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Wednesday, 8th February 2023



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Message from Lopez

Nationalism and the Lopez Group Employee

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Nationalism is a trait most popularly and overtly seen in the life (and death) of our self-sacrificing heroes, the likes of Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Gregorio del Pilar, Gomburza, Ninoy Aquino, and the list goes on. It is also an outgrowth of the sacrifices of some of our Filipino overseas contract workers, many of whom suffer not just loneliness and homesickness but untold cruelties inflicted by insensitive and inhumane employers, causing some to go home to their families in coffins.

On the brighter side, nationalism is that pride we feel when the Philippines sends Manny Pacquiao to Las Vegas to handle another boxing match, having faith that he will win it. It is what gives us that confidence of the beauty of every Filipina when a Binibining Pilipinas competes for the Ms. Universe and Ms. World crowns, knowing that she will be chosen for one of the top five slots.

One looks at the admirable display and proof of nationalism of these heroes, heroines, brawn and beauties, and reflect on how an ordinary Lopez Group employee can come close to performing such deeds deserving national pride. A tall order, one would expect, but not next to impossible.

Brands and Branding

We speak of brands when we purchase personal consumables, appliances, gadgets and even cars. There are brands that we prefer because we believe that these are the ones that last. We prefer an Apple Mac to an Acer or Toshiba. We prefer an IPad to a Samsung Tab. We prefer Crocs or Flipflops to Spartan or Beach sandals. We prefer Samsonite to an unknown brand, and why? It’s because of the brand. “Choose the branded item,” is the advice that we normally receive, and most of the time, we take heed regardless of the cost. The brand equals good quality.

Let’s take another aspect of branding. When a cattle owner in, for example, Australia,Colorado, or even Besao, Mountain Province, brands its cattle, what happens? The skin of the cattle is seared with hot iron. Each cattle receives a distinctive mark of the owner, for which it is identified. The brand sets cattle apart from unbranded ones.

Similarly, the Lopez Group of Companies’ brand of nationalism makes it stand out from among the rest, the brand that is bred out of intense persecution from among the wealthy, the learned and the powerful.

How then does one acquire that Lopez Group brand of nationalism and express it in his daily routine as an employee?

Brands of Nationalism

First, as soon as one decides to be a Lopez Group employee, one must decide and commit himself to nationalism as an ideal. This means deciding within one’s self to stick it out to being a Kapamilya and being one with the commitment to serve and continue serving the Filipino citizenry through thick and thin, through profits and losses, through accolades and criticism. This ongoing decision is made year after year after year, amidst the many attractive job opportunities that abound locally and abroad, and with each decision to stay comes the faith that whether net earnings before or after income taxes escalates or even slides down, the Lopez Group of Companies will still come out unscathed and raring to face further challenges. This first branding is the brand of personal choice.

Second is the branding of excellence and humility. A Lopez Group employee must be able to identify for himself his main role in the Company to be able to perform excellently. Is he built to become a leader or simply a follower? It is not a matter of just proving his work worth in order to receive a job promotion and consequently higher pay, but knowing in which place in the Company he can use what he knows. Coupled with the challenge of achieving peak performance and job specialization is the greater challenge of knowing when to humble down and submit to one’s superiors, and knowing when to take on leadership responsibilities without displaying pride and selfishness. It is the realization that one does not know everything to build this country and this Company, and the acceptance of the truth that one needs to work hand-in-hand with others to achieve any end.

Third, as one immerses himself with his daily work, little by little he starts familiarizing himself with the values being espoused by the Company. In listening to regular inspirational messages from the Lopez Group patriarch during Christmases, Group-wide anniversaries and wellness activities, one is slowly branded the third nationalistic brand: that of loyalty coupled with integrity. This branding if not ingrained, is learned and applied quickly as one deals every day with both clients, partners and service providers alike. One begins to realize that the face that every employee shows every time he/she answers the phone composes emails, or attends external meetings, is the face of the Lopez Group. This face must always reflect the pride that one is upholding not just the Company, but also the Filipino people. This face must not reflect haughtiness but simple unquestionable honesty and integrity in every transaction, the kind that not only earns the respect of others, but one realizes begins to change one from the inside as well. As one gets to be branded with this loyalty to the Company and integrity on the job, he feels awed at the new feeling this gives him, wondering why this seemingly invisible albeit gentle pressure to be honest in business dealings does not seem to exist in many other Companies. How could it be possible that in the Lopez Group atmosphere, one is continually aware of an invisible strict father and disciplinarian, whispering loyalty and honesty in one’s daily work?

