Manila Standard Today

May 26, 2014

Dr. Emiliano T. Hudtohan

Summer time is travel time and reunion time for me.  Last month, I was in Indonesia for the fifth time and the night before my flight I was at the grand reunion of Metrobankers at Club Filipino, Greenhills.

Indonesian travel

I have been to Bandung twice at Maranatha Christian University for an MBA lecture as faculty of De La Salle Professional School, Inc. and twice at Unaaha, Konawe, South Sulawesi for a mining conference as faculty of Philippine Women’s University (PWU).  Last month, the fifth was at Halu Oleo State University (UHO), Kendari, carrying the name of De La Salle University.

Aboard Cebu Pacific flight, Dean Martin’s rendition of Memories Are Made of This popped in my ears.  But my memory of Indonesia is all about conferences, lectures and speaking engagements.  Like Dean, I get exhilarated in front of an audience.   I combine education and entertaining and come out with edutainment.

This time around, the ASEAN Economic Community forum brought me to Kendari City. Together with Dr. Girlie Amarillo, PWU social development professor, I was booked at its first world-class 14 story Grand Clarion Hotel. Its airport was upgraded to land the new generation of Boeing 737 800.  Noticeable too at the Sokarno-Hatta International Airport is a carpeted corridor that welcomes the visitors on their way to a new immigration counter.

At the ASEAN forum organized by Dr. Sudjono and Sri Wiyati Mahrani [PWU MBA graduate] of Halu Oleo State University (UHO), I met Dr. Sanihu Munir, Dr. Jasmuri Munir, and Dr. Harun, all graduates of social development at PWU. Dr. Girlie Amarillo presented a research paper on the stories of landless peasants in the Philippines. Dr. Munir was our interpreter and moderator; he also delivered a paper on the Competitive Challenge for Nursing Graduates of Indonesia.  Dr. Jasmuri delivered a paper on the Threat of HIV in the South Sulawesi and the Implications on the Workforce.

On the first day I delivered a paper on the ASEAN Opportunities and Challenges in the region.  On the last day, I gave a general lecture on Leadership and Social Responsibility in the ASEAN region. My introduction was La Salle spelling to perk up the audience, majority of whom were non-English speakers.  Three volunteers from UHO became instant cheer leaders (Nur Erlinda Dasia, Meitraiani Louisa M. and Fitri).  Enthusiastically, their group mates with one voice joined the cheering; they were Fitri Suratin, Sukmawati, Vita Sari Lestari, Nilan Sartika, Evi Mulyani, Eva Lestari, Irawati, Nuraini, Hilmanwati, Nindya Kiski, Suli Prianti, Dvi Answar, Rosdiana, Ariani Triastuti, Widya Rahayu, Jumni H., Devinta Septianti, Siti Saptika, Andi Adri Alamsyah, Haptati, Heno Edi S., Laras Isvandiary, Ihasan Abdiliana, Febrianto Irawan, and Fatmawati.  Since then, when they meet me they gesture “La Salle spelling.”

Metrobank reunion

On April 26, I attended the reunion of former Metrobankers at the Corazon Cojuangco Aquino Kalayaan Hall, Club Filipino in Greenhills.  Like all reunions, it was a moment of recounting memorable events.  The reunion on its third year (first in 2006, second in 2009) was organized by Rey Liao, Bong Dungo, Melinda Ching, Elsie Silverio, Rollie Bostre, Oscar Acopiado and Celso Cruz (who used social network).

It was an occasion to say hello and how are you to: Elvira Ong Chan, Angelita Jao, Atty. Alfredo Javellana, Henry Sun, Edmundo Villano, Angelito Villanueva, Milet Araneta, Ray Banico, Atty. Alberto Quimpo,  Atty. Tony Viray, Joshua Naing, Ed Plana, Benjo Arcinas, Babes Gonzalez, Leony Francisco, Nonoy de Vera, Benjo Arcinas, Larry Malilin, Bert Alvior, Natalie Ng, Lita Ang, Julia Co, Virgie Lo De Guzman, Lito Angeles, Irene Tan, Irene Lim, Helen Fargas, Tony Cabaguing, Kelly Avena, Gail Quizon, Let Jacinto, Peter Dominguez, Jonathan Del Prado, Philip Wong, Ramon Rocamora,  Abner Malabanan, and Remie Capili.

I was seated with Lilibeth Tan Wong (who called, visited and convinced Metrobankers to attend the affair), Lita Salonga Tan (who was one of my first students in MDP Batch 1 Class 91, now regional supervisor), Martini Conmigo (a kababayan from Bacolod), Jocelyn J. Chua, Marylou T. Oliveros, Violy Fernandez, and Natalie Ng.

The emcee was our charming Elsie Silverio, who called on Angelito Villanueva for the opening remarks.  Manny Tabara who came all the way from California, USA to join the reunion and by special request he belted out two Pinoy classics, “Ikaw Lang Ang Ibigin” and “Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig.”  Other Balikbayans  were: Cesar Esteba from Canada, Celso Cruz and Alfred Estrada from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Alex Arcangeles from United Kingdom

This year, Metrobank eyes 30 new branches and additional 200 automated teller machines to meet the expanding requirements of the retail market.  A similar situation 23 years ago called for a massive human resource training under SVP Elvira Ong Chan and VP Aurora Yambot.  For this reason, I joined Metrobank for the managerial and leadership training program nationwide.  The opening of new branches then had a domino effect on career movements; a surge of new energy went viral among the new officers and staff.  Most of the reunion attendees were part of that corporate growth that pushed Metrobank to a number one position for the first time in 1994 and sustained it in the early 2000.

Our nationwide training then included Orientation of New Employees, Managerial Leadership Program, Management Development Program, Teambuilding Program, Supervisory Skills Building Workshop and Career Enhancement Workshop.  With fond memory I remember being part of the human development team headed by Aurora Yambot, together with Rene de Jesus, Mely Veluz, Connie Tamundong, Baby Dumdum, Ma. Teresa Natividad, and Rois Dones.

Hawaiian Ho’oponopono

I was in Hawaii 40 years ago and Pearl Harbor was a historical must. But I was recently introduced to Ho’oponopono by my wife, Pearl. through Joe Vitale’s of Zero Limits.  He says, “Memories are programs.  They aren’t just yours.  They are shared.  The way to release the memory is to send love to the Divinity. When you clear memories, what comes through is inspiration.  When you do Ho’oponopono, what happens is that the Divinity takes the painful thought and neutralizes or purifies it.  You don’t purify the person, place or thing.  When we see a program in another, we have it too.  The way out is to clear.  Complete responsibility means accepting it all – even the people who enter your life and their problems because their problems are your problems.  They are in your life and you take full responsibility for your life, then you have to take full responsibility for what they are experiencing too.”

Ever since I learned this Hawaiian mantra, I travel to places, meet people, and do things without fear of any painful memory by repeatedly saying, “I love you; I am sorry; please forgive me; and I thank you.” With Ho’oponopono, I choose is to relive every wonderful experience and clear all painful events.

Memories are made of this.