“Truly honey could never be made by one bee in a hive”, subsequently goes with the 2009 Joint Confederation of Northern Luzon Rural Banks Annual Management Conference held last January 21-23 at the Oasis Country Resort, San Fernando City, La Union with the theme, “ Efficiency and Productivity Through Camaraderie”.

The event was a big help in accordance with the fulfillment of their vision – to have an institution composed of dedicated and committed members – and mission. “The conference is very timely and objective that the confederation is trying to achieve is what is aptly needed in these challenging times…with the joint efforts and cooperation of the members of the confederation, the conference have contribute to strengthening professional relationship, lead to rural economic development and build a productive and responsible society in the countryside”, as Gov. Armando Tetangco, Jr. said.

The pre-event activities began with the registration assisted by the RBAP and Federation Representatives. Mr. Gregory D. De Guzman, JCNLRB President, enthusiastically conveyed his opening annotations and energetically welcomed the participants from different places. The MABS elucidated the overview of the training, conducted a video showing with the latest Mobile Phone Banking Video, introduced the MPBS Services – features and benefits and related their remarkable experiences from the banks. GLOBE Telecom also gave additional information about the technical aspects of GCash – Basic Gcash Information, Cash-In and Cash-Out and Advice and Pay. After those demanding talks was a delectable coffee break, followed by GCash Exercise and a Question and Answer part of the Globe and MABS. After those tiring activities, it’s about time for a luch break!

The activity resumed at exactly 1:00 p.m. and is initiated by the MABS with their Mobile Phone Banking Fundamentals, followed by some exercises, MPB Contingency Plan and explanation of the Mobile Phone Banking Security and Internal Control. It was again gapped by a coffee break. Afterwards, the MABS started again with their elucidation on how to implement a successful Mobile Phone Banking Services – its requirements, strategies and success factors and marketing. It was then followed by the reporting and monitoring and a question and answer segment of the MABS and GLOBE.

The 2009 Credit Management Conference was preceded by the Bankers Golf Tournament at the Thunderbird Resort. The Tee time started at closely 11:00 in the morning with the CLIFFS Golf and Beach Club. Cocktails and awarding ceremonies were held at the awe-inspiring Cocktail Lounge of Thunderbird Resort.

For the second day, the activities were settled off with the registration and scrumptious breakfast at the splendid Oasis Hotel. Ma. Cecilia R. Acuna of Kaunlaran Rural Bank (Pang.), Inc. led the prayer, followed by the singing of the National Anthem. Honorable Pablo C. Ortega, City mayor of San Fernando, actively conveyed his welcome address and Mr. Gregory D. De Guzman, JCNLRB President, dynamically stated his opening remarks. Next was the distribution of t-shirts and Tribal Quest briefing assisted by the PROSPECTUS. After that, the presentation of ENCASH and Country Bankers Insurance Group , two of our major sponsors took place. Morning snacks was taken out at closely 9:45 in the morning. Afterwards, Dr. Armando “Bok” B. Bonifacio, SBRP President, gladly introduced the Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker – the ever respected Senator Mar Roxas.  Mr. Gregory D. De Guzman together with Ms. Katrina Marie P. Pilapil, JCNLRB Co-Chairperson, awarded the plaque of appreciation. The man behind the superb voice over was Mr. Mark Ernest D. Rosario. The afternoon activities were held back at the Thunderbird Resort. The bus departed from Oasis Hotel at closely 1:00 pm and there, the Tribal Quest Team Building proper began. Bus departed from Thunderbird Resort to Oasis Hotel and back again to Thunderbird Resort. After those exhausting trips comes the lip smacking dinner! At closely 8:00 p.m. the exciting fellowship night began entitled “ Let Me Call U Sweetheart”. It was a superb performance of Top Philippine singers billed by Ms. Ivy Violan and Ms. Nanette Inventor, together with a special guest singer, Mr. Renz Verano. The musical director of this pre-valentine concert was Mr. Eric Narvaez.

The third day started with a satisfying breakfast. The opening ceremonies began at exactly 8:00a.m. Another sponsor was presented – KROEM and Ms. Ma. Dolores B. Yuvienco, Assistant Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, was the Guest Speaker. It was then gapped again with the morning snacks. It was once again resumed by the presentation of another sponsor – PLDT SME Nation and Western Union. Followed by INFOSERVE, another sponsor.  Mr. Tomas “Mitch” Gomez IV, RBAP President, was the Guest Speaker and Ms. Zabrina Tuyor, SBC Treasury Group, represented the SB Corporation. Mr. Gregory D. De Guzman together with Ms. Katrina Marie Pilapil awarded the plaque of appreciation to the Guest Speakers. At closely 11:40 a.m. were the announcement of Tribal Quest results and raffle draw. The following were the grand prizes awarded to the lucky winners: Passbook Printer ( courtesy of E & C Business Equipment and Supplies), 10 Nokia Cellphones ( courtesy of Bangko Pangasinan ), and Bill Counter courtesy of Micro Tech. Mr. Ives Q. Nisce of Rang-Ay Bank ( La Union) delivered his closing remarks. Mr. Clemente M. Nava of RB Balungao ( Pangasinan) was responsible for the superb voice over. Before all the participants went home, they had their lunch together.

The following are the persons responsible and behind this successful event!

Mr. Gregory D. De Guzman of Bangko Pangasinan as Over-all Chairman; Ms. Katrina Marie Pilapil of RB San Mateo, Isabela as Co-Chairperson; Mr. Ives Q. Nisce, Ms. Maribel D. De Guzman, Mr. Alberto V. Jimenez, Ms. Myrna C. Lopez, Dr. Armando B. Bonifacio, Ms. Nila P. Torres, Mr. Magnolito J. Acosta and Mr. Mark Ernest D. Rosario as Confederation Advisers; Mr. Domingo I. Tinio, Ms. Maricar Benilda Collado, Mr. Ives Jesus T. Nisce II, Mr. Nicanor R. Tabora, Mr. Jaime Narvaez, Mr. Elmo Bela-o and Mr. Richard Narvaez as Steering Committee; Ms. Katrina Marie Pilapil, Ms. Maricar Collado and Ms. Juliet Andrada took charged of Reception and Invitation; Ms. Ma. Cecilia R. Acuna, Mr. Gregorio De Guzman and Mr. Richard Narvaez for the Program; Ms. Marisa D. Lorezco and Ma. Adelina T. Galivo acted as Secretariat; Ms. Rose W. Batane and Mr. Fernando Braganza, Jr. were in charged with the Souvenir Program and Sponsorship;  Ms. Maribel D. De Guzman and Ms. Juliet Andrada for Finance; Mr. Nicolas Tabora for Sports and Fellowship; Mr. Domingo Tinio, Mr. Josefino T. Mataban and Ms. Pura Romero for Awards; Mr. Michael Nava and Ms. Marissa Aquino for Raffle/Food/Physical Arrangement; Mr. Jaime L. Narvaez for Conference Over-all Program and as Moderator; and Engr. Pot Manuel as Conference Over-all Event Coordinator.

As Mr. Gregory D. De Guzman said, “ More than mere businessmen, rural bankers are servants of people…our progress lies not only in our capabilities as individuals; it lies as much in how we bond together, especially in this times of crisis…may our efficiency and productivity be always based on camaraderie. May togetherness be our byword…may we stand together and stand tall”.