And the Lopez Group invisible branding continues with the fourth, as one starts to get branded, or slowly gets used, to the nationalistic way of doing the “little things”. What are these little things? The little things are those which many take for granted, but when one takes notice, these also count in the daily life of a Lopez Group employee. The little things include wearing one’s Company uniform on the assigned day, taking care of Company supplies and equipment, turning off lights when not in use, and participating actively in Benpres Building fire and earthquake exit drills. This brand of nationalism includes a cheery “Good Morning” when answering the office phone, or a smile and a “How-are-you” small chat with the person who cleans the comfort rooms, or greeting Billy, who waters the plants. This also includes listening to DZMM on your way to work, following the ABS-CBN telenovelas after work, and buying original Filipino DVDs. This brand includes purchasing proudly-Filipino-made shoes, bags, jewelry, soaps and shampoos. And yes, this brand of “little things” nationalism also includes utilizing those recyclable Lopez Group bags we receive every Christmas to the grocery or the mall while one shops, wearing that Lopez Group t-shirt proudly while you jog, as well as spending much of those hard-earned pesos or even dollars on Philippine tourist destination vacation stops.

The fifth and final brand of nationalism for a Lopez Group employee speaks of that unwavering faith in achieving the impossible; that determination to believe that one can climb the highest peaks despite unimaginable hurdles and difficulties. It is the same wisdom of a mustard seed faith that can move mountains, as written in the Bible. This is the quality that is most of the time done in the most secret of places, where one communes with the Sovereign, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Eternal God, to Whom one must seek the strength, the talent and the wisdom one needs to receive the above brands. This is the brand of nationalism that is comes handy when a little country such as ours is being bullied by warships from a giant country or when some of the 7,100 islands are in threat of missile debris from another country. The interesting thing about this final brand, though seemingly invisible and unseen and immeasurable, is that this is the one that completes the nationalistic Lopez Group employee, and if every Lopez Group employee is able to achieve this, then there’s no doubting the future of this Group for many, many years to come.

One need not be a Jose Rizal or a Ninoy Aquino to achieve greatness in the Lopez Group or this country. One needs only to choose commitment amids pressure. One must choose to perform the hidden greatness in an excellent job even when no one notices one’s work. One must choose to be loyal and honest. One must choose to do the little things that matter big. Finally, one must choose to pray . Even such a flicker of light in the surrounding darkness accompanies a glimmer of hope that it may someday be multiplied and emulated.

Evamaria Cecilia Estigoy-Lobitaña joined First Philippine Electric Corporation (FPEC) in 1996 as Office/Administrative Assistant. She graduated with an AB Management Economics degree from Ateneo De Manila University. She was a full time scholar of the Ateneo Scholarship Foundation.

Eva is a mother of three sons. Two are currently scholars of Ateneo and UP. Her eldest, Paolo, is a scholar of Ateneo School Parent’s Council (ASPAC), DOST, and part of the Director’s list (top 200 of ACET exams). He is taking up BS Chemistry: Materials Science Engineering. Carlo, her second, is also a scholar of DOST and is pursuing a degree in BS ECE at UP. Elijah, her youngest, is in Grade 2 at Provident Christian School

Eva is also active with her social commitments being a member of Breath of Life Tabernacle, and a Bronze Order Member of Order of the Blue Eagles in Ateneo De Manila University. She passed the Civil Service Professional Eligibility and Civil Sub-Professional Eligibility exams. (by Evamaria Cecilia E. Lobitaña)

 

 

 

