Bayan Anihan Press Launch Speakers' Profile

Bayan-anihan Press Launch GK Selecta Farm, San Andres, Cainta, Rizal 8 July 2009, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

SPEAKERS’ PROFILES

ANTONIO “TONY” MELOTO

NATION BUILDER, GAWAD KALINGA DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION INC.

Tony Meloto is a known to be a living Filipino Hero. Thus, he is a recipient of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia’s equivalent to the Nobel Prize. In his endeavor to bring about change in the society, he has touched the lives of many Filipinos in all walks of life by uplifting the plight of the poor through his vision and advocacy work in Gawad Kalinga. He initiated a movement that mobilized multi-sectoral groups to provide decent housing for homeless and poor Filipino families. He shifted the mindset of the needy from worthlessness to empowerment and from culture of lethargy to a culture of productivity. The effect is so evident that it gives the community a higher level of dignity and a reason to start life anew with greater hope, faith and solidarity. Gawad Kalinga, through his leadership, has created positive transformation to the community and exponentially brought improvement to the lives of

ARTHUR CUA YAP SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, throughout his long years of dedicated service, has become a beacon of light for those seeking a man worthy of trust and support. The youngest to be appointed to the Cabinet of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Yap was originally a lawyer by profession, affording him in-depth and intimate knowledge of the law which helps him tackle the complexities and issues presented to him. He approved of GK’s model for food sufficiency, Bayan-anihan, and initiated a partnership with GK to make sure that no Filipino ever goes hungry again. Secretary Yap shares the vision of GK Bayan-anihan and has committed to build an initial 500 farms in 2009. Bayananihan’s mantra of “No idle land, No idle hand” best exemplifies the holistic model

Source: www.gawadkalinga.org

JOHN MARIE ARANETA CONCEPCION CHAIRMAN, BAYAN-ANIHAN FOUNDATION INC.

Source: www.unilever.com www.businessmirror.com

John Concepcion is currently the Managing Director of Unilever RFM Ice Cream, Incorporated. Prior to this, he was President & COO of Selecta Dairy Products and the Liquid Milk & Juice Division. He also managed the Hershey’s Chocolate Candies distribution in the Philippines. He holds degrees in Marketing from Seattle University and in Business Administration from Regis School, Denver, Colorado. He started his involvement in Gawad Kalinga when Selecta adopted a village in San Andres, Cainta. The GK immersion has changed the spirit of Selecta’s labor force. The employees, together with John Concepcion’s family spearheaded fundraising activities and gave all proceeds to Gawad Kalinga. Selecta, through John’s leadership, is one of Bayan-anihan’s

RICHARD MICHAEL N. DIMAGIBA

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BAYAN-ANIHAN FOUNDATION INC.

Mike was one of the youngest and most promising Filipino leaders at Unilever. He spent a few years in the Philippines as Selecta’s VP for Marketing and later went to Thailand as the region’s VP for Marketing in Asia. He was also the Global Brand Director of Ice Cream Vitality and the European Brand Director for Ice Cream Justified Pleasure Platform based in Italy. He decided to return to the Philippines this year to serve as the Executive Director of Bayananihan, the food-sufficiency program of GK. Mike shares his expertise in making sure that every Filipino will no longer be hungry in his own country. Together with Selecta president and staunch GK partner John Concepcion, they hope to make a global template against hunger.

Source: www.gawadkalinga.org

JOE TALE

DIRECTOR, COUPLES FOR CHRIST

Joe Tale is the Director of the Couples for Christ (CFC) community. He has had extensive professional experience both in the private sector and government. A lawyer, Joe served as general Counsel of the Shell Group of companies in the Philippines. He was also invited to serve in government twice. He was Cabinet Undersecretary and Deputy head of the Presidential Management Staff during the term of President Cory Aquino. He returned to the private sector but in 2001, upon the assumption of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as President, he was again invited to serve in government as Deputy Executive Secretary in the Office of the President.

Source: www.cfcpedia.wikia