Cebu Regis Leadership Team Building at Chateau by the Sea in Mactan Island Last December 12, 2015

'Quamplurimi et quam aptissimi" (As many as possible of the very best)

Rizal Philippines
December 14, 2015

                              The handsome SS signage

                                We would do most of the team building activities here. The beautiful
                                scenery reflects the other beauty of Cebu


This post feels and thinks that every leadership subject must have practical leadership games exercises, outside the campus.  Team building activities, when well planned and executed can achieve any or all of the following:

1.  communication skills and processes
2.  teamwork and bonding
3.  problem solving skills
4.  strategizing

And many leaders, even though they have become jaded corporate leaders/managers have been energized by team, building, and even those who have presided over team building activities.  Each team building go through different direction because of different sites, participants and structures.  And this team building was no exception

Thus after egging on the volunteers (by asking initially who have experience in teambuilding) our team building gurus Bryan Peter Evangelista an AVP Sales Director and formerly a training manager at PruLife,  and Genevieve (a member of millionaires club in IL) came out with a plan in ppt which they submitted 3 days before last Saturday and which revolve around the 4 pillars of leadership.  I had to extend my stay in Cebu because they say it may extend up to 8 o clock in the evening of Saturday

Chronology of events:

The first one to arrive, the early bird was of course, Leader Bryan, followed by Leader Dovie. A relative or a friend owns the venue.  I was fetched by Leader Atty Glym from the hotel with Judge Jerry as the driver (thanks po) at 7:00 We arrived almost 8:00 Leader Andre fetched leader Maricel and Isi from the ports.  The others arrived at about 8 and later thereabouts.

                                       A very nice and handsome lobby

                                     Complete AV facilities for the presentations adn academics

                                     Early arrivals?  It was all ready 8:30

                                    Leader Bryan emoting as we played "Heal the World" which proved to
                                     be serendipitous in the end as Leader Bryan asked for commitments to
                                    Help Heal the World

                                    Leader Bryan warming up the team

The morning session consisted of :

1.  Review of past lessons

2.  Next assignments for the last session

3. How to do the reflections

4.  Continuation of HBR reports, and 4 chapters of Chris Lowney

5.   CTA speeches.  It was not yet the time for Bryan and Gem


Completing the HBR and Heroic Leadership Report

                                           Dr Kerwin Mark Gubantes on Chapter 3

                                   Leader Melissa

CTA proper

                                       The CTA judges reviewing the criteria for judging

                                         Ivy the first speaker talking on breast feeding

                                  Leader Bryan being a judge, trying to level up the 3.5 guaranteed grade
                                 (Well he successfully did!)

                                           Leader Leonard talks about death and savings

                                 Leader Izumi wants to stop vicious cycle of poverty

                                   Leader Gem expounds what Mark Z did and philantrophy

                                    Leader Glym's passion is probono work for battered women

                               Leader Maricel wants the youth to serve in their hometowns

                                  Leader Andre hard sells security in this uncertain and high tech times

                                   Leader Dovie on responsible parenting

                                 Leader Juvelon talks about the Good Shepherd.  Are you a good shepherd?

                                             Leader Oliver and fraternal relationship

                                       Leader Mel on spiritual leadership

                                     Leader Kerwin Mark Gubantes on saving the earth

                            The judge decision is final:  First - Maricel;  second -  Leonard, third - Dovie

Lechon lunch for a special occasion

                                     Delicious and crispy lechon for lunch

                                Graces before meals led by Leader Bishop Mel

Regis Cebu Leadership Call to Arms Speech My Passion by Leader Gem S. Reuyan

Dear Prof. Jorge,

Written below is my Passion.

Regards,

G Reuyan

=================

Regis Cebu Leadership:  My Passion by Leader Gem S. Reuyan

A CALL TO ARMS AGAINST VIOLENCE TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Violence against women and children is a nightmare I am most aware of and a nightmare I fervently aspire to stop from taking place in the lives of others. My experience with this advocacy came to me in an indirect and vicarious way. I am happy I'm not and never was a victim of such violence. But the pain and agony as well as the dismal reality of violence was brought home to me when I started law school and when as a lawyer,  women came to me bringing with them their appalling stories and an ardent plea for help.

I first heard the story of Marivic way back in law school. She was a schoolteacher who was married to a husband whose temperament is comparable to the riotous typhoons of the Pacific. The almost two decades of Marivic's marriage was riddled with violent episodes some of which pushed Marivic to the brink of death. But Marivic was one brave soul. She managed to put up a brave face in front of her class in school to give the kids a semblance of a normal placid reality   – a façade that conceals the gruesome nightmare behind the curtain of a seemingly benign marital life. Episode after episode of violence from day to day finally drove Marivic into killing her husband. Prosecuted in court for parricide Marivic, blamed herself for her fate…telling the court that it was all her fault.

