AguPips attend Stewardship Program

October 9, 2008 – UP Aguman members and applicants trooped to Makati City for a whole day of leadership training and seminar. The said personality development stewardship program was initiated by the UP Aguman Alumni Association in order to enrich further the training of the residents and give them an advantage especially in holding the organization's many activities. It was held under the auspices of Aguman Alumnus and Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of PNB Life, Kenn Melencio Ramirez (1978B). It was held at the PNB Life seminar room at the PBCom Tower, Ayala Avenue, Makati City. The last leadership training seminar (LTS) sponsored by the alumni for the residents was held back in May 2003 in Pampanga. Kong Kenn Ramirez was also the project coordinator for that LTS.

The program was mainly facilitated by Mr. Alfredo De La Cruz, who is the Training Consultant of PNB Life. He was assisted by Marketing Team members Christine Canlas, Kirstel Giron, Roxanne Ramiscal. Incidentally, two members of the marketing team are Aguman alumnae: Hazel Marie Lee and Geleen Gutierrez, both of batch Kadaya 2005A. Kong Kenn Ramirez was also present during the whole program and shared his insights on the topics every now and then.

The whole program was divided into a number of mini-activities. On the first part, the AguPips were divided according to their familial backgrounds: the eldest, the middle child, the youngest and the only child. The groups were asked to enumerate the pros and cons of having such position or rank among their siblings. After doing so, representatives from the groups presented their reflections to the rest of the participants. The assessment of the output and the rationale behind the exercise was explained by Sir Fredy after.


LEFT: Diana, an applicant, thoroughly explains her points about leadership
RIGHT: The crowd listens attentively to the main speaker, Sir Fredy

In the second part, the participants were randomly divided into four groups. This time, they were tasked to enumerate the ingredients for a fruit salad and to write the procedure for making such. As in the first exercise, the outputs of the group were presented and analyzed in front of the rest of the participants. It was one of the more fun exercises as the AguPips candidly but amusingly reviewed the other groups' "fruit salads". The creativity and wit of the members and applicants shone brightly in this activity.

After the sumptuous lunch break, each of the participants was asked to reflect on their purpose in life for their family and friends. The working statement was "Because of my, my ______ have become ______." The entries for the first blank included parents, siblings, relatives, friends and UP Aguman.

In the fourth exercise, Sir Fredy presented character profiles and personal background of five fictional 26-year old women. Each of the four groups (the same groupings from the fruit salad exercise) were then asked to choose who among the women they will love to have as their daughter-in-law. One by one, the groups explained and justified their choices. Sir Fredy also briefly asked the reasons why the groups did not choose the other women.


LEFT: The "Eldest" group carefully lists the pros and cons of being the 'panganay'
RIGHT: The PNB staff, the AguPips and AguAlumni take a group picture at the end of the LTS

The last and main part of the stewardship program was about mentoring. While the value of efficient leadership and teamwork was emphasized in the earlier exercises, the significance of leaving a lasting legacy of competence as a mentor was what the fifth exercise was all about. Everyone was split into 7 mini-groups and was requested to explore some of the "20 Points of Views" of being a mentor.

Like in any Aguman affair, non-stop picture-taking and humorous banter was exchanged during and in between the exercises by the participants, Aguman Alumni and the graceful PNB Life staff who helped out in the event. Other alumni also graced the event, namely, Aguman Alumni Association President Rene "Powie" De Guzman (Siklab 1980A), Gerry Pangan (Siklab 1980A) and Cyrille Bautista (Kaputul 2004A). For being the first five to register, members Jowie Garcia (Kadaya 2005), Jewel Dela Cruz, Trish Nacpil, Neicy Nicdao and John Carl Gozun (all of Baskal 2007A) were given free PNB Life cannisters. At the end of the fruitful program, certificates of participation were awarded to all 18 members and 8 applicants.


LEFT: The AguPips enjoys the skyline view of metro Makati from the posh office Kong Kenn Ramirez
RIGHT: The AguPips genuinely savors their whole-day Makati experience

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