CoELinE-a-holic: 05.16

Lipa City - Thirty women and youngsters were given free hairdressing training by the world renowned beauty care brand Schwarzkopf Professional. The training is part of Schwarzkopf’s “Shaping Futures”, a unique training program, dedicated to teaching disadvantaged youngsters the craft of hairdressing so they can forge a brighter future for themselves. Its unique training program has powered its growth around the world, with Jordan and the Philippines, two of the five new country additions in 2014.

Receiving the certificate of appreciation are (on the center) SM City Lipa Mall Manager Liza F. Dimaculangan and PR Manager Wendy C. Bautista together with the Schwarzkopf hair specialists from Australia and New Zealand during the culmination event of Shaping Futures. SM City Lipa have been supporting advocacies in the promotion of welfare for women through SM Supermalls’ SM Cares program.

The beneficiaries were chosen through Schwarzkopf’s partnership with SOS Children’s Village. The trainees came from as far as Davao in the south and Bataan in the north. They were given five modules during the two-week training for which volunteer Schwarzkopf hairstylists from New Zealand and Australia lovingly shared their time and skills in hair cutting, hair perming, hair coloring, hair styling and hair re-bonding.

On May 20, the thirty trainees were given the chance to showcase their newly acquired skills during Shaping Future’s commencement exercises in a hair fashion show at SM City Lipa. Instead of formal congratulatory handshake which is done during the acceptance of their certificates, the attendees and trainers gratefully hugged each other which was felt by many as a very sincere “thank you” and “good bye”.

Schwarzkopf Shaping Future also provided livelihood starter packs for the training graduates that they can use as they start their new profession as hair dressers.

More than a month has passed since our graduation but I can still recall how Master in Management Technology (MMT) has touched my life. De La Salle Lipa’s (DLSL) MMT program, by the way, is the graduate program currently offered by the institution – honing its graduates to become world-class managers and entrepreneurs specializing in technology and its applications.

Having studied MMT for three years, I can truly say that aside from learning new information and skills regarding management (with a touch of technological applications), I have also felt how it was to be part of a new family I call my own: my MMT Dabarkads.

Okay, so, off to the reasons now, shall we?

1. Make new friends (yes, of various personalities).

From left to right, back, front: Me (Celine), Edel, Nene, Gil, Doris, Richard, and Neno

As an adult program, of course, expect having classmates ages 21 and above. If you desire to mingle with engineers, teachers, accountants, managers, businesspeople, and all sorts of personalities, this is one nice program to be in. Trust me, you’ll never run out of perspectives to hear from your new-found pals. MMT is breeding ground to long-lasting friendships (well, in my case).

2. Have lasting friendships.

With Mariko, my "eonni"

Even after studying MMT (up to forever, I guess), I guess the friends I made through MMT would last till the end. Never have I anticipated every Saturday for the past three years – with the eagerness to see my classmates. And up to now, we still do chat, text and call each other, hoping to meet again from time to time. Reunions, anyone? J

3. Be a better employee.

An employee like me has learned quite a lot about business/management through MMT. By studying courses such as Fundamentals of Management, Global Economics, Statistical Research, Strategic Information Technology and Exchange, Marketing Management, Human Resource Management, Operations/Production Management, Accounting and Financial Management, Environmental Management, Management Ethics, Strategic Management, some electives (ours were Entrepreneurship and Organizational Development), Methods of Research, and Management Technology Reports 1 and 2 (thesis writing), I was able to learn in-depth how I can better contribute to an organization like mine.

4. Be a better manager.

If you are already at the top ranks of your organization, you’d also benefit from the MMT program by applying the knowledge and skills you’ll be learning about management and business. You’ll explore further the ethical considerations of managers, the ways in which you can still enhance your company’s operations, how you can boost your employees’ morale, how you can manage change within the organization, and lots more. See, I still remember what our profs taught us? Hahaha!

5. Be an entrepreneur.

Everyone can be an entrepreneur. Yes, that’s what I’ve realized upon taking up one of our electives: Entrepreneurship. It’s one exciting field to be in – provided that you are prepared to take on the adventures that lie ahead. MMT’s Entrepreneurship elective allowed us to create a group business plan and defend it to a group of panelists. Mine, by the way, was named “Space Dot Works”, a co-working space business we envisioned to be set up in Lipa City. Oh, and here’s our mock website for Space Dot Works.

Our mock website home page for Entrep class

6. Learn vital life skills.

After my thesis defense... at last!!!

MMT does not only harness knowledge and skills but also life skills: from negotiation, leadership, presentation, time management, organizing, stress management, problem solving, interpersonal communication, and a whole lot more.

7. Enhance your creativity.

Creativity and innovation sparks your genius. What better way to ignite that spark through collaboration? With the MMT program, you’ll get inspired to unleash those creative juices in you. Got a nice idea for a business? Not a problem, for you have the chance to take even just a tiny step to turn your idea into reality. Got a passion you want to share to the world? You are in good hands. With mentors who will guide you, you can get started with your own biz and what-not.

8. Develop teamwork.

Being in graduate school is not a one-man thing. There’ll definitely be times when you’ll feel like you wanted to ask yourself, “Why am I studying again? I have already finished College. Why am I still spending long days researching, writing, and submitting projects for school when I have already my work or business?” Again, answering your BIG WHY comes into play here. You might want to check again your motive for studying (again). Is it to get promoted? For a pay raise? To start your own business? Be a better manager? Whatever your reason may be, know that you are not alone. Despite the questions you have in mind, you are lucky to have classmates and professors who can guide you throughout your MMT journey. Well, that’s what happened to us. We have a solid support group serving as our inspiration and guide during the tough days. I’ll never forget my classmates (Mariko, Jen, Claire, Aileen, Marlene, Ate Nene, Ate Hazel, Ate Doris, Neno, Ms Marga, Ms Karenn, Ate Ces, our Kuyas: Edel, Ronald, Billy, Noel, Gil, Richard, Jake, Larry, Juris, and Jerus), my comrades during times when I felt like giving up, my companions whenever we have to stay up late for reporting or for a project. They have been my family for three years and counting. And I’ll never regret having taken the risk of taking my graduate studies at DLSL!

During our first day of class, Fundamentals of Management - with Sir Sanny Leviste, our prof

9. Be a better you!

In a nutshell, MMT has allowed us to learn new stuff, meet new people and experience adventures like no other. With all those, I’m proud to say that I made it through – one subject at a time – and am bringing with me a fresh perspective of what’s to come. I still may not completely know where I’m heading but I’m positive that I’m going somewhere great!

Special thanks to our MMT professors: Sir Sanny Leviste, Sir Vincent Remo, Dr. Leo Magaling, Sir Exur Gozos, Sir Alan Pagsuyuin, Dean Lani Garachico, Dr. Winnie Dimaano, Dr. Erick Martinez, Dr. Lilian Villanueva, Dr. Nimfa Gamban, Sir Joel Osorio, Sir Boy Castillo, Dr. Gene Panganiban, Dr. Allan Castro, and Engr. Apolinario Carandang for honing us throughout this MMT journey.

Long live DLSL MMT!

Long live MMT Batch 34!!

Animo!!!

P.S. To ,earn more about DLSL's MMT program and requirements, visit this page.