Download - Silver Threads Volume 9
2
ack in the burgeoning days of
the ‘60s, when the portent of
unstoppable growth was in the
air, and the mood was decid-
edly upbeat, Unilab was hiring
‘em literally by the dozens. Eager hands
from diverse disciplines were tested, ap-
praised and if found capable, taken in: scien-
tists to man the laboratory; pharmacologists
to study drug formulations; accountants to
do the math and most of all, fieldmen to pro-
mote the brands and keep the shelves filled.
Mass interviews were the order of the day
and they were held in Manila, the Luzon
provinces and in Visayas and Mindanao, events that
had the atmosphere of fiesta and which drew hordes
of hopefuls, their application forms, wilted and
moist, clutched tightly in clammy hands. The appli-
cant had to go through several panels, made up of
staff from personnel and top executives of the com-
pany. The last stop was The Man himself, Mr. J Y
Campos, and to paraphrase New York, New York,
“if you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere.”
Mass hiring was a whole day affair starting in the
morning and often ending well past midnight. Ding
Pascual of the two-man personnel department then
(his boss was the unsinkable Tito David) tells of one
such evening in Sta. Mesa when, looking up bleary-
eyed from the mountain of application forms on his
table, there was nobody in sight where just mo-
ments ago the grassy portion of the compound was
filled to overflowing. Ding did a double take. In the
half-light he finally made out bodies lying on the
grass – the applicants, fagged out by the long wait
for their turns, simply decided to grab some shuteye
in the meantime.
JY, ever mindful of the comfort and wellbeing of his
fellows, would ask the gofer to buy siopao and soft
drinks and distribute them among the hungry appli-
cants. JY always believed that nobody should go on
an empty stomach and that a well-fed person
worked harder. Even now this tradition of abun-
dance in food is a cherished practice in Unilab.
Finally, the applicant was ushered before JY, having suc-
cessfully worked his way through the panelists (usually
8 of them). Some of those who were interviewed by JY
recall that rather than probe the interviewee on his com-
petencies, he would ask about family, about the province
where the applicant hailed from – mundane things,
really, seemingly unrelated to the job applied for. Quite
abruptly, JY would extend his hand and say to the some-
what astonished applicant, “Congratulations. Welcome
to Unilab.”
The exhilarated applicant, mumbling his thanks, turned
to leave. “Before you go,” JY said, almost as an after-
thought, “I want you to do something for me.” He
handed the applicant a thick Merriam-Webster diction-
ary. “I want you to find the word impossible in the dic-
tionary.” The applicant sat down and began to leaf
through the pages. After what seemed a long while he
looked up, sure that he was going to lose the job he’d
just been hired for. “I’m sorry, Sir, I couldn’t find the
word impossible.”
“Of course you couldn’t find it,” JY said triumphantly.
“There is no such thing as impossible in Unilab.” It was a
neat maneuver of the Boss, cutting out the missing page
from the dictionary just to make a point with the new
recruit and to impress upon him early on, the kind of
company he was joining.
JYC: His legacy, his ways, his wisdom, as timeless as the sea
IMPOSSIBLE
B
IN SEARCH FOR THE
Long Perez
3
In previous columns, we were
introduced to potential toxins
in foods and pollutants in the
air and how they adversely
affect the quality of life if not
altogether shorten life expec-
tancy. Our concern in this issue
pertains to the water we use in
a variety of ways.
It has been said that the sim-
plest way to add more healthy
years to life is to drink plenty
of water. For one thing, if you
drink more than five glasses a
day (the recommendation now
is up to ten glasses) you could
cut by 50 percent your risk of
certain cancers.
Since it comprises 75 % of our
body tissues and 85 % of our brain, water must
be, indeed, the number one nutrient. But, is
drinking water clean and safe?
The answer is probably NO. Pollutants in the
air from factory and automotive emissions,
particularly, heavy metals such as lead, cad-
mium and mercury, and acid rain (sulfur oxide
+ rain) contaminate lakes, rivers and dams
from which we derive water for drinking and
irrigation. Should they get into the fishing
grounds, bottom fishes imbibe them and they
settle in their tissues – no wonder nutritional
oncologists warn us against eating hito, dalag,
crabs, tuna, etc.
Run-offs and sewage from chemically treated
farms, livestock feedlots and pastures, and
from factories and hospitals may enter water-
ways introducing not only toxins but harmful
organisms as well.
The absence of periodic
reports on the potability
( both bacterial count and
chemical composition) of
our water supply from
concerned sectors, e.g.,
regulatory agencies, sup-
pliers and environmental-
ists puts in grave doubt
the safety of the water we
use for our daily needs.
We have always been led
to believe that since water
coming out of the faucets
has passed through filters,
or that suppliers put chlo-
rine and fluoride into it,
that it is therefore clean.
