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Philippines media covers Goducate Training Cente, Iloilo, Philippines

Philippines TV Station ABS-CBN interviewed Governor Arthur Defensor of Iloilo during his recent visit to Goducate Training Center last week.

ABS-CBN interviews Gov. Defensor
ABS-CBN interviews Gov. Defensor

Paul Choo, Founder of Goducate, was also interviewed. The telecast of these interviews were televised on that same afternooon (Sept 10) on ABS-CBN local new

The local Iloilo paper, Panay News (Sept 11, 2010) wrote the following article:

31 ID, NON-PROFIT GROUP HELPS POOR THROUGH MEDICAL MISSION poor thru medical mission

By JEZZA NEPOMOCENO

SAN MIGUEL, Iloilo – The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) and GODUCATE (Go and Educate), a Singapore-based non-profit organization, conducted a medical mission yesterday, catering to about 500 poor residents of Brgy. Santo Angel here.


Aside from the free medical checkup and medicines, the groups also gave free dental operation and circumcision. The activity was in line with GODUCATE’s objective of “helping poor Asians help themselves.”

According to Maj. John Andrada, acting Civil Military Operation Battalion commander, the 3ID provided some of the doctors and dentists needed for the medical mission. Dr. Paul Chu, president of GODUCATE, said Brgy. Santo Angel will become the “breeding ground” of more development activities, being host to the first GODUCATE campsite in the Philippines.

“This (campsite) is not for profit but for community development,” said Chu.

Chu envisions that foreign nationals from other Asian countries will soon come here for their livelihood trainings and literacy programs, which involves introducing modern technology to attain sustainable
development.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. who graced the activity lauded the organizers and vowed to support the organization’s projects and development programs for the Ilonggos.

Putting the 1.8-hectare GODUCATE campsite in a “sleepy barangay” here was an ambitious project, Defensor said.

But there is nothing impossible if we are committed and determined to achieve such an ambition, he added.

Defensor said the provincial government will rehabilitate the rough roads toward the campsite and will create a “shortcut” route from the site to the national road.

GODUCATE operates in seven Asians countries — Singapore, Philippines, India, China, Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia./PN

(pl note that the area of the training center is 11.2 hectares and not 1.8 hectares as reported in this article)

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From Forest Land to Education Camp

The team behind Goducate Training Centre

Goducate is undertaking to build a Training Centre in Iloilo… the 5th largest city in Philippines. The choice of the location, a city I have not heard of until recently, is well-thought out – the availability of good human resources, experts in various fields. No wonder, after Manila, Iloilo has the most number of Universities in the Philippines.

Much have been written in other blogs about the work-in-progress of the Goducate Training Centre. The once forest-like land, with unwieldy vegetation and poor irrigation & drainage, now, three months old, transforming into an organized plantation with its own water supply system. Subsequent phases will focus on programs to create and attract wholesome family entertainment. All with the view that this Training Centre will nurture agriculturalists with natural crop-enhancing techniques, and, be self-supporting for the long run.

Together with a team of four, we were privileged to visit the site a couple of weeks ago and be led by the architect of the project, Victor. He is a Researcher on coconut trees, including my personal favorite, the fleshy Macapuno. He took us up and down the hilly area, the size of 7 football fields. The slopping agriculture land is being prepared for various fruit-bearing trees. The nursery, the hybrid rice plantation, the chicken farm and the compost for producing organic fertilizers. The multi-purpose hall. All these require different knowledge and skill sets. We were introduced to several of these talents, each expert in his/her own rights, such as Forestry, Soil (scientist), Vermi-composting, Camp Development etc.

I would like to record my impressions about the team members who are involved in the project and the prevailing team spirit.

First, Ownership. Apparently, no one needs to be told what to do. Each of them take ownership not just of their own turf, but also, of the overall outcome for the project. And may I add, with a sense of honor.

Next, Passion. Each step they take, you could almost see a spring in it. They are passionate in what they do and it shows. They speak with conviction as they elaborate on how they prepare the land or the seedlings and what the anticipated outcome will be. Always with the view that what is sowed, will reap returns. Including financial returns.

Thirdly, Knowledge. They know what they are doing. They have deep and extensive knowledge base, on individual basis and combined. After an encounter with them, you can easily place your confidence in their expertise.

Lastly, Team spirit. Though each person is individually competent, they all work as a team.
They have a common mission. One could sense the healthy and happy spirit. A cohesive and cooperative work environment. All excited to see the same dream come true.

You know, the greatest impact on me is to realize that they are all volunteers. Selflessly contributing towards preparing a facility for the needy to acquire livelihood skills so that they can eventually help themselves.

* Chen Hui Liang has held senior management positions in MNCs and is currently in business growth consulting.