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| Global Spotlight focuses on employees
from the Mitsubishi Companies, who are excelling in their respective fields
around the world. In each issue we will get to know different employees, who
will tell us about their hometowns, businesses, culture, and past-times. |
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| NOTE 1: A subsidiary of Mitsubishi Estate |
The Rockefeller Group, through Rockefeller Group Development Corporation¹, currently owns and manages more than 9 million square feet of office space in Midtown Manhattan. The buildings, 1221, 1251 and 1271 Avenue of the Americas were built in the 1960s and 70s with 745 Seventh Avenue completed more recently in 2000. I have managed the operations and capital projects of Rockefeller Center West since 2000. However, I’ve been coming to Rockefeller Center for more than 30 years, having grown up in a family of engineers. I have been around New York City’s skyscrapers most of my life and I’ve seen some of the most amazing buildings rise and unfortunately, saw some tragically fall on September 11, 2001. Being responsible for operations at Rockefeller Group Development Corporation in New York is a position I take great pride in holding.
Since joining The Rockefeller Group in 1987, I have seen major changes in Rockefeller Center; including the types of tenants occupying our buildings and the perception of the buildings we call Rockefeller Center West. While Wall Street is the financial capital of the world, many people do not realize that over the past 20 years, the western corridor of Rockefeller Center has quietly become home to some of the world’s largest financial institutions including Morgan Stanley, Barclays, Société Générale and countless others. With the addition of these financial institutions has come an increase in the demand for electrical power needed to run large trading floors. The Rockefeller Group has put a lot of time, effort and money into servicing these demands while recognizing the environmental impact these demands have on the building. |
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In October of 2009, the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) awarded one of our buildings, 1221 Avenue of the Americas, LEED-EB certification, making it the largest LEED-EB (Existing building) certified building in New York. This accomplishment was important to us as well as our tenants, who worked with us to incorporate sustainable best management practices for the building for site maintenance, water usage, energy management, waste diversion, cleaning and indoor air quality.
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| That LEED status has not gone unnoticed. When we meet with prospective tenants, sustainability is one of the first things they ask about. In knowing that we have LEED certification, they know that we have policies and procedures in place to not only meet their energy needs but that we will continue to support the USGBC’s efforts towards a sustainable and prosperous future. That sets us apart from many of the competing buildings. We are working hard to achieve LEED-EB status in 1271 Avenue of the Americas next year. |
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| Anyone who has visited New York City, knows how fast paced it is. I love that level of energy but with that comes expectations for services, short deadlines and an overall stressful yet challenging atmosphere. One way I relax, besides spending time with my children, is golf. You won’t find a lot of golf courses in New York City but the suburbs of New York City: Westchester County, Long Island and Northern New Jersey (where I live), have some of the most amazing golf courses in the world. I enjoy the competitiveness and camaraderie of golf and I feel that translates to my job. You can really measure someone’s character after spending five hours on the golf course with them. Whether it’s with a friend, colleague or client, golf is a great way to spend an afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of Rockefeller Center. |
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| NOTE 1: A subsidiary of Mitsubishi Steel |
6 years ago, I came to Cebu for a vacation and tried applying for a job. Luckily, I got a job from MSM Cebu, Inc.1 as a production apprentice worker for almost three months and later transferred to the Quality Assurance Section and was trained as an inspector for six months. Then I was transferred to the Admin Section as one of the purchasing staffs. Since then, my working days have evolved here and learn so many things each day.
Cebu is considered as the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and as one of the most progressive cities in the country. Knowing this at an early age, I decided to leave Cagayan de Oro City, my hometown, which lies along the Northern coastline on the Mindanao Island, the southern part of the Philippines.
Life is not so easy when you are away from the family, struggling for survival but the support I get from the management and staff has been so rewarding since I stepped in the company. I am just one of those employees who are catching-up things with the family during holidays and special occasions but being with my unconditionally welcoming and supportive colleagues makes the company feels like home. And I always remember that getting on with them is so important because sometimes they are the last people I mingle at night and the first people I mingle in the morning. |
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| March 13, 2010 was a blast when MSM Cebu successfully celebrated its 15th anniversary and sports festival at the same time. The one day event gathered all the employees and showcased their athletic movements through playing badminton, volleyball, basketball and table tennis. Some tokens were also given to the employees for their 5 years, 10 years and 15 years |
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of continued service to the company. Apart from it, I gave my ‘Best Muse’ crown which I won myself from the previous sportsfest to the lovely lady from the Lavender team for winning the ‘Best Muse for Sportsfest 2010’ title.
Employees on the other hand, have worked hard over the past year to make the event more efficient. More employees are involved every sportsfest resulting from the constant practice during lunch break and after working hours. Some even had a mini tournament to continue the fun, to loss weight and to pursue their fitness goals.
It could have been different if our team got the major awards; nevertheless, our team was more optimistic about our chances of winning it the next time and it brought us all closer together as we all enjoyed sharing the price we got after the event. It also personally gave me sort of a philosophical outlook that being at the bottom is not really a bad thing yet a challenge. |
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I work in the office, so at the end of the working day, I think of some things better to do. Nothing major, just watching television to check for the current news when I am at home, surf the net for the famous social networking sites, reading magazines and novels and getting some simple exercise to remain my body fit after the busy hours of the day.
During weekends, I do some household chores and go to church. I rarely go out, but when I do, I spend it with my friends and do videoke (the combination of video and karaoke). Singing is a major past time in the Philippines. There are lots of videoke rooms in Cebu to choose from, the public rooms where you sing a song for a five pesos per song or feeding the machine with a five peso coin. There are also private rooms which you pay per hour depending on the rate of the rooms.
Stress is surely relieved when getting my nerves off from reaching the high notes of the song. It helps me sing well when I think myself as one of the famous singers while singing and do it on my own version. |
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