Little do we know that
while chlorine does kill
some germs, it does not
affect other water-borne parasites, to say nothing of indus-
trial, agricultural, municipal and hospital residues. By the
way, chlorine when ingested over a long time may cause
bladder and rectal cancer. Fluoride, too, is actually a poi-
son that has been associated with osteosarcoma, a bone
cancer.
With no official reports to the contrary, the water we use
may contain toxic minerals such as aluminum, asbestos,
cadmium, mercury and, yes, lead which can leach from
old pipes. Water that passes through plastic pipes or
stored in plastic containers may be tainted with chemi-
cals that leach out from the PVC, polystyrene or polycar-
bonate material used. Such chemicals as toluene, xylene
and styrene are known neurotoxins and carcinogens.
These toxins take time to accumulate in the body before
they make us really sick. Sometimes loss of memory may
be the only early sign of toxicity. (Read article on dementia
in this issue for more info on memory loss)
TOXINS (3) :Our Troubled Waters
4
rescued Joe were George Mañalac of PR and Danny Tan of Pur-
chasing in whose car Joe was brought to the hospital.
The injury that Joe sustained was severe. He had hit the bottom
of the pool with his head, the impact absorbed by the vertebrae
causing damage to the spinal cord. Despite all medical efforts,
nothing more could be done for Joe: He was a paraplegic, para-
lyzed from the waist down.
Unilab and his co-employees did their best to help Atty. Santos
by way of financial and moral support. In the end, the promis-
ing lawyer had to go, retired with full benefits due to perma-
nent disability.
At a time when it would have been entirely expected for some-
one in a similar situation to give up, Joe’s true strength and
courage shone through. Undaunted, Joe made a decision to face
life squarely and get on with the business of living. He and his
wife Angelita, set up a garments store and fruit stand in Guada-
lupe market in Makati. That done, Joe opened a notary public
office in his residence in Pasig, eventually relocating to
East Avenue, Quezon City, just a stone’s throw from where he
now lives.
Atty. Jose Ma. Santos, despite the loss of the use of his lower
limbs, faces the world like the two-fisted fighter that he is.
As reported by Caloy Ardosa and Long Perez
his is courage in a man: to
bear unflinchingly what
heaven sends
– Euripides, 480 BC.
For Jose Ma. “Joe” Santos,
the speed mail from
heaven arrived one sum-
mer weekend in 1971. Joe had brought his two
children for a swim at the newly-inaugurated
Unilab gym pool facility. The kids gleefully went
into the water and in no time were cavorting and
splashing about. Joe stripped down to his
trunks, eager to join his kids. He paused at the
edge of the pool and dove in. Joe was aware that
that portion of the pool was not too deep and he
planned to make a shallow dive, which would
prevent him from touching bottom. But in that
short arc to the water, Joe knew that something
was awfully wrong: he was going in at too sharp
an angle.
Joe had joined Unilab 6 years earlier serving
with Ben Ocampo at the Credit Committee.
Shortly afterwards he moved to Legal Services
under Atty. Rudy Dimaano where his profession
was put to more proper use. Joe had graduated
from the UP College of Law in 1959; he joined
the bar the following year. Stints with the Ma-
nila Banking Corporation, the Quesada and later
the Poblete law offices provided the young law-
yer the foundations for a successful career in the
corporate world.
The gym, then as now, drew its own crowd of
users. This probably saved Joe’s life. Amidst the
screams of his children and of the other swim-
mers in the pool, Joe, barely conscious, bluish
and totally immobilized, was plucked out of the
water by many helping hands and rushed to the
nearby ABM Sison Hospital. Among those who
T
Atty. Jose Ma. Santos LIFE ON WHEELS
5
On the average, Atty. Santos and his four-man staff
attend to 10-20 clients a week. From his wheelchair,
now his “buddy, sparring partner and constant
companion” Joe patiently pores over 200 legal
documents on the average, before affixing his sig-
nature and notarial seal on them.
Of all his previous employers, he considers Unilab
the best, the only place where he experienced the
close-knit relationship of a family. Though he only
had a brief personal encounter with Mr. JY Cam-
pos, he looks up to him as a father whose concern
for his employees was – is - legend. The Unilab
culture of Bayanihan has never left him and when-
ever the opportunity arises, he spreads it around.
Any UBF-sponsored gathering finds Joe cheerfully
wheeling in, acknowledging the greetings of old
friends.
A native of Jaen, Nueva Ecija, Joe has five children
and 13 grandchildren. His more famous offspring
is Gel Santos Relos, formerly with ABS-CBN and
now a newscaster in ABS-CBN’s sister company,
The Filipino Channel in San Francisco, USA.
A soft-spoken and self-effacing man, Atty. Santos’
philosophy in life is: “As much as possible, be a
peacemaker, always keep in touch with the Lord
with complete trust and thanksgiving.”
