UN Sasakawa Laureate Glenn Banaguas brings Mapua University to tears at 2022 commencement

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a happy twist of fate, Mapua University’s 2022 commencement address was delivered by an alumnus who didn’t even attend his own graduation from the same institution: internationally-awarded science diplomat Glenn Banaguas.

“My dear fellow Mapuans, our graduates… Being positive does not always mean life’s perfection; it signifies that any form of trial or negativity creates a path of success and opportunity,” he said as he addressed a crowd of over 400 graduates of the Class of 2022 last June 20 at the PICC Plenary Hall.

Following his speech, Banaguas was conferred the Most Outstanding Alumnus Award by his alma mater—a very surprising turn of events, he admits. He recalls his undergraduate years as a particularly tumultuous time for him personally: “I did pretty well for the first few years in Mapua. But I was a disappointment in my last years…,” he recalls.

When the time came for graduation, he said, not even his own adviser could persuade him to attend the commencement ceremony. But in the years following his graduation, Banaguas found a path for himself in public service.

In 2010 Banaguas set out as a pioneer science diplomat and founded the Environmental and Climate Change Research Institute (ECCRI) with the mantra, “A Service to the People and Environment is a Service to God.” He also started the “Climate Smart Philippines” program, which brings science and policy closer to the poorest communities and marginalized sectors in the country. These initiatives aim to reduce disaster risks and prevent potential damages and losses through scientific wide-ranging assessment, risk and impact analysis, capacity development, project management, and multilateral cooperation.

For his work, Banaguas was conferred the 2022 United Nations Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction, besting over 200 nominations worldwide to become the first individual Filipino winner in the award’s 35-year history. The award is bestowed on institutions, groups, and individuals that promote inclusive and resilient approaches to disaster risk reduction in line with the UN’s Sendai Framework.

The honor shot Banaguas to national fame, prompting his alma mater to invite him to this year’s commencement ceremony. “Lord, thank You for choosing me. Let Your will be done,” the proverbial Mapuan said, teary-eyed.

Below is the excerpt from his Commencement Speech that brought the graduation attendees to tears:

 

And for you, my dear fellow Mapuans, our graduates

This is my simple advice to you:

1.     Never ever get discouraged if you fail to get what you want. Remember God answer our prayers in 4 ways:

a.     Yes – Yes

I will give it to you because I know it is good for you.

b.     Yes – No

I will give it to you but not the way you want it.

c.     No – Yes

I am not going to give it to you today but you’ll have it someday.

d.     No – No

I am not going to give it to you because it is not good for you.

 

And if you fail, always remember these failures do not define who you are. What matters most is the number of times you stand up every time you fall.

 

2.     Never ever forget to be grateful for whatever undertaking that is given to you

Be like Simon of Cyrene. He was never an apostle of Jesus but had the chance to carry His cross on the way to the calvary. This cross may be defined as your difficulties, struggles, complications, and negativities. Embrace them constructively not because this is part of your destiny but because this will bring good things for you and your family.

 

3.     Never ever forget to be a wounded healer

You need to transform your pain into strength and suffering into learning. Yes, your greatest challenge is to provide the best services and bless others in your most difficult times. You need to heal the wounds of adversity and believe in the miracles of love and positivity.

 

4.     Never ever forget to be of service to others.

You have to have a heart for change. You need to respect the spheres of individuality invariably and penetrate the labyrinth of life unflinchingly. One day, you will build projects and develop programs for the industry.. for your company. And this is a guide,  no matter how technical your projects are, make sure that they will create positive changes in the lives of our people.

Touching their hearts, especially the local communities should be your top priority. You have to let them feel and realize that profession is not always a key in order to make a difference in society. It is their burning passion,  unquestionable character, and unswerving commitment that will make this world a better place.

 

5. Never ever forget to be humble

As you reach the top, never forget to look back.

There will come a time that the glory of the present will diminish. Things will evolve. The shine will fade. And if they happen, the virtue of humility will genuinely amplify integrity.

And last but not least,

6.     Never ever lose faith

Your experiences will teach you that no one was destined to be a victim, or condemned to be a martyr. It only means that your faith defines your journey.

Your experiences will educate you that being positive does not always mean life’s perfection. It signifies that any form of trial or negativity creates a path of success and opportunity.

The Future Of Online Stores

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Considering the changing times and turn of events in the business world. To take advantage of the coming times, one must learn about the future of online shopping and position better for such an advantage.

Online shopping has come to stay. All you need to work on is to come up with ideas that make your customers choose your brand over your competitors. Though quality sells when it comes to online shopping, there is something that sells more than that. You must make your customer feel that you care about their experience more than you care about their money.

The relevance of online shopping will continue to grow, judging from the current trends. To advance the relevance of an online shopping website create a futuristic picture that projects the possible demands ahead.

Trends Shaping Online Shopping

The future of online shopping is being shaped by some trends. Here are some of the trends shaping online shopping.
Customer Data And Analytics

To grow your marketing tactics, you have to leverage customer data and analytics. Since you don’t keep retail clerks in an online shop, you can take advantage of data gathered from customers to recommend products to them. Once you can capture patterns of shopping behavior from customers, you stay ahead in the online shopping business. Taking note of this behavior makes it possible to come up with:prices;
advertising;
cross-promotion for individuals based on the general trend.

