The Trio is Down to Two

I have a running buddy who'll be migrating to Canada next month. When I think about it, I can't help but get into a melancholic mood because of all the experiences we've shared.

We met when we were both recruited to be part of this team of individuals who would undertake the Chairman's pet projects. After some of the team members moved on to follow their own paths, the two of us moved on to a new group. When I started running more than 2 years ago, I found out that she would also run and it became almost like a ritual that we, along with another officemate would go to UP to run every Sunday morning.

She was quite competitive and if it weren't for some health problems, she would have probably been the faster and stronger runner between the two of us. We've had our differences and we've worked through each one.

With her moving on, it just makes me think about how it will be now that the trio is down to two. I guess I shouldn't see this as an end, but instead as another one of the changes that constantly happen. And I'll now know one person more in Canada.

To my friend, officemate and running buddy, take care, be safe and happy. I am really happy for you. You will be missed.

Far East Bank Forever!

For the past three Wednesdays, I’ve been attending practices with the Far East Bank Chorale. After 10 years since Far East Bank was fully integrated into BPI, this is my first time to be singing again with other chorale members. On the first practice day, I showed up knowing that I would probably not know most of the people there. Nevertheless, I felt I wanted to be part of this project – to sing for the Far East Bank Golden Anniversary.

I always look back at Far East Bank with fond memories not only because it was my first corporate work experience but also because I believe it had the best HR organizations among all the companies I worked for. At the time, I could feel the employee support be it a need for assistance for an administrative transaction, a venue to air a grievance, bankwide or building-wide celebrations and First Friday and other special masses. Far East Bankers were really proud that they didn’t have a union.

I remember that during my New Employee’s Orientation Program (NEOP), it was explained to me that the Human Resources group was a whole division and not just a department because the HR function was taken very seriously there. What was quite impressive then was the number of training seminars that were available for new employees. One had to go through courses of Business Writing, Advanced Excel, an Advance Credit Course (I & II) and Supervisory Training. HR personnel then understood that they were role models and that they had a key role to play in culture building.

I am quite sure many former Far East Bankers have their own fond memories and I think that’s why for many years now, Far East Bankers have been getting together at organized reunions and some informal gatherings. I myself have been to a couple of those gatherings. But I’ve heard that this reunion might be the last and I can only think that it maybe because many of the senior officers are either getting too busy or old to keep organizing gatherings year after year. Anyway, not wanting to miss out on a good thing, I got myself a ticket and volunteered for the practices.

It’s quite entertaining to listen to the stories of the chorale members. They seem to have had such good times before. I already heard about how the chorale was formed and how they would be pulled out from work to perform for branch openings in areas such Aklan and Tuguegarao. They also shared pictures of their competitions against other bank chorales. They must have had so much fun.

Being the newcomer to the group, having been recruited in the last few years of the bank, can only boast singing for of a couple of branch openings and launchings. Nevertheless, I can’t help but feel proud of still being considered part of the Far East Bank and the Far East bank Chorale. This is why attending the anniversary as part of the chorale is important to me now. Although Far East Bank and Trust Company no longer exists as a corporation, I know I miss a lot about what was. I sounds cliché and corny, but yeah, as our anthem goes, “You’ll be there, Far East Bank, forever.”