ASIAN PEARL JOURNALAPJ

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ON JCI WEEK

Editor’s NoteThis second issue of the APJ for 2015 focuses on one crucial tenet of nation-building

which is volunteerism. And who else does volunteer work better than JCI Manila? As such, our cover for this issue is the recently completed Share a Smile project of the

ComDev team of Dir. Jarvey Belo which is part of the festivities for this year’s JCI week. JCI Manila literally put smiles in the faces of the residents of Smokey Mountain.

Meanwhile, in line with the theme of our current GMM, our featured members for this issue are two patriot volunteers who put everything on the line: Maj. Richard Tamayo

and Lt. Col. Erik Bautista of the Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps, respectively. Get into the minds of these two service men whom JCI Manila proudly

calls its own.

The Asian Pearl Journal is published by the Junior Chamber International of Manila, Inc. with address at Arquiza St. Cor. Jaycee way, Ermita, Manila Philippines 1000

No contents of this newsletter may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission from the publisher. Likewise, any and all like materials forwarded to the Asian Pearl Journal become property of the same. Opinions expressed in the Asian Pearl Journal are solely those of the writer and are not necessarily endorsed by the Junior Chamber International of Manila, Inc.

Missed a copy of the APJ: www.jcimanila.org/publications

APJAlvin Tsoi

Senior Adviser

Bonnie YuAdviser

Luis Martin V. TanEditor-in-Chief

ASPAC and WorldCon Watch

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make the Armed Forces of the Philippines one of the most fit and combat capable armed forces.

APJ: Speaking of the Communist and Moro rebellions, will there ever be absence of domestic armed conflict in the Philippines? LtCol. Bautista: Armed conflicts between the government and Communists as well as Moros will never end due to flaws and lapses in the implementation of policies. Moros and Communists will always demand something that the government cannot give and vice-versa. This is why winning the peace is far-fetched.APJ: Moving on to well-known association with the Vice-President, what do you think makes him the best person to become the next President and Commander-in-Chief?

LtCol. Bautista: The Vice-President’s achievements as an executive chief of the central business hub of the Philippines, his unmatched experience in the government bureaucracy and his knowledge in policy-making makes him the best person to be the next president of the Republic.

APJ: What do you think are the things that JCI Manila can do to give back to the Armed Forces?

LtCol. Bautista: JCI Manila must encourage members to join the reserve force in order to contribute to the country's national security and socio-economic development.

So next time Erik gets assertive on you during a project, that’s just his training coming out. By the way, every member of his Baby Jaycee group attended the event. They now realize they owe their timely induction to Erik.

(Note: Portions of the interview not affecting the substance have been edited for brevity and form.)

What’s a guy like you doing in a place like this? One can hardly be faulted for asking Erik this question – if one knows his true occupation. His Baby Jaycee group certainly had no idea. The only giveaway was his no-nonsense approach to completing their Baby Jaycee project: go to the event at Makati City Hall after the holiday break or find another group.

Erik Bautista who, by his words, is a proud member of JCI Manila is also an active member of the Philippine Marines. And no, Erik is no mere reservist or honorary member (a la Manny Pacquiao); he carries the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. (To save you the trouble of looking it up in the internet, being a Lieutenant Colonel is just two posts away from becoming a Brigadier General.)

Now, in honor of the men and women in the Armed Forces, the APJ shines the spotlight on this unassuming service man and ask him his thoughts on China, the Vice-President, and peace in the country.

APJ: Thanks for your time in agreeing to answer some questions for the Asian Pearl Journal (“APJ”). To start, which branch of the armed forces are you connected with and what is your rank? Are you in active service?

LtCol. Bautista: Philippine Marine Corps, LtCol. MNSA (Master in National Security Administration), MPM (Master in Public Management), L.L.B - Proud member of JCI Manila. Currently on Active Duty Training and currently taking up GSC Course at the Command and General Staff College of the Philippines, GSC Class 60.APJ: How do you feel about the Chinese intrusion into Philippine territory and economic zones? In case of armed conflict with the Chinese, are our Armed Forces (especially the Marines) ready to fight back?

LtCol. Bautista: The territorial dispute in the west Philippine sea is alarming and poses a big threat to national security. The Armed Forces of the Philippines may be outnumbered in manpower and weaponry but it is duly capable to retaliate in case of an armed conflict. It is not a question of can our troops fight back or can our troops win. Rather, the goal should be winning the peace and not winning the war. Our government must focus on bilateral negotiations and international mediation in order to avoid armed conflicts.

APJ: Do you think it is it true that the Philippine servicemen and servicewomen are one of the most fit and combat-ready soldiers in the world? Some people say this is because of the experience gained in fighting a non-stop Communist and Moro rebellions.

