MAGAZINE
Editor in Chief
Ma. Michaela P. Garcia
Associate Editor
Alexander M. Calma
Managing Editor
Maria Gilda Isabel A.
Parreño
Feature Editor
Mirella Medenilla -
Santiago
Writers/Researchers
Gernane P. Pureza
Guia P. E. Elloso
Jo-Anne Kristine A. Silvala
Charmaine A. Villanoa
Layout and Design
RIchard Leandro Z. Garcia
Ericka Cresel P. Nañola
JAIRO C. Cabriga
Advertising Manager
Eran Llanora Lagos
Consultants
Medardo B. Medenilla
Bernardo B. Jamilla
The
Institute Section
Editor
Krystelle Ariane D.
Aguilar
Staffers
Bernadette B. Alpuerto
Sharlene May E.Flores
Luwijen C. Mahinay
Ellalyn P. Ramirez
Publisher
Quezon Center for Research and Studies, Inc.
2nd floor Garcia Corporate Tower
Lucena City
For comments and suggestions please email editorinchief@qcrs.org
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Calauan, Laguna
Quezon’s May Festivals
Pahiyas Festival
Mayohan sa Tayabas
Agawan Festival
Jose Tomas Cardinal Sanchez
Young Bosses
Rochelle Suaverdez
Bernadette Quimora
Jasper Ricamora
Rev. Horacio de la Costa, S.J.
Baby Steps to Business Success
Advancing the Growth of SMEs with
QCRB Ka-Asenso Loans
Proposed House Bills Allowing
Foreign Equity in RBs
Banking on Best Practices!
A Sure Way to Success
Shaping your Character,
Building your Future
Another Step to Success
A Sneak Peek at a Certified QCRB Loyalist
Lilia de Luna - Gadia
Rizal @ 150: A Legend worth Reminiscing
The Challenge Continues
Students’ Perspective: The Dispute at the
West Philippine Sea
For the Glory of God
Erratum:
We deeply regret the errors on the previous issue’s article “Virginia
R. Nañagas, MD: The Doctor, The Writer”. First, she didn’t work at the
Philippine General Hospital. Second, while a college student in Manila, instead of the Spanish Invasion disrupting activities in the country, it should have said the Japanese invasion.
Our sincerest apologies.

The months of May and June don’t have a lot in common. While May is the conclusion of summer, June is the prelude to the rainy months. May is the month of fiestas; June is back-to-school time. May is longer with 31 days; June has only 30. But here in INSIGHT, since we come out bimonthly, they will always share something, an issue per annum. And speaking of sharing, let me just reiterate our mission - we aim to share insights, simple or complex, shallow or deep, obvious or otherwise, in the hope that they may somehow inspire you in this journey called life. It’s quite safe to say then that we made sharing our business. It is the essence of our existence. We find people who are generous enough to share their experiences, events that aspire to enrich, and news that impart valuable information. More than to entertain, we strive to be an agent of improvement and development, if not entirely of change; all for the betterment of humanity.
As the end of our second year draws to a close, we remain true to our purpose. We pay tribute to one of the greatest Filipinos that ever lived, Rev. Horacio de la Costa,
S.J. who happened to hail from Mauban, Quezon. We talked to his eminence Jose T.
Cardinal Sanchez, D.D. and discovered the reason why he chose to spend the rest of his retirement years back home instead of in Rome. Gilda Pico, President and CEO of
Landbank, was guest speaker at the 58th National Convention of RBAP and we’ll be sharing with you her insightful speech in four parts starting with this issue. Similarly found inside are the words of wisdom Rustico “Chito” Recto, President of Rural Bank of San Antonio, shared during the 5th Graduation Ceremony of our very own QCRS-
IM. If these sound interesting, wait until you see the rest of our features.
May you always enjoy our company as you seek for reasons, explanations, solutions, and whatever else you seem to need in your life. We’re only too happy to be of help. INSIGHT is at your service.
Thanks for the beautiful, excellently written article about our Infanta
Prayer Garden. Lella captured the deepest meaning of the
Prayer Garden in our hearts. Dennis was stunned and reread it many more times. I was teary eyed while reading it and was so touched by Lella’s kind words.
- Mrs. Dulcinea Abcede
I am deeply touched with your excellently written article about me, Mike. You have written an objective story of my banking career. Thanks a lot. More power to
INSIGHT!
Ma. Michaela Prudencio-Garcia
Editor
- Voltaire Rex Castro
Former Regional
Head of UCPB
Southern Luzon
4 Insight Magazine MAY - JUNE 2011

T his town of 17 barangays has an interesting story behind its name. It is said to have come from the term
“kalawang”, which means rust. According to earlier settlers, for a long time, lumps of rust used to drift along a small body of water, which is now aptly called
Macalawang Spring. Another version tells of an old man who discovered a cross made of stone. Because of their Christian belief, the townsfolk held a mass at the place where the cross was found. To their surprise, rusty, yellowish water sprang out from the exact spot. They built a church on the site to commemorate the mysterious event.
Farming, being the main source of livelihood, Calaueños chose San
Isidro Labrador as their patron saint.
To give thanks for a bountiful harvest, the municipality holds a week-long celebration of the annual Pinya Festival from May 12 to 15. This festivity not only celebrates the feast day of San
Isidro Labrador but also its primary agricultural product – pinya. The annual event features cultural presentations, mardi gras (street dancing), float parade with pineapple motif and native products décor contest, beauty contest, fireworks display, cooking contest, and variety show. Town officials, headed by the town
Mayor, make sure nothing is spared for the celebration. Locals and tourists alike look forward to this grand occasion.
People of Calauan are an industrious lot. Blessed with fertile soil which is perfect for farming, agriculture is its top industry with rice and coconut being the major crops grown. Though they grow other fruits such as lanzones and rambutan, they are rather known for their pineapples. Locals claim their production as the sweetest in the country. An inland town, not having a coastal area to speak of, residents use fishponds to grow tilapia fingerlings that they transport and sell to nearby towns and provinces. Candy-
To assert its claim of producing the sweetest
‘pinya’ in this part of Luzon a giant monument of this tropical fruit was erected at the town center, commanding an imposing view to all passers by.
making is a profitable home-based enterprise. Candied macapuno, ube, and meringue are made throughout the municipality.
At the town plaza, a giant pineapple monument stands tall and proud; symbolic of the hardworking farmers who toil the land. The sweet fruit may very well be considered the heart of Calauan but its soul is its people who actively take part in the pursuit of a better future for their beloved town.
5 MAY - JUNE 2011 Insight Magazine

Lucban, Quezon
Lucban’s colorful festival every
15th of May is now famous the world over. It is the second most visited celebration in the country next to Cebu’s Sinulog. This event that showcases the locals’ creativity is a tradition that dates back to the early 1500s. Colorful “kipings” or rice flakes and other harvests transform the facades of houses.
Simplicity is a forgotten word in the vocabulary of the Lucbanins; extravagance is the name of the game. The streets literally burst into a gamut of exuberant hues imaginable. The Pahiyas highlights all the best the town has to offer.
Throng of tourists from here and abroad flock and endure the heat at this time of year to experience this unique celebration that has become not only Quezon province’s pride but of the nation as well.
6 Insight Magazine MAY - JUNE 2011

