Giving Back, Growing Together: UnionBank Wealth & UFSI’s First GoBeyond Communities Project
By: Neil Patrick G. Nepomuceno
In the spirit of Ubuntu and volunteerism, UnionBank Wealth Management and UnionBank Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Inc. (UFSI) held their first ever GoBeyond Communities (GBC) project last August 10, 2024 at the Alay Pag-Asa Foundation in Mandaluyong City.
UFSI leaders and team members organized a fun program and provided financial literacy seminars for both parents and children, making a meaningful impact on the community. The volunteer teams also distributed school supplies and essential items for the children and parent volunteers.
Over 50 children and 20 parent volunteers benefited from this employee-driven initiative.
UnionBank Wealth and Brokerage Head Therese Chan opened the program by welcoming everyone to the gathering. She expressed her appreciation to the children and parent volunteers for the warm welcome to UnionBankers and for the opportunity to share and impart knowledge to them. She also thanked all who made the initiative possible
UnionBank Program Manager for Wealth Segments Jomar Montemayor talked about the experience saying, “This experience was deeply meaningful, allowing us to share our financial expertise with the kids and mothers while also imparting lasting values. Beyond providing physical sustenance, this activity allowed us to impart values and lessons that will endure far longer than the meals we shared.
In many ways, it embodies the Japanese concept of ikigai, the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.”
Meanwhile, UFSI Investment Specialist Head Dino Rodriguez encouraged more employees to propose GBC projects and volunteer for upcoming programs. He thought, “The recent GBC activity gave us an avenue to share what we have and bring joy to others. Their enthusiasm and happiness were contagious, making the event a rewarding and memorable one for all involved.”
UFSI President and CEO, Ramon Tejero also shared what he feels about the momentous project, saying, “The Wealth and UFSI Teams were happy to do a CSR activity again with Alay Pag-Asa, our first since the transition to the UBP Group. This event has rekindled our community spirit and allowed us to give back to deserving communities. We look forward to holding annual CSR activities through GBC and making this a tradition hand in hand with all of our employee engagement initiatives.”
A huge thanks to Therese, Mon, and their respective teams for their leadership and support to this GoBeyond Communities initiative.
Also worth recognizing are the collective efforts of all GBC volunteers, especially the organizing team Dino Rodriguez, Jomar Montemayor, Alyanna Roman, and CSR and Sustainability Head, Angelica for their dedication to making this project possible.
The communities we serve are a vital part of the work that we do, giving us a greater sense of purpose and reinforcing our commitment to making a difference. This GBC project affirms that UnionBankers live and breathe the core value of Ubuntu.