The Freeman Foundation Core Group builds a stronger team
On the 14th year of The FREEMAN Foundation, the Core Group composed of 16 volunteers from various departments of The FREEMAN converged once more for the Events/Project Planning and Teambuilding Activity held at Cebu White Sands in Maribago,
For over a decade, the Foundation concentrated on fund drives for its patients touching the lives of countless sick and indigent children by walking the proverbial extra mile.
Actually, the walk was not on flower-strewn pathways. First, when The Philippine Star took over management of The FREEMAN, special projects were designed which meant leaving behind loved ones at home in favor of strategic planning/brainstorming activities that first took place in Intosan Resort in Danao City from March 9-10, last year. This to polish our targets from the creation of committees down to project costs.
Second, the 16 volunteers agreed to raise funds by contributing P100 monthly to the coffers of the Core Group to defray expenses for food and transportation as we don’t want to be accused of using funds raised through the Public Service Section. Third, the Core Group has to adjust to colleagues who snapped at our efforts.
“Maayo lang mo motabang sa uban. Abot mo’g
Fourth, the volunteers have issues within our group. From over 20 members, we were trimmed down to 16 by Melandro “Sir Bhoy” Mendoza, our general manager. “Kasi naman ang iba nakatingin lang, nakapamaywang. Anong silbi nila?” he explained on the move.
Fifth, the members are mostly married people who are torn between priorities – family or public service? Public service or work?
“Kinsa may gasweldo nimo? Ang The FREEMAN o ang Foundation?,” one senior editor asked reporter Garry Lao who is a co-volunteer when Garry was out in Manatad, Sibonga town for an ocular inspection relative to the Dream Satellite project in 2006.
In events and project planning, the teambuilding activities evaluate how our strength and weaknesses could affect this call to be of service. Hounded by our personal problems, the issues in and out of the workplace, clashing principles and motives, and different values, orientations and priorities, we learn to manage our temper, respond promptly and properly in the line of duty, work well with teammates to deliver what’s required of us, enjoy the fruits of our labor, and realize the purpose of this paper in coming up with a public service section.
With the help of TF reporter Joeberth Ocao and assisted by TF Lifestyle editorial assistant Mary Ladymie Jane Vega, the volunteers divided into four groups submitted to the rigorous tasks of building the tallest tower using decks of cards in 30 minutes; the flipping of a Manila paper with four people on top of it – on the condition that not a foot would step out of the sheet; and the crossing over a line of straw – on the condition that no body parts would touch the line.
The challenges measured how we look at difficult situations and how we respond to glitches and problems where projects are involved. Virtues such as patience and cooperation outwitted vices such as heckling and pessimism.
TF lensman Ferdinand Edralin had frozen within the four borders of photographs the group’s attitudes, synergy, dedication and the willingness to learn as the teambuilding session at Cebu White Sands gained momentum. Let’s look at this first installment of those defining moments he had captured. — With Foundation administrator Dr. Remy Bacasmas, Bhoy Mendoza, Arlene Villacrucis, Edizza Wenceslao, Wenna Berondo, Faith Maroto, Joy Nacua, Soc Clerigo, Ben Marcojos, Ryan Borinaga, Garry Lao, Andy Padigos, Jess Padin, Debbie Duraliza, Dick Batucan and Cahms Allego; Janet Montenegro and Ludilyn Abrigana, and the special participation of Ms. Angie Isidro of The Philippine Star and Operation Damayan.
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