IT programmers bring cheer, fun to Gethsemane children

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu (June 13) -- Employees of a new yet fast-growing information and communication technology company took a break from their daily e-commerce routine by bringing cheer to the children belonging to the Christian Church of Christ in Agony Gethsemane Parish living in four barangays in this city.

The programmers from Focus Interactive Outsourcing, Inc. (FOCUS) played big brothers and sisters to 92 children from Casuntingan, Cabancalan, Banilad and Bakilid through a simple yet fun-filled program and some games, and by sharing with them some food and goodies at the Gethsemane parish center.

"We want to be meaningful parishioners of Gethsemane," remarked Andrie S. Udal, FOCUS CEO and president. "Being actively involved and being in touch with the children, especially those living in marginalized lives, give us so much sense of fulfullment."

The activity last June 7 was part of the celebration of the fiesta and founding anniversry of Gethsemane Parish. Fiesta organizing committee chairperson Lisa Torralba-Molion and her husband Manny of Molion Marketing and Prompt Services invited FOCUS to be involved with the events.

FOCUS, which provides Internet-based outsourcing services for companies in Australia, the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and other parts of Europe, operates with 39 PHP programmers from Villa Angeles, an apartment compex near Greenhills in Casuntingan, this city.

The company began operating early this year, and is expected to expand with 100 programmers towards the yearend. Beyond good pay, amazing perks and continued training and development, FOCUS employees undergo regular team buiding and activities that enhance their humanity.

"The Kids Fun Party we had with the children of Gethsemane is among them," Udal explained.

ICT programmers, especially those familiar with Hypertext Preprocessing (PHP), are welcome to join FOCUS, become satisfied and fulfilled programmers, and be part of its upcoming activities for the community.

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KIDS FUN DAY. A FOCUS programmer distributes chocolate cupcakes to the children who took part in the Kids Fun Day last June 7 that was part of the celebration of the founding anniversary of Gethsemane Parish in Mandaue City, as the FOCUS team led by CEO Andrie S. Udal pose with some of them.