Joe Santos surrounded by family in a sea of love. Celebrity broad-
caster daughter, Gel Santos Relos shown standing, center.
Did you know that the King of Hearts is the only King in the deck of cards without a mus-
tache?
Eggplants aren`t vegetables they`re really fruits.
No piece of normal-size paper can be folded in half more than 7
times.
The dial tone of a normal tele-phone is in the key of "F"
Bill Bowerman, the co-founder of the shoe company Nike, got his first shoe idea after staring at a waffle iron. This gave him the idea of using squared spikes to
make the shoes lighter.
Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts.
93% of all greeting cards are purchased by women.
6
The enviable con-
tinuing assistance
of UNILAB to its
retirees is the
q u i n t e s s e n t i a l
pursuit of JY’s
c r a d l e - t o - t h e -
grave concern for
its employees’
welfare. This al-
truistic philoso-
phy of the emi-
nent founder and
now warmly em-
braced by his
daughter and cur-
rent Chairman of
the Board Joy
Campos-Hess, is,
by itself, an act of
corporate social
responsibility par-
t i c u l a r l y a d -
dressed to former
employees. This
ennobling act,
while undoubt-
edly performed in
recognition of em-
ployees’ contribu-
tion in the past,
must find suste-
nance in the reciprocal role of its beneficiaries in ways
that continue to enhance the success of UNILAB.
Retirement from the company should not unilaterally
mean ending the Bayanihan continuum, precisely be-
cause the company by its profound benevolence per-
sists in maintaining the umbilical lifeline. On the part
of the retirees, it should be the beginning of a new tack
on contributing to the success of the company.
The new beginning can take the form of initiatives not
the least of which is participating in UBF’s CSR activi-
ties designed for corporate image building. Retirees, in
returning the favor, should continue to evangelize the
p o s i t i v e
image of
U N I L A B
and help
sustain the
company’s
leadership
status in
the phar-
maceutical
i n d u s t r y .
Such sus-
tained suc-
cess pro-
vides the
n e e d e d
assurance
that the
c u r r e n t
UBF wel-
fare pro-
gram for
r e t i r e e s
will con-
tinue and
even im-
prove in
the future.
UBF can be
viewed as
the instrument that fosters the reciprocal roles of
the company and its retirees in achieving the com-
mon business objective. Retirees must realize that
they have the moral obligation to reciprocate, in
however limited opportunity is available to them,
the assistance that UBF continues to provide. This
is the essence of the Bayanihan continuum in
which UBF plays a defining role. Through UBF, it
is still possible for the group of retiree -
beneficiaries on one hand and benefactor -
UNILAB on the other, to find a common ground
towards achieving mutually reinforcing success.
Retirees’ Doc. Vir Ofiana
7
eople saw President Obama skirmish-
ing recently with NBA stars led by
Lebron James on a newly built basket-
ball court at the White House grounds.
Much earlier during the campaign
American television showed the chief
executive engaged in a one-on –one against his
future brother in-law. On both occasions, Barack
displayed his agility and deadly left hand fromthe
3-point area.
Basketball is indulged in by pro’s, college boys,
and backstreet youths. It’s also played with as
much gusto by political leaders, government offi-
cials, and business executives.
One late afternoon in the early 70’s, Unilab’s gym
was filled with a big crowd. No, it was not an in-
ter-division final. The cheering audience was
watching an impromptu basketball game between
company officers and a hastily formed pick-ups.
The Executives Five included Sabas Isaguire,
Thelmo Garrucho, Joe Eduarte, Ben Basilio, Jorge
Ochoa, Joe Gatchalian, and JY Campos. Among
the rag-tag pulots were Cesar Luna, Philip
Villanueva, Roy Mujer, Louie Jimenez, Ely
Tongco, Gena Almario, and this writer.
At first shooting-shooting lang, kaunting scrim-
mage. Tapos nagkahamunan; there were enough
players on both sides for a full game. One to 20
ang usapan, 1 shot, 1 point.
After the jumpball, pakiramdaman. Man-zone ang
laro, to conserve energy. The execs got the first point after Joe
Gat (who also played baseball, soccer, and pelota) bulldozed
his way, a-la Noli Locsin, the Ateneo/Ginebra Sherman tank.
Serious at mahigpit ang laban: rebound for rebound, fastbreak
for fastbreak, punto por punto.
Mr. Campos was shifty. We were amazed at his speed. Ma-
galing mangagaw, mabilis sa fastbreak, matulis magpasa. He
could dribble with either hand, and easily got through the
defense for clear shots. He could also shoot straight from the
perimeter. Marami rin siyang naishoot, maybe nearly half his
team’s score. Siguro he learned the basics of the game in
school and from playing with friends in his younger days in
Quezon. Had he aimed to, he could have been collegiate ma-
terial as a forward or point guard.
