CARD Publishing Executive hailed UPLB CDC Outstanding Alumna

Ms. Marilyn M. Manila, one of the youngest leaders of CARD MRI, was conferred Outstanding Alumna of the College of Development Communication of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). The awarding ceremony was held on October 9, 2019 as part of the celebration of university’s 101st Loyalty Day and Alumni Homecoming on October 10, 2019.

The award was given in honor of Manila’s contribution to the community as a development communication practitioner.

Said Manila, the award is a gentle reminder of her journey in the field. “I am honored and grateful to have received this award. Looking back, I believe much of my work was shaped by the principles our discipline has taught us,” shared Manila. 

Manila finished BS Development Communication, major in Educational Communication in 1999. She began her career in the development sector in February 2000 when she first worked as Executive Assistant to the Chairman at the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), Inc. (A Microfinance NGO). Dr. Jaime Aristotle Alip, the founder of CARD, was a recipient of UPLB Outstanding Alumni Award in 2007. 

Seeing Manila’s passion and commitment in promoting community development, Manila was assigned Resource Mobilization Manager, then Director of the same institution. Among her key responsibilities is the implementation of CARD MRI’s community partnership relations projects.

Then on July 2012, Manila was assigned Director for the Community Development Group of the CARD MRI organization. She managed the organization’s community development programs, as well as its corporate communications. Under her leadership, the group has produced various publications, and has spearheaded development programs related to health, education and livelihood trainings among communities. 

Manila got involved, as well, in international relations when she held the position of Director for the International Group from January 2009 to July 2013. During this period, Manila supervised the management of CARD’s international offices in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.

This opportunity, said Manila, opened new doors for her. “With this new responsibility at hand, we had the chance to work with the underserved communities of our country. It was where we realized that we have a lot of work yet to do. I am glad that I am part of this,” said Manila. 

This shift of focus in her line of work has molded Manila to a well-rounded communicator and development worker she is today. The success of the many publications their group has produced eventually gave birth to CARD MRI’s 21st institution, the CARD MRI Publishing House. Manila became its first and current president and chairperson.

Entrusted also in her care are CARD MRI Hijos Tours in July 2017, and Mga Likha ni Inay, Inc. in August 2019. The former is CARD MRI’s tour company, whereas the latter is CARD MRI’s marketing arm. Both institutions are in line with CARD MRI’s overall mission of ending poverty by providing channels to CARD’s clients. 

With the newly-conferred award, Manila said she is open to more challenges. “Our contribution to community development has been known. And so, we take the challenge to live up to our mission. We shall continue to reach out to more Filipino families until we have exhausted all our skills, all the means to help our communities,” ended Manila.