Carissa Cruz-Evangelista: Working towards a vision of a strong RP
March 25, 2007 | 12:00am
She came home from the United States to make sure each Philippine town is put on the world map and is globally competitive.
"When I lived in the US, I heard so many Filipinos based there complaining about the Philippines," Carissa Cruz-Evangelista said. "I thought that, if changes should be made, I should put my money where my mouth is and make a difference."
Now an undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Carissa, three years ago, chose to give her country the prime years of her life. "I am very happy that I was given the chance to help my DTI regional and provincial directors in the creation of P1.89 billion in investments, 70, 609 jobs, P1.81 billion in domestic sales and $92.23 million in exports since the creation of the One Town, One Product (OTOP) program in late 2004."
She is working to ensure that "OTOP will enable all municipalities and cities to create more jobs, more business and more exports."
In her three-year stay in government, through partnership with the Board of Investments, the Commission on Information and Communications Technology, the Commission on Higher Education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, local government units and the academe, they were able to create the environment for the growth of the 200-mile cyberservices corridor, from north to south of the country. This corridor is involved in call centers, business process outsourcing, e-animation, legal and medical transcription and other e-services throughout the telecommunications backbone of the country.
On a more personal note, Carissa said she "just got married last year and I am lucky to be married to a man who is very patient and understanding."
The strongest influences in her life are her husband, whom she described as "the rock that I can depend on" and whose ""values and sound judgment mean a lot to me"; and her mother, Gina de Venecia, whose "dedication to public service, fearlessness, honesty and dedication in pursuing her goals have made a big impact in my values in my life."
Carissa also cited her grandfather, FF Cruz, and her father, construction magnate Philip Cruz, as "examples of working hard and working smart. My lolo built a company from scratch and is the kind of person who has palabra de honor (word of honor). I have deep respect for my lolo and the values that he and my lola Nanay taught to the family  simplicity, hard work and respect."
By 2017, she sees a Philippines where, "given that we grow our investment targets at an average of 10 percent a year, we would have at least doubled our present investments in the country. We will have five international airports of world-class quality, with duty-free and local shopping that would entice the more than 10 million tourists visiting our country to buy some more and enjoy their experience in the country."
"When I lived in the US, I heard so many Filipinos based there complaining about the Philippines," Carissa Cruz-Evangelista said. "I thought that, if changes should be made, I should put my money where my mouth is and make a difference."
Now an undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Carissa, three years ago, chose to give her country the prime years of her life. "I am very happy that I was given the chance to help my DTI regional and provincial directors in the creation of P1.89 billion in investments, 70, 609 jobs, P1.81 billion in domestic sales and $92.23 million in exports since the creation of the One Town, One Product (OTOP) program in late 2004."
She is working to ensure that "OTOP will enable all municipalities and cities to create more jobs, more business and more exports."
In her three-year stay in government, through partnership with the Board of Investments, the Commission on Information and Communications Technology, the Commission on Higher Education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, local government units and the academe, they were able to create the environment for the growth of the 200-mile cyberservices corridor, from north to south of the country. This corridor is involved in call centers, business process outsourcing, e-animation, legal and medical transcription and other e-services throughout the telecommunications backbone of the country.
On a more personal note, Carissa said she "just got married last year and I am lucky to be married to a man who is very patient and understanding."
The strongest influences in her life are her husband, whom she described as "the rock that I can depend on" and whose ""values and sound judgment mean a lot to me"; and her mother, Gina de Venecia, whose "dedication to public service, fearlessness, honesty and dedication in pursuing her goals have made a big impact in my values in my life."
Carissa also cited her grandfather, FF Cruz, and her father, construction magnate Philip Cruz, as "examples of working hard and working smart. My lolo built a company from scratch and is the kind of person who has palabra de honor (word of honor). I have deep respect for my lolo and the values that he and my lola Nanay taught to the family  simplicity, hard work and respect."
By 2017, she sees a Philippines where, "given that we grow our investment targets at an average of 10 percent a year, we would have at least doubled our present investments in the country. We will have five international airports of world-class quality, with duty-free and local shopping that would entice the more than 10 million tourists visiting our country to buy some more and enjoy their experience in the country."
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