Joe Gat and JY topscored for the
KPs, with the others also con-
tributing. Roy Mujer and Gene
Almario did most of the dam-
age for our side. Cesar could
have topscored for us, but pasa-
pasa lang siya, and kept the mo-
mentum, and didn’t really play
the way he did for Westmont in
divisional tournaments.
The game lasted for 45 minutes
or so, walang timeouts. Play
ended 20-18, but I can’t recall
which side won. Who cares any-
way? For the bosses it was good
exercise and a chance to un-
wind. For us, the game was
enough to tell our grandchil-
dren that one late afternoon in
the 70’s, nakalaro namin some of
the people who ran the com-
pany, led by the Founder-
Chairman himself.
It’s nice to think that in Unilab management and employees
were one in sports. At Unilab there are two important things
besides work: eating and sports.
After that, things moved fast and we didn’t have the privi-
lege or pleasure of that same afternoon. I still saw Joe Gat
play pelota and Joe Eduarte on the ping-pong table mostly
against Doc Vir Ofiana. But I missed JY. It's been that many
years since I saw him with that basket ball in his hand.
By Long Perez
Where are your uniforms, guys?
Whether on the hardcourt or in the corporate board-room, JY was the compleat ball handler
George Mañalac
P
8
didn't expect to get bitten by
the good virus called volun-
teerism when my friend and
officemate Henry Soriano
told me of their visit spon-
sored by UBF to a model farm in Tagaytay. "That's
what I'm looking for!" I thought. When the next
class of urban gardeners was called, I made sure I
was included.
And so, I was infected. The knowledge that I got
from the seminar inspired me to continue my roof-
top gardening hobby. This productive pastime not
only gets you appreciated when you just run up-
stairs to get some vegetables or nip some herbs but
also gets you nearer to God when a new flower
blooms or a seed sprouts. It also makes you want
to share. Halamanan sa Lualhati ng Maynila is a
fruit of the seed UBF planted for those retirees.
We also have plenty of time unless you have a new job
or a business. After planning the family's meal, doing
some laundry and walking the usual tricycle route,
there's still extra time. UBF to the rescue! My karaoke-
practiced voice was further trained in the UBF choir.
The UBF Medical Mission continues to call for volun-
teers. All these besides the seminars like Estate Planning
I and II, health exercises and all the usual get-togethers.
Why do I share these things with you? Wala lang. Kusang
-loob lang. But isn't this what volunteerism means? Pag-
kukusang-loob. It's when you go out of your way to share.
It's when you learn to give time, talent, or money with-
out expecting any returns. It's self-giving. It's our core
value as Christians. And it's what our beloved UB Foun-
dation develops in us.
I
RENATO JUNTEREAL
Retiree-voulnteer Rene Juntereal packs a mean rake at the Lualhati ng Maynila Gardening Project of the UBF - part of its reach-out/ CSR agenda
9
paid off. One day his professor, former Justice Puno,
took him aside and told him he should take up law.
After earning his A.B. degree, Dad studied law at MLQ.
His initial plan was to take up medicine but given the
family’s meager finances, he decided to earn his profes-
sional title as a lawyer. In order to support his studies,
he worked as a clerk at the Guzman Institute of Tech-
nology. He graduated cum laude from MLQ and
placed 8th in the 1955 bar exam.
A trusted friend and colleague
As a young lawyer, Dad first worked at the office of
Amelito Mutuc and then at SGV. Aside from the pro-
fessionalism and sense of duty he brought to his work, I
think one thing that characterized my Dad’s work life
was his ability to find and keep good friends. And at
SGV he made friends who stayed with him until the
very end.
It was during his days at SGV that Dad applied for a
Ford Foundation Scholarship to Harvard Law. He told
us how he and fellow applicants went into a room in the
U.S. Embassy to take the very tough test. One of the
most difficult parts was constructing trial balances. Dad
said he perfected this portion and how it clinched the
scholarship for him. He said the examiners were
amazed that a non-accountant beat the CPAs who took
the test. He told them he reviewed his accounting
books every night after work just to prepare.
At Harvard, his self discipline and hard work helped
him gain the respect of his professors and fellow-
students. He used to tell us how he’d scrimp and save
and relied on being resourceful. On Sundays, he’d go to
the market and ask for the heads of pigs or fish which
he would cook into paksiw and sinigang.
After Harvard he went back to SGV and was seconded
to the Ministry of Finance to help out Minister Rafael
Hechanova. Here began his close relationship with the
Finance Department and the BIR. After that stint, he
worked in the law office of Arturo Monson.
Unilab Family
In 1967 Arturo Monson died tragically in a plane crash.
Being one of the few tax lawyers in the country
with a Master’s Degree from Harvard Law, Dad
y father was born in 1932 in the small town of
Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija. He was the third of six
children. Despite not being the eldest, he acted
like the kuya. Even at a young age, he showed
signs of that sense of responsibility that characterized his
work later on.
