Month: July 2014

As we end the summer season and start the third quarter of 2014, we are glad to celebrate the birthdays of the pillars of this company, Dr. Walter Brown and Mrs. Annabelle Brown. To mark these occasions, two separate activities were held.

For Dr. Brown, a rosary and thanksgiving mass were offered at Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel that was mostly attended by the employees and executives of the Brown group of companies. It was a time to quietly reflect all that has been achieved in the past months as well as a chance to offer our personal intentions. Then as a community, we joyously shared the snacks given after the mass. Our fellow employees from ABCI – Butuan and ABERDI Mill also held their own separate Rosary offered for the birthday celebration of our beloved Chairman.

On the other hand, Ma’am Annabelle was serenaded by a group of talented Brown Group employees as an advance birthday celebration. As the photos clearly show, she was caught by surprise. Songs like “Iingatan Ka“ and “Wind Beneath My Wings” resonated in the bar lounge. A short program followed and thoughtful birthday wishes from our fellow employees delighted Mrs. Brown. Of course, the celebration will not end without some insightful message from our dear Chairman. As always, his speeches were passionate and heartwarming.

Congratulations to all who made these preparations possible. On behalf of the entire team of the Brown Group of Companies, we wish our dear Dr. and Mrs. Walter Brown a very happy birthday. May your life be filled with happiness, success and good health.

We all have experienced having hair tangled in our comb, don’t we? Everyday, we take a bath, shampoo and condition our hair. Chemicals seep in though them causing dryness, stiffness and brittleness. How do we make our hair silky and smooth naturally? There are actually plenty of ways.

1. Mayonnaise does a lot of wonders for our hair by making it look vibrant, shiny and healthy. Just massage 1/2 cup of mayonnaise thoroughly in your scalp, cover with a shower cap for about 15-20 minutes, shampoo and rinse few times to get all the mayonnaise out.
2. Beer contains protein that repairs dull and damaged hair. It can deeply soothe and nourish hair follicles. It can revive our hair’s natural glow, shine and bounce. Apply a small amount of beer over your wet hair. Massage gently.
3. Banana Avocado mask could also heal your damage hair. The healing nutrients of the avocado and banana could recover the hair’s elasticity and strength. Mash the banana, avocado and an egg together in a bowl. Apply mixture from root to tips. Keep it for about 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with mild shampoo. This mask will deeply moisture, nourish your hair, and prevent split ends.
4. One of the best remedies we all know is using a natural and cheap hot oil treatment. I am speaking of natural oil from coconut, corn, olive and castor oil. These could be use to restore the hairs shine. You may combine them or use them alone. Heat the oil/solution until it is slightly warm. Cool it before applying on your scalp. Cover head with shower cap. Rinse and shampoo after 1 and half or 2 hours.

On July 3, an economic briefing, “Priming Up for the ASEAN Integration” will be held. The forum is aimed to prime us up on the impact and readiness of the people of Cagayan de Oro especially for affected institutions and industries.

The year 2015 is something many people are looking forward to with both fear and excitement. It is the year when members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) become a single bloc – the Asean Economic Community (AEC). The AEC is envisioned to be a region where goods, services, investments, skilled labor as well as capital may freely flow turning the community into an economic powerhouse of 600 million people and with a combined gross domestic product of close to $2trillion.” – excerpts from the article of Doris C. Dumlao, PDI May 28, 2014

Confirmed resource persons and their topics are:

• Dr. Bernardo Villegas, an Economist and a member of the Constitutional Commission that drafted the Philippine Constitution under the government of President Corazon Aquino: The Philippines as the New Asian Tiger
• Dr. Rolando Dy, Dean of the School of Management at University of Asia and the Pacific since 2004 and Executive Director of the Center for Food and Agri Business since 1995: ASEAN Economic Integration and Philippine Agriculture: The Pluses and Minuses
• Dr. Thomas Aquino, Former Senior Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry and a Senior Fellow at the University of Asia and the Pacific: Philippine Readiness to the ASEAN Economic Integration
• Dr. Graciano Yumul, former Undersecretary of the Department of Science and Technology and former Chief of PAGASA : Changes in Weather as a Signpost of Climate Change

Other events within July are the West Highlands Mall Exhibit at Robinsons (June 29 to July 5) and the Bukidnon Centennial Celebratin Exhibit Booth in Malaybalay (July 1 to September 1).

[In this issue]

Wellness is not only for the body but as well as for the soul. Every day, we must take care of our health and our inner self for this reflects our being. As we groom ourselves from the outside, eating healthy food and exercising for fitness, we also have to think positive thoughts, enjoy life, avoid stress and most of all pray, this is the most powerful tool for a happy and healthy life.

[No links and featured video for this issue]

[Employee spotlight]

July 25, 2014 will be the company’s Employee Service Awards Ceremony, where the following will be recognized and acknowledged for their loyalty and love of their work. Congratulations!

20 Years
Robertino E. Pizarro (ABCI) – June 1

15 Years (Distinguished Longevity Awards)
Ma. Cheryl D. Mabunay (XSCCI) – November 4
Pepito G. Sajol (XSCCI) – June 8
Sheree Ann I. Cagasan (ABCI) – April 4

10 Years (Loyalty Awards)
Joylyn F. Magadan (ABCI) – February 5
Rose May G. Simbajon (ABCI) – February 10
Pablo G. Naïve (ABCI) – September 1

5 Years (Service Awards)
Laidee C. Hera (ABERDI) – April 20
Tanya C. Japitana (XSCCI) – May 11
Luisito Jaime A. Sacol – June 18
Arnaldo P. Montano – July 22
Froilan A. Fayre – September 18
Elsie P. Dagooc – October 1
Virgilio R. Moranta – October 1
Claudio C. Reyes – October 1
Eric N. Eduria – October 1
Romero B. Lamento – October 1
El Roy Z. Uta – November 16
Mark Anthony C. Villaluz – November 23
Gladys C. Alba – November 24