Being a leading brand in human resources consultancy and management requires a variety of factors to come into play such as a clear and definite mission, considerable human and material assets, relevant connections and the longevity of decades.
In one evening of celebration, appreciation and high hopes, Servicio Filipino, Inc. demonstrated that it has always had these qualities, and proved that it has what it takes to stay at the top. On March 4, 2016 the Dusit Thani Manila rolled out the red carpet as Servicio Filipino hosted its 55th foundation anniversary in style and substance.
FULL FORCE
The ground zero preparations for SFI @ 55, as it was concisely dubbed, spanned no less than the 3 months prior to the event itself. Even before then, the company’s 55th anniversary had been a subject in weekly and monthly meetings among the leadership and staff. At the turn of the new year, the company commenced execution of its plans for the event in full swing. From essentials such as the venue and catering, to tokens of appreciation and communications, right down to securing the likes of Mari Kaimo as Master of Ceremonies, Mel Villena and the A. M. P. Nonet, Jenny Miller & the VIP Dancers, and the country’s Pop Diva, Ms. Kuh Ledesma as part of the evening’s entertainment. SFI wrapped up every detail of the event using its substantial resources and the efforts of its talented and committed people.
SFI also rounded up its full list of clients and of its local and international partners, and sent invitations teasing an evening of excitement, appreciation and anticipation of success for the coming years. Master of Ceremonies, Mel Villena and the A. M. P. Nonet, Jenny Miller & the VIP Dancers, and the country’s Pop Diva, Ms. Kuh Ledesma as part of the evening’s entertainment. SFI wrapped up every detail of the event using its substantial resources and the efforts of its talented and committed people.
SFI also rounded up its full list of clients and of its local and international partners, and sent invitations teasing an evening of excitement, appreciation and anticipation of success for the coming years. SFI also rounded up its full list of clients and of its local and international partners, and sent invitations teasing an evening of excitement, appreciation and anticipation of success for the coming years.
RELIABLE ALLIES
The response to these invitations proved the robustness of SFI’s relationships with its clients, the local and national governments of our country, and its partners in various industries and service sectors here and abroad. This became more apparent on the night of the event itself as the guests came in droves to the reception area set up in the exterior hall of the Dusit Thani, where they were cordially received by the reception committee and took part in early socializing and photo shoots.
Among the illustrious guests were Department of Labor and Employment Undersecretary Nicon Fameronag, DOLE-Bureau of Local Employment Director Dominique Tutay, Kelly Outsourcing & Consulting Group Vice President for Asia Pacific Anthony Raja Davadoss, Investors in People Chief Executive Gerardo Plana, FPM, Bataan Governor Albert Raymond Garcia, and Success DNA Founder and Chairman Dr. Brian Schwartz, Ph.D. These and a host of other personalities honored SFI with their presence for the evening’s celebrations, much of which were surprises in store especially for them.
A TRAIL SET ABLAZE
The highlights of this momentous event reflected Servicio Filipino’s history of clarity in its purpose. Where the company was anchored by the vision and determination of its greatest proponents – founder and first chief executive Attorney Dante Anastacio, his associates and esteemed pillars of SFI Rolando Antonio and Gaudencio Infante, and Atty. Anastacio’s wife Estrellita – through the years since 1961, the anniversary celebration rested on a backbone of strong and uplifting messages and gestures from the current leadership.
“More than ever, Servicio Filipino is committed to doing its share in nation building,” declared Mrs. Anastacio to an audience of clients and organizational partners who had helped SFI to do so for the last 55 years: as her husband had hoped decades earlier to empower his countrymen by founding SFI, she now stood in testament of the company’s commitment to that same mission. The venue was enveloped in respectful and attentive silence as Mrs. Anastacio delivered her welcome address, introducing the theme of the event as that of celebrating partnerships. She was met with warm applause afterwards, as if to affirm the impact of her message on everyone present.
As part of the occasion’s finest moments, Mrs. Anastacio and her son, SFI Group President and Chief Executive Officer Luis Alberto Anastacio, also graced the stage to confer awards to Servicio Filipino’s most outstanding clients. They were recognized not only for their enduring relationship with SFI, but also for their own commendable standards, services and initiatives.
Few of the other messages that evening conveyed happiness as much as the introductory lines of Mr. Anastacio’s closing remarks. “It is truly heartwarming to see all of the people who have come here tonight to support this momentous event for SFI,” he said to the company’s valued partners in attendance. He further lauded the guests’ presence as a response exemplifying the value of the relationships between SFI and its partners. During the closing remarks, he also recounted how Servicio Filipino had evolved over the years to provide not only staffing, recruitment and workforce development and management solutions but also services in sectors entirely new to the company such as IT and software development.
Few of the other messages that evening conveyed happiness as much as the introductory lines of Mr. Anastacio’s closing remarks. “It is truly heartwarming to see all of the people who have come here tonight to support this momentous event for SFI,” he said to the company’s valued partners in attendance. He further lauded the guests’ presence as a response exemplifying the value of the relationships between SFI and its partners. During the closing remarks, he also recounted how Servicio Filipino had evolved over the years to provide not only staffing, recruitment and workforce development and management solutions but also services in sectors entirely new to the company such as IT and software development.
Mr. Anastacio illustrated that as these services grew and the reach of SFI extended to include 15 offices throughout the nation, its range of partners also grew into a diverse group from which the company could draw not only revenue but also expertise and support that it would need to accomplish its workforce development programs. Mr. Anastacio cited the successful launch of the Learning to Earning Apprenticeship Program in conjunction with DOLE’s JobStart Philippines, the new framework of PhilJobNet, and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation’s recognition and support of the Philippine Talent Map Initiative as triumphs the company achieved thanks to the leadership and aide of local and national government agencies and of its academic partners.
The program came to a close with a symbolic toast called for by Mr. Anastacio as a show of gratitude and solidarity among partners in business and in life. In unison, all in attendance emptied their glasses in salute of the promise of greater things to come.
55 YEARS AND BEYOND
Even with the end of the formal program, the evening’s celebrations had only just begun as socialization came naturally into play among all in attendance. This aptly reflects the attitude that Servicio Filipino had adopted, which keeps its relationships with partners alive and fuels its programs and initiatives. Throughout the history shown in videos and attested to by its leaders during the event, SFI had always shown the foresight and pro-activeness necessary to keep going where others have faltered. Having come so far and lasted so long in the industry, SFI understands that the end of the path lies not on the horizon, but on the decision to stop moving forward.
And so, promising to aim for and reach loftier goals through the next 55 years and beyond, the dedicated men and women of Servicio Filipino Inc. and its trusted partners rejoiced unto the late hours of the evening – and though the music and the last drops of fine spirits eventually faded into the night, the resolve forged by SFI @ 55 would carry on to the dawn of a new day.