Studies will show that domestic violence against women and children is high compared than to male victims. Mental experts likewise say that a woman who suffers from battered woman syndrome believe that:

·         the violence was her fault

·         is unable to place the responsibility for the violence elsewhere

·         fears for her life and/or her children's lives

·         has an irrational belief that the abuser is omnipresent and omniscient.

Because of this prevalent mentality many if not most women easily get caught up in a vicious cycle of violence.

But has anything been done? Is our government aware of this?

Well, in 2006, Congress passed into law Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Law. This law however did not eradicate or at least minimize the incidents of domestic violence. Cases are still in a continuous rise despite harsher penalties and institutionalized mechanisms to address the evils of domestic violence.

And violence can take many forms. People recognize easily physical violence but neglect that violence can come in the form of verbal abuse, psychological violence or economic abuse which leave deep emotional injuries not easily seen by the vast majority.

I remember the case of Maria (not her real name). In my first year as a lawyer, this working mother of two approached me seeking redress for what she describe to me was an oppressive relationship with her lawfully wedded husband. Day in and day out she works herself to the point of exhaustion just to provide for the family only to come home to a husband either drunk or using drugs. Maria's journey which I became her privileged companion ended well. I won the court battle for her, hopefully I won her mind and heart too!

But recently, two women Ann and Liza ((not their real names) came to me for help. Both are married and have kids. The former was abandoned left on her own to fend for herself and her two very young children, the latter was put to public humiliation because of the philandering ways of her husband. I told them that they have legal recourses. But both of them are hesitant for the same reason…they need their husbands.

In the faces and in the narratives shared to me by these women I can sense the helplessness and the dilemma that tears their consciences apart. Many women despite the existence of several laws protecting and enhancing their rights are still stuck to their miserable conditions. It is my vision that the violence would stop. I see it in the near future by banishing ignorance and by making women more resilient. This I plan to do in a two-pronged approach. I will dedicate my life to making  women well informed of their rights and then empowering them by giving them financial independence. It is in this accord that I will undertake to educate women of their rights.  I will also create a facebook account or a website for this purpose. Second, I will coordinate with an NGO for assistance in providing a livelihood program for women. I will start it in my husband's hometown where rampant cybercrime victimizes so many children and women. This I hope to accomplish in my own little way.

Know that, domestic violence is a slow lingering sure death for many women who suffer in silent anguish. Although not all end in tragic physical death but many are living like zombies trapped in a world of meaningless agony. The law and the judicial process is not enough to eradicate this menace in our society. That's why I am here in front all of you to bare the sad plight of many women today who suffer in silence. I am here in front of you today as a voice for all the women who have none or lost the tenacity to speak up for themselves.. I enjoin you to join me in this noble endeavor and crusade. Herculean the task maybe, but it's worth all the while in the world. Let us together empower the women…so that those in the darkness may see the brilliance of their own light. Let us rise up against violence. END VIOLENCE NOW!

Regis Cebu Leadership Call To Arms Speech – “The Shepherd’s Way” by Leader Juvelon Abante

Regis Cebu Leadership Call To Arms Speech – "The Shepherd's Way" by Leader Juvelon Abante

When we speak of leadership, 2 immediate popular names come into place. Are you Steve Jobs or a Jack Welch? Are you the incremental or the disruptive leader?  Their leadership styles are the most popular role models but for today you will discover the ancient ways of creating a successful leader.  You will learn "The Way of the Shepherd".

In my pursuit of finding my leadership role model that is practically matched with my core strengths, I came across a book that my wife has given me. It is a leadership book entitled "The Way of the Shepherd, 7 Ancient Secrets to Managing Productive People by Kevin Leman and William Pentak".  The learning's from this book become my guiding principle that I am practicing in my work and in my family.

First ,"You need to know the condition of your sheep".  As leader, it is important that you have engagement with your team. You need to establish the connection between your members and you as their leader. Yes, I understand that being the leader means a greater responsibility but we need to remember that the moment you have accepted the leadership role, you should also understand that much of your time is now devoted to people development rather than task oriented. It pays to know your flock and empathy plays a big role in knowing the condition of your members.

Regis Cebu Leadership – Leader Oliver Solijon – Call to arms speech

Leadership and survival of The Triskelions Grand Fraternity and Sorority

By: Oliver Solijon

Fraternal Brothers and Sisters, I certainly consider it an honour and a privilege to have been invited here to talk to this august body, to this very important occasion our of 47^th anniversary of our beloved Triskelions Grand Fraternity and Sorority and I thank you very much for the very kind invitation. 