Like most Filipinos, the de Guzmans had big dreams but
meager means. Dad would always tell us that they only
had money to buy shorts for school and the only time he
owned a pair of pants and shoes was in high school. To
reach their dreams, they had to work hard. As a boy he
would help his mother with her small tailoring shop by
going to the neighboring towns to buy supplies. Once
there, he would also sell shoes and slippers, pushing a
kariton in the market to earn extra money for school.
Hardworking student
That sense of responsibility and hard work applied itself
fruitfully in Dad’s academic life. In Cuyapo, he went to
the Pius X Parochial School and graduated Honorable
Mention. From there he went to the FEU in Manila and
took up A.B. Once in Manila, he realized how much his
early education lacked in preparing him for a college
course. He remembered his first few days in class when
he found out his English comprehension and grammar
were sub-par to his Manila-educated classmates. As it
was with Dad, he tutored himself nights. The hard work
Jake De Guzman
M
The brave optimism of youth is clear for all to see on the face
of FGG during senior high.
IN MEMORIAM...
10
was immediately swamped with offers. He chose
to join Unilab and started out as Mr. JY Campos’ ex-
ecutive assistant.
I don’t have many memories and stories about Dad in
the office but two stand out. One is that after dinner
he often would go to his desk at home and do some
work, writing on a yellow pad with a #2 Mongol pen-
cil. He always seemed to be focused on his work and
wanted to get everything just right -- even correcting
his own penmanship so that it would be more easily
read. The second story is one told by Dad himself.
He said that a Feng Sui master once went to the execu-
tive floor to look at the flow of energy. There was one
office that he pointed out and said, “All the problems
land on the desk of this office.” Dad said the Feng Sui
master was pointing to his desk. Typical of Dad, he
regarded his role in the company with a strong sense
of responsibility and humility.
My Dad and Mr. JY Campos worked together very
closely for many years and formed a relationship that
was not only professional but also very personal.
Mom recounts how Dad was always with Mr. Campos
on foreign trips during their early days. They always
told us how JY had a soft spot for his employees and
their families. I think Dr. Samson was the one who said
that Mr. Campos remembered the names of his first 100
employees at Unilab. Mom also recalls the many dinners
hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Campos in their home. Person-
ally, I remember Mr. Campos taking us to a restaurant in
Hong Kong and making sure that all of us had a good
meal. I remember him taking great joy in watching people
enjoy the food and listening to their stories.
As we grew up, Unilab became a big part of our family’s
life. Our summers were spent swimming in the pool, buy-
ing snacks from Aling Nene or having lunch in the cafete-
ria. Weekends found us playing with the other kids at
the old pelota courts. To this day, some of the closest
friends of our family are the friends Dad made at Unilab.
Once I was brought to the playground to play with a
young boy named Clinton. He seemed shy and very well-
mannered. I was told later on that he was Mr. Campos’
grandson. Amazingly today, 33 years later, Clinton and I
are playmates again in a triathlon team.
A big brother
A few years ago Dad was honored by the company he
served the longest with an award. It was an ivory carving
of a big brother carrying his younger brother. During the
awarding Butch Campos said that the big brother was
Dad and that the small brother was Unilab. There is no
better image of who my father was to many than that. He
was their big brother. He was the one they could count on
to do the right thing all the time; the friend they could run
to with their problems and trust that he would give his
best in every task big or small -- ultimately not because he
was being paid to do so, but because of his sense of ser-
vice. If he could help people, he would, whether or not he
was recognized for it. Because that is what big brothers
do.
Possibly the last solo photo of FGG where he seems to say “the best is yet to come!”
FGG and clan sit for a family portrait.
FGG stands tall with the pillars of Unilab: from left, Dr. Angel Florentin, Ben Talan, FGG and JY.
11
o sooner had the last issue of ST hit
the stands than a firestorm ensued
regarding the recipe-cum –humor
article Adobo DBS-style. There were
those who proclaimed outright, “No
way, my adobo tastes better than
that!” There were those who, recall-
ing the salty-sweet succulence of
their adobo-loving days, departed posthaste for the near-
est market to load up on the necessary ingredients and
try the recipe in their kitchen. Comments ranged from
“it’s different”, “tastes the same”, “it’s good”, to
“aargh!!!”
But surprise, surprise, the most heart-warming reaction
we received was from Mrs. Norma Samson, the better
half of Dr. Sonny Samson from whom the subject recipe
supposedly emanated. Ma’am Norma asked the family
cook to do the recipe exactly as it was written in ST and
hey, it came out nowhere near in texture, flavor and
taste to the adobo cooked and served in the Samson
home.
It proved once again that something is always lost in
the translation and either Morris of FSD failed to nail it
the first time around or, through the years, the original
formula evolved, although the name –adobo DBS- style,
remained. At any rate, here follows the definitive ado-
bong DBS, “handed down from my mother,” Doc Sonny
says. I tried it in my kitchen: I would have to agree,
this is the best-tasting adobo I have ever done, bar
none!
