Articles: THE INVASION OF ‘TRANSFORMERS'

Tales of Social Entrepreneurs Empowering the Oppressed in the
Pearl of the Orient Seas for Sustainable Communities
by Carmelo John E. Vidal, MPA, DA—SIFE Adviser
Director, Center for Integrated Extension Services
University of Luzon, Dagupan City, Philippines

I grew up with Transformers. There was something about these shape-shifting robots that really flabbergast me and my nephew Cedric. With this fascination, we hooked ourselves into coloring books, stickers, collector cards, toys. So, when I heard they were invigorating Transformers with a movie, my heart pounded with excitement knowing that top-pick, favorite cartoon of the world was off to the big screen. This was the movie everybody loved as evidenced by the 700 million gross earnings worldwide.
 In a gist, Cybertron, where the Transformers originated from has been destroyed due to a civil war between the Autobots, the protagonists, and the Decepticons, the antagonists. The cube of life which the Transformers regard as the essence of their existence that was missing, somehow found its way to our planet. The Autobots want it so they can have a fresh new start elsewhere inasmuch as the Decepticons crave for it so they can take control of machines on Earth and eventually wipe out the human race. The bottom line of the chronicle is the battle between good and evil in the preservation and conservation of the universe’s only habitable Earth.
The theme of Bumblebee and Optimus Prime’s saga is very much relevant to this distressed epoch which is why many people, young and old alike, can relate to the spirit of this fictional story.
These are indeed trying times depicted in the Hasbro and Takara hit. The present is uncertain and the future is unpredictable with the presence of decepticons in the guise of the crooks and corrupts not to mention the overwhelming disasters and irregularities in our contemporary society. Truly, autobots are badly needed in rescuing the suffering humanity and the ailing Mother Earth.
The Transformers lives on. The tale of Autobots continues. The saga of good souls prevails amidst tragedy and misfortune. This is our story … a collection of tales of social entrepreneurs called to transform the poverty-stricken and destitute communities in this part of the globe called the “Pearl of the Orients Seas –the Philippines.”
Transformers: Empowering the Powerless, Giving Hope to the Hopeless
Transformers are about changing or converting a state of being into a more functional or utilitarian condition towards empowerment.
The above ratiocination is the ultimate powerbase of the initiatives undertaken by a group of undauntedly daring students in a small city in this developing nation better known as the ‘Bangus (Milkfish) Capital of World.’
It all started Four years back upon the invitation extended to a provincial higher educational institution named the University of Luzon to join the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), representing the premier international business and higher education network with programs in 41 countries.
In keeping with SIFE’s mission of bringing together leaders of today and tomorrow to create a better, more sustainable world through the positive power of business, the University took the bold step in meeting the challenges of the time in response to the clarion call for social entrepreneurs who will venture into an enterprise anchored on social and environmental goals in effecting a change using blended value business models that combine a revenue-generating business with a social-value-generating structure. Guided by the philosophy, LEARN, COMMIT AND ACT in empowering the powerless, giving hope to the hopeless, the Institution launched its flagship program dubbed as Agenda for Reforms and Initiatives for Sustainable Economy (ARISE).
The ARISE program presages empowerment for financial independence in addressing the issues and concerns of the communities with emphasis to the high-risk and marginalized segments of the society particularly the impoverished people, unemployed women, the out-of-school youth, the persons with disabilities and the village children. Moreover, in pursuit of sustainable development as the core of the strategies, the advocacy on environmental protection and ecological preservation has become a primordial concern.
With nearly a thousand students as transformer-catalyst of change, the Program concentrated primarily on five projects focusing on highly vulnerable, marginalized groups and the environment in a span of 48 months. These projects purported to create sustainable communities via the promotion of financial literacy and entrepreneurial development.
Forms of Transformation
Below are different forms of transformation experienced in line the ARISE Program, to wit:
Transformation 1: From Unemployed Wives to Businesswomen
Project SIGLA
(Self-help Initiatives for Group and Local Advancement)
Selp-Help Group (SHG), as defined by Wikipedia, is a small group of poor, who have voluntarily come forward to form a group for improvement of the social and economic status of the members. The concept underlies the principle of thrift, credit and self-help.