Sariaya, Quezon
Another town that honors San
Isidro de Labrador is Sariaya.
Agawan is the main event of the procession every May 15. Houses are adorned with bright colored hats and fans while some use vegetables, other crops and banana trees. “Pabitin” or goodies are hanging on “bagakay” or young bamboo branches. There are fruits, candies, junk foods and sometimes money hanging on the bagakays.
During the parade, people grab at these pabitins. The Sariayahins believe that no matter how tall the bagakays are, they will bow on their own once the image of San
Isidro passes by, making it easy for them to snatch the pabitins.
MAY - JUNE 2011
Tayabas, Quezon
The aim of this 10-day celebration which runs from May 6-15 is to promote commemoration of Tayabas’ historic past; its highs and lows. It is also time for Tayabenses from near and far to be reunited. Together they give thanks for another good and fruitful year of their beloved town. Various activities sponsored by the municipal government such as trade fair, games, pageant, battle of the band and a variety show mark the event. The highlight is a grand procession similar to the yearly procession of the
Black Nazarene in Quiapo. Participants are mostly males because the “agawan” requires physical strength. All throughout the procession, the devotees participate in the “hagisan ng suman”.
Suman symbolizes the Tayabense’s way of sharing their blessings. It is also their belief that the suman they gathered would mean prosperity for the coming year.
Insight Magazine 7

“I had decided to stay in Rome after my retirement and die in Rome. I was comfortable in my little house there. But I became aware of what was happening in the world, of the changes in Christian life. To tell you the truth, when I learned about it, I cried for 3 days. I couldn’t believe that this is happening after 2000 years.
I couldn’t believe that after God created Adam and Eve, man is telling God that He should have created man for man and woman for woman. But had He done that there would be no humanity in the world. He created man and woman precisely to be the origin of humanity.”
“It is unthinkable that many countries are now accepting marriage between man and man and between woman and woman. They are even given the right to adopt children. Brazil, the biggest Catholic country in the world, has accepted this. Even in Italy, they have presented a bill in Parliament. When I read about this, I went to the Holy Father and said, ‘I am aware of what is happening in the world. In the Philippines, this has not yet been discussed but it could also become a problem there. Before this happens, I would like to go home, remain there and see what I can do. If I can still stop people from destroying what God has instituted since the very beginning then I will try.’”
At 91 years old His Eminence, Jose Tomas
Cardinal Sanchez, still has noble goals to pursue. This is not surprising for the only Filipino who has held key positions in the highest offices in the Vatican where he stayed for 26 years. He worked directly with the
Pope when he sat in the Secretariat of State, the most important body within the Roman Curia. The Cardinal
8 Insight Magazine MAY - JUNE 2011

remembers the regular meetings and lunches with Pope
John Paul II and the closeness they shared especially because they were of the same age.
Rome with all its pageantry and a princely office overlooking the piazza must not even have been a flicker in the dreams of a boy born in Pandan, Catanduanes.
Despite a priestly vocation at a tender age and a family devotion to the religious life, the road to Rome was a distant one for Jose. His father, a former seminarian, already planned for him to enter the priesthood when he was only in 4th grade. This was after Jose’s elder brother died while a 4th year high school student in the seminary. Jose was to be his replacement in the vocation.
But things did not go as planned. His Papa also died when Jose was in Grade 7. He had to stop schooling. With 9 surviving offspring, his mother could not afford to send him to school, much less the seminary. Providentially, the bishop of Bicol went around the region looking for vocations. The parish priest of Pandan recommended him. He was called for an interview and after two days left with the bishop for
Naga. While studying in the seminary, he lived in the bishop’s residence. But another blow came in his 4th year in school. The bishop died leaving Jose without a benefactor. He was only able to continue his studies with the help of his friends from Naga and his brothers who were already employed by the government at that time.
After his ordination, he served as a priest for 20 years in Bicol before he was appointed as bishop. His
Episcopal ministry started in 1968 in Naga as Auxiliary
Bishop before he was assigned to Lucena in 1972 and later to Vigan in 1982 as Metropolitan Archbishop.
All throughout his ministry as priest, teacher and later bishop, his sharp intellect gained for him a high reputation. This distinction led to his being named to top positions in the Philippine Conference of Bishops’ council and committees. Through the Papal Nuncio, the Pope learned about his remarkable abilities and brought him to Rome.
His Eminence has a long list of influential posts he held during his stint in the Vatican but he considers two to be the most significant. The first is the Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
Here he was involved in organizing missionary work for religious institutions. The other is the Prefect of the
Congregation for the Clergy which he held in 1991 to
1996. This was bestowed on him on the same year he was elevated to the Sacred College of Cardinals. As Prefect,
Cardinal Sanchez was in charge of all the priests in the world. He was privileged to travel to all the corners of the globe to supervise and minister to the clergy.
After decades of service in Rome and two Papal awards (Papal Chamberlain and Honorary Prelate of
His Holiness), this Prince of the Church has returned home to safeguard the souls of his beloved countrymen.
When he is invited to give talks on Christian principles, he exhorts Filipinos to be more aware of their responsibilities to protect the Christian family. He stresses that once the Christian family is destroyed, the
Christian faith will disappear.
Jose Tomas Cardinal Sanchez has spent a lifetime in the service of God. Even in his retirement, he continues with his appointed task.
MAY - JUNE 2011 Insight Magazine 9

T
Nail Pad Wellness and SPA
26 year old Rochelle is a BS Food Technology graduate of the
University of Sto. Tomas. She first worked at the laboratory of
Ginebra San Miguel in Manila. While working there for three years, she discovered and harnessed her business acumen. She sold cellular phones to her officemates. When she resigned in 2009, she set her heart into being her own boss. Together with her younger sister, she started an online clothing store. Then she became interested with franchising, but the tedious and long process discouraged her from pursuing it further. Determined to seek other opportunities, she attended a Global Pinoy Trade Fair to gather inspiration and generate ideas. She went home with a fresh concept in mind.
Sisters Rochelle and Lovelia opened Nail Pad Wellness and Spa on May 15, 2010. Located along Allarey St. in Lucena City, the center is redefining the nail pampering experience. It is the first to offer luxurious signature hand and foot pampering treats such as
Detox Green Tea and English Garden hand spas, Chocolate Vanilla
Mint and Espresso Mint Luxury foot spas, to name a few. It also has a digital nail art machine. Nailaholics can choose from over a thousand designs or even have pictures customized according to their preferences. It is the only one, too, to have a manicure and pedicure spa especially designed for kids. Aside from nail care,
Nail Pad also offers total body spa services such as Ceragem and
Pyroenergen which combine the benefits of alternative medicine and innovative technology for curing a variety of illnesses. And of course, it also has the usual offerings, body scrub, body wrap,
Swedish massage, and threading and waxing. Men and women customers are welcome. Open all days of the week, it prides itself on giving the best and safest services possible. Sanitation system is under the strictest standard and products used are free from harmful chemicals.
10 Insight Magazine
MAY - JUNE 2011