2kgs pork kasim , adobo cut
1 cup ea. vinegar and soy sauce
½ cup garlic, crushed
1 onion, lge
1 tomato, lge
1 tbsp black pepper, cracked
Mix and marinate for 1 hour. Bring to a boil and
cook over slow fire. Add 1 cup of water and continue
to cook until the meat is tender and approximately ½
cup of sauce remains. Strain the meat and set sauce
aside. Fry the meat until lightly brown (take care not to
over-fry). Strain meat of all oil. Return the sauce and
bring to a boil. You’re done. Serve hot.
N
Text by Long Perez
more on
DBS-style
12
We are very thankful for the concern shown by
Unilab through UBF in visiting their retired warri-
ors in the provinces. We are enlightened on all
the benefits and privileges that we and our de-
serving dependents could avail of through UBF
programs. Thank you and more power to the
Chairman of the Board and its stakeholders and
also to the untiring UBF employees. - Jess Ber-
nales, Iloilo, Distribution , 2001
First of all, I would like to thank UBF for visiting us
retirees. The visit made us feel that we belong to
the company for life. Unilab never tires of taking
care of our welfare for which I am truly grateful.
To UBF, more power. God bless you all! – Nani
Matalubos, Bacolod, Distribution, 2001
Your coming to us is something that touches me
so much within. It confirms the paternal love and
concern of Mr. Campos that I still warmly feel to
this day. I may not recall what he said to me, but I
will never forget how he made me feel. – Vic
Gonzales, Roxas, Distribution, 1997
Your visit with us makes us feel that UBF is con-
cerned about the welfare of provincial retirees.
We welcome the info and assistance programs
discussed – Eric Suguitan, Bacolod, Distribu-
tion, 2006
It was great to know that UBF cares for the retir-
ees living in the regions outside Metro Manila. I
had a chance to meet and bond with other retir-
ees from Iloilo, Aklan, and Capiz. Thank you for
the anti-flu vaccine and my supply of mainte-
nance medicines. UBF team did a wonderful job!
Fred Mombay, Iloilo, Administrative Services,
1987
Your visit in Bacolod just proves Unilab’s commit-
ment not only to its employees but also to its re-
tired employees. Unilab’s adherence to its Ba-
yanihan spirit is unparalleled even in the largest
corporations in the world. Our sincerest gratitude
goes to the owners and officers of our dearest
Unilab. Mahal na mahal namin kayo. God bless
you always.
Rey and Lindy Cenzon, Bacolod, Distribution,
2001
UBF is a unique corporate expression of genuine
concern for all retired employees of Unilab.
Therefore, a proper response would be a spirit of
joy and thanksgiving. Let us honor and live up
to the legacy of Mr. JY Campos. - Ray Marcuelo,
Quality Assurance, 2001
True to the BAYANIHAN CREED, the greatest as-
set is the human asset, even after retirement.
Thank God for Unilab. - Atong Guerra (†), Bio-
medis, 2002
Angkop at tugma ang paliwanag ni Ka Bert sa pag-
kakaiba ng “assistance” at “benefits”. Kaya po
kaming mga retirees ay taos pusong nagpa-
pasalamat sa ginintuang kalooban ng mga stock-
holders. - Mel Santiago, Medical Affairs, 2007
We live much happier lives if we constantly count
our blessings rather than dwell on what we lack.
In like manner, if we are able to distinguish assis-
tance from benefits, we would be more apprecia-
tive and thankful for what we receive and less
demanding for, what in the first place is a “gift”.
Ed Tenchavez, Medichem, 2004
Long overdue reminder to all concerned with
regards to benefit or assistance. Very well said. -
Ben Gatchalian, Distribution, 1999
Mr. Boy Lara’s article clearly defined the contrast
between assistance and benefit. I’m grateful to
the management’s highly charitable act as it is
not mandatory on their part. Benefit? Actually,
lots of them that we all used to enjoy being enti-
tled to as Unilab’s regular employees then.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed, Mr. Lara’s article
be an eye-opener for every well-meaning UL re-
tiree. – Manny Cordeta, Westmont, 2003
Iloilo-Bacolod Provincial Visit you said
Bert Lara’s article: Assistance or Benefit
13
COMPILED BY MARISA CAYABYAB
UPDATE ON CAR CODING! 10am – 3pm are the window hours on EDSA, C5, Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Ave. and Roxas Blvd.,Pasay regard-less of the city (i.e. one can drive through Makati via EDSA any day). San Juan follows the same schedule. No Philhealth (PHIC) ID Policy What happens when a retiree is discharged from the hospital without a Philhealth ID? The patient pays for the Philhealth share. He can file with PHIC his reimbursement within 60 days after release from the hospital. Philhealth requires strict compliance of this policy. Wanted: Sr. Citizen ID Card No. Important! Please submit to UBF your Sr. citi-zen ID card no. for filing with Health First. Every time a retiree avails of the clinic’s ser-vices, an automatic deduction of 20% will be computed for every transaction. Annual P.E. and other promos are excluded in the dis-count.
