Manning the fort

HSBC Philippines chief executive officer Warner Manning insists it was a team effort that brought together over 30 individuals, many of them in the high-profile category, to raise P2,126,602 in pledges for the Children’s Hour at the Manila Polo Club yesterday.

But if you ask those who contributed to the pot, they’ll tell you it wouldn’t have been possible without Manning. The target was P1 Million so the final amount was more than what anyone expected.

For a team to get ahead, it needs a leader to set a direction or a goal. Sort of like a coach in basketball.

Clearly, Manning isn’t the type to claim credit for something like this. Still, to give credit where it’s due, yesterday’s successful drive wouldn’t have been possible without Warner at the helm or Manning the fort.

Since moving to the Philippines from his previous executive assignment in Brunei in November 2002, Manning has made a major impact in the local banking community and in society in general.

No question, HSBC has attained a reputation of reliability, strength and service as a bank. It was cited by the Bureau of Treasury as the top foreign bank in government securities dealership and third overall behind the Land Bank and Metrobank. And in terms of employee attitude, the Philippine branch was rated No. 1 in "engagement" in Asia. You won’t find too many unhappy HSBC clients, if at all.

Manning’s associates, however, point to his efforts in coming to children’s aid and promoting causes such as the reforestation of La Mesa Dam as the things that make him special.

You’ll find many CEOs running banks profitably. But you won’t find many CEOs running banks profitably with a heart.

A few years ago, Manning thought of raising funds for the Children’s Hour–which is "time well-spent," as the slogan goes–by challenging himself to lose weight. He got his friends and associates to pledge sums for the Children’s Hour. His proposition was to collect on the pledges if he lost 20 pounds in two months. If he failed to lose 20 pounds, he would pay for the pledges. Manning lost 23 pounds and raised P200,000.

Then he thought of a duathlon–a biking and running event to raise funds for the reforestation of La Mesa Dam, the only forest of its size in Manila and a major source of water. He raised P800,000 and HSBC donated P5 Million for an Eco Lab and Museum at the La Mesa Eco Park.

His latest brainchild was the Children’s Charity Challenge. He invited friends, athletes and generous individuals to pledge amounts for the Children’s Hour. His idea was to collect on the pledges if all the participants in a grueling triathlon completed the full grind of a 750 meter swim, a 50 kilometer bike and a five kilometer run. If any of the participants failed to survive, Manning himself would own up to the pledges. Additionally, Manning promised to contribute P50,000 from his pocket to the kitty.

There were six children’s charities lined up–Stepping Stone Learning Center for Special Children, Sa Aklat Sisikat, Gawad Eskwela, GILAS, Send a Tribal Kid to School and e=MC2.

The moment of truth came yesterday. Exactly 33 individuals started off at 6:30 a.m. in the Manila Polo Club pool. By about 9 a.m., everyone had crossed the finish line at the club’s oval track.

Among the finishers, or survivors, were Sen. Pia Cayetano (who said she doesn’t swim particularly well and was lucky not to drown but was pleased with her times in the bike and run), Alaska’s Fred Uytengsu (who keeps trim training with the Polo Tri Team), Ayala Land’s Fernando Zobel, ABS-CBN’s Ernie Lopez and wife Jeena, ANC newscaster Tricia Chiongbian, Print Town’s Dennis Valdes and wife Urban Spa’s Tessa Prieto Valdes, JICA CEO Wataru Sakurai, Bayantel’s Tunde Fanfuwa, McKinsey CEO Chris Beshourie, Unilab’s Joey Torres and JL de Leon Investment’s Jon Jon Rufino.

Rufino, as the top male finisher, received P20,000 which he donated to the Children’s Hour while Ayala Land’s Nona Torres and Chiongbian shared the award for the ladies–they donated their prize money of P10,000 each to the Children’s Hour.

The winners received an Executive Bliss Pampering Package courtesy of Urban Spa for their efforts.

Every participant took home an HSBC backpack containing New Balance sporting goods, courtesy of Planet Sports, and Dole fruit packs.

Manning’s wife Julie said his passion for keeping fit dates back to when he was assigned in Hong Kong. Those were the days when he would run to work in his jogging outfit and a backpack with his office suit folded up inside. He’d get to the office early, take a shower, put on his suit and be ready for work fresh.

Now, Manning has taken to biking and says he’s in the market for a high-tech racer, with his wife’s approval, of course.

It was a pleasant sight to see CEOs, business leaders and fitness enthusiasts up early in the morning to participate in a sporting event and to give of themselves in the spirit of sharing with children who need care, assistance and a helping hand.

The focus of the Children’s Hour is to provide for children in poor schools and communities, children with special needs, children in areas of conflict and the education of children in various circumstances. That was the focus that brought 33 individuals together yesterday.

And Manning made it happen.