Virtual realities  may sound like a pun, but a global crisis like this pandemic showed us the realities of virtual working and collaborating and running an organization remotely. There are sudden shifts and adjustments, the upsides, and downsides. The new normal allows us to find the equilibrium between manual and digital, face-to-face and virtual, human, and artificial intelligence. 

The very heart of Phenom’s current issue,  People + Technology,  are stories bound by both. As an organization recognized as the best in digital in the industry we are in, the stories for this quarter differ from the belief that technology makes us lose our humanity. This great challenge could be our tipping point. We have utilized our technology and digital capabilities to be fully responsive to human needs and champion what we are known for – our people and our technology. 

Virtual Bayanihan: The People Behind the Send to Remittance Centers Feature  reveals the marvel behind a project that took only three weeks to deliver. It has touched the lives of millions of Filipinos across the country and took customer experience and financial inclusion to greater heights. 

Bridging the Digital Gap and Moving Forward with Digital Recruitment  encourages readers to seize bold opportunities and the first step in leveraging digital as they join the bank, and for our current talents to learn and grow by building digital and core capabilities. 

Balancing Act: The Work-From-Home Setup for UB Moms and Dads  empowers UnionBankers with inspiring work-from-home success stories from parents across the Bank, UBX, and City Savings Bank. They simultaneously wear their corporate, and mother and father hats in the new normal.  

This issue also highlights the importance of keeping it together – individually and as a team.  Mindfulness: Healthy Mind, Healthy Life  shows how important it is to acknowledge the need to prioritize our mental health to be more resilient in every aspect of our lives. While Teamwork: Keeping It Together helps us make up for the things and the activities we used to do as a team in the office, this time, virtually. 

Technology is not the enemy; rather it is an enabler. We are reaping the efforts of our decision to embrace transformation. A shift in mindset, upholding our culture, openness to change, constant innovation, and capability building are all products of people, empowered and equipped with knowledge and technology.

The late Steve Jobs once said, “Technology is nothing. What’s important is that you have faith in people, that they’re good and smart, and if you give them tools, they’ll do wonderful things with them.” This issue accounts how UnionBankers did.