New service at UBF Visiting retirees can now have their blood pressure and weight taken at UBF. Nursing students from Trinity University of Asia – St Luke’s Nursing School are deployed daily for the purpose at the UBF through Health First. New Policy on Cash Medical Assistance Effective January 1, 2011, all retirees’ checks for cash medical assistance shall be converted to ATM de-posit in RCBC-UBF account. Retirees concerned must accomplish the RCBC My Wallet form available at UBF and in any RCBC branch and submit the same to the Foundation with two (2) photocopies of valid IDs bearing the name and signature of applicant. The account will be solely used for medical reim-bursement.
Obituary August
Domingo “Domeng” Nipay – Manufacturing
September
Renato “Atong” Guerra – Biomedis
Eduardo “Ed” Desierto – Printing
Reminder: All official receipts, prescriptions and other supporting documents filed for cash medi-cal assistance MUST be submitted within TWO (2) MONTHS from the date of payment. The new policy shall be strictly enforced starting October 1, 2010. New HDSI Satellite Clinic Good news! HDSI recently opened its newest company-owned clinic in San Mateo, Rizal named “Check Up Clinic Health and Diagnostic Center.” The clinic is located beside the Jollibee branch in Guitnang Bayan, San Mateo, Rizal and is open everyday from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm. All Health First members can avail of the out-patient treatment but it is a must to have your ID when visiting the clinic.
Unilab has recently implemented the Unilab Visitor Management System in the main com-pound. All visitors, including retirees shall be issued a temporary Unilab "V" Pass which grants access to authorized destination only. Guidelines:
1. Office Visit Hours: 8am-5pm on Monday-Thursday and 8am-4pm on Friday.
2. Secure a Unilab "V" Pass at the UL Recep-tion area by surrendering your UBF ID or any valid government ID with photo such as SSS, GSIS, Driver's license, etc.
3. Avoid loitering around the compound. 4. Return Unilab Pass at the Reception Area.
In case a problem arises, please call local 7887 for immediate assistance.
5. Immediately inform the Reception Desk of misplaced card. Passholder is liable for lost card.
14
UBF ACTIVITIES IN PICTURES
1st sem birthday celebrants – Unilab retirees liven up the atmos-
phere at the JYC Hall A, Bayanihan Center, July 6, 2010. As the re-
tirees count more and more birthdays, each marking becomes a
joyous and memorable occasion.
Unilab retirees and volunteers put up this "bahay kubo" at the Lualhati ng
Maynila grounds. The “kubo” is made partly from salvaged materials do-
nated by PPMD and will serve as a rest area for volunteers doing outreach
projects at LNM.
Unilab retirees participate in a seminar on dementia and depression. The seminar, held last Sept 6 at the JYC Hall at the Bayanihan Center, was conducted un-der the auspices of the UBF.
A medical “missionary’s” job is never done, this time at the Jose Fabella
Memorial School. UBF Bayanihan Agad project – September 15. School
authorities noted that UBF is the first organization to conduct a medical
mission for Mandaluyong students.
-
15
After many years of neglect, th
e boys’ and girls’ rest-
rooms at the Rizal High Scho
ol in Pasig are converte
d
into the cleanest, most sanitary
facilities in the entire
school complex, courte
sy of the UBF Bayaniha
n Agad
Sanitation project.
Mr. John Tan of Fides Foundation, Mr. Richard Dee of Assisi Foun-
dation and the UBF staff and retirees during the 43rd Lualhati ng
Maynila Anniversary celebration last July 25.
The long arm of UBF reac
hes out to Western Visay
as as
Unilab retirees living in
Bacolod and Iloilo rece
ive im-
munization vaccines, medicines an
d updates from the
UBD/HF team that flew there recen
tly to touch base
with former company employees.
Green! Green! Green! That’s the UBF battle-cry
at its project site in Lualhati ng Maynila. Not for
long though, as the papayas planted months
before bear fruits that ripen and turn into gold.
16
Twice in a Row
The United Bayanihan Foundation (UBF) recently received a Reg, Cert as Aux Social Welfare
and Dev Agency – Resource Agency, from Ms Patricia Luna, Assistant Regional Director
during a simple flag-raising ceremony held on the grounds of the DSWD, NCR Division. The
certificate effectively makes the UBF a licensed social welfare and development agency ac-
credited with the DWSD for the next 3 years.