MAY - JUNE 2011
Atiena Fashion Station
Fresh out of college from Sacred Heart College in Lucena,
Bernadette put her passion for fashion into good use. Like
Rochelle, she started by selling clothes online. Her start-up capital was a Php 10,000 gift from her father who is working abroad. Atiena Beteena Online Shop was an instant hit on
Facebook. Thrilled over the warm response to her merchandise, she dared herself to take the next big step. She opened an actual boutique where shoppers can touch and try on the clothes. From the profits of her online store, she was able to buy an adequately sized commercial space along Merchan Street, near her college alma mater. It is a very strategic location what with the large population of SHC students. The trendy shop has a vibrant and attention-grabbing design that lures passersby into going inside.
On display are clothes, bags, shoes, and accessories imported from Thailand. The selection is wide and the prices, reasonable.
There will surely be something you’ll notice, like, and eventually purchase. Shortly after its opening, it already has regular customers who await every new arrival. Again, this encouraged her to take success further. She bought another store space, this time along Barcelona Street. The extension shop is being overseen by her mother.
Not really one to rest on her laurels, Bernadette is already planning her next move. More branches around Quezon and neighboring provinces.
7/11 Convenience Store
Still in college, taking up Bachelor of Science in Business
Administration Major in Marketing at the Sacred Heart
College, Japi is already managing two 7/11 Convenience
Stores. Originally, he was set to study Culinary Arts in order to be of help to the family’s restaurant and catering business but before he could start, the family decided to diversify.
During a family brainstorming session, franchising of 7/11 was suggested by one of his brothers. They didn’t waste any time.
They immediately inquired and applied for a unit in Lucena.
Eventually, that unit became two. However, it’s not to say that take off was smooth and easy. They needed a big capital and fast. The family turned to BPI Family Savings Bank for financial assistance.
The first branch was opened in July of 2006. According to
Japi, the first two years were critical. “There’s no assurance yet of return on investment (ROI) or big profits”, he added. He was the appointed President of the family corporation. The family was only too glad that luck was on their side and hard work really does pay off. After five years, they were able to operate another branch. Since he was a little boy, Japi was already exposed to hard work. For their food business, he used to come with his parents to the market and help wash the dishes. He would go straight home after school to take over manning the restaurant. While growing up, he read a lot of business-related books. Citing business titan John
Gokongwei, Jr., his icon, “Entrepreneurship is not for the weak of heart. There is no easy path to success. You will need to work harder than your employees. Keep your mind sharp and face your inner fears. In the end, entrepreneurship is not only finding opportunities to create value in the business sense, but also finding the opportunities to be your best self ”.
Japi is convinced that skills and knowledge are the perfect combination for success.
Insight Magazine 11

By: Marianela Garcia-Villamayor
D reaming about being your own boss? You think you have a great idea going? Pause, think some more, and plan. Owning a business regardless of size is not a walk in the park, so start up smart. Proper planning is the key to starting a business. If you take the time to research and put together a business plan, you will have a much clearer and focused idea of what you can expect from your business. Don’t ever think that you have it all figured out in your mind. Most businesses fail because they don’t have a clearly spelled-out plan. Don’t make that mistake. Running a business involves some amount of risk so it’s better to be very careful at the onset than be sorry later.
A business plan is sometimes called a feasibility study. You definitely need one to start a business. It is a living roadmap to your future. It is not just a bunch of paper for bank loans or for soliciting investors into your business. It is any plan that works for a business to look ahead, allocate resources, focus on key points, and prepare for problems and opportunities.
Don’t be intimidated by this outline. It is actually easy. There are templates available online.
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Cover sheet
Executive summary (statement of the business propose)
Table of contents
Body of the document
A.) Business
Description of business
Marketing
Competition
Operating procedures
Personnel
Business Insurance
B.) Financial Data
Loan applications
Capital equipment and Supply list
Balance sheet
Breakeven analysis
Profit and loss statements
Three- year summary
Detail by month, first year
Detail by quarters, second and third year
Assumptions upon which projections were based
Pro- forma cash flow
C.) Supporting Documents
Tax return of principals ( partners in the business) for last three years,
personal financial statements ( all banks have these forms)
Copy of proposed lease or purchase agreement for building space
Copy of licenses and other legal documents
Copy of resumes of all principals
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You may even find readymade plans adaptable to your proposed business. It would probably take minor tweaking to tailor fit it to your business situation.
If you’re still trying to convince yourself about its importance, read on. If anything, it forces you to think and write down all the little details about your business. In so doing, you will see the bottlenecks, adversities, market conditions, competitions, and general problems. So you plan, strategize, and revise. That is why a business plan is a living document that outlines every critical aspect of your business operations.
What do you need to keep in mind when making a business plan?
www.myownbusiness.com spells them out with the following among others:
1. Don’t be too optimistic (on the high side) in estimating future sales. Sure you have big dreams. But be realistic.
2. Don’t be too optimistic (on the low side) in estimating future costs. This is especially true when you don’t have control over rising prices or your suppliers.
3. Do not proceed without adequate financial and accounting know-how. You need to be able to understand “money coming and going out” on paper.
4. Don’t disregard or discount weaknesses of your plan. Spell them out.
You want to be prepared.
5. Don’t stress long-term projections.
Focus on first year projections.
6. Don’t depend entirely on the uniqueness of your business. Don’t base your plan on a wonderful concept alone.
Test it first.
Remember, those who fail to plan, plan to fail. So go ahead; put that dream business of yours on paper. Interview people, make a research, use the internet. Should you need financial assistance, don’t hesitate to call QCRB or other banks for help.
MAY - JUNE 2011
The micro, small and medium enterprises, which make up the biggest percent of businesses operating in the region, show huge potential in terms of employment and support to the economy.
Thus, Quezon Capital Rural Bank though its Marketing and Business
Development Division has set sight on the small and medium enterprises (SME) realizing the importance of this sector in the business landscape, and hoping to curve its own niche in the market. The bank has launched the SME Initiative called KA-ASENSO LOANS which is focused on advancing the growth of SMEs in the region using business loans that address the specific needs.
QCRB KA-ASENSO LOANS Package provides the answer that will drive the SME and enhance its growth. One product is the EQUITY CREDIT LINE, which is primarily designed for small and medium businesses. This product advantages the client to save time and interest. It is a pre-approved stand-by credit where clients just draw and issue checks within the approved limit without the hassles of going back to the bank to sign documents everytime the need for funds arises. The Equity Credit Line (ECL) is a 2-year term loan secured by a real state mortgage (REM) which will commence upon the release of the special checkbook specifically for the product. The minimum amount of checks to be issued by the borrower shall not be less than P20,000.00 per check. We offer financial solutions that fit the needs of every business size. From business expansion, franchise financing, purchase of equipment/materials, renovation of commercial building. Our outstanding service can help put your mind at ease so you can focus on managing your business and doing whatever it is that you do best.
As it renews its commitment to help SMEs grow, QCRB hopes to reach out to more SMEs this last quarter of the year by pulling off promotional materials through leaflets, banners, billboards and other print media values.
Experience the benefits of having business and financial solutions to support your operations. Consult our Branch
Relations Manager, visit a branch today, call the QCRB
Customer Service Hotline 1800-10-3737272 or log on to www.qcrblive.com today to find out more.
Insight Magazine 13

