Making lives better outside of work: PHINMA redefines service with the relaunch of Service Awards

Since her childhood, Maribel Esguerra always wanted to be a teacher, and at the age of six she even started role-playing with her neighbors and cousins.

“Grade 1 po ako nun. ‘Young people can go to school, take ‘yun’ yung ginagaya after activities. ‘Yun po’ yung idea ko ng pags-serve noon,’ she said.

After more than a decade of student leadership and several part-time jobs in college to make ends meet, Esguerra is now a college instructor and a distance learning program coordinator at PHINMA Saint Jude College Manila.

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She is also one of the recipients of the PHINMA Service Awards, which were presented in 2024 after eight years.

Service outside of work

Together with the PHINMA Foundation, PHINMA relaunched the Awards on March 22 to honor individuals who have made an impact on their communities beyond their work. In his remarks, Ramon del Rosario, Jr., Chairman and CEO of PHINMA, said the recognition goes beyond tenure: it is given to employees whose initiatives have improved lives, whether through volunteerism, advocacy or innovative problem solving.

Esguerra was recognized in the PHINMA National Scholarship (PNS) Scholar category for her continued volunteer work with organizations such as Silid Aralan Inc. since her days as a member of PNS Batch 2023, with her advocacy for the welfare of stray animals, among others.

The Awards also recognized the services of mentors, known as Big Brothers and Sisters, to these scientists. The category winner for this year is PHINMA HR manager Aida Santamaria, who witnessed the graduation of six PHINMA scholars during her 16 years of mentorship.

“Hindi lang naman customers or employees can live a better life. Baka kako eh anointed ako na magpaganda ng buhay ng mga batang ito,” said Santamaria, who retired this year after working at PHINMA for over two decades.

She treated these scholars over the years as if they were her own children, always making a point of having lunch and dinner with them or just checking on them, as living far away from their families can be difficult .

Giving back, investing in the future

Jejomar Quiros is no stranger to difficulty and even loss. Out of his familiarity with grief came an initiative he launched in 2018, aiming to improve children’s lives by giving their families noche buena kits and school supplies.

This effort by Quiros, now dean of the College of Allied Health Sciences at PHINMA Saint Jude College, has since become a veritable “Pamaskong Handog 100” program embraced by schools and organizations associated with him.

“Pag hindi mo alam kung papaano maging walang-wala, hindi mo mae experience o mararamdaman kung papaano maging wala…So ngayong able to tayo, na kaya na nating tumulong, let us be the changemakers na tumulong sa kanila ngayon,” said Quiros, PHINMA Service Awardee under the employee category.

Exposed to life’s hardships himself, David John Cadiao overcame financial obstacles to become the first member of his family to earn a four-year college degree. The son of a construction worker and a housewife is now the high school principal at PHINMA University of Pangasinan – Urdaneta Campus.

Cadiao, also a Service Awardee from the same category, recalled how the overwhelming support he received inspired him to join the non-governmental organization Junior Chamber International, where under his leadership he initiated projects such as the LibLibrary Project, which created mini libraries in disadvantaged communities.

“Maliban is obliged to do this, it is a responsibility when it comes to Tao,” he said, also emphasizing the importance of investing in the leaders of tomorrow.

This is a view shared by co-winner Ron Ranier Reyes, public affairs manager of PHINMA, who was praised for his efforts to prepare future leaders from underserved communities. He co-founded the nonprofit Hirayang Kabataan in 2018, which provides learning opportunities and development workshops to youth who want to serve, especially from rural areas.

“Their individual stories, challenges and dreams inspire me and my colleagues to remain optimistic and pass the torch to other well-meaning individuals, creating a sense of purpose that transcends the challenges we encounter along the way. And tunay na pagbabago sa ating bansa ay makakamit long kung ang bawat isa sa atin ay magtutulungan at magtitiwala sa ating kapwa”, Reyes pondered.

Continue redefining service

The service stories of the five award winners showcase the many different ways PHINMA’s employees can improve lives and fulfill this mission wherever they go.

“This is just the beginning of the new PHINMA Service Awards, which will be an annual recognition of these stories and their impact on our communities,” said PHINMA President and COO Dr. Chito Salazar during the ceremony.

As for the winners, the recognition is more than just a welcome surprise: it is a reminder of their commitment to service and what lies ahead for their efforts within and beyond the Group.

“Mas lumawak ‘yung pwede kong magawa dahil syempre nasa isang organization ako na ang mission nila ay gumanda ang buhay ng tao…mas lumawak ‘yung kakayahan ko para makatulong sa ibang tao through PHINMA,” Cadiao concluded.

“At PHINMA, service is not just about giving back; it’s about leading with empathy, humility and a genuine commitment to uplifting others. This has become a guiding principle in the work I do within and outside the organization,” said Reyes.

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