See the Bigger Picture

While watching Diego Buñuel’s Don’t Tell My Mother I’m in Pakistan over National Geographic Channel (8 PM Saturday Sky Cable Channel 41), I spotted an ad of See the Bigger Picture promoting the Biodiversity Partnership.

Photogapher Joel Sartore talks about the value and beauty of biodiversity and its threat of extinction. See the Bigger Picture aims to bring together young people from around the world to raise awareness about biodiversity and the need to reduce its loss. It is part of the Green Wave campaign which encourages tree planting, as a symbol of caring for the planet.

To participate, it asks kids from 6 to 16 years old to grab their cameras and show what biodiversity means to them.
General mechanics are: Submit an image that you think captures the spirit/idea of biodiversity. It could be a favourite tree or a plant, an animal or an insect, even a whole ecosystem (from your own back yard to somewhere you've visited on vacation) - your images should show people why biodiversity is a good thing which we should try to preserve.
Criteria for judging are: 1) Creativity 33% 2) Quality of Photograph 33% 3) Effective illustration of what biodiversity means to the entrant 34%

The Philippines is a rich source of endemic species with a high risk of extinction. Through the international programs of Green Wave campaign and the See the Bigger Picture contest and our own local programs, it should press us to see the value of our species and the urgent need to act on preservation now.

Joel Satore says it well. "Biodiversity is beautiful. The spectacular variety of life on Earth keeps our planet healthy and balanced. When I travel the world as a photographer, I see that the intricate connections between all species-from the smallest insects to the largest trees-are fragile and threatened. When we lose species we lose connections and that can trigger chain reactions reaching all the way to you and me...The one thing we can't lose is hope. We still have time to turn things around ... My photos are my way of asking us all to stop, look, and care."

http://www.seethebiggerpicture.org/
http://natgeoadventure.tv/Post.aspx?Id=21182

Going back to the National Geographic feature on Pakistan, Diego ends his journey in Swat, the Switzerland of Pakistan. It once was a tourist delight for its lush green valley, snow capped mountain and gushing ice cold waters from the river Swat. Now due to security threat, this paradise has virtually become a ghost town. Can we still turn things around?

Fotos of unidentified floras courtesy of Larry Honoridez

Service Orientation

As individuals, we get exposed to multiple activities where we are either recipients or servers. Exchanged are either products or services or a combination of both. Compensation may not necessarily be in monetary form which is the most popular mode of payment. Regardless of how we are rewarded, the ultimate measure is satisfaction. Am I, as a recipient of the product or service completely happy?

In the commercial world here in Metro Manila, it is comforting that there is a growing consciousness for service orientation. We know we have customers and they are to be served well. As their suppliers, it is our basic requirement to keep them satisfied.

To cite a few of the positives from my personal experiences, I am pleased with the customer orientation of the service crew of most gas stations (Petron, Shell, Total), the SM sales clerks (Marikina, Cubao), fast food personnel (McDonald, Jollibee), operators and service crew of major Metro Manila wellness hospitals (St. Luke’s), call center agents (Credit Card Companies), technical services of Bayantel, sales agents of car manufacturers etc, office services (CT Service), security park attendant (Ayala in Pasong Tamo Makati).

On the other hand, there is a handful though who don't care about service at all: bus station ticket personnel (boredom?), telecoms payment counter personnel (arrogance?), call center agents (tired?), quiapo peddlers (maybe due to low floor prices?), binondo resto waiters (perhaps overworked) . . .

What treatment is different from those who make you satisfied or not as a customer? An effective supplier knows the customer’s needs and has the capability to meet that need. Delighting are those who provide more than what the customer expects. Disappointing are those who do not attempt to meet the basic need without providing a solution.

Fortunately in my experience, there are more who satisfy me more than disappoint me. I am content with that for now.

People I watched in ANC's storyline who inspire me

Raymond Manalo, a young farmer tortured by the military. Gentle yet strong and resilent. Articulate and intelligent. He was picked up by the military pressed to confess the activities of the left. Years after he escaped, his pursued his search for the truth even if it was a long shot. Raymond dreams of reuniting back with this parents and continue tilling the soil with them. Read Patricia Evangelista's story in Inqurer.

Efren “Kuya Ef!” Penaflorida Jr, an underprivileged youth who pursued his dream of education and going back to his roots through his Kariton Klasrum Library. A victim of gang wars, he put up a social group in Cavite to counter them, not with violence but with knowledge and education. Efren articulated his vision with this line . . . "We are change” inspiring people one at a time to be the catalyst for change - in what we want to see in our home, community and the world we live in. Real change happens when we begin to touch one soul and change one heart at a time." Efren's parents are proud of him. Paraphrasing, "we may not have much but the honor that our children brought us is beyond value . . . "

Mario Aligayda at 9 was a juvenile delinquent and put in prison in Bacolod’s Handumanan Jail. While in detention, he was taken in by the PLDT sponsored juvenile center Bahay Pagasa founded by the De La Salle brothers. At the center, he learned how to read and write. Years after his release, he continues to stay at the center, this time paying it forward by teaching. He dreams of building a house for his father, who repairs shoes at the city sidewalk.

Pain and suffering. Strong will to succeed. Going through redemption and leading by paying it forward. Elements that drive the human spirits to greater heights.

There a lot more that I see everyday in ordinary situations but exemplifying extraordinary deeds. I just need to open my eyes to sense them so I can continue to appreciate what I am and to thank for where I am.

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