The last
time I was in Manila was six long years ago. I used to go back home every two
years until I found fewer and fewer reasons to go home. My three children have migrated to Canada, the US, and Australia and I began
to spend my time visiting them in their homes.
Last July, an
announcement from the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) gave
me one good reason. I was to be honored with a Distinguished Alumnus Award for
2024, specifically for “Leadership in IT Development (Private and Public), and
I had to be there in person.
The local nomination
came from a former colleague, Fe Ferriols, and the American nomination came
from Liza Reyes, a co-founder of UPAA in Arizona and a fellow Board Member of
the UPAA in America for which we drafted a strategic plan.
The Award
During the early days of computers in the Philippines (1970s),
I was fortunate to have been selected by multinationals (NCR, IBM, SGV/Andersen
Consulting). Their global training prepared me for the impending computer era
of the next decades. The following were the assignments for which I was sought
to lead. They increased in complexity and impact, defining my contributions to
the country:
a. As Marketing Manager of the Institute of Advanced Computer
Technology, an offshoot of SGV/Andersen Consulting, I was at the forefront of
promoting the introduction of information technology in the country, from kids
to CEOs.
b. As Vice-President of the Development Academy of the
Philippines, we pioneered IT applications in government agencies, including the
Office of the President.
c. As General Manager of MegaLink, I launched the switch that
enabled banks to share ATMS, widening the use of electronic banking in the
country.
d. As Deputy
Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, I helped launch its automation,
changing how it interfaced with taxpayers, thereby reducing opportunities for
graft and corruption.
e. As Managing
Director of SAP Philippines, I led the introduction of enterprise-wide
end-to-end applications to the largest corporations in the Philippines, making
them globally competitive.
f. As President/CEO of BayanTrade, a consortium of the six
largest conglomerates in the country, I led the introduction of eProcurement in
the Philippines.
g. As pro-bono en banc consultant to the Commission on
Elections, I helped define how electoral processes could be automated and
proceeded with the first phase, voter registration.
On August 14,
UP President Angelo Jimenez hosted a Dinner for the awardees. He gave us journal
mementos of the university. Three days later, on August 17, the Awards were
formally conferred in a ceremony held at the Ang Bahay ng Alumni at the University of the Philippines’
hallowed grounds.
My youngest eight-year-old grandchild came
from Melbourne, Australia with his Mom, my youngest daughter. As he escorted me
on stage to receive the award, friends said it was a heartwarming little man’s
statement. His light blue Barong Tagalog matched my darker blue Diwata gown. All
three outfits, including my daughter’s short black modern dress, were from
Filipiniana Australia. Two siblings and a brother-in-law also attended to wish me congratulations.
Eight former colleagues completed my guest list. Although I was somewhat disappointed that I was the
only awardee for information technology, I was proud that Secretary Ivan Uy of the Department of Information and Communication Technology, who endorsed my nomination, was there to personally
congratulate me.
The Appreciation
Parties
The day
after, I hosted two Appreciation Parties at Ral’s in the UP Ayala Techno Hub on
Commonwealth Avenue near UP. In the morning, I had a family breakfast for my
siblings’ families including their children, spouses, and grandchildren. At
lunch, there was a gathering of all the colleagues who worked with me on the
seven projects mentioned above. Also included were members of the Philippine
computer industry, the Philippine Toastmasters District, and the
Vanguards/Corps of Sponsors from where I derived much support and leadership training.
I expressed my gratitude to my former colleagues who worked alongside me,
welcomed my leadership style, and supported me every step of the way.
It felt good
to have returned to my home country to receive this Award. At 75 years old, I
had completed a full circle of my time in the Philippines, from birth,
education, family building, career advancement, and final recognition. It was too
bad my husband Bill could not be with me on this visit like he had done three
other times.
The timing of the events gave me opportunities to enjoy two bonus prizes! Watch our for the next two posts on my nostalgic visit to Baguio and a staycation at the historic Manila Hotel with
a tour of what’s new in Malacanang.