RCBC exec balances health with nature

MANILA, Philippines - There’s a distinct connection between taking care of one’s health and taking care of the environment, a connection that Joee Guilas feels all too deeply.  That’s why the care and concern that he puts into his health mirror on a larger scale his concern for nature’s well-being. 

Among the numerous hats that he wears is that of being the Fitness Ambassador of Fitness First gyms in 2013.  In the corporate world, he also presides as the first vice president and head of Corporate Communications and Shared Services of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC).

Both positions present him with the prime opportunity to promote the importance of both health and caring for Mother Nature’s wealth. “My jobs basically go in line with the objective of promoting various programs, so it has become a lot easier for me to promote my advocacies,” he said.

As a broadcast journalist for various networks for 20 years, and a radio host at 106.7 Energy FM concurrent to his career, Joee employs all means necessary to bring his advocacy across to the public.  As a part-time professor at Far Eastern University, he is also able to sow the seeds of environmental wisdom to his students.

Deep roots

Joee’s environmental consciousness has deep roots in his own personal life. ‘My parents taught me to live in a clean environment, beginning with the basic, which is keeping the house clean,” he said. “My mom in particular was a stickler for cleanliness. As I grew up, I realized it has far more repercussions than just getting the house free from harmful materials. In a bigger scale, in the bigger picture, it is an entire environment, an entire world that we must care for.”

Sadly, tragedies would further drive for him this connection of environmental care and personal health. Chronic kidney disease claimed the lives of his brother in 2008 and his mother in 2009.  Diagnosed with the same condition in 2010, Joee had to drastically change his lifestyle to ensure that his kidneys continue to function properly. He crash dieted, dropped his weight from 180 lbs to 130 lbs in just four months, and starting taking fitness regimen in his gym.

“I will pursue my advocacy on health, not just during my reign as Fitness First Health Ambassador,” he said. “Health is not among the top priorities of Filipinos, understandably so because of numerous problems being faced day by day. But people should realize that health is wealth, because if you don’t have that wealth, you don’t have tomorrows to look forward to.”

Branching out

Along with his heightened self-awareness on health, Joee also intensified his programs on environmental consciousness. In RCBC, he has pushed for tree-planting drives, rallied fellow employees and customers behind nature-themed slogans, and even partnered with Miss Philippines Earth beauty pageant to have the bank’s environmental programs represented by the pageant’s candidates and drive mileage.

Beyond the confines of his office, Joee has done other projects that promote environmental awareness. “People would initially have to be aware of what is happening, and how beneficial it would be for them if they would care for mother earth,” he explained. “Along those lines of environmental awareness, I’ve done mini lectures to select communities.”

Recent calamities, he continued, should serve as eye-opening reminders for Filipinos to heighten their sensitivity toward Mother Earth.  Ever conscious of his irreversible kidney disease, Joee feels he has little time to waste, believing that keeping the environment green and healthy is the lasting legacy he may be able to leave behind someday.

“Every single day promises me an opportunity to make a difference,” he said. “Through my advocacies, I’d like to be able to touch lives.”