FROM THE MARGINS In one of our meetings, I conducted a quick survey of our management teams using Mentimeter. This is a very convenient app used in learning sessions, which allows people to participate in real-time polling activities using a mobile device, tablet, or laptops. Here is what I...
FROM THE MARGINS There is no truer statement: food is everyone’s business. This was the theme of the “Agriculture and Food Security Summit” that the Makati Business Club (MBC) held last Sept. 16 at the BGC Arts Center. This is part of its ongoing efforts to engage stakeholders and find ways...
FROM THE MARGINS Namaskar! My wife and I were in India recently, for a week of activities arranged by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) to commemorate the 66th anniversary of the Ramon Magsaysay Awards and the 75th year of Philippine-India Friendship. Many Filipino and Indian...
FROM THE MARGINS Last Aug. 22, I had the privilege of attending the launching of the “Conflict Alert Triennial 2021-2023 Report” by the Council for Climate and Conflict Action Asia (CCAA), an independent local NGO dedicated to promoting sustainable and lasting peace by addressing the...
FROM THE MARGINS An exemplary philanthropist-businessman and six young brilliant entrepreneurs were honored in this year’s Ramon V. del Rosario (RVR) Awards for having exemplified outstanding corporate citizenship and a fervent commitment to nation-building across various industries. The...
FROM THE MARGINS Like weavers of old, microfinance players are documenting the minutiae of their everyday lives into interconnecting stories of hope that build a tapestry of how microfinance transforms lives and communities. The SineMaya Community Film Festival has catalyzed the microfinance...
FROM THE MARGINS Congratulations to the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. (MCPI) for the successful holding of its annual conference at the Manila Hotel last Aug. 15-16. It was a momentous occasion, coinciding with the celebration of MCPI’s 25th anniversary. The event brought...
FROM THE MARGINS Young people’s energy and creativity never cease to inspire me. My last two articles featured three young Filipino entrepreneurs from poor families who succeeded in establishing their own businesses. Many young people from diverse backgrounds are now choosing to become...
FROM THE MARGINS Last week, I wrote about how small businesses serve as incubators for innovation and creativity, propelled by entrepreneurial Millennials and Gen-Zs who are changing our business landscape. I shared the story of 27-year-old Ciriaco Villagonzalo Jr. from Davao, who successfully put...
FROM THE MARGINS Entrepreneurship is crucial to economic growth. Not only are micro-small-and-medium enterprises (MSMEs) the backbone of the economy. Small businesses also serve as incubators for innovation and creativity, especially from entrepreneurial millennials and Gen-Zs, with their...
FROM THE MARGINS Living in the moment is a popular mantra these days. People often say, ‘seize the day’ or ‘focus on the present.’ That is well and good, but I find bouncing from day to day, wrapped up in schedules and juggling modern living too frantic. I tend to balance reflection...
FROM THE MARGINS Bad debts are called non-performing loans (NPL) in the financial industry. It describes a loan that has not been repaid in accordance with the agreed upon terms for a specified period, usually around 90 days. An NPL may involve missed installment payments or complete failure to...
