Pearl Awardee FY2009-2010

Salvador R. Serrano

“Excellence is a continuous process of change and improvement. You can always do your work better. And there should be no room for mediocrity”.

These are the inspiring words aptly coming from one who has been adjudged Pearl awardee for FY 2009-2010. It’s Salvador “Buddy” R. Serrano speaking when asked what is his guiding work philosophy, the secret behind his winning the much coveted award at BAIPHIL.

He was inducted as a BAIPHIL member in 1992, Then a greenhorn, he sought the mainstream by enlisting as a member of the Automation and Technology Committee. From then on, he joined several other committees such as Research, Membership, Program & Attendance, Sports & Fellowship, Finance & Budget, Special Projects, National Convention and Education. In recognition of his active participation and dedication, he was appointed as Vice Chairman of the Education Committee in FY 2005-2006 and Chairman of the Provincial Participation Committee for FY 2006-2007. He was given the Special Award of Super Multi Tasking Member on FY 2006-2007. He was elected as member of the Board of Directors from FY 2007-2010 where he served as the Director-In-Charge of the Education and BAIPHIL Training Institute Committee.

During his term as Director, the Institute introduced learning series that build the knowledge and skills set for bank employees in the areas of Treasury Operations, Treasury Instruments and Risk Management. In those three years, the Education and BTI Committee was consistently given the Special Presidential Award for Committee Teamwork for the team’s cohesiveness and consistency which brought about cooperation, camaraderie and life in all BAIPHIL activities. For FY 2007-2008, FY 2008-2009 and FY 2009-2010, the committee generated consistent growth in net income of 1.5MM, 1.6MM and 2MM, respectively.

He now serves as the Second Vice President of BAIPHIL for FY 2010-2011.

On a personal note, Buddy R. Serrano is First Vice President and Head of the Central Operations Group Administration Unit of Banco de Oro. He finished BS Commerce Major in Accounting at the University of Santo Tomas and is a Certified Public Accountant. He is also a member of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

In his acceptance speech, Buddy was profuse with gratitude, acknowledging the people who supported him…

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I have been a director in charge of BAIPHIL’s Education Committee for FY 2007-2008 under the leadership of Ms. Dolly Yuvienco, FY 2008-2009 under the presidency of Ms. Lydia King and the BAIPHIL Training Institute or BTI for FY 2009-2010 under our outgoing President, Ms. Susan Uranza. As you know, we have merged the Education Committee and BTI starting this fiscal year.

Stemming from the belief that human capital is the bank’s most important asset and that BAIPHIL’s primary role is that of providing continuing education to the banking industry we have lined up training programs enriched with experts contributions on various areas of bank operations, risk management, audit and corporate governance. The Institute’s mandate to offer short term courses has been pursued aggressively to enable it to be at par with training institutes in the Asia Pacific Region.

I would like to share this award…

First, to Lita Ong, the Education Committee Chairperson for 2007-2008 (the year she became Pearl Awardee) and BTI Chair for 2009-2010; and Dolly Santiago, Chairperson of the Education Committee for 2008-2009 (the year she became Pearl awardee), for their selfless dedication and indefatigable efforts in fulfilling the Institute’s goal of being the training arm of choice in the banking industry;

Second, the BAIPHIL Secretariat and the Education and BTI Committee members whose cohesiveness and teamwork brought about cooperation and life in all Education and BTI’s committee’s activities;

Third, BAIPHIL President Grace de la Cruz who offered me the position of Chairperson of the Provincial Committee.

Fourth, the members of the BAIPHIL Board of Directors from FY 2007 to 2010, for supporting all the programs of activities of the Education and BTI Committees;

Fifth, the entire BAIPHIL family who serves as my inspiration in doing this selfless service. To quote a passage from the Bible “To whom much is given, much is required”.

Sixth, to my institution, Banco de Oro, for supporting my membership in BAIPHIL;

Seventh, to my mentors, my former boss in GE, Mr. John Hickey and at Security Bank, Ms. Evylene Sison, who serve as my role models all these years and

Last but not the least, to my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, to whom I give back this glory!