The All Quezon Club is an exclusive membership restaurant, bar, and lounge, located at the 7th floor of Garcia Corporate Tower, Lucena City.
A place for fine dining for members and their families, for business meetings, and even for social drinking, relaxation, or simply lounging, and unwinding, it is also for entertaining guests and friends while enjoying the view of the city.
It aims to foster fellowship and closer business relations among the executives and business leaders of Lucena and of the whole Quezon Province.
The Club operates regularly from Monday to
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
It offers Filipino, American, Chinese, Japanese,
Spanish, Italian, and Mexican dishes.
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42 N
3rd floor Garcia Corporate
Tower, Lucena City
Call 042-6601897 printing@qcrs.org
For your mono and full color printing needs
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MAY - JUNE 2011

MAY - JUNE 2011
T hree separate bills have been proposed in Congress - HB 4805 and HB
4854 to allow rural banks to have as much as 40% foreign equity while
HB 4519 allows up to 60%. The author of House Bill 4805 which was filed on June 6, 2011 is no less than the Chairman on Banks and Financial
Intermediaries and Leyte Representative Sergio A.F. Apostol. According to him, infusion of foreign capital to rural banks will be a catalyst in countryside development. This will benefit and boost RBs that cannot expand and sustain the increasing demand of their clients. With this regard, the Rural Bankers
Association of the Philippines (RBAP) has posed its intention of amending the law governing RBs, to allow limited foreign ownership.
Moreover, the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines,
Inc. headed by its Executive Director Jeffrey C. Woodruff has expressed its support to the recommended amendment of Republic Act 7353. AmCham further states that by allowing foreign capital in RB will increase their services, enhance lending capacity, invest in modern technology and cater to the remote areas where commercial banks do not operate. AmCham also suggests that the proposed limit of foreign equity be fully lifted.
Meanwhile, RBAP and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas have extended their full support to the said Bill.
Foreign equity will help rural banks to expand their operations by introducing new services to serve a wider scope of clientele particularly to the sector of SMEs, micro-finance and agriculture. Foreign capital will also put RBs on a level playing field with commercial banks.
Insight Magazine 15

Part I
RBAP President Cora Miller, other
RBAP officers, friends and partners from the rural banking sector, distinguished guests, good morning.
I am pleased to join you in what has become a tradition of gracing your annual conference. As mentioned earlier, I have become a suki in your forums and I find it a challenge to come up with what I hope are bright ideas that may contribute towards fulfilling your visions and goals, and advancing the rural banking sector as a whole.
Last year, with your theme “Towards
Greater Financial Inclusion and
Social Protection”, I put the spotlight on five extraordinary bridges across the globe and related them to your role as rural banks in connecting people, linking with partners, and bridging communities.
In the next 20 minutes or so, I hope you will indulge me to take you on a tour once again, but this time to visit some of the most spectacular ruins in Europe, Central and South
America and of course, Asia.
I chose to relate your theme with these grand architectural remains because ancient ruins - while no longer in perfect shape or form
-are symbols of careful planning, of invincible strength, and of solidrock foundation. Such is the scale of work that went into building these structures that many centuries later, these ruins stand tall and proud, and are visited and admired by people
16 Insight Magazine
The Colosseum (Italy) far and wide.
As your theme today is banking on best practices, I shall focus on the six pillars of a strong organization. And as we take off to our six detinations,
I hope you will glean a lesson or two from ancient ruins which are no doubt grounded on pillars of strong foundation.
David Allan Coe, a noted artist, said,
“It is not the beauty of a building you should look at. It is the construction of the foundation that will stand the test of time.”
The Colosseum (Italy)
Our first stop is the Colosseum in
Italy which is the most recognized ruins in the world. The Colosseum was constructed in 72 AD during the reign of Emperor Vespasian and was completed eight years later under the reign of his son, Emperor Titus.
Throughout the centuries, emperors used the Colosseum to entertain the public with spectacle and games held for several days. If you saw the film Gladiator, you have an idea of the kind of games played in the
Colosseum. Staging these games symbolized prestige and power , and was used by emperors to increase their popularity.
The elliptical building was designed to hold some 55,000 spectators with
80 entrances, four of which were reserved for the Emperor, VIPs and the gladiators. The Colosseum was designed for easy crowd dispersal such that the entire audience could
MAY - JUNE 2011

exit the building in five minutes.
Its monumental size and grandeur as well as its practical and efficient organization for producing spectacles and controlling large crowds make the Colosseum an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome.
The architects and engineers of that era thoroughly combined their skills and expertise to realize the vision of
Emperor Vespasian. The result is a breakthrough achievement, regarded as one of the finest architectural monuments accomplished by the ancient Romans.
Pillar #1: The Board of Directors
Such harmony and blending of skills and expertise is the first pillar in sustaining a strong organization.
Having the right board of directors with a good and qiverse composition, coupled with the right mix of competence, skills and expertise is a basic element in the strength of a rural bank, or companies at large.
Highly effective directors are leaders in their respective fields and respected in their communities.
Directors should be visionaries, strategic thinkers and have large doses of common sense. Of equal importance is their character. The business of banking requires the highest degree of ntegrity foremost from directors and management alike, and the entire workforce as a whole.
Keeping your stakeholders informed is another important way of upholding transparency in your bank. This helps build the trust and confidence of your clients and the community where you operate. The Board should take the lead in ensuring proper disclosure of your bank ‘s periodic financial statements and the highlights of your operations, as well as new products and services.
If you don’t have it yet, consider coming out with your newsletters.
You can also send articles to your community newspapers and I ‘m sure they will be delighted to carry your press releases. Websites, when
MAY - JUNE 2011 used effectively, are also very good channels to reach out to your public s. There are other communication tools to consider. Choose what works for your target audienc e, craft your message and send them out there.
Another helpful tip is for your directors to set an 9genda calendar for the year which you follow through as the year progresses. The conduct of regular board meetings, complete with well prepared agenda, is critical in enabling the Board to monitor the implementation of your bank’s plans and programs, review and evaluate polices and strategies, and strengthen risk management systems and compliance procedures.
The Parthenon (Greece)
We now proceed to our second destination, Greece and the equally famous Parthenon. The Parthenon was built in the 5th century BC on the Athenian Acropolis, dedicated to the goddess Athena, revered protector of the Greeks. Regarded as an exceptional icon of classical
Greek art and Athenian democracy, the Parthenon owes its grandeur from the refinement of conventional
Greek architecture and its excellent sculptural decoration.
Today, the Parthenon is a protected historical and archaeological site, and has been undergoing massive
The Parthenon (Greece) restorations in the last several years to rebuild and hopefully relive the great structure’s former glory.
The architects of the Parthenon were outstanding scholars of visual illusion. Subtle intricacies set the
Parthenon apart from all other
Greek temples as the refinements required exact precision that would be challenging to achieve even in our time.
The Athenians took pride in their cultural identity and were equally conscious of the historical magnitude of their ideas. They believed that they were a cut above the rest - civilized among barbarians , and that their cultural and political achievements were meant to drastically impact the history of all civilized people.
The idealism of the Greek way of living, the attentiveness to detail, as well as the understanding of a mathematically explained harmony with the natural world were best represented in the Parthenon’ s perfect proportions and intricate architectural designs.
Learning from the Greeks, you too can develop an identity that will make you stand out. This is the second pillar which I recommend to be reinforced in your organization
- an identity built on well defined purposes, values and principles.
(to be continued)
Insight Magazine 17

