The President on 28 August launched the annual Staff Community Fund campaign to raise funds for Metro Manila charities. President Kuroda, together with SCF Chair Carolyn Cabrera, presented checks on behalf of SCF to two NGOs. Show 2012, the yearly concert of in-house talent, will be held on 5 October. To volunteer, contact Neri Loria, 4340; Susan Onday, 5681
About 200 members and spouses participated in 3 days of celebrations in Manila on 9–11 May to mark AFE’s first 25 years. Although tropical storm Aere (Bebeng) threatened to wash out the events on the first morning, it veered away at the last moment, enabling the celebrations to kick off early that day as planned, with 26 members playing in a golf tournament at the Riviera Golf Club in Silang, Cavite. The tournament was won by Isidoro "Sid" David (see box for the list of winners).
Among the non-golfers who remained in Manila, 16 joined an informative and insightful guided walking tour through Intramuros in the morning. That evening, members caught up with former colleagues and friends in spirited conversation at the welcoming “Bienvenida” cocktail reception in the ADB cafeteria. During the reception we were treated to ethnic dances by the ADB Dance Guild and a performance of Hanagasa Odori, a Japanese dance, by the “South Belles” from the AFE South Group. We also watched a brief video statement specially recorded for the occasion by President Kuroda who could not attend. Mrs. Kuroda, however, joined the festivities and greeted many members.
On Tuesday, 10 May, members attended some informative presentations by Director General Kazu Sakai of ADB’s Strategy and Policy Department and two staff members of the Philippine Country Office. Ace Lim then led us on a tour of the headquarters complex, with members being shown areas we had never seen before. We also toured new developments such as the new multistorey carpark, the rainwater collection and recycling system, and the smokers’ lounge (aka “lung center”) in the centre courtyard.
In the evening we enjoyed a memorable sunset dinner cruise on Manila Bay. As the boat got under way, on one side the sinking sun lit up the clouds on the horizon in shades of red and gold, while on the other side familiar landmarks and many tall new buildings on the foreshores slipped by with their lights glowing against the darkening sky. Later, with the dinner over and the boat rocking and rolling on its way back with the help of incoming waves, the event culminated in much merriment and lively dancing on board to the music of a seasoned band.
On Wednesday, 11 May, about 25 members visited a feeding program in Tondo for poor children funded by the ADB Staff Community Fund. In the evening, we gathered at the ADB Executive Dining Room for the farewell “Despedida” cocktail reception, with delightful entertainment from the ADB Chorale and the ADB Dance Guild and 2 beautiful songs by Andy Carlos accompanied on the piano by Edith Okada. It was also the occasion for a fun-filled exchange of gifts, and some energetic ballroom and line dancing, a fitting finish to the celebration of AFE’s first 25 years.
The decision to mark the first 25 years with a special celebration in Manila right after the annual general meeting in Ha Noi was reached at AFE’s annual general meeting in Tashkent in 2010. The 3-day celebration was planned by a committee of AFE members headed by Steve Banta. Members included Executive Secretary Hans Springer, Deputy Executive Secretary Jill de Villa, Treasurer David Parker, Gam de Armas, Lou de Belen, Raquel Cabiles, Peter Darjes, Roby Espiritu, and Ofie St. Ana, with valuable inputs from Nestor Diasanta and Gunter Hecker. Able assistance was given by office staff Jo Aquino, Beck Celzo, and Malou Magalued. Raquel Cabiles did a superb job of arranging a welcome committee, with the ladies beautifully attired in ternos, to greet participants at registration. Pictures of the events may be viewed below, more will be added.
About 90
0 staff members attended the 34th Annual General Meeting of the ADB Staff Association held at the Auditorium on 29 May 2012, including 750 from HQ and 150 from field offices who joined by videocon. Remarks were given by the SC vice-chairpersons for IS and NS followed by the address of the SC Chairperson David Sobel and ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda. Ms Tina Munzon-Palma, TV Broadcaster and Program Director, Bantay Bata 163 of ABS-CBN Founsdation delivered the keynote afddress on the AGM theme, "Leading the Team Ahead@OneADB". AFE-ADB was represented by Hans Juergen Springer, Jill Gale de Villa, Gam de Armas and Larry Boyer.
AFE–ADB's 26th Annual General Meeting and related functions will be held in Manila, Philippines, on 2 May 2012.
First, the venue of the AFE functions on 2 May 2012 is the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
Details are as follows:
1. Chapter Coordinators' Meeting 9:00 am -12:00 nn - Meeting Room 9
2. Annual General Meeting 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Meeting Room 4
3. Cocktail Reception 6:00 am - 9:00 pm - West Banquet Hall, 5th Floor
Second, the Registration Center will be located in the Forum of PICC, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
Third, those who have registered for the ADB Annual Meeting should have received the email dated 9 March from the Philippine government's Sub-Committee for Spouses and Accompanying Persons Program (APP) advising that the APP has been finalized, and providing details on how to register. To view the schedule of shuttle services from Official Hotels to PICC, PICC to Official Hotels, and Official Hotels to Airport Terminals 1, 2 & 3 click on schedule.
Fourth, we have negotiated an attractive deal with PICC/Via Mare for our cocktail reception. The cost per AFE member is Php1,500.00 (or US$35.00) and includes a buffet dinner, soft drinks, beer, and house wines.
Looking forward to seeing you.
Hans-Juergen Springer
Executive Secretary
At the Philippine Economic Briefing on 30 September, Chair of the Board of Governors Cesar Purisima and VP Lohani announced the Philippines' hosting of the ADB Annual Meeting in Manila on 2-5 May 2012. This was followed by the signing of the MOU between Secretary Purisima and The Secretary of ADB Robert Dawson, in the presence of BSP Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr. and VP Lohani.
On Thursday, 17 February 2011, Hans Springer and Jill de Villa met with representatives of BPMSD and Vanbreda, who presented the results of last year's claims payments and premiums collection. To see the presentation, click presentation.
7 October, 5:30-7:30, Cafeteria
SCF has reached P4.4 million in its annual fundraising campaign which will culminate in Show 2011 showcasing ADB talent. Contact your SCF volunteer to make a contribution and help meet SCF's P6 million target. ADBSA will sell Asian and European foods on the night of the show
The President on 2 September launched the annual SCF campaign to raise funds for Metro Manila charities. He also presented checks on behalf of SCF to St. Hannibal and SRD Konkokyo, while OAS donated proceeds from an online auction of unsolicited gifts to ADB.
ADB Board of Governors reelects President Kuroda to second 5-year term ADB's Board of Governors has unanimously reelected Haruhiko Kuroda as President of ADB for a further five years beginning on 24 November 2011. While Asia and the Pacific have made remarkable progress since President Kuroda first joined ADB over six years ago, he said much work still needs to be done in the region, which is still home to hundreds of millions of the world's poorest people.
