Nation-building webinar tackles innovation, volunteerism during pandemic
“There is no better time than now to engage in innovation.”
These were the words of Ayala Corporation Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala during the Ignite the Spark: RVR SIKLAB Youth Nation Builders Webinar last July 25. He talked about how people-centric innovation and having a spirit of unity and commonality of purpose can move us forward the challenges of these times.
Zobel de Ayala is among a distinguished line up of speakers in the webinar jointly organized by PHINMA Corporation, De La Salle University, and JCI Manila. The virtual event brought together business and socio-civic leaders to share their insights on nation-building to the next generation of changemakers.
The webinar opened up with former Department of Education Secretary and Visitor of the Lasallian East Asia District Br. Armin Luistro FSC who set the tone of the virtual event and cited the importance of nation builders in inspiring Filipinos to bounce back from the current crisis.
“The call to ‘Ignite the Spark’ is definitely one reserved only for heroes and heroines—those who will not merely make a difference or will be content with adjusting to a new normal,” Br. Armin shares. “I dare say that a few brave hearts will have to disrupt the disruption that has already created havoc in our lives. A few good men and women need to rename our future, start the change we want to see and pave the way to re-imagine our world.”
Another speaker, the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI) Dr. Jaime Aristotle Alip, discussed the role of microfinance in revitalizing the national economy. CARD MRI supports Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises through available financial products and services, particularly for the agriculture and health sectors.
For his part, iVolunteer Philippines and The Good Store Philippines co-founder Jan Bernard Tan shared his experiences and challenges in volunteerism during the global health crisis, discussing the skills needed and the things to remember in volunteering during these uncertain times.
Lastly, Got Heart Foundation and the Bunny Project PH founder Melissa Yap talked about millennial leadership in times of crisis by harnessing the skill of the Filipino youth. She likewise shared how her organization was able to connect farmers to consumers at a time when there’s a disruption in the economic chain, and how the Bunny Project was able to immediately respond to the needs of hospitals around the country.
Clockwise from top right: RVR Nation Building Awardee Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, RVR SIKLAB Awardees Melissa Yap and Jan Bernard Tan, and webinar host Anne Acuña.
PHINMA Corporation President and CEO Ramon del Rosario, Jr. closes the webinar encouraging the country’s future nation builders to step up and be recognized.
“I enjoin all of you to help us in our search for promising young leaders – individuals who are destined to blaze a trail towards progress and social change. These are individuals who may lead in big and small ways,” del Rosario says.
“They’re the leaders who are creating innovations within their own company, their own community or even within their own group of friends. Allow us to provide a platform for them to inspire others and create ripples of change towards a better tomorrow for the future generations.”
The RVR SIKLAB Youth Nation Builders Webinar served as a springboard for the launch of the 2021 RVR SIKLAB Awards, which seeks to recognize the country’s future business leaders and achievers for nation building. The nationwide search aims to bring to light young nation builders who embody the entrepreneurial and patriotic spirit of Ambassador Ramon V. Del Rosario.
PHINMA, DLSU, and JCI Manila are set to host succeeding webinars featuring other RVR SIKLAB Awardees this coming September and November.
To know more about the awards program, please visit https://bit.ly/RVR-SIKLAB2021OnlineNomination