Understanding our Race and Ethnicity: The Human Library Focuses on the Filipino-Chinese
On its continued efforts to reduce
discrimination and breaking stereotypes, the third session of the human library
was successfully held last September 29, 2015 at the European Documentation
Centre, The Learning Commons, 13/f Henry Sy Sr. Hall. The session’s
theme is entitled “Negotiating Identities: The Filipino-Chinese Amongst Us.” This activity is in partnership with the Chinese
Corner and the De La Salle Alumni Association - CLA Chapter.
Nine human books arrived and were
briefly introduced. Below are their human book titles with their corresponding
descriptions.
A BRIDGE BUILDER'S 45 YEARS OF JOURNEY by Teresita Ang See. She has been a social activist, educator, cultural worker and author throughout her adult life. As the founding president of Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran, she has made outstanding contributions to peace and social cohesion for the past 40 years. She is a community leader, a peace and anti-crime advocate, and a fearless spokesperson of the Tsinoys. This work, Ms. Ang See admits, she does out of personal choice. Through her advocacies and writings, she has positively influenced understanding and knowledge of the true role of the Tsinoys in mainstream society, effectively changing attitudes and promoting better relations between Filipinos and their fellow Tsinoy brothers.
BANKING
ISN’T JUST A MAN’S WORLD by Bea Teh-Tan.
Described as a "homegrown talent", Cristina “Bea” Teh-Tan is the
current Managing Director and Consumer Business Manager for the Philippines at
Citigroup Inc. This notable woman has made a name in the management of the
marketing and sales functions for the credit cards business locally and abroad.
Citi launched a number of award-winning products under her leadership. She was
also recognized as one of the most promising young talent in the financial
services industry by The Asian Banker and was awarded as one of the best
bankers under the age of 40 in Asia Pacific and Gulf Region in 2008. Ms.
Teh-Tan graduated from De La Salle University with a Bachelor's degree in
Commerce, major in Economics and Business Management.
PASSION
FOR FASHION by Ailene Co. Ailene Co’s years of experience in the fields of sales,
operations and marketing made her earn her current post as Associate Vice
President for Operations and Marketing at CK Fashion Forum, SM Retail Inc. Her
extensive knowledge in fashion industry and in running the business makes her
an asset of the company. Ms. Co finished her BS in Business Administration
major in Management degree at the Philippine School of Business Administration.
In 2009, she completed her Basic Pattern Maker course at the Fashion Institute
of the Philippines.
TO
BE YOUNG AND WISE by Fj Chua. He is
a student at De La Salle University currently taking up ISJ-ADV. During his
senior year in high school, he was a student assistant at Grace Christian
College and until today, he is the Managing Editor of their class yearbook. Mr.
Chua’s family owns a fashion for women store in Greenhills Shopping Center.
This and his love for music and Korean pop culture inspired him to start his
own business at the young age of 16. At present, he has an online shop selling
KPop game cards.
HONOR
THY FATHER by Edison Go. Mr. Go is
an owner of a kebab and shawarma dine in Quezon City. He started
making capital from selling high-end speakers and other gadgets. Having been
brought up by authoritarian full-blooded Chinese parents himself, Mr. Go admits
that he adopted this style of parenting in rearing his two sons and only
daughter. While some see him as a strict parent, he believes that he is only
following Chinese traditions which molded him as a person.
THE
GREEN ARCHER’S GAME by Jeron Alvin Teng. Born to a family of
basketball players and lovers, Jeron Teng takes after his father and brother
when it comes to his passion for the game. As a high school student, he won the
season MVP award in all of his seasons throughout his high school career with the
Xavier Golden Stallions. Definitely, bigger things were yet to come for him
when he decided to be part of the De La Salle Green Archers in college. His
major career success to date would be his UAAP Season 76 Finals MVP award.
During regular school days, however, Mr. Teng is a Bachelor of Arts Major in
Behavioral Sciences-Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management student in
DLSU, trying to balance study and play.
THE
ICING OF MY LIFE by Penk Tan-Ching. She is a renowned pastry chef, world-class cake master,
and owner of Pastry Bin. In 2000, she has been awarded as the Outstanding Small
& Medium Scale Entrepreneur Award by the Federation of Filipino-Chinese
Chambers of Commerce & Industry. Chef Penk is known for her memorable
creations - President Benigno Simeon 'Noynoy' Aquino III’s inaugural cake and
Beijing Olympic Bird’s nest cake to name a few. When creating her original cake
designs, she gets inspiration from museums, and fabric houses, or when
traveling.
READING
THE WRITER by Wilson Lee Flores. Mr.
Flores is a multi-awarded writer, college teacher and self-made real estate
entrepreneur. He has won a record 12 Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) for
"Best Opinion Column", "Best Business Column" & others
for his regular "Philippine Star" columns. He has also won three
Palanca literary awards. More interestingly, he has become a baker by buying
the now 76-year-old, artisanal and pugon-style Kamuning Bakery Cafe in Quezon
City in December 2013 and starting to revive it in 2014.
THE
CHAIRMAN, THE PRESIDENT, THE CEO by George
Siy. He is Anvil Business Club's chairman emeritus and the president and
CEO of Marie France. Being in the personal care business for years, he is an
expert in business models and the practical ways to select, develop, and evolve
them to achieve success in different fields. He also has a wide experience in
different industries from reading and testing different models in
manufacturing, retail, real estate, technology, and software. Aside from
business, Mr. Siy is also very well-versed in culture and history.
Ms.
Teresita Ang See gave the response on behalf of all the human books. She noted
that the human library provides a mutual understanding between the human books
and readers. Dr. Laurene Chua-Garcia,
Chair of the Psychology Department gave the closing remarks. She reminded the
audience that all of us are part of this new age that recognizes everyone as
equal partners. The event was attended and supported by the Associate Vice
Chancellor for Academic Services, Ms. Kai Shan L. Fernandez.