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Archive

  • ► 2022
    • ► December
      • • Let’s help one another heal
      • • Building a resilient Philippines
      • • Our hope this Christmas
      • • Remembrance, reflection, gratitude
  • ► 2021
    • ► December
      • • Honoring the reason for Christmas
      • • Prosperity for all
      • • A time of cheer
      • • Making Christmas memorable
  • ► 2020
    • ► December
      • • Humanity at its finest
      • • Moving forward in a new world
      • • Hope for better days
      • • Stewardship and fidelity
  • ► 2019
    • ► December
      • • The truest treasure
      • • Continuing our great work
      • • The gift of life
      • • Seeking peace
      • • Perfectly united
  • ► 2018
    • ► December
      • • Let’s help keep the lights on
      • • Family is our place of love
      • • Spreading Christmas cheer
      • • Renewing family ties
    • ► March
      • • Keeping the lights on in the transition to an all-renewable future
  • ► 2017
    • ► December
      • • Together we have stepped up
      • • A year of rebirth and gratitude
      • • Looking forward, looking back
  • ► 2016
    • ► December
      • • Choosing to be powered by good
      • • Our mission remains the same
      • • Remember God’s love
      • • Changing with the changing times
      • • Each Christmas is a new opportunity
    • ► June
      • • Keynote Remarks of First Philippine Holdings chairman and CEO Federico R. Lopez at the 3rd Annual Summit of the Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines on June 17, 2016
      • • Keynote Remarks of Lopez Holdings chairman emeritus Oscar M. Lopez at the 3rd Annual Summit of the Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines on June 17, 2016
  • ► 2015
    • ► December
      • • Continue to push the boundaries
      • • We cannot lose hope in the Filipino
      • • Let us count our blessings every day
      • • Thank you for a remarkable year
      • • The wonders of Christmas
    • ► October
      • • Remarks of Chairman Emeritus Oscar M. Lopez, on the Lopez Achievement Awards 2014 held at Studio 10, ABS-CBN Compound on October 15, 2015
      • • Remarks of Federico R. Lopez at the 2014 Lopez Achievement Awards Ceremony held at ABSCBN Studio 10 on October 15, 2015
    • ► July
      • • For love of country, we are prepared to take action to make it better
    • ► May
      • • Remarks of Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez, Chairman and CEO of Lopez Holdings Corporation, at the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held at Power Plant Mall Cinema, Rockwell Center, Makati City
      • • Remarks of Federico R. Lopez, Chairman and CEO, at First Gen Annual Stockholders Meeting on May 13, 2015
      • • Remarks of Federico R. Lopez at the Annual Stockholders' Meeting of Energy Development Corporation on May 5, 2015
      • • Oscar M. Lopez: even at 85, there are worlds left to conquer
    • ► April
      • • The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name
      • • Oscar M. Lopez on Longevity and Success
    • ► March
      • • Remarks of Lopez Group Chairman Emeritus Oscar M. Lopez at the 2012 Commencement Exercises of the University of the Philippines and Conferment of the degree of Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa
    • ► February
      • • Excellence is a Habit
    • ► January
      • • Towards A New Year of Promise
  • ► 2014
    • ► December
      • • Christmas is a time for gratitude
      • • Christmas message from Eugenio Lopez III
      • • Christmas message from Federico R. Lopez III
      • • Christmas message from Presentacion L. Psinakis
      • • Christmas message from Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez
      • • Christmas message from Oscar M. Lopez
    • ► October
      • • The Parley between Lopez and Marcos
      • • Why Choose Philippines?
      • • When War Escalates to Devastating Results
      • • The Inevitable Decline: Did Marcos Finally Go Too Far?
      • • Mayhem in Malacañang: Find Out What Caused Eñing’s Massive Fit
      • • The Yolanda Hero and the Unsung Hero
    • ► September
      • • Igniting the fallout: The unbelievable tactic President Marcos enforced
      • • Inspirational Remarks by Lopez Group Chairman Emeritus Oscar M. Lopez on the occasion of the Lopez Achievement Awards Ceremonies held at ABS-CBN Studio 10 on September 24, 2014
      • • A fork in the road: When two brilliant forces arrive at a point of dissent
      • • Discover what happened when a national problem took a turn for the worst
      • • Guess who came to the Nationalista victory party
      • • Don Eñing fights his greatest battle
    • ► August
      • • Remembering Ninoy this August 21
    • ► July
      • • CSR Challenges to Corporations