Guest of Honor & Speaker
5th Commencement Exercises - QCRS IM
18 Insight Magazine
With the theme “Character: A
Key Factor to Success”, QCRS
Institute of Management held its 5th
Commencement Exercises at All
Quezon Club on May 18, 2011. The graduates were composed of fifteen
(15) students – five (5) from Financial
Management, three (3) from
Marketing Management, and seven
(7) from Operations Management.
This year’s graduation theme focused on the importance of character in defining a person’s measure of success. Mr. Rustico
“Chito” V. Recto, President of Rural
Bank of San Antonio served as the guest speaker and he shared to the graduates the following points:
CHARACTER
It is the set of traits that form the nature of the person, the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.
It simply means “who we are”. It is what we do when no one is looking.
It is the accumulation of thoughts, values, words and actions of an individual. At this point, Mr. Recto imparted the story of a person and his pet snake.
A person found a baby snake and took care of it. He gave it shelter, fed it well, gave the snake love and became so close and attached to the snake up to its adulthood. But one day, as he was about to feed the snake, it just attacked him and bit him. As he was dying, he asked the snake, “How could you do this to me? I took care of you, I gave you love, I gave you everything, I fed you. Why did you bite me?” The snake just shook its head and said, “I am a snake. It is my nature to attack people. I am just being true to my character.”
CHARACTER: THE KEY TO SUCCESS
The prevailing truth in this world is that, everyone desires and aspires to be successful and to be great in his/her chosen field of career. But character plays a very important role in one’s achievement of success.
With the set of good qualities, truly a man of character will be successful in all his endeavors.
Here is a simple test to check if you are a person of good character. If your answer is “yes” to the following questions, then you are a person of character.
a). Do you finish your assigned
MAY - JUNE 2011

MAY - JUNE 2011 tasks? b). Can people trust your handshake? c). Can people depend on you? d). Do you bring a sense of belonging to people?
WHY IS CHARACTER A KEY TO SUCCESS?
Consider this statement—It is a common principle that the more admirable qualities which exist in a person, the more he/she is esteemed by society leading to the following truism:
-people desire to enter into business contracts with someone they know is trustworthy
-people want to shop in stores with efficient and helpful customer service
Everybody is a leader in his/her own capacity. But why do many fail? The answer is lack of character because you can’t give what you don’t have. No one can rise above the limitations of their character. Some celebrities/talented people fall apart when they achieved a certain level of success. People who achieve success but lack bedrock character to sustain the success are headed for disaster.
Mr. Recto shared valuable pieces of advice to the graduates emphasizing that “we are what we make of ourselves”. Being a person of character is learning to take responsibility for one’s actions.
Moreover, what was greatly instilled in the hearts of the graduates is that in this life, there will be setbacks and failures. But the true measure of a man’s character is not how successful he is but how he was able to rebound from setbacks and failures. “Pag nadapa ka, kailangang tumayo at tumakbo ng mabilis. Kung hindi, maiiwan ka ng husto.”
BE A PERSON OF CHARACTER
Because after all is said and done, it is your character that will define your destiny. The key to success is your character.
With these words of wisdom, the graduates are much more prepared and inspired to conquer the world.
Insight Magazine 19

T here are many great Filipinos. But those of extraordinary brilliance are only a handful. One of them is our national hero, Jose Rizal. Another is Horacio de la
Costa. Fondly called Skeezix after a cartoon character known during his childhood with the same unruly hair as his, he was a Quezonian. Born to Judge Sixto de la Costa and Emiliana
Villamayor in the town of Mauban on May 9, 1916, he was an only child. Like silent water that runs deep, as a student, his gentle mien belies a mind immersed in ideas and a heart overflowing with compassion and understanding far beyond his age. It was not shyness though because all throughout his scholarly pursuits he excelled. It was merely innate modesty despite his tremendous talents.
1959 – 64
1965 – 70
Editor
Philippine Studies
Ateneo de Manila University
First Filipino Provincial Superior
Society of Jesus, Philippine Province
1971 – 75 First Asian and Filipino Assistant to the
Father General
Society of Jesus, Rome
When he transferred to Ateneo de Manila, it didn’t take long for him to earn everyone’s respect. They were instantly in awe of the boy who came from a public elementary school in Batangas. He won accolades in various speaking and writing contests. He became the editor of the school newspaper,
Guidon. For a newcomer, he most certainly had the highest ideals. He stayed on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree, Summa cum laude. From then on, everything just fell into place. The path he would take was clear as day. Armed with his God-given abilities, he would be of service to God and his fellowmen.
1975 – 77 Professor of History
Ateneo de Manila University
Highlights of a Prolific Life
June 20, 1935
1939 – 41
1944 – 45
Entry to the Society of Jesus
Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches
Teacher of Philosophy and History
Ateneo de Manila
Teacher of Classics and History
Sacred Heart College, Manila
During the Japanese occupation, he was imprisoned for two months at Fort Santiago. He was caught helping the American
Jesuit superior Rev. Fr. John F. Hurley distribute clothes and medicines to American and Filipino soldiers who had either evaded capture or escaped from prison camps. For this, the
American government awarded him the Medal of Freedom in
1946. To this day, aside from the Jesuits’ focus on propagating quality education, they are also known for their missionary work and ministry in human rights and social justice. Every guiding principle of the Society of Jesus came naturally to
Rev. Horacio de la Costa. Long before he became a priest, he was already a man for others. He had a great sensitivity and understanding of human weakness.
March 24, 1946 Ordination as a Jesuit Priest
Woodstock, Maryland, USA
1947 - 48 Tertianship (final phase of training for a
Jesuit)
Auriesville, New York, USA
He had many written works that continue to inspire.
In 1965, President Diosdado Macapagal presented him the
Republic Heritage Award for his historical writings. At the
32nd General Congregation of Jesuits, the delegates entrusted him to do the composition “The Jesuits Today”. He worked on it for three straight days. His composition was approved by the congregation exactly as he had written it; not one word was edited.
1953 – 55 First Filipino Dean, College of Arts
and Sciences
Ateneo de Manila
1956 – 64
1958 – 62
1962 – 63
Chairman, Department of History
College of Arts and Sciences
Ateneo de Manila University
Consultant in Social Sciences
National Science Development Board
Research Associate
School of Oriental and African Studies
University of London
For all his achievements in the Jesuit Philippine Province and the congregation in general, the Loyola School of Theology of the Ateneo de Manila University was inaugurated while the
Horacio de la Costa Hall in the same campus was named, both in his honor. He died on March 20, 1977 at the age of 60. Until that day, he was a meek soul who found profound joy in the simplest of things. He belonged to a rare breed of Filipinos, a rare breed of humans. Skeezix is now forever a great part of
History, the field of research closest to his heart.
Sources: http://www.admu.edu.ph/
http://www.wikipedia.org/
20 Insight Magazine MAY - JUNE 2011