LtCol. Bautista: The high standard of tactical training and application of military doctrines

Lieutenant ColonelErik Bautista, MJC

Early Reservist Years & Military DNARichard was primarily influenced by his dad, Dr. Antonio Tamayo, now also a Brigadier General, in his journey as a reservist. In 1999, UPHSD’s ROTC Program was under the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the commandant then pitched the idea to Dr. Tamayo to make UPHSD an affiliate reserve medical center of the AFP and at the same time roll out the Reserve Program. Dr. Tamayo readily agreed.

Apart from Dr. Tamayo, Major Tamayo’s grandfather (on the mother side) was in fact also in the military - Col. Jose C. Moran. Col. Moran was part of the Far East Air Force (FEAF). The FEAF was the military aviation organization of the United States Army in the Philippines just prior to World War II.

Because of this strong lineage, in 2002 Major Tamayo decided to also be part of the AFP Reserve Program and first enlisted as a technical sergeant. After taking intense courses and active duty trainings in Batangas and Villamor Airbase, Richard was commissioned as Captain in 2007. In 2009, he finished the Squadron Officers Course and was promoted to Major. He was doing all of these trainings and courses while he was also doing his Ateneo MBA. He said that this was the most challenging thing as he needed to straddle to finish his MBA, excel in military training and coursework, and at the same time deliver results in the UPHSD business.Just like his Ateneo MBA course which he required him to submit his final Strategic Management thesis, the Reservist course required a Commandant’s Paper – this was where he discussed about trying to increase recruitment of Reservists in the Philippines and we here put his initial plan to actively recruit for the AFP. Alas! It was during this time that Richard thought about the Laang Kawal Ako (LKA) Project as a joint endeavor between the JCI and the AFP.

The Laang Kawal Ako (LKA) ProjectThe Laang Kawal Ako (LKA) Project is all about creating awareness and promoting the AFP Reserve Force Program in order to recruit valuable ready reservists and affiliated reserve units. JCI Manila LKA will initially promote the AFP’s reserve program to our chapter’s members and their respective business organizations for them to be ready reservists and affiliated reserve units. After which, we intend to grow this awareness and support to the AFP to other chapters and the country. The JCI Manila LKA project looks to strengthen JCI’s ties with the AFP as JCI Manila and our armed forces have common values and goals. “JCI core projects such as OPLAN Damayan and medical/dental operations, environmental projects such as the Sea of Life will surely impact and bring positive change to the country, all the more with the AFP on our side”, Richard said. Any excess funds of the JCI-Manila LKA project shall be donated to the Help Educate and Rear Orphans (HERO), Inc. Foundation Inc, an educational foundation for the children of fallen AFP soldiers.

Why sign up?Richard believes that signing up in the program does not only create an impact to a person individually but brings great camaraderie with employees and officers of the company – especially when enlistment is done with several participants within one unit. Major Tamayo believes that because of his exposure to this, he is able to promote building teamwork and build the unit in his group of companies. When asked what is the most beneficial aspect of being a Reservist, Richard responds “It’s really the military culture... Promoting the core values of honor, duty, solidarity & valor which define the character of a person. In the organization, it helps to promote leadership and command responsibility.”

Looking forwardWhen I casually asked him if he will sign up his son in the Reserve Program, Richard just said “Yes, definitely! As it’s now a family tradition!”. He hopes to influence his co-JCI members to share the same military philosophy in their organizations and hopefully create an impact to the AFP -- ultimately to the Philippines.

With all the steps that Major Richard Tamayo endured and how we wants to create an impactful future – he truly deserves a very snappy full military salute!

With the current demands of everyday life, it seems, that in order to succeed, each person must be a multitasker. Most of you – I suppose, would probably have multitasking lives (hey, you should have one as you are a JCI member!). I think though there are really only a select few who we can say that they are at the pinnacle of this cohort. Amazingly, some are already ultra uber multitaskers and yet still find time to make sure that they contribute and actively participate in nation building. One of them is my good friend and fellow JCI Manila member Major Richard Antonio Tamayo (PAFR) SOC.

The Multitasker DNAI met Major Tamayo back in 2002 in the University of the Philippines School of Economics (UPSE). He was ahead of me by one year but we worked together as student leaders with Richard as the Chairman of our college student council. His “superhero-like abilities of multitasking” was very already apparent back then. Apart from our hectic student leader work, Major Tamayo would rush to leave UP Diliman to work in their hospital at the University of Perpetual Help Dalta System (UPHDS) (either in Binan or Las Pinas) to do evening rounds. Talk about duty & commitment... Despite this packed and demanding life, he finished strong in UPSE – graduating Cum Laude.

After graduation, he went on to continue to work in UPHDS while also doing additional post graduate work in Ateneo and in Harvard University. During this time (as if he didn’t have enough on his plate??!) - he mentioned that he wanted to be involved in the military. I told him it was going to be tough but his answer was spotless.: sign up for the Reserve Program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

By Rj Angeles

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