How DBS President Gem Tadefa stays connected with his DBS family in Davao while working in Malaysia
For many Davaoeños, Kadayawan is more than a festival. It is a familiar celebration that brings people together through local culture, shared traditions, and the stories that make Davao feel like home.
For Gem Tadefa, President of Davao Bloggers Society, celebrating Kadayawan looked different this year.
Gem is currently based in Malaysia for work, miles away from Davao and the organization he still leads. Although he couldn't experience the celebration in person, his DBS family made sure he stayed connected to what was happening back home.
DBS has become more than an organization for Gem. After years of working closely with its members, planning