Leaving Udenna

My, how time flies.

This year has been nothing short of challenging and difficult for me. At the start of the year, it was filled with anxiety in my work space, with the financial difficulties we have had to go through. There were certainly some unimaginable levels of exhaustion, but God has been kind and had found so many timely ways for us to survive. Hence, I’d like to thank God for the blessings, and I’d like to express my gratitude to the well-intentioned people who have made life more bearable for us amidst the chaos of the times.

I left Udenna – and its security arm, AMI – in the middle of the year. Udenna and AMI had gifted me with so many blessings and opportunities in the past few years. And for that, I am thankful to our boss, Mr. Dennis Uy. DAU, as he is fondly called, was pivotal to the many business insights that has enlightened me in the new ways to face the fog of the future.

Udenna’s concept is similar to the Golden State Warriors’ small-ball concept in basketball. An avid fan of basketball, DAU maintains that the same holds true for business today. Whereas the creation of the 3-point line has given small players an equal advantage in basketball, the advent of technology has made the younger generation competitive against the traditional old-school heavyweights in business. Their strengths? Dynamism, speed in decision-making, audacity, innovation, boldness and tech know-how. For more on this, pls read: Golden State’s Small-Ball in Business.

Hailing from far off Davao, and considered an outsider by the business elite in insular Manila, DAU took bold steps that were unfortunately stymied by the disaster that was Covid -19. The pandemic played a huge part in Udenna’s difficult journey, but Udenna has been able to weather the financial storm through hard work and God’s graces.

And as I bid Udenna adieu, I’d like to stress that, contrary to what many detractors say, Udenna has been a positive influence not just to me, but to the country in general, making its indelible mark on the thousands of employees particularly in the gas, shipping and telecommunication industries.

I leave Udenna with a heavy heart. I believe in its philosophy, and I believe in the noble intentions that fueled it. Udenna is a ‘probinsyano’ David, challenging the business Goliaths in Manila, and creating more competitive pricing in all its endeavors for the benefit of our ordinary citizens. True to its mandate to support nation-building, Udenna took bold strokes in other industries such as tourism, infrastructure and IT, in pursuit of a shared vision of uplifting the lot of the common people.

And even as I take a step in a slightly different direction, I shall always look back and cheer my Udenna family onwards. And I shall always carry with me a commitment to Udenna’s 5H culture which are as follows:

1. Hungry. For work, for creative ideas, for new innovations to support our communities in need;

2. Hardworking. To weather the challenges of the times. To be always prepared to provide help in ways we can;

3. Honest. To ensure that we are able to provide the best service at the lowest prices. To ensure that profit is not the end-all-be-all of our existence;

4. Humble. To not be too consumed with hubris over our own successes;

5. Holy. To believe in God and provide our service in His name.

Farewell to Sir Dennis and my Udenna family. May your tribe increase. Rest assured your influence will not be forgotten. And I shall – as you have taught me – pay forward all the wisdom and simple joys you have so gracefully afforded me.

Cover photos courtesy of PhilStar, Facebook, UdennaLand and Udenna.ph.