CMDI and BotiCARD host CARD-MRI’s United Nations Night

Last October 10, 2014, CARD MRI Development Institute and BotiCARD played hosts for the monthly Kapihan Session with Boss. In line with the United Nations month, this session’s theme is, “Unity in Diversity: CARD MRI United Nations Night”. This theme highlights the Institutions’ unity in achieving CARD MRI’s utmost objective: uplifting socio-economically challenged women.</p;>

Notable guests were invited to welcome and inspire the attendees of the program, including CARD MRI Managing Director Dr. Jaime Aristotle Alip for the welcoming remarks, CMDI Institute Director Mr. Edzel Ramos for the closing remarks, and long-time partner and friend of CARD MRI, Dr. Henning Ostheus-Albrecht of Savings Bank Foundation for International Cooperation (SBFIC), for the inspirational message.

In true Kapihan tradition, fun, games, and cuisines from around the world were in store for the guests. The highlight of the event, however, was the Mr. and Ms. ASEAN Pageant, in which all of the Institutions (except the hosts) participated. Different ASEAN member countries were assigned to each Institution; they are as follows: CARD MBA for Brunei, CARD Bank, Inc. for Cambodia, CMIT for Indonesia, RRB (Taytay, Rizal) for Laos, CARD SME Bank for Malaysia, CARD- BDSFI for Myanmar, combined CPMI, CLFC and RISE for the Philippines, Support Units for Singapore, CaMIA for Thailand, and CARD, Inc. for Vietnam.

Each of the pairs was judged based on their stage presence, their wit (question and answer portion), and their general appeal to the audience. Mr. Edzel Ramos, Ms. Rosenda Aquino (BotiCARD President), and Ms. Lorenza Bañez (CARD Bank, Inc. EVP) were the judges for the said event.

All candidates received Certificates of Participation. Special awards were also given to notable pairs: Mr. and Ms. PAID Plan and Mr. And Ms. Solar Power. After deliberation, Mr. and Ms. Myanmar (BDSFI) emerged victorious, while Mr. And Ms. Singapore (Support Units) finished second, and lastly, Mr. And Ms. Philippines (CPMI-CLFC-RISE) finished third.

This event was said to be the highest attended Kapihan Session with Boss.