With this mindset, the project launched as ‘Self-Help Initiatives for Group and Local Advancement’ (SIGLA) aims to educate community people via financial literacy and entrepreneurship organizing the unemployed women in slum areas into self-help groups in order to promote cooperation in improving their economic status in life. The term sigla is a Filipino word which means vigor as the project intends to invigorate the participants into business-oriented individuals.
Through this project, 5 self-help groups were successfully organized in 3 local communities and of these 5 groups, from the seed money of only Php 260.00 (US $ 5.70), one SHG reported an overwhelming working capital of Php 41,000.00 (US $ 911.00). This is truly a statement of financial independence and smashing success!
Transformation 2: From Detainees to Producer-Manufacturers
PROJECT UNLAD
(University of Luzon for the Advancement of Detainees)
In partnership with the jail authorities and other institutions, the project: University of Luzon for the Advancement of Detainees (UNLAD) was introduced in a local confinement facility for law offenders including some women and children, where various livelihood and skills training on hair and make up, rag making and bangus deboning, capability enhancement training and series of lectures on business ethics, product quality control, marketing strategies and basic accounting were implemented catering to more than 200 direct beneficiaries. As the project envisions to cultivate the skills and talents of the in-mates, the local term ‘unlad’ which means “to grow” is a befitting title.

The detainees were given supplementary sources of income necessary to augment their daily requirements reducing dependency rates to their families and friends. This is so because through the intervention, the participants increased their earnings to an average group gross weekly profit of Php 7,500 (US $ 166). Of the amount, 30% goes to the operational fund of the group and the remaining 70% goes to the inmate themselves. The net income per week amounted to Php 5,250 (US $ 160).
Beyond the monetary success attained, the project has been instrumental in equipping the detainees with skills and affording for them the confidence knowing that they will no longer be liabilities but assets in their own rights.
Transformation 3: From Street Children to Enterprising Kids
PROJECT BEST (Business and Literacy Training for Kids) FOR KIDS
In this generation in view of the pervading global financial crisis we are facing today, it is an important action to educate the kids at their young age about financial literacy and entrepreneurship. Firmly anchored on the belief that what a child knows from his childhood plays a great contribution in shaping his future, the Project BEST (Business and Literacy Training for Kids) FOR KIDS is underpinned on the biblical injunction “Teach a child the way he should go and we he is old, he will not depart from it.”
The project caters the young minds at St. John Child Care Center (a day care facility for indigent families supported by Love Foundation and Kindernothilfe), Purok Bayanihan (a village) and select street children endorsed by the City’s Social Welfare and Development Office in promoting the value for money, savings and entrepreneurship.
A total of 60 community children from SJCCC and PB and 30 street children improved their knowledge on value for money and its proper handling through the conduct of savings-related storytelling sessions and modules formulated by the organization specialized for kids.
Transformation 4: From Handicaps to Enterprisers
PROJECT BIDA
(Bolstering Initiatives For Differently Abled)
Breaking Barriers for Youth with Disabilities (BBY) is an institution acting as the voice of people with disabilities, helping them achieve full participation and equal status in the society. In collaboration with BBY, the Project BIDA (Bolstering Initiatives For Differently Abled) involved the young adults with disabilities (YAWDs). A group of YAWDs, consisting of 25 sound and speech-impaired individuals (ages 15-25) are taught the basic business cum money matters (e.g. proper financial management, basic bookkeeping, value for money, etc.) and livelihood skills (e.g. baking, cooking, candle and novelty-item making.

As a result of the project, the YAWDs are now earning a weekly group income of Php 1,800.00 (US $ 40), gaining confidence and starting to become less-dependent, the reasons behind the project title BIDA which has for its English translation, “assuming a star role.”
Transformation 5: From Polluted Environment to a Clean and Green Earth
PROJECT CARE
(Community Actions to Rescue the Earth)
As a way to support the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, Clean Air Act and Green Philippines Program, the Project Care (Community Actions to Rescue the Earth) has established a plan of action in the proper management of solid wastes and at the same time generate funds out of disposables and recyclables. This scheme is to promote not only financial and business literacy but also eco-literacy among the people. In line with this, the concept of reducing, re-using and recycling were imparted to the community folks. Also, seminars and lectures on financial literacy, market economics, success skills and business ethics were conducted under this project.
Due to the immeasurable support of student volunteers and advocates, the Project successfully reached out to other places outside the City, hence, impacting 5,247 students and reaching out the entire province of Pangasinan. With this, an amount amounting Php 72,431.50 was raised in support of the establishment of a skills laboratory and other projects.
Further, in cooperation with a local youth group, over 2,000 coconut and mangrove trees were planted across the City and its adjacent towns. This is our expression of commitment in saving our Mother Earth and in pursuit of creating a better world for all.
The Triumph of the Autobots
The good always prevail. This is manifested in our tales in spite of the adversities and misfortunes. Truly, it takes good souls to change the world for the better though the sojourn is long and winding. The reward may not be outright. But never lose hope. Keep your faith. Patience is a virtue. The Chinese philosopher Confucius once quipped, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
This is our first quantum lead towards sustainable existence. This is our contribution to our beloved Philippines. Join us in making this ensuing reality endure for many years to come by investing in the future. Let us press on in writing our country’s never-ending chronicle of triumph. Remember, it takes “more to them than meets the eye.”