      • • Lessons from Typhoon Yolanda
      • • The exciting conclusion to the most epic chapter of the 100-year history of the Lopez Group (page 8)
      • • Lopez Values: a powerful rival makes an unforeseen move
      • • Remarks of Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez, Lopez Group Chairman at the Lopez Service Awards Night on July 2, 2014
      • • Just as Macapagal goes in for the kill, the chink in his armor is revealed
    • ► June
      • • From Bridges to Betrayal: the Lopez-Macapagal battle takes on another surprising twist
      • • Just When Macapagal Thought Victory Was His For The Taking…A Surprise Move from the Lopez Camp!
      • • Celebrating the Filipino Identity
      • • Chaos Warfare: Find out what brilliant tactic Don Eñing used to beat Macapagal at his own game
      • • Don Eñing lost BISCOM to Macapagal but What He Did Next Will Amaze You
    • ► May
      • • Defeating the Enemy with the Power of Unity and Trust
      • • Let’s celebrate something GOOD!
    • ► April
      • • The Start of an Alliance. Read page 8 of Underestimated webcomics
      • • Summer Break
    • ► March
      • • Facing a New Vendetta: Page 7 of Underestimated Webcomics
      • • A Bitter Demise: Page 6 of Underestimated Webcomics
      • • An Iroclad Approach: Page 5 of Underestimated Webcomics
      • • The adversary strikes back. Read page 4 of Underestimated webcomics
      • • Heritage and Love of Country
      • • What happens to Montilla in the Battle of Biscom?: Page 3 of Underestimated Webcomics
    • ► February
      • • How far have we come since EDSA 86 People Power?
      • • Outsmarting the Foe: Page 2 of Underestimated Webcomics
      • • Hope for the Laborers’ Plight: Page 1 of Underestimated Web Comics
    • ► January
      • • Resilient and Unsinkable: Why the Lopez Spirit Is Never Underestimated
  • ► 2013
    • ► December
      • • This season, Selflessness is more than possible
    • ► September
      • • To Fly and Fly Again comic series
      • • A Letter from Oscar M. Lopez
    • ► July
      • • Eugenio at Heart series
      • • A Lifetime of Excellence
    • ► June
      • • Independence and Nationalistic Pride
    • ► May
      • • Happy Mothers’ Day to everyone
    • ► March
      • • Pope Francis of the Poor and Lent
    • ► February
      • • Remembering the Spirit of EDSA
      • • Chinese New Year
  • ► 2012
    • ► December
      • • The Hope for Unity: The Winning Entries to the “What Do You Want This Christmas” Lopez Values Stars Facebook Contest
    • ► November
      • • What do you want this Christmas?
    • ► October
      • • LAA: Setting Ourselves Apart
      • • EDC and Claudio Bravo
      • • OML on Senator Juan Ponce Enrile’s Memoir
    • ► September
      • • In Pursuit of Education and Social Justice
    • ► July
      • • It’s Good to Go Green!
    • ► June
      • • Winners of the Nationalism Essay Contest
      • • Nationalism in the Workplace
      • • Nationalism and the Lopez Group Employee
      • • How can we express nationalism in our everyday work?
      • • Ang Pagiging Makabayan
      • • We now have our own Facebook page!
      • • Back-to-school this June
    • ► May
      • • Ready, Set, Succeed: OML’s Take on Life
    • ► April
      • • It’s More Fun to Choose Philippines
    • ► March
      • • How can we express our nationalism today in our everyday work?
    • ► February
      • • Dragon Energy
  • ► 2011
    • ► December
      • • This Season is the Best Time to Give Thanks
    • ► November
      • • A Whole New World
      • • Giving Voice to Lopez Values
    • ► October
      • • Serving the Kapamilya
    • ► September
      • • Social Responsibility
    • ► July
      • • Eugenio Lopez on his 110th Birth Anniversary
    • ► June
      • • Rizal the Sportsman and our Palaro
      • • It Is Never Too Late To Try Something New
    • ► May
      • • Giving Back
    • ► April
      • • Why Do I Climb Mountains?
      • • Lent at 81
      • • Creating Trust
      • • Getting Ready for the Big One
    • ► March
      • • Aligning the Values
      • • Unity in Tragedy
      • • Remembering the “Ides of March”
      • • Our Values Unite Us
    • ► February
      • • Love for Country
      • • Eyes on the Prize
      • • Happy Valentine’s, Kapamilya!
      • • Kung Hei Fat Choi!
    • ► January
      • • Are You A Lopez Values Superstar?
      • • Happy New Year, Kapamilya!
  • ► 2010
    • ► December
      • • Happy Holidays!
  • ► 0000
    • ►
      • • To survive and not despair

Web Comics

Enemy of My Enemy (Part 2)
Enemy of My Enemy (Part 2)
Enemy of My Enemy (Part 1)
Enemy of My Enemy (Part 1)
Underestimated
Underestimated
To Fly and Fly Again
To Fly and Fly Again

Under Estimated

 

Man in the Frame

 

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