The Scholar
By: Luwijen C. Mahinay
II-BSBA
Marketing Management
“A journey to a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Another milestone has arrived to each student of every school, especially to the students of QCRS-IM and to their new enrollees, the freshmen. Sophomores have experienced the unusual trimestral year…short trimestral break, no summer vacation. The graduating students are on their way to reach their success. One more year to go… graduation day is near. Hopefully they will survive through the difficulties of their last year of staying here at QCRS-IM.
Freshmen now enter the institution which offers
Bachelors Degree in 3 years. They will experience the no-summer-vacation-school-year. They will go through trimestral year and they will have another expectation, other adjustments, and another challenge to go through.
Every beginning comes from another beginnings end. As we start another journey, it means that we have successfully ended our last travel.
Somebody says, “Dream lofty dreams, as you dream, you shall become.” As we dream, it doesn’t only mean that we shall dream. Twined to our dreams is our faith and determination to turn our dreams into reality. Don’t just dream! Take a step and make actions and survive to the challenges and difficulties of life. Step up! Breathe… and move on to the next level.
This section is the official publication of the
Quezon Center for Research and Studies -
Institute of Management. Formerly called the
Lodestar, it has now been incorporated as part of the QCRB Group official magazine INSIGHT.
This will serve as the mouthpiece of the entire studentry. The name represents the students of QCRS-IM who are mostly scholars.

The Scholar
Mary Honeyleen O. David
III-BSBA
Financial Management
B lessed by God to act upon the beliefs that she had silently written in her heart, Lilia Gadia pursued the right path of becoming a banker instead of a teacher, which was her first dream. When she was younger, she dreamt of taking the noblest profession to follow the footsteps of her relatives. But as the years went by, her heart abruptly turned to joining the corporate world. And she had made the right decision. She is now a well-trusted bank manager. According to her, she owes her stature to the smart choices she has made in her life.
She was born as Lilia de Luna in the humble town of Sariaya. She belongs to a typical God-fearing and fun-loving family.
Her parents’ perseverance in ensuring that all their children were dedicated to God is the very reason why she has an unwavering faith to our Creator. She was able to lead a happy and normal teenage life.
a simple accounting clerk she is now an enthusiastic manager. God, being the center of her life, made everything possible for her.
As a manager, Lilia is very dependable. She doesn’t slack off on the job.
She is even capable of being counted on to stay late when there are times that require her to do so. She is also a calm manager.
The role of being a manager can be a tough position to be in. There are lots of stresses involved in the daily task of management but she knew how to stay calm and coolheaded with all these numbers of problems that arise throughout the course of any given time. She is optimistic. She thinks positively and makes it a point to find the bright side of any situation.
In 1979, Mgr. Lilia finished her degree in Business Administration Major in Accounting at Manuel S. Enverga
University Foundation. And from there her engines to success started running. For two years, she worked at Garcia, Lugue,
Vidal and Co., CPAs, an accounting firm.
And then she was hired by QCRB, where she started as a rank and file employee.
Because of her perseverance and dedication, she was able to rise from the ranks. From
To her staff she is more of a mother than an immediate superior. She is very hands on and talks to them individually.
She always tells them to make sure that they abide by the rules but never forget to listen to their heart. She is the kind of manager who will come smiling and who will express genuinely good feeling about the work that she is doing with her team. She knows that people’s feelings are important and people who feel positive about themselves, their jobs, and those around them will always perform better.
Lilia de Luna-Gadia
Branch Head, QCRB Candelaria
Outside the office, the way she handles her life is way too admirable. She has a clean lifestyle and she is always upbeat. She is a bubbly, fun-loving personality. She can be considered as “little miss sunshine”, for anybody who will converse with her will surely be smiling all throughout the conversation.
Mgr. Lilia starts her day with a prayer.
She never fails to say her prayers wherever she may be and whatever time of the day.
She is dedicated to the church. She is an active member of SFO, an international religious organization, a chairperson of
ANAWIN Association of St. Francis of
Assisi and a commentator in the Lame
Ministry of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.
22 Insight Magazine
In meetings or in any given situation she is always called to lead the prayer. Below is her prayer in the recent managers’ meeting:
“Lord God, heavenly Father, as you have called us all present in this meeting, send us your holy spirit to guide us with all that is to be discussed. Our company’s concern comes in various packages that need to be accepted the way they will be beneficial to us. May we learn to value the importance of awareness and concern.
Let us realize that the engagement we’ve made is a product of what we can still give, much more care about it so that each of us can mutually grow. This we ask of you through your son, JESUS CHRIST, Our
Savior with the intercession of Mary, Our
Mother. AMEN.”
People say, love and career are not like a buy one take one item in the mall that you can easily bag. They say that these two don’t stay long to an individual at the same time; if you’re victorious in your career, don’t expect that you too will be triumphant in love. But Mgr. Lilia is one great example of successful woman both in love and career. She is happily married to Mr. Florencio Panganiban Gadia for 29 years. It was, though distant, made to be an untroubled relationship.
God’s help is clearly manifested in her by way of accomplishment and absolute love from her better half, family and friends. For her, being a member of
QCRB family for more than half of her entire existence is considered a milestone.
She expresses her deepest and utmost gratitude to Atty. Leandro P. Garcia and to Mrs. Milagros Z. Garcia, whom she considered as second parents, for the trust and appreciation.
MAY - JUNE 2011