Data analysis gives a business an insight to research products and find out ones that sell well and how much customers are willing to pay for such. Coming up with new products to sell and how to sell them better will thrive on insight from existing data.

Machine Learning

In an online store, every customer wants to have a personalized experience. You can scale up your sales conversion rate when you identify, keep in mind and suggest relevant offers and products to customers.

Over the years, mobile phone users have increased and will continue to increase as time goes on. More purchases are made with mobile phones compared to other devices. Mobile phones make it possible for purchases to be made seamlessly from any location. So mobile compatibility means a lot for the future of online shopping.

Taking strategic positions in your business is more important than what you offer. Since a greater percentage of online sales are accrued to mobile phones, your online store must adopt an optimized design or an App that can make it accessible on mobile devices.

When it comes to online shopping, accessibility must not be streamlined to certain devices. A multiple channel approach will be effective to work with. This will drastically increase your sales conversion.

Voice-enabled Shopping

A good customer experience is one thing you must make possible in your online store. Everyone likes an easy-going life and that's why necessity Will continues to be the mother of invention.

Technology has made life so easy in such a way that you don't need to dial your cell for you to make a call, all you just need is a voice command and you're good to go.

It will shock you to know that such advancement in technology has gotten to the online shopping industry where you:add your products into your cart with just a simple voice command;
can compare prices with just a voice command;
check your available options with just a voice command.

This could make life easier and sweeter as you don't have to reach out to anything but rather give a command and see how the answers come to your beck and call.

Research conducted by OC&C strategy consultant shows that voice-enabled shopping is set to hit $40billion in the U.S by 22022.

Social media platforms

Social media platforms have played major roles in our today's world as billions of people are clinched to one or more social media platforms.

But the amazing thing is that the era of just chatting and having fun on social media is gradually fading away as many use these platforms as avenues and vendors for marketing and advertising their skills, services and products.

Social media platforms have made marketing very easy and less risky as many have been victims of uncertain circumstances due to the facial exchange of goods in places unknown to them.

Through these platforms, you have your purchasing decision once the goods meet your standard and requirements after seeing images or Live video sessions of what you're after.

And another amazing thing with social media platforms is that you can easily market your skills to any part of the globe without physical contact.

Online shopping leadership program

Having passion and talent for online marketing and business is one thing, but the truth is that talent is never enough as there are so many competitors around.

So enrolling into a master's program could lighten you up in the area of marketing and expand your e-commerce knowledge thereby equipping you with the right skills as you stand the chance of learning from top business gurus around the world from Maryville University as they offer such programs both for the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Conclusion

As times change, trends change as well. All you need to set the pace in the online shopping business is to adopt strategies that resonate with the trends. While people are busy going with trends, they subconsciously subscribe to your intentionality. So being proactive helps you stay at the peak in your online shopping business. Be willing to adopt the little ideas that make your business sell better

Humanitarian Aid to Abra, other areas affected by Magnitude 7 earthquake

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Save the Children Philippines deployed a humanitarian team to the mountainous province of Abra to conduct rapid assessment and initial response activities to children and families affected by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Northern Luzon, including the capital Metro Manila, at 8:43AM on 27 July, Wednesday.

Save the Children will be working with the local government of Abra and partners for immediate assistance to 1,000 target households which include the provision of vital prepositioned items such as household kits with basic necessities for families, tarpaulins for emergency shelters, jerry cans for storing potable water, and hygiene kits for COVID-19 prevention.

Initial assessments from local authorities and sources reported that 4 Million people, including children, were impacted by the major earthquake, of which 3.1 Million were living in affected areas while 854,200 were living in worst affected areas – among them, 135,400 are from the vulnerable population.

At least five (5) deaths and 130 people injured were recorded -with figures expected to rise in the coming days. Extensive damages to houses, public infrastructures, historical sites, and road networks have been documented. The Department of Education assessed that 8,027 schools are affected of which, 35 in 15 school division offices in Luzon sustained infrastructure damages.

The earthquake’s impact may continue to be felt as imminent aftershocks and damages are foreseen by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). Save the Children fears that thousands of affected children and their families will be displaced and that the calamity will disrupt children’s learning and put them at risk to the ongoing threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, hunger, and economic inequality.

Save the Children Philippines CEO, Atty. Albert Muyot, said:

“Disasters such as earthquakes take a heavy toll especially to children most impacted by inequality and discrimination. We call on the full and effective implementation of the Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act (RA 10821) to ensure that children, pregnant and lactating mothers, and those with disabilities, are protected from all forms of harm and continuously provided with access to basic health and nutrition services, safe spaces, transitional shelters, and psychosocial interventions.”

Save the Children’s Humanitarian Manager in the Philippines, Jerome Balinton, said:

“Losing their homes and safe spaces due to the earthquake can be devastating for children. Our team is swiftly working on the ground to reach as many children and families as we can and bring them life-saving support. Access to basic hygiene materials and clean water is also critical for health, survival, and prevention of diseases, while tarpaulins for shelter and food can address their immediate needs. We are committed to help children recover from the impacts of disasters and we fervently rely on your support so we can save more children.”