Jobert A. Peñaflorida, a man of success
A person is respected not for his popularity but for his credibility and integrity. People with these qualities have made a difference in society. They are those given recognition for their professional competence and great love for what they do. One man who is continually changing lives is ABS-CBN Iloilo's Atty. Jobert Peñaflorida. He is the station's pioneer host and solo news anchor of TV Patrol sa Diyes (formerly TV Patrol). As a pioneer host, he has done innovations that has made TV Patrol part of the Ilonggo household. Establishing a name for TV Patrol sa Diyes was tough at first, but he made his way winning the Ilonggos' heart with his sincerity, credibility and integrity. With his dedication he has brought pride to Iloilo City. He was a worthy recipient of awards like Catholic Mass Media Award for Best TV News Program in the Philippines and Finalist in 2004 and now as 2005 KBP Golden Dove Award for Best TV News Program and Best News Anchor.
Secret of Success
Jobert with his wife Rhea
A young man who was walking at a shore once saw a little boy picking up starfishes and throwing it back to the sea. As he passes near the boy he said; 'There must be millions of them!.' Then to his surprise the boy said; 'At least I made a difference to that one...' as he throws another starfish to the shore. This is a reminder of how we should perceive things. To realize something big, we should start with small goals. Like when we climb a ladder we take little steps going up one at a time. This same principle made successful people like Walt Disney, Abraham Lincoln, Diana Ross, Leo Buscaglia, or Jack Canfield & Mark Victor Hansen's Chicken Soup for the Soul and many more. With these, Peñaflorida also started making fulfillment in his life with small beginnings. Focusing on small goals is much more important than waiting for an opportunity to fulfill a big dream right away. Thus, when one wants to become the best in his field, a long time of practice will help him reach his goals. Nothing happens overnight.
Peñaflorida's versatility as a person is backed up by his excellence both in his academic performance and profession. He was a consistent honor student having graduated Magna Cum Laude in the College of Law at the University of Iloilo (UI) and passed the BAR Examinations in 2000, Summa Cum Laude in his Bachelor in Accountancy at the University of San Agustin. He was also awarded Most Outstanding Graduate of the University of San Agustin (USA). He's a recipient of the SGV Gold Medal of Excellence for obtaining the Highest National Rating in Auditing. He has been recognized as a multi-awarded student journalist, campus leader, speaker and debater. Awarded as Most Outstanding Campus writer in Western Visayas for two consecutive years. Also a National and PRISAA Gold Medal Awardee in Oration and Extemporaneous Speaking Competition. He's adjudged as Best Speaker and Best Debater to Toastmasters Debate Competitions at the national, regional, provincial and city levels.
Jobert with his daughter
Ma. Abby Genevieve
Other than his professional competence, he is also has a Master in Business Management degree from University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV). He has completed with high marks a course on Comparative Asian Economics and Management, a scholarship sponsored by Japan Air Lines Scholar, Special Courses in Asian Studies at Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan. He also acquired varied, extensive and valuable professional and managerial experiences in finance, business management, taxation and corporate law from the best firms and companies in the Philippines: SyCip Gorres Velayo (SGV) & Co., San Miguel Corporation and SyCip, Salazar, Hernandez and Gatmaitan and has undergone off-country exposure from an employment in Guam, USA. With his numerous awards, he remains humble and believes that professional competence is something one has to nurture and learn. He doesn't stop on temporary set-backs but keep on adjusting to changes. He puts his heart and mind in what he does and always performs his best.
Inspiring Changes
As part of ABS-CBN family, he has inspired more people by bringing the community outreach program 'Kapamilya sa Barangay.' Thru the project a barangay is being adopted, and where feasible changes for the place and the people are done. These changes maybe provision of livelihood, good health, among others. 'We identify and adopt a barangay, then we'll have a conversation with its officials on their problems like: infrastructures, environment, livelihood among others. The project itself is a spirit of volunteerism since the staff is not given extra pay – we just go there and immerse and do what we can in the people's lives. The goal is to address the residents' problems without anything in return.'
Kapamilya sa Barangay is is supported by the ABS-CBN's family and news team: Ms. Charie Ginete (ABS-CBN's Station Manager), Ms. Gemma Villanueva (ABS-CBN's news chief), Ms. Leilani Salem-Alba (ABS-CBN's News Manager), Ms. Desiree Bretaña (Regional Marketing Manager). The project has also inspired and is now adapted in the national level and by other ABS-CBN stations.
For him, the project has also changed the people's outlook about 'media'. From the common perception that the media is only good on criticism, it has become a life saving entity. And truly became a hope, a voice of the masses.
Presently, Jobert manages his own company, ISuccess Corporation, makers of Fiesta! Favorite Souvenir Shirts which was recently awarded by National Shoppers Choice Award as No. 1 Souvenir Shirt. He also works part-time professor and Reviewer in Taxation in the Colleges of Law of USA and UI. He also write columns for Sun Star Iloilo and was also cited as 2004 and 2005 National Finalist, Best Opinion in the CMMA Awards for print media. To sum all his endeavors is his happy marriage to his wife Rhea Inocencio (Ms. Dinagyang 1988) and a loving father to his daughter Ma. Abby Genevieve. Like his story, everything happened not on a snap of a finger but one at a time.