Coaching in the Philippines: Promises, challenges

MANILA, Philippines - Coaching in the Philippines is a burgeoning practice that opens a new pathway for Filipinos to develop their fullest potential, personally and professionally. 

In the past decades, coaching was very loosely utilized, often merely supplementary to a broad spectrum of human development interventions. Most people associate coaching with sports, the process of training an amateur to become a champion. This notion, however, is just a small fraction of the true essence of coaching.

Coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential — as defined by the International Coach Federation (ICF), the largest and the leading global organization of professional coaches.

Advancing coaching as an art, a science, a professional practice has always been the core purpose of the ICF. Since its inception in 1995, it has been working toward its goal by setting the highest standards of excellence and competence; establishing a professional code of ethics; developing an internationally recognized credentialing program; conducting empirical research; and providing its members opportunities for strategic alliances and continuous development. 

With over 16,000 members from more than 100 countries and regional service centers in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Latin America, ICF is the voice and the authority that builds, supports and preserves the integrity of the coaching profession.

Here, professional coaching was introduced via ICF-Philippines chapter, founded by Julius Ordonez, the first and the only Filipino executive coach with an ICF designation of Professional Certified Coach (PCC).

Fully operational in 2009, ICF-Philippines represents and administers ICF-registered coaches in the country. It facilitates a wide range of services to member-coaches, including training, events, group coaching sessions and more.

With ICF Philippines’ efforts in promoting coaching locally, the number of aspirants who train to be professional coaches and coaching clients has consistently increased. This indicates the growing appreciation and recognition of how empowering coaching can be for individuals and organizations.

Some of the forward-looking companies that have incorporated coaching in their development programs, with the help of local ICF coaches, include the World Bank, Abbott Laboratories, ABS-CBN, Monde Nissin, Lafarge, Kraft, Ayala Land, TNS, Philam Life, Prulife of UK, to name a few.

To join the ICF Philippines chapter, visit icfphilippines.org.