MANILA, Philippines - It’s hard to imagine that a poignant, hopeful song such as Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World had a turbulent history. Before What a Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong was known for upbeat jazz tracks such as Hello, Dolly — a single that broke the Beatles’ three-week streak at the top of the charts, and inspired the 1969 Barbra Streisand film of the same name. So when Armstrong decided to record the slow-burning ballad What a Wonderful World, he met with staunch opposition from the president of his record label, Larry Newton. Newton had to be locked out of the studio so as not to disrupt Armstrong’s recording of the song, and after the song was recorded, Newton held the track back for months and refused to promote it.
Of course, What a Wonderful World eventually became a worldwide hit, becoming the top-selling single in the UK in 1968. But it also came at a tumultuous time in American history. The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy both happened in the summer of 1968. The racial and civil unrest caused by the Vietnam War was growing. Armstrong and his song became “the perfect ambassador of race relations,†performing it at numerous venues and appearances. The song became a bigger hit after Armstrong’s death in 1971. Barry Levinson’s Vietnam War film Good Morning, America used the song to amplify its political and emotional leanings, pushing the song to the charts once more. To date, What a Wonderful World has been used in more than 50 films and television shows, proving the song’s encompassing message of hope throughout the changing times.
Now, recent months have brought similar, turbulent times for Filipinos. With typhoons and earthquakes hitting parts of the country, a resounding call for nation building was heeded by many, utilizing any methods available — from social media to on-the-ground volunteering, to various forms of donations — to help people in need. The private sector also took their own steps in helping our fellow Filipinos, with companies such as Globe Telecom launching its own campaign called Project Wonderful to continue the wave of hope and change, much like What a Wonderful World did.
WHAT IS PROJECT WONDERFUL?
According to the company, Project Wonderful is Globe Telecom’s transformation journey towards creating a wonderful world for consumers, businesses and the nation. It started when typhoon Yolanda hit the country and Globe was one of the many organizations that reached out through its Bangon Pinoy relief and restoration initiatives, which then became Project Wonderful.
The face of Project Wonderful is no less than “Queen of all Media†Kris Aquino, who also became very visible in helping the needy and less fortunate after the typhoon impacted Central Philippines late last year. Kris hosted the jampacked launch of Project Wonderful at the Globe Tower, attended by 119 bloggers and members of the media who enjoyed various product experience booths that showcase innovative offerings from consumer and business brands. At the event, Kris shared her thoughts about what Filipinos can do to help the country get back on its feet, and highlighted Globe Telecom’s pro-active participation in nation-building initiatives, especially its Bangon Pinoy disaster response and relief efforts. It was explained that Project Wonderful includes three main pillars: Nation Building, Culture Building, and Brand Building, all geared towards living in a “wonderful world.â€
For nation building, Globe is set to prove the resilience of Filipinos and our capability to get back on our feet and rise above even the biggest calamities and natural disasters. With sustainable programs that will rebuild homes, schools and the livelihood of the affected areas, Globe will bring together individuals who thrive on the spirit of giving and sharing. With its Project Wonderful website, www.projectwonderful.ph, Globe is calling on high-spirited individuals and volunteers to share their time, talent and funding to be part of nation-building initiatives for homes, schools, and livelihood programs to spark change and progress.
Case in point is its recent rebuilding project in Brgy. Tambulilid, Ormoc, Leyte, where Globe executives, led by Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu, alongside Tattoo ambassadors Georgina Wilson, Liz Uy and Mars Miranda, helped build 100 homes for 100 families at the Tattoo-Gawad Kalinga Village.
For culture building, Globe takes steps to recognize that the change should start from within, refining its customer-centric approach, and bolstered by a shared passion and commitment to bring to life a culture of service, guided by its renewed mission, vision and values, making things more wonderful for its customers.
According to Globe President and CEO Cu, “Project Wonderful is the Globe way of making things better, no matter how big or small, where everything is getting better every day.†Globe aims to redefine service the Globe Way, with an organizational culture that innately cares for its customers, with its 5,900-strong employees willing to deliver the next act and go the extra mile.
For brand building, Globe is creating programs and projects that pioneer new ways for the customer to enjoy their mobile lifestyle, fueled by the rapid pace of digital technology. Globe sets its focus as a strong challenger brand in Philippine telecommunications with its four consumer brand pillars which will be embodied in its roster of products and services: more customized and personalized offers, services to help live the digital lifestyle, a stronger and faster network, and a world of rewards and privileges for its subscribers.
“Project Wonderful endeavors to make a difference in the lives of our consumers, employees, and Filipinos in general by helping them create a wonderful world where everything is getting better every day, from a nation that will continue to rise above challenges, an organization that makes service delivery the ultimate differentiator, to a brand that makes an impact on the lives of customers. This is the journey of Globe, and we enjoin everyone to be part of it,†says Cu.