PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications, Inc. held a hybrid parenting workshop for dads to empower employees and create a happy workplace. The workshop, “Connecting, Understanding and Guiding Everyday Parenting,” emphasized the importance of fathers, positive relationships, co-parenting, self-care, and child safety. The event featured a talk by Joey Ong, founder of DadBudPH, a community platform for Filipino dads to connect, find support, and share experiences.
Ong shared his experience about being a father at the beginning of the pandemic and creating a face shield for his newborn son from a soda bottle, which became viral on social media. He also advocated for breaking gender roles in the household and supporting their partners in childcare.
Meanwhile, Mitch Locsin, FVP and Head of Enterprise and International Core Business at PLDT and Smart shared how he set rules and open communication with his children, which sometimes led to topics that are generally difficult to discuss. AJ Morales of People Group shared the excitement, fear, and hopes of someone who just entered fatherhood.
“We understand the challenges of fatherhood, and this session is designed to engage the fathers and father figures in our workplace, enabling them to learn and support each other through shared experiences and nuggets of wisdom,” said Maye Rubio, Vice President, and Program Management Head for Org Planning and Optimization at PLDT.
The speakers also engaged in a question-and-answer session with the audience to further share their experiences in improving their relationship at home.
This Father’s Day talk is part of PLDT and Smart’s workforce welfare initiatives. It underscores the PLDT group’s commitment to helping the Philippines attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