The Scholar
@ I 5 0
Our history is haunted with fear, bloodsheds, fraud, betrayal, anguish, despair, greed, love, martyrdom, patriotism and legends. Let us recall the heroic deeds and revolutionary cries of our ancestors as they adhere and echo to the liberal walls of today.
I t’s been a hundred and fifty years since a legend was born. On the
19th day of June, 1861, Teodora Alonzo successfully gave birth, which would have been fatal, to the greatest hero of our nation.
He was the 7th to the eleven children of Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonso Realonda. Baptized in the Catholic church of his town, Calamba, Laguna, under the name of, JOSE PROTACIO
RIZAL MERCADO y ALONZO REALONDA, which was chosen by his mother who was devotee of the Christian Saint, San Jose, he was a real blessing. Endowed by God with versatile gifts, he ranked with the world’s geniuses and made name in history. He lived through
35 painful yet wonderful years; most of it was spend on studying and unraveling this world’s wisdom and the rest on trying to redeem his oppressed people which he sacrificed his life for.
His childhood years
Though he was a frail and sickly child, he exhibited versatile God-given talents especially in arts and literature and showed exceptional interest to learn and suffice his curiosity. His poetic and artistic inclination was first noticed by her mother.
didn’t stop news about his beloved he started rebellion
(Noli Me Tangere, published abroad, their deep slumber blinded by the him from caring and hearing country. As a matter of fact, from underneath. With the novels
El Filibusterismo) he wrote and was he awaken the hearts of the Filipinos from and opened their eyes that have been long cruel invader.
Homecoming and Exile in Dapitan
Due to his revolutionary writings, his life was in danger. Despite his friends’ warnings- not to go back to the Philippines- he still chose to return. His homecoming was not of comfort but in constant peril that he decided to go back abroad. In 1892, he was deceived and lulled to return to Manila. Spanish authorities framed and allegedly accused him for anti-religious and anti-patriotic agitation. Rizal was deported to
Dapitan. There he met Josephine Bracken who dispel him from his melancholy mood. They lived as man and wife. Thus, his new found happiness made his tragedy quite bearable. After his four-year exile, he was freed and decided to go back abroad.
Early Education
Rizal had his first informal education with his mother as his first teacher. At the age of three, he learned the alphabet and the prayers.
Upon discovery of his talents, his mother encouraged and helped develop his endowments. He received his formal education under his proctor Justiniano Aquino Cruz in Bi–an School. Lessons in different fields such as Spanish, Latin, painting, drawing and even brawling with the bullies in his school honed his young mind.
Higher Education
Few days before turning 11, Rizal entered Ateneo de Manila (known before as Ateneo Municipal), a college under the supervision of the
Spanish Jesuits. With his exceptional diligence and perseverance to study, he passed through four years of education with sad delight, loneliness and even tragic romance. Luckily, all his hardships finally paid off, at the age of 16, he received his degree in Bachelor of Arts with highest honor. He continued his studies at the University of Santo
Tomas and finished within a year a course in Philosophy, and then a four-year medical course. Afterwards, he decided to pursue medicine and enhance his expertise in various fields of education in Spain without seeking his parents’ permission. In 1882, he departed from his Mother
Country.
Revolt from Abroad
He spent his days abroad building alliance with influential people and learning the different customs and gaining new knowledge from the great people he met along his travels from one country to another. Distance
MAY - JUNE 2011
A Tragic Ending
In the end, Rizal embraced his bitter fate. In 1896, despite the fact that he was facing the supreme test that might end his life, he decided to come home, and faced it fearlessly.
With unjust trial, he was convicted and was sentenced to death. On
December 30, 1896, he was shot at Bagumbayan (currently known as
Luneta).
To die for a cause is heroic indeed. He died but his hope that one day we will be able to get hold of liberty remains undying. Not so long ago, with the perseverance of the people who believed in him and continued his fight, his death was finally given justice. On June 12, 1898, we obtained freedom.
His memory embarked an advocacy that we Filipinos must do well for our country and be a hero in our own terms. We must all succeed in our plights.
He imbued every Filipino with the greatest lessons in life.
He set a good example to us students, to excel in our studies; to the children, to love, respect and feel blessed for having a family; to the politicians, to serve the country and his people duly and justly; and to every Filipino, to love our country and make the most of the freedom that our forefathers worked hard for, and fully surrender ourselves to
God’s will. In commemoration of his birth, never was it enough that we know his life and works. The least we can do to equivocate all his hardships and sacrifices, is to have deeper understanding and realization of everything he believed, fought and died for and prove him right in his saying “Kabataan, Ikaw ang Pag-asa ng Bayan.”
Krystelle Ariane D. Aguilar
III-BSBA
Operations Management
Insight Magazine 23

The Scholar
As knowledge increases and innovation of technology happens in seconds, young people also innovate from generation to generation. This is one of the problems which our nation is dealing with.
The general picture depicting the youth of today is fading in the eyes of people that makes Dr. Rizal’s message for the youth seem inapplicable. It is because many are being involved in illegal groups, fatal activities and are soaked in their vices. Some are in poverty and yet facing unwanted pregnancy that makes their lives more miserable than before.
Because of this, another burden was added to the load they are already carrying on their back that would result in them being stuck right where they are. These are only some of the issues for young people nowadays and I’m afraid if it will get worse. Is this what our national hero pertaining to? Instead of being part of the solution, some are our nation’s problem.
But the hands of the clock are still moving perpetually and it’s not yet too late, let’s make positive changes.
With regards to what Dr. Rizal has written particularly in his message to the Filipino youth, I’ve seen a two-fold thing that we must imbibe. First, Dr. Rizal has seen the abilities and capabilities of a young people for the progress of our nation but it doesn’t mean that the hope of nation depends only on the young people. He wrote in his message that youth is the fair hope of the fatherland and not the sole hope of the nation. It means, youth are in great need of the help of others. They need the guidance of their parents and most of all, the grace of our God.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 says, “Remember now your
Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come…” Let’s seek God in our early lives that we should be molded to fear Him and to keep His commandments. In those days, counseling and correction should take place. It’s a time to fix and a time to change.
Young people are like clay which will be put on the potter’s wheel and God is the potter who will shape the clay into a pleasing form. God plays an important role in building and developing the character, attitude and behavior of youth with the help of their parents. If our parents are our first teachers, then change starts at home. That’s the advantage of being a youth because when they reach old age and correction will only begin there, this may harm them or may even destroy them. It’s like a pot that needs improvements.
If you force to correct its deformity, cracks will be noticed on it and afterwards will be broken. If youth will be shaped in a right form during their early lives even not into absolute perfection but are matured enough, they will be competitive when they reach the adult stage possessing knowledge and characters making them an ideal being.
Second, Dr. Rizal’s message is to challenge the young people who are walking in the darkened path. Since he has seen the potentials of being a youth, his message reminds us that we have a vital role to fulfill for our nation. If these kind of young people are like plastic bottles thrown in every place, contributing waste to the society, harming the nature and later on will affect the nation negatively, and then these bottles should be recycled into a useful one. Let’s help them to realize that their destiny as a youth is not to be a trash in which flies hover above but to be the fair hope of the nation having butterflies around.
It’s again a new generation of youth on which challenges are upon their shoulders. Let’s bring back the natural pigment of the image of the young people. Besides, it is not really costly to repair it; it’s a matter of commitment and love for our country. Consider who will be greatly affected if our nation will be in ruins. It’s us, who are residing in it. We are indeed a part of our nation, treasure it like our precious belonging.
Fritz B. Panganiban
III-BSBA
Financial Management
24 Insight Magazine MAY - JUNE 2011

