By Danielle Gabriel
Conclusion
A wide mix of envoys and expats graced the pages of this section for the second half of the year, with all of them having unique stories to tell.
The month of July featured foreign nationals who are either out and about creating opportunities and seeing potential in the Philippines, or extending their help to victims of natural disasters and providing care for elderly.
Denmark Ambassador Jan Top Christensen said the Philippines is moving up the world economic ladder in impressive speed as a result of good governance from the Aquino administration.
“It would not be possible for the country to go back to the old mess where it was dominated by corruption. Politics is opening up and becoming more transparent, so I do not see the country going back to the dark ages,” Christensen said.
Another Danish official, Global Process Manager President Erik Moller Nielsen said the business-process outsourcing industry is something local government units (LGUs) could look into as an engine of growth because of the pool of talent available around the country.
Businesses do not have to be profit-oriented all the time. Springboard Foundation, headed by British expat Sarah McLeod, has been extending assistance to far-flung communities for the past 12 years.
“It is a never-ending task. We live in a country where around the next corner, disaster is going to happen,” McLeod said.
Meanwhile, Sociedad Española de Beneficencia Executive Director Laura San Jose said they are focusing their efforts in providing assistance to senior citizens in the country.
Aside from acting as a home for the aged, the organization also conducts regular medical and dental missions, along with feeding programs, in select barangays in the Philippines.
For the month of August, those who were featured said that there has to be some balance between work and play. They shared their passions as youngsters, which helped fuel their drive for success in their careers.
European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) Vice President for Membership and Business Services Florian Gottein said it was his love for traveling that allowed him to understand international relations and the different cultures.
“I really enjoy the international flair, working somewhere where you can meet people from different parts of the world. Gaining work experience abroad is not only important for your career, but it broadens your horizon,” Gottein said.
For retired Spanish Ambassador Ignacio Sagaz, going back to his hobby of collecting antique furniture keeps him in tuned with his Andalucian roots even if he has chosen to reside in the Philippines permanently.
“It has accompanied me all through the years. They are my roots. I am always uprooted, so what consists of my real roots are the furniture that is around me,” he said.
Not one to be swept by trends and bandwagon, TW Steel Global Marketing Director Auke Possel remains as firm in his marketing philosophies as he is in support for his favorite basketball team, the Los Angeles Clippers.
Possel claims what makes his brand communication model unique is that it takes into consideration the different cultures in the countries where they are present or are planning to expand.
German Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Michael Hasper, who has a master’s degree in history, attributed his first years in the diplomatic field as a desk officer on human rights in his native country as an experience that has guided him in his career.
His involvement in human-rights campaign, including being a staff in the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin from 2010 to 2013, led to more postings in countries like India, Thailand and, currently, here in the Philippines.
Love for tourism paved the way for Arjun Shroff of Shroff International Travel Care to continue creating innovations for the travel industry.
Shroff, who had opened a tourism school for a brief period in the 1990s and is a board member of the Philippine Tour Operator Association, said technology can only do so much in providing customers with the assistance they need, but the industry still requires the human touch in booking travels.
September featured envoys and expats with unique hobbies, projects and visions that do not only cater to the country but to the different mixture of masses, as well.
Partnership for Integrity and Jobs (Project I4J) Director Dr. Peter Koeppinger believes it is necessary to start small and empower the LGUs first.
“This project tries to go to the reality of corruption and the lack of integrity at the local government level and tries to mobilize local stake holders to find solutions to their problems,” Koeppinger said.
Former American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines President Robert Sears looked on the larger scale of things and said that opening up the economy to foreign direct investments would reveal much more of the country’s potentials.
“Open up the economic provisions of the Constitution. Land ownership, it is not the most important, but corporations, you know, why do they have to be tenants,” Sears said.
Filipinos are not the only ones who can enjoy quality living in the Philippines as Crown World Group General Manager Camilla Brooks company provide services that help ease the transition of expats into the country.
“It is really trying to identify what a family might need and then helping them through the process. They become more effective when they know their home life is being taken cared of,” Brooks said.
Meanwhile, Embassy of Switzerland Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission Raoul Imbach is one of the foreign nationals currently well-adjusted to life in the country. Donning his office attire, it is hard to imagine him merely riding a motorcycle to work. But the Swiss envoy admits he already knows his way around Metro Manila.