Last May, the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) granted UBF donee institu-
tion status for 5 years. PCNC is a non-stock, non-profit organization organized in 1997 by
six of the country’s largest national NGO networks such as the Association of Foundations
(AF), League of Corporate Foundations, the Phil. Business for Social Progress, to name a few.
Now on its 12th year of actual operation, PCNC continues its commitment to genuine social
change by keeping and improving its standards and evaluation mechanism it has set for
NGO legitimacy, transparency, accountability and governance.
Outstanding Youth Award
Every year the Foundation recognizes its students with exemplary academic performance.
In SY 2009-2010, 15 students out of 162 UBF beneficiaries, “brought home the bacon” to their
p r o u d p a r e n t s
(retirees). Awardees
this year include four
graders, nine high
schoolers and two col-
lege students. They
received certificates and
cash awards handed
out by UBF Executive
Director Bert Lara and
Ms. Belen Mandin of
Southville International
School. Top performers
were: Grade School –
Janella Kamill Baldovino,
Michael Andrew Batica,
Jean Aubrey Daquigan,
Jasmine Therese Mordeno; High School – Ma. Isabel Basilla, Angeline Loren Cruz, Christo-
phere Ghil Depasupil, Rakel Mandap, Rona Ma. Theresa Marquez, Samantha Louise Moises,
Audrey Luz Soriano, Jude Matthew Tordecillas, Ma. Lourdes Zata; College – Bona
Gutierrez, Jude Edsel Tordecillas.
The Foundation also gave special citation awards to three students who graduated cum
laude from UP and FEU. They were Christopher Ray Bayani, Edrielle Ruth Domingo and
Camille Mendoza who gave inspirational talks to the younger generation of UBF wards.
The awarding rites took place last Aug 21.
NEWSFLASH
The UBF fully supports the axiom that “Youth is the hope of the mother-land” as this photo shows. Occasion is the Outstanding Youth Awards and the Values Formation seminar held on August 21 for the scholars of UBF.
MARISA CAYABYAB
17
Together again Judy got married and had 13 children. Her first husband, Ted, died of cancer. She married again, and she and Bob had 7 more children. Bob was killed in a car accident, 12 years later. Judy again remar-ried, and this time, she and John had 5 more children. Judy finally died, after having 25 children. Standing before her coffin, the preacher prayed for her. He thanked the Lord for this very loving woman and said, "Lord, they are finally together." Ethel leaned over and quietly asked her best friend, Margaret, "Do you think he means her first, second, or third husband?" Margaret replied, "I think he means her legs."
18
I am elated by
the comments
on UBF’s so-
cial projects,
which was
the subject of
my letter
from the Pub-
lisher in ST’s
2nd quarter
issue. But
much more
encouraging
was the ex-
pressed wish
of our fellow
retirees to join
us on our hu-
manitarian undertakings, but are prevented from doing so be-
cause of certain limitations. Do not fret, brothers. Being with us in
spirit is tantamount to being with us in person. Isn’t this Bayani-
han?
Nevertheless, we hope that the time shall come when they shall
have overcome their temporary hindrances and join hands in this
effort. There will always be depressed communities, institutions,
and people that need help. And UBF is looking to embark on
more projects that will require more volunteers from the ranks of
our retirees, projects through which UBF and all of us who pitch
in, can make a little difference in the lives of the less privileged.
Time was when "corporate social responsibility" was uncommon
in the vocabulary of the business community until in the early 70s
– and this may warm our hearts to know – when Unilab spear-
headed a movement urging business to combine its resources for
social development. Today that movement has become an unoffi-
cial arm and advisory body of the government’s programs for
social progress.
Noble is the mission of a company that devotes substantial re-
sources to help retirees. Nobler still when a company and its re-
tired employees join hands to uplift people in need. Noblest of all
if this work is done for Him, Who gives us everything, in spite of
odds and limitations.
I recall a famous world leader saying in his inaugural address . . .
“that here on earth, His work is truly our own.”
SILVER THREADS
Silver Threads is a quarterly publication of The
United Bayanihan Foundation for Unilab
retirees and their families.
Comments, suggestions or contributions can
be sent to the Editor-In-Chief, care of UBF
Secretariat, United Street, Mandaluyong City
or emailed to
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Jocelyn Campos-Hess
PRESIDENT AND CEO
Clinton Campos Hess
PUBLISHER
Lamberto S. Lara
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Gonzalo E. Perez
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
George J. Mañalac
EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS
Guillermo C. Gastrock
Eduardo S. Alcaraz
Virgilio M. Ofiana, M.D.
LAYOUT & ART DIRECTION
Spot On Productions
PUBLICATION COORDINATOR
Marisa M. Cayabyab
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Miguel Hidalgo
Remedios Balajadia
Noah Padecio
Arvin Bailey
CONTRIBUTORS
Aurora G. Macaspac
Carlos T. Ardosa
CIRCULATION
Miguel Hidalgo
Genaline Binsol