Wednesday, March 9, 2011

I Touched Manila Bay

I touched the untouchable -- Manila Bay. As a rower in the Dragon Boat Regatta 2011 held on Sunday, 6 March 2011. Organized by the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation, over 100 rowers and thousands of viewers were there.

This was a chance for many to see how beautiful Manila Bay is and how beautiful it can be if restored to its old glory. I row to touch it. To see it. And, in my own small way, send a message. That is, make it touchable again.




Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Rerum Novarum

I was invited by the UST College of Commerce and Business Administration as guest lecturer for the 17th Pope Leo XIII lecture series on March 1, 2011. The topic was about "Illuminating the Business World Through the Social Teachings of the Church" with Pope Leo XIII's encyclical Rerum Novarum.


It was a challenging lecture. I used Dr. Paul Dumol's thesis on Civil Society to contextualize Pope Leo XIII's encyclical on capital and labor. To present applications in the present environment, I used several contemporary business cases including those of Ortigas & Company and Cebu Pacific. I have to thank Paul for allowing me to use his framework on civil society as needed, my favorite Department Chair Paula Bautista-Tiongco for recommending me, and Dean Ma. Socorro P. Calara for selecting me as guest lecturer for the 17th Pope Leo XIII lecture series. Big thanks to Joanie Ipili who helped me conceptualize and write the lecture, and to Tyrone Cimfranca, an ex SVD, for giving me a hint on where to get materials on Pope Leo XIII's encyclicals.

Rather than publish what I lectured, allow me to present selected photos.