PLDT and Smart First Vice President and Head of Network Build, Operations and Management Debbie Hu underscored the role of the network team during crises. “Whether it be a crisis like typhoons or other problems, we are at the forefront of making things happen for the Filipino people. We are in the right place, right position to make relevant contributions to improve the lives of our Filipinos.”

Being a woman in a male-dominated profession, Hu was not exempted from struggling in her field because of her gender. 

“During the earlier part of my career, there was a time when I felt that people had some bias against me, maybe because I was a woman or for any other reason. I went through rigorous training and scrutiny, but I understood that it was all part of the game,” she shared. “But my bosses did not give up on me, they believed in my capability to lead.”

With decades of experience in the telco industry, she also shared the importance of showing malasakit to the team, “even if the odds seem to be against you.”

“There was a time when I was the only senior leader left, with the responsibility to manage junior colleagues. It dawned on me that it’s my responsibility to rally the team, amid the uncertainties, and bring the team towards our goal,” she shared.

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic became a litmus test for PLDT and Smart Vice President and Head for Consumer Credit and Account Management Di Blanco as an employee and team leader. She shared that they had to proactively make the decision that the company will not cut services at a time the internet became a necessity for Filipinos during the crisis, even before the government made its call.

“I take pride that our group thought of our customers first. That was a strong manifestation of our customer centricity,” Blanco shared.

Despite the difficulty in collections during the pandemic, her group was also able to implement critical changes such as digital billing, deploy quasi-digital payment options for customers in stores through Paybox, and improve customer loyalty.

“That was when I realized that true malasakit is painful. But when you invest in educating our customers, they will adapt to it and support your endeavors,” said Blanco.

Asked what leadership meant to them, the two women leaders shared the same point: it’s all about servant-leadership.

“You serve the people you are working with. Every day, I still see challenges that test my leadership, but being surrounded by the excellent people in my team, I know we’ll be able to achieve our goals,” said Hu.

“Leadership is not about the title nor position. It is about taking care of your people- inspiring and helping them achieve the best version of themselves” said Blanco.

“Leaders on the Go” is a monthly activity to bring leaders closer to employees to share stories and engage in conversations that internalize the PLDT and Smart’s culture and core values and how these help the organization get through challenges and achieve milestones to keep the company sustainably competitive.

By Victoria “NIKE” De Dios

Since the entire world was struck by the COVID19 pandemic, everything momentarily stopped. Non-essential business operations were halted, death, and increasing cases of COVID19 remain a threat not just to the health, but also in the business and other activities such as school, church, and other group gatherings that are normally permitted before.

Realizing how the pandemic has badly affected the lives of many Filipinos, and a sudden shift to the digital becomes the norm to avoid the spread of COVID19, Red Circle Global (RCG), a digital automation company went out of their way and did their voluntary outreach to the various community to give hope and provide something to the community.

Acknowledging that many businesses in this time of pandemic resulted in losses, closure, and jobless people, the Filipinos need help in this challenging time. This prompted RCG in partnership with various NGOs organized and gave out relief good, fed more than 100,000 people, provided care packs in the last two months distributed in Metro Manila, Biliran, and Rizal Province.

Inspired by RSA

When asked what led him to do this noble outreach effort, RCG CEO and President Edwardo Miguel Roldan noted, “I was inspired by Mr. Ramon S Ang’s gesture of goodwill.”

“While there are many generous individuals out there who are assisting our Filipino compatriots, RSA spells a difference,” Roldan said.

“Needless to say. RSA’s way of assisting is different from the quantity up to the quality. I think that is the purpose of businesses. It is to transform our enterprise in a snap from a money-making machine to a social enterprise that is solely focused on assisting people in times of pandemic like this,” the CEO Red Circle Global added.

Pay When Happy Program

Apart from feeding and care packs handed out to people,  RCG also initiated a program to empower schools to be automated for free until its 6th month of service. This “Pay When Happy” program of RCG is new and unprecedented in the education technology industry. This initiative empowers smaller schools to directly compete with bigger schools in terms of school automation and online classes.

What struck the Roldan during the outreach program of RCG was during the time when they visited Jala-Jala, Rizal’s poorest barangay.

“I was surprised by the discipline they showed despite their eagerness to receive assistance,” Roldan narrated.

“They put out chairs with their names. Together with the police and barangay, we finished distributing food and care packs in less than 1 hour in a very highly organized manner. It was so efficient, and what is commendable is they did it in their own volition. And all we have to do is just put the goods on the chair, and that’s it.”

RCG chooses to help even while experiencing theft during this season. He said to be especially careful with people-management and inventories this pandemic as many people do not stop greedy from taking more than what they should have.”

“The Bayanihan spirit must be alive, and this spirit cannot be found in other countries, and only here in the Philippines. And you know how the Bayanihan spirit came into being? It is from the malasakit (concern), wherein one even he has nothing to gain from doing good deeds, felt morally obliged as a Filipino to be there for others even by merely lifting a finger to abate their sorrow or trouble,” the CEO of Red Circle Global concluded.