Brothers and Sisters, our beloved fraternity and sorority have reached another milestone as we celebrate 47 years of supremacy guided by the tenents and code of conducts. I don't pretend to think that the things I'm about to say will have an impact in your lives but if I can get one person here tonight to reflect about and act upon what I might say then I will not have laboured in vain or spent my strength for naught. 

The very reason why we have come this far is not only because of our tenents and codes of conduct but also of good leadership. Leadership is loyalty, it is energy, it is positive attitude, it is dynamic, it is enthusiasm, it is risk-taking, it is strategy, honesty, it is inspiration and it is prestige. Certainly if you pull all those words together you will come up with the word leadership. 

Regis Cebu Leadership: Leader Izumi G. Yamashita - CALL TO ARMS SPEECH

Our life is full of cycles.

Let me paint you a picture.

Our grandparents worked then sent their children, our parents to school in order to have a good life. Our parents grew up, got a job, worked then sent their children, us, to school in order to provide us with good lives too. We grew up, got a job, worked, and now a lot of you are sending your kids to school in order for them to have good lives as well. After all, you all want nothing but the only the best for you children, right? In a nutshell, this is a generational cycle from a bigger picture.

How about this?

Let me introduce you to Juan. His grandparents never received any education because of poverty so they ended up scavenging barely making ends meet. In fact, for the most part, they barely even make enough or anything at all to put food on the table and ease their burning stomachs. They live in a shanty. No electricity, not even access to potable water. Every waking day for them is another day not to live, but merely to survive.

Juan's parents, at a very early age, were forced to work in order to help their parents increase their chances of surviving each day, thus making it impossible to insert the idea of education in the picture. How can they? They barely even make enough to feed themselves!

Juan's parents are both illiterate and we all know that even high school graduates find it extremely difficult to make a decent living. Can we just imagine how it must be for illiterate people like Juan's mother and father?

No read. No write. Juan's parents knew nothing else to do but to scavenge for a living too and so Juan, with his family barely making ends meet too, and barely even make enough or anything at all to put food on the table and ease their burning stomachs as well, was forced to help his parents out, and work at a very early age to survive. Unless he forces himself out of the situation and decides to do something about it, he will end up like his grandparents and parents, and his children, and the children of his children will live the same kind life his previous generations have lived.

This is the cycle of poverty.

It is vicious and could potentially be never-ending unless outside intervention takes place. People who are born into poverty are like hamsters running in a hamster wheel. They get tired but they don't get anywhere and there is no foreseeable way out. Their life is a like a bad movie and they wake up each day to relive the same heartbreaking story.

A lot of us are blessed with advantages such as money, education, shelter, and way more that our basic needs, but over 25% of Filipinos are like Juan who were born into poverty and were given no choice.

Believe it or not, my family went through the same vicious cycle. Determined to get out of the rut, my mother pushed her luck and braved a foreign land just to provide us with good education and just so we don't get to experience what she and my grandparents did. So here I am, blessed to be employed by the country's top investment bank as an investment banker, living a good life – nothing extravagant, just good quality life, and better prepared and capable of giving my children the same good future too. Beginning from me, I wish to continue the same generational cycle which most of you have been accustomed to and I am wishing the same for a lot of the Filipino people like Juan.

I believe the lack of education is the ultimate cause of poverty. Hence, I would like to enjoin everyone to try to take a hard look at this problem and see how we can help in providing all the Juans of the society the fighting chance in getting out of the poverty cycle, and change the course of their lives and their future generations all together. This is my advocacy.

Sometimes, people just need to be given a break, to be given a chance, that one opportunity to be able to live a dignified life, and I believe God has guided me to get to exactly where I am now and to be exactly who I am now to be able to do so. I believe God made me go through everything I went through in life in order to make me appreciate the destination he had for me while at the same time understand the struggles of living a difficult and poor life.

I was blessed to have a mother who sacrificed turning into a stranger in my eyes just so I could have a shot in life. I was able to study, acquire knowledge and intelligence, and eventually was able to land a job in one of the country's premier investment banks.

Now bearing the advantage of having the intelligence, skills, and financial capacity, I aim to create job opportunities for the less fortunate ones. I am rolling-out a unique format of retail stores and we will be employing those unemployable people. We will be providing them with the necessary training in order to do their functions well and make a living out of it. While I aim to provide scholarships to deserving less fortunate children, I believe the feasibility of getting through school starts with having enough food on the table and a decent shelter, which is why I believe creating job opportunities for unemployable people is just as important. By providing them such means, they will have the capacity to send their children to school and this will give not just them but even down to their children and the children of their children,the same shot I had in having a good life.

