ASEAN Integration: Are We Ready to Run with the Tigers?

It has been years that the Philippines dubbed as the next tiger economy in the region. With the impending broad-based integration amongst member countries, how ready are we to run along with the more established states?

Are We Ready to Run with the Tigers?

The PMAP Annual Conference Directorate (L-R): Senior Adviser and PMAP Past President Barbie Atienza, DPM; Fellowship Sub-Chair Gwen C. Albarraccin; PR and Publicity Sub-Chair Bernardette M. Cunanan; Sub-Chair for Invitation and Protocol Emma Valeros-Cruz; Sub-Chair for Concurrent Sessions Gilbert T. Camasura, AFPM; Conference Chair and PMAP Vice President Luz Co-Laguitao, FPM; PMAP President Atty. Josephus B. Jiminez, FPM; Programs Deputy Chair and PMAP Past President Bong C. Austrero; Ways and Means Director and Past President Lina A. Aseneta, FPM; Ways and Means Sub-Chair and PMAP Secretary Maria Lourdes L. Fernando, FPM; PR and Publicity Director Jesse Francis N. Rebustillo; and Awards Director and PMAP Treasurer Teresita E. Dela Cruz, AFPM. 

The borderless future is today. With it comes a torrent of opportunities and parallel challenges that usher in a more complex and ambiguous world. Some turn to speed as the best response. Others bet on flexibility, and in this introspection find the enormous potential of a network with people at its center. 

Come 2015, that network of potential will realize itself as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) actualizes its vision of an integrated bloc to navigate the intricacies of a globalized world. ASEAN 2015 – the integration of Southeast Asia into one defense, cultural and economic community – signals our collective response to leverage on shared strengths. 

With the aim of helping in strengthening our country’s competitiveness and sustain our growth momentum, the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), the premier organization of people managers and HR professionals in the Philippines, has launched its 51st Annual Conference during the 593rd PMAP General Membership Meeting at Hotel Intercon, Makati City last February 26. This year’s theme is “Running with Tigers: Shared Identity, Common Destiny.”

The 2014 Annual Conference, which will be held at Waterfront Hotel – Lahug in Cebu from 17 to 19 September 2014, zeroes in on this journey as we reach out to our neighboring countries and chart the best business and People Management approaches to strengthen our competitiveness and sustain our growth momentum. We take our place in the league of ASEAN’s economic tigers as we run a race that fosters a shared identity and realize a common destiny. And at the heart of this integration is our belief in ASEAN’s caring and sharing community that values its people and aspires for equitable growth.

During the PMAP GMM, distinguished speakers presented timely topics that serve as drum rolls for bigger things to come at the conference in September. Convergys Corporation Managing Director for Asia and EMEA Marife B. Zamora talked about “Philippines Best HR Practices: What Makes Philippines Stand Out amongst the Other ASEAN Countries.” UP School School of Labor and Industrial Relations Dean Dr. Jonathan P. Sale meanwhile shared “Comparative Analysis of Labor Laws Across Ten ASEAN Nations: From Hiring to Retiring.” 

Faced with these regional and global imperatives, PMAP commits a three-day learning event animated by relevance, novelty and balance which will touch on Strategic HR vs. Operational and Functional HR; Trends vs. Core HR Competencies; Best Practices vs. New Ideas and HR Innovation; Issues and Challenges vs. Skills; Global Mindset vs. Local Pre-occupation; and other relevant topic.

As we brace ourselves for ASEAN 2015, we reaffirm our stand as People Managers and recognize that we are indeed "Running with Tigers" toward a Common Identity and a Shared Destiny.

For any inquiries about the 51st PMAP Annual Conference, please contact PMAP at tel. no. 726-1532 or email pmap@pmap.org.ph.