Companies with a heart

Two years ago, EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, as a way of demonstrating its social responsibility and conscience, launched a beautiful Christmas project in coordination with the Good Samaritan Foundation. To raise funds for the charitable projects of the Good Samaritan Foundation, EDSA Shangri-La ordered big and small Christmas bells, hired lady Santa Clauses to offer them to guests of the hotel, with the promise that the bells, together with the donorsí names, will be strung in silver Christmas trees at the lobby of the hotel.

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EDSA Shangri-La contracted the popular artist Impy Pilapil to design the bells and layout of the Christmas trees at various parts of the lobby. The Santa Clauses, wearing Santa clothes, went around the hotel outlets, offering the bells to kindhearted and willing donors. For the project, almost P100,000 was raised for the Good Samaritan Foundation. The lady who conceptualized the project was Milen Threichler, director of communications for EDSA Shangri-La.

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Last year, Christmas season 2001, EDSA Shangri-La Hotel repeated the beautiful yuletide season project. And you know what? Despite hard, harsh financial times, the amount of P112,198 was raised for the Good Samaritan Foundation. The money was recently transmitted to the Foundation, through RCBC check no. 4407, by EDSA Shangri-La. Thanks a million to the officials and staff of the hotel, and God bless the kind donors who gave what they could for the less fortunate in life.

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In the meantime, the Good Samaritan Foundation received P5,000 from the RMCC Foundation of Texas, through the courtesy of an employee of Makati City Hall. Thanks, and God bless.

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The continuation of DOTC Sec. Pantaleon "Bebot" Alvarez’s confirmation hearings has been scheduled for this week. It is hard to expect, though, the proceedings to be any different from what they had been since they started early this year with the very members of the CA’s Committee on Transportation and Communication turning Alvarez’s confirmation hearings into an investigation of the PIATCO contract. Apparently, the committee members have forgotten or chosen to forget that their duty as members of the CA is to determine the competence and fitness of the nominee for the position and not to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation.

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That the Committee members are bent on pursuing this course of action in future hearing can be gleaned from the number of personalities who were issued subpoenas to answer questions on the merits and demerits of the PIATCO contract, – a contract that was† originally signed during the term of President Ramos and amended during President Estrada’s term.

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Now, the Committee members added another person to their list of witnesses, an Alfonso Liongson who was allegedly hired by PIATCO as a consultant. Those who attended the last confirmation hearing were heard to wonder what this person and his being hired by PIATCO had to do with the competence and fitness of Bebot Alvarez for the job as DOTC Secretary.

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Oscar R. Landicho, writing from Sydney, Australia, has just learned that the recent political summit at the Manila Hotel discussed the clogging of court dockets. The Australian State of New South Wales of which Sydney is its capital city is also trying to solve the ever-increasing court dockets, he said. According to a television report, a bill has just been filed to penalize with a heavy fine the lawyer who loses in a court case. He doesn’t know if this is possible in the Philippines, but this is an interesting bill because if a lawyer is really convinced his case is very weak, why must he go to court?

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Landicho also cannot understand why DENR Secretary Sonny Alvarez is facing opposition in the Commission on Appointments. "He is the best man to protect our environment. The CA should examine his qualifications, and politics should not interfere in his confirmation as DENR Secretary. We do need competent people like Sonny Alvarez in the Cabinet of President Macapagal-Arroyo," Landicho added.

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Finally, Landicho is glad to hear that Pagcor is opening a casino academy. This will solve unemployment and make their families happy by working abroad, he said. Casinos in Australia and other countries need Filipino workers because they are honest, hard-working and competent. They also speak English and are always ready to work overtime. He suggests, though, that the casino academy should include good English and how to become good cashiers in its curriculum.

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Many changes are going on in the Philippines, including events that adversely affect business, politics and the economy. Changes, whether good or bad, are inevitable and because of this, PR & marketing executives must always be fully equipped to perform their best in times of crisis. They must be armed with new techniques and innovative PR tools to win the battle in building and enhancing corporate and product image. They must know how to deal with media of today professionally, how to make top management understand their effectiveness; how to build influence in the market place through PR; and how PR plays an important role in marketing and advertising.

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These happenings prompted Ber Pacheco, president of Bonzer Business Management & Consultancy, to conduct a seminar on a continuing PR program to constantly enhance the skill of PR & marketing executives in dealing with corporate crisis and counteracting negative publicity. "Learning has no limits. Even PR expertise can still be greatly improved through training programs," Pacheco said.

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The forum, "Public Relations Program In A Fast Changing Corporate Environment," will be held on May 21, 22 & 23, 2002, at Dusit Hotel, Ayala Center, Makati City. Interested parties can call telephone numbers 892-2561 and 759-2064. E-mail: [email protected].

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Invited resource persons are: Jojo Samson, Corporate Communications Manager, McDonald’s Philippines; Luchie Arguelles, PR consultant & former Op-Ed, Manila Bulletin; Fe de la Cruz, Director of Public Information & Special Events, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; Benedicto Figueroa, president, Lexington International PR; Ernie Evasco, president, FSR & A Public Relations; Mike Enriquez, EVP for Radio Operations, GMA 7; and Margie Jao-Grey, Columnist, The Philippine Star.

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Thoughts For Today:

Do not complain about getting older.
Many are denied that privilege.
Let this be another day older and wiser.
Enjoy life!

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When you are burdened by doubt,
Just remember Proverbs 30:5.
God keeps every promise He makes.
He is like a shield for all who seek His protection.

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My e-mail addresses: [email protected] and [email protected]