Excitement filled the month of October as Envoys & Expats featured men who see plenty of opportunities for the Philippines.
First year on the job as president of the Korean Chamber of Commerce Philippines, Ho-ik Lee has seen firsthand the rapid growth in the country.
“When I first came to the Philippines, the population was at 74 million, and now it is at 110 million. It is a big market whose population doubles every 30 years. It is a bright and emerging market,” Lee said.
United States Embassy’s new Cultural Attaché and Counselor for Public Affairs Carolyn Glassman, on the other hand, said the artistic side of Philippine culture is as striking as its growing economy.
“Let me also mention that one of the things that strike me very foremost is your focus on the arts. It just blows me away. I cannot even put into words how in the short time I have been here. I really do look forward to getting to work, particularly the artistic and intellectual education of the community because I feel very at home there,” Glassman added.
The quality of the country’s labor force is something that provides endless possibilities for progress and growth according to US smart online employee-scheduling software provider EmLogis President Chris Kiklas.
“There is a tremendous amount of talent across all sectors. There is also amazing customer-service training. The number of employees in companies has been increasing, and I barely see unhappy employees,” Kiklas said.
For British Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Nigel Boud, bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the Philippines is fueling developments in the areas of visa issuance, politics and trade.
“There is a buzz of excitement here. We see real opportunities in the Philippines. The growth rate is one of the highest in the region. Business sentiment and confidence is there,” Boud said.
In November business leaders have expressed the desire for sustainable change and productivity when it comes to work business and the development of the country.
Irish national and founder of life and management-training firm Best of You Mike Grogan said he wants to see a “first world Philippines” in his lifetime.
It is the reason he established a company in the country with the goal of coaching individuals and corporations on how to be more effective in their line of work through habit-formation.
“My desire is how I can make the biggest impact. Because I am fed up with training where people may feel good, but nothing changes. I wanted Best of You to focus on habits. That is our focus. To transform the working life,” Grogan said.
Being part of the Nordic Business Council of the Philippines as its executive director, Finnish national Joona Selin said in order to enhance achievements and progress, business communities should band together and that employment opportunities should be created outside Metro Manila.
International relocation solutions firm Asian Tigers Mobility owner Brian Lane shares the same sentiment, saying second- and third-tier cities should also see some support from the government.
“The Philippines has managed to attract a lot more investments. Look at the new buildings. There is tremendous potential still for Manila to grow and keep growing. Although I would much rather see the government and foreign investors look at the provinces and try to grow them, because attracting unemployed people to Manila does not work,” Lane said.
Meanwhile, for German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Executive Director Peter Kompalla, the belief in one’s staff is important in keeping a business or organization afloat.
“I do not need to micromanage. Everyone gets satisfaction when you give them ownership of the work they do. They are busy with projects. We want to put more work into the German-Philippine relations. Everyone is motivated and optimistic,” Kompalla said.
Being awarded Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II herself is an entire experience all on itself for former British Chamber of Commerce Philippines Chairman Leslie Stokes.
Stokes has been assigned to multiple countries as an executive Gillette and has seen all sides of how people do and manage businesses.
With everyone relishing the holiday season, expats in the country are, likewise, engaged in charity work and projects along with activities that bring happiness into people’s lives.
Scuba-diving enthusiast Guenter Taus, who is the newly elected president of the ECCP, has been very much active in doing community outreach projects.
“We always make sure that what we do is responsible. We have stopped dynamite and cyanide fishing in Anilao,” Taus said.
Sociedad Española de Beneficencia President Pablo Garcia-Morera said there is a need for stakeholders and different government sectors to address problems in medical care, health insurance and education.
He said that Spanish and Filipino senior citizens whom their foundation is assisting could do well with help from more agencies and individuals.
American national David Bruns has got the spotlight cut out for him whenever he transforms into everyone’s favorite holiday character, Santa Claus.
Bruns, who has appeared in local television shows, commercials and other meet-and-greet-Santa events, said his role gets more rewarding whenever he sees the faces of kids and even adults lighten up because of him.
Indeed, this has been an exciting and inspiring year for the BusinessMirror’s Envoys & Expats section. We expect no less for 2016.