The Scholar
Noel G. Pastorfide
III-BSBA
Operations Management
T he issue of sovereignty and ownership over the
South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) remains unsettled; going back from the past decades, the dispute among claimants (Brunei, People’s Republic of China, Malaysia, Philippines, Republic of China
(Taiwan) and Vietnam) didn’t stop. In addition, a
Filipino adventurer Thomas Cloma issued and sent copies of his “Notice to the Whole World” on each of the islands as a vital indication of solid claim over the territory. Recently, the forcefulness and eagerness of the People’s Republic of China, which is considered as the second most powerful in terms of economic affair, to acquire the said islands, which are believed to be rich in minerals and oil. Furthermore, the control of the Spratly Islands is not only for economic rationale but for the powerful image of a country. For this reason, the Philippine government deployed the only one and largest warship that the state has, the BRP
Rajah Humabon, to patrol and protect the nation’s claimed territory. Moreover, the government plans to streamline its military equipment in defending and showing to the world that though we are a tiny nation in terms of militarism but we are ready to fight if necessary. Additionally Senator Juan Ponce
Enrile, Senate President, said in one of his interviews concerning the dispute among the claimants, “Maybe we will be defeated in actual war but we won’t be overpowered in the word war.”
In the face of conflict of universal implications, diplomatic settlement becomes a preferable option for involved claimants to consider. Through diplomacy, claimants maintain and can be at peace with neighbors and still strengthen his relations and work for their mutual benefit. Thus, the Philippines is open for diplomatic settlement. In fact, the state sent a representative in Beijing to resolve the tension.
The UN must step in to settle the dispute amicably, through diplomacy, in favor for the rightful claimant.
Aware of the situation, the students of QCRS-IM air their comments, opinions, and suggestions:
MAY - JUNE 2011
“This must be settled in a peaceful way, obviously we cannot deny the fact that the Philippines is a tiny nation, compared to other claimants particularly China, we do not have enough equipment to fight in actual war.”
-Ms. Hannah A. Rosas
3rd year
“If the aggressiveness of China to get our properties in the West Philippine Sea signifies war, we must carefully weigh our options. Let us show that we are strong and that we cannot be intimidated by threats of other nations.”
-Ms. Angelica M. Enelo
3rd year
“Filipinos are intelligent; we must fight peacefully for what we believe we own to ease the tensions among the claimants.”
-Ms. Maria Persidia A. Cancio
2nd year-A
“China must be out of the dispute. I respect the UNCLOS.
The Philippines owns the Spratly Islands because it is place less than 200 nautical miles from the island of
Palawan, China’s distance is more than a 500 nautical miles, so it should not be considered a claimant.”
-Mr. John Emmanuel Dayo
2nd year-B
“Diplomatic way is better than any other destructive way of protecting our interest in the sea. The government must be rational in deploying our warship in the area.”
-Ms. Jobelle Laurel Maningas
1st year-A
“Diplomatic way is better than any other destructive way of protecting our interest in the sea. The government must be rational in deploying our warship in the area.”
-Archelle A. Basbas
1st year
Insight Magazine 25

The Scholar
YLDONN RUIZ M. GERONA, IT Division Programmer of QCRS
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
-Jeremiah 29:11 quoted Mr. Yldonn
Ruiz M. Gerona as he share his story way back five years ago. Reaching his position as a programmer of the
IT Staff of QCRS Garcia Corporate
Tower was never easy. He had been through different hardships and difficulties but he made it nevertheless.
5 years ago…
He was then a fresh high school graduate from Quezon National
High School, a Born Again Christian and the eldest among five children.
As a student, he was neither the serious (the nerd type) nor the trouble maker; he was just in the middle of the two. Given the gift of knowledge, he was granted a scholarship from UCPB bank that made him a scholar at SLSU Lucban,
Quezon. Unfortunately, his parents cannot sustain his other needs and expenses at SLSU. He decided to go to Lucban and get his card.
With just Php 22 in his pocket, he arrived at around 6p.m. at SLSU,
Lucban but it was already closed. He badly needed his card so he stayed in
Lucban not knowing where to spend the night. Left without a choice, he spent the night at the church.
At around 11p.m., he went to a fruit stand and picked three unripe, scattered santol for his dinner.
He was awakened by the cold morning breeze of Lucban. Without anything to eat, he went back to the university. While waiting, he met a friend named Kuya Jose. He told
Kuya Jose what happened to him, and so, Kuya Jose lent him Php 50 for his fare and food. Kuya Jose gave the former composed song, in exchanged for that, he gave Kuya Jose a poem
Yldonn composed himself, too.
As he returned to Lucena, he silently prayed to God, “Lord, Kayo na po bahala sa akin. Alam ko pong may magandang plano kayo para sa akin.” Eventually, as he walked along Quezon Avenue, he passed by the QCRB Garcia Corporate Tower and noticed the poster of QCRS-IM.
Attracted by the advertisement, he
26 Insight Magazine asked the guard if he can still apply for the scholarship. Even though, classes had started, he still got a 70
% scholarship. He felt so blessed that God answered his prayer immediately.
During his college days, he was a working student. He experienced being a gasoline boy, assistant at the wooden lamination center of his uncle, and a tutor. Being at QCRS-
IM molded him into a better and responsible person than he was before. He learned the value of education and to be more practical.
He also learned the essence of time management in his everyday life.
When he was asked what he can advise students, he paused for a minute and said, “Habang nag-aaral ka, 30% lang ng napag-aralan mo ang mare-retain sa’yo after graduation.
Everything you will encounter in the workplace will be new to you.
Hindi lang kung ano ang pinagaralan mo ang importante, mas importante kung paano mo pinagaralan ang mga iyon. Example, saan mo ba magagamit ang “-sin at -co sin” in Trigonometry in everyday life?
Wala naman di ba? Pero kung paano mo nakuha yun, through patience, industry or eagerness na makuha ung sagot, that’s the most important thing because those are the things that you can apply to your future work.”
Yldonn is a person who is contented with whatever he has. He is also the type of an individual who does not rush things. He believes that God will give things to you at the right time.
Right after his graduation, he was hired by the IT Department. At first, it was not easy. Everything was strange to him yet he pushed it through. He never gave up and focused on his work, after all, everything can be learned and can be acquired if you want what you do.
As he continued, he emphasized that the more you persevere, the farther you can go.
Nothing in life is easy, but if you do it for the glory of God, nothing is impossible.
Sharlene May E. Flores
II-BSBA
Marketing Management
MAY - JUNE 2011