . Subic PMAPers who sit in the SBWDFI Board include Edith Geniza , Merlin de Gracia , Deo Amog and Teresa Esteban .
This year ’ s panel of judges was headed by Jose Mari Oquiñena , Presidential Communications Operations Office ( PCOO ) Undersecretary for Special Concerns . Other members of the panel of judges were Maribeth Gopez of the National and Mediation Board ( NCMB ) and Ricardo Ednave of the Department of Education . Leonida Romulo , labor attaché at the Department of Labor and Employment ( DOLE ) and Maria Cristina Mangalindan ,
officer-in-charge of NMCB-DOLE in Region 3 also graced the occasion .
SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia praised the ten outstanding workers for being role models and said , “ kayo ang nagpapakita kung gaano kagaling ang mga manggagawang Pilipino ”. He encouraged other workers to emulate their examples which he believed will be helpful in keeping the wheels of industry at the Freeport rolling which will result to economic development of the country .
Oquiñena , thanked the finalists and the awardees because the stories of their lives made him more proud to be a Filipino .
This year ’ s awardees , Gilbert L . Buhain , Philippine Coastal Storage and Pipeline Corporation ; Ryan S . Griva , Subic Enerzone Corporation ; Charo F . Guerrero , Polarmarine Inc .; Mark Anthony O . Magno , Subic Marine Exploratorium , Inc .; Christine I . Manamtam , Wistron Infocomm Phils . Corporation ; Dandy M . Millana , Wistron Infocomm Phils . Corporation ; Jed Sprint P . Pino , Pacific Ocean Underwater Solutions , Corporation ; Maria Luisa R . Pulanco , Nicera Phils . Corporation ; Daisy R . Tagnipes , , Wistron Infocomm Phils . Corporation ; and Virginia B . Umbina , Subic Water & Sewerage Co . Inc . were chosen from the more than 92,000 workers currently employed at the Subic Freeport . Their excellent achievements made them shine and stand out from the rest .
Atty . Ramon Agregado , SDA for Support Services and Atty . Jocelyn Alvarado , SDA for Regulatory Group made themselves available to be with the awardees on this special occasion .
Outstanding Subic Freeport workers , you have managed to overcome great battles in life ; do not spend time remembering the difficult times , concentrate on the joy of having passed yet another life ’ s test .
When you emerge from a long period of trials , do not brood on the suffering you endured , think instead of how God mightily showered you with his wondrous blessings and amazing grace .
“ Carry in your memory , the good things that came out of those difficulties . Bear this mark of legacy for the rest of your life , they will serve as a proof of your abilities and will give you confidence when you are faced by other obstacles .” True heroism consists in being superior to the ills of life , in whatever shape they may challenge us to fight .
Mabuhay ka Manggagawang Pilipino ! �
28 PEOPLE MANAGER I January 2013