The cycle of poverty is a never-ending cycle unless an intervention takes place. I want to be that intervention the same way my mother was in our own cycle. Her one act of sacrifice goes beyond me. It goes down to our future generations and it goes out to other people in need beyond our blood. This is a perfect example of one simple act creating a rippling effect and a positive impact even beyond what we can imagine.

So the next time we see children on the streets begging for food, little girls selling their bodies to earn a living, and toddlers going though garbage bins for food, I hope we never look at them the same way again. I hope we see them as victims of circumstances and the poverty of cycle they were born into. I hope we grant them that break, that opportunity to get out of the life they never chose to have in the first place. I hope, even in our small little ways, we become this world's much needed intervention.

Regis Cebu leadership | Leader Melissa Abarrientos | Call to Arms Speech – My Passion

Regis Cebu leadership

Leader Melissa Abarrientos

Call to Arms Speech – My Passion

Good afternoon leaders. It took me a while to contemplate about my passion. I have to reflect over and over again while at work and while at home.  I had to go over my history to awaken what passion might have died long ago.

What really is my passion? I thought over and over again. Mulling over my life's history, I've was engrossed with Art –visual art. Art was my first love. I had been a dedicated volunteer when I was in college. I have a strong passion for entrepreneurship. I have a strong passion for learning and a never ending quest for certainty. It took me a while to filter my underlying motivation for all the things I do until I realized that all of them lead to one passion – that is to be of service to others.

I explored my first Journey to serve others by volunteering through community service. That was my first moment of Self-discovery. I was a volunteer teacher to kids who weren't able to go to school due to poverty.  As a volunteer, of course there was no pay nor allowance provided; and sometimes I have to spend my own allowance just to get to my area of assignment. It was quite exhausting but serving those kids was priceless.  My spirit for serving others and the community did not end there. After class I love to spend time at the D.V Soria where I have acquainted myself with the street kids. One day I thought to give them a paper and pencil and encourage them to draw instead of sniffing rugby.  I had faith that by sharing and imparting me to them they will learn values and value themselves; and I was right with what I believed in. One of those street kids, my favorite one, Paolo, who was my last painting's subject is now a street kid turned missionary.

Cebu Regis Leadership: 5-Minute Call to Arms Speech Criteria for Judging

Dear Professor Jorge,

As promised, sending across the criteria for judging the 5-minute Call to Arms speech.Below is the criteria for judging as agreed on with Bryan.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Content (55%)

Speech Development is the way the speaker puts ideas together so the audience can understand them. The speech is structured around a purpose, and this structure must include an opening, body and conclusion. A good speech immediately engages the audience's attention and then moves forward toward a significant conclusion. This development of the speech structure is supported by relevant examples and illustrations, facts and figures, delivered with such smoothness that they blend into the framework of the speech to present the audience with a unified whole.

Effectiveness is measured in part by the audience's reception of the speech, but a large part is your subjective judgement of how the speech came across. You should ask yourself such questions as "Was I able to determine the speaker's purpose?" "Did the speech relate directly to that purpose?" "Was the audience's interest held by the speaker?" "Was this speech subject appropriate for this particular audience?"

Speech Value justifies the act of speaking. The speaker has a responsibility to say something meaningful and original to the audience. The listeners should feel the speaker has made a contribution to their thinking.

Audience Response reflects the audience's reaction to the speech. Did the speech hold the audience's interest? Did people understand and respond accordingly?

Delivery (30%)

Physical presentation of a speech carries part of the responsibility for effective communication. The speaker's appearance should reinforce the speech, whether profound, sad, humorous or instructional. Body language should support points through gestures, expressions and body positioning. The speaker makes effective use of and stays within the designated speaking area.

Voice is the sound that carries the message. It should be flexible, moving from one pitch level to another for emphasis, and should have a variety of rate and volume. A good voice can be clearly heard and the words easily understood.

Manner is the indirect revelation of the speaker's real self as the speech is delivered. The speaker should speak with enthusiasm and assurance, showing interest in the audience and confidence in their reactions.

Language (15%)

Appropriateness of language refers to the choice of words that relate to the speech purpose and to the particular audience hearing the speech. Language should promote clear understanding of thoughts and should fit the occasion precisely.

Correctness of language ensures that attention will be directed toward what the speaker says, not how it is said. Proper use of grammar and correct pronunciation will show that the speaker is the master of the words being used.

Deductions

Given the tight schedule we have per session, we shall be strictly implementing the maximum 5-minute limit. In excess of the limit provided, the following deductions shall be made from the final score:

>5 minutes - 6 minutes: 1 point

>6 minutes - 7 minutes: 2 points

>7 minutes: Speech will be cut

We hope this is acceptable to everyone.

Thank you!

Best Regards,  <thanks good work>

Izumi