EVENTS

23rd CHARITEE GOLF TOURNAMENT
September 17, 2010
Reviera Golf & Country Club

23rd ANNUAL AMCHAM THANKSGIVING BALL
November 19, 2010
Marriott Hotel

NEWS

The Human Face of CSR-Year II
AmCham Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Photo Exhibit

The Human Face of CSR - Year II
AmCham Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Photo Exhibit

In the ever-challenging world of today, the Philippines is confronted with more issues facing the country's development. However, with the current socially responsible corporate world, we see the growing trend of companies finding additional ways to attain Sustainable Development in our country by engaging in community development. More and more companies, as well as AmCham member-companies, have come to learn that putting CSR ( Corporate Social Responsibility) a part of their agenda can be a "win-win situation" wherein both the business and the society can benefit.

Last April 21, 2010, The American Chamber Foundation Philippines, Inc. celebrated the second CSR Photo Exhibit at the Glorietta 5-Atrium. CSR photo exhibit opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony with no less than the US Embassy's Charges D' Affairs Ms. Leslie Bassett. In her inspirational speech, she said "not only does a picture speak a thousand words but a good deed lives more than a hundred years"). The event was well attended as representatives from the twenty-five participating AmCham member-companies, some with their company Executives, joined the AmCham Board of Directors in celebrating the AmCham CSR Week in the country.

More than 50 photo entries from twenty-five AmCham member-companies that show the theme, the "Human Face of CSR", were chosen under the categories Education, Livelihood, Health, Environment and Peace. With photos capturing the different emotions of the participants felt while conducting their CSR activities, the Exhibit seeks to highlight the important role of American companies in the development of our country. Most of who are true testaments of the socially responsible corporate world of today.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, the guest viewed the exhibits, followed by Cocktails. The guests mingled with one another as they viewed the fifty six photo entries, which depict the "Human Face of CSR". The photos elicited different emotions from the viewers ranging from empathy to sympathy. The judges, Mr. Arlu Gomez and Ms. Mandy Navasero, both professional photographers, selected the winners of the four categories(. Arlu mentioned that "the quality and variety of photos indeed has improved and photos really focused on CSR".)

The winner for Environment category was Quezon Power Limited with their photo "Tree Planting at the QPL Eco Center". Their objective is to help in the reforestation program of the government and combat global warming/climate change. To date, over a hundred thousand trees of various species had already been planted in Mauban.

For Education category, Globe Telecom won for their photo entry "Internet-in-Schools Program of Globe Bridging Communities". The photo showed the students enjoying the benefit of using internet access for their homeworks and projects.

For the category of Health Nu Skin photo entry entitled "Sarap", was chosen as a winner which depicted the Mother carefully feeds child with freshly cooked macaroni soup with VitaMeal.

Livelihood category winner was Dole Asia with their photo" Seeds of Hope". The calloused hand in the picture best illustrates the enduring hope of the farmers to improve their living conditions. These farmers now earn a living out of the coffee beans that they collect from their farms.

Finally, for the Peace in conflict ridden areas category, the winner was Globe Telecom, photo entry entitles "Sagot Ka Ni Kap! Project of Globe Bridging Communities". The "Sagot Ka Ni Kap!" program presented an opportunity for Globe to establish a meaningful and mutually beneficial relationship with its host community. By providing mobile hotlines, relevant security and law enforcement equipment and promotion of community citizenship, it is envisioned that open lines of communication will foster leadership, good governance will be rewarded and lastly, peaceful and orderly communities will be transformed.

The following photos that garnered the "Honorable" Award are:

Education category Chevron Geothermal Philippines Holdings, Inc. "5 E's: Educate, Enable, Energize & Employ the Youth through e-Learning"

Health category Shell companies in the Philippines "Kilusang Ligtas Malaria"

Environment category Dole Philippines "Living Water"

Livelihood category Chevron Geothermal Phils. Holdings, Inc. "Kaunlaran sa Kamay ng Kababaihan" and Quezon Power Limited "Paandarin Mo Na!"

AmCham is inviting everyone to join in this celebration of CSR in the country, and witness the participating member-companies' drive to achieve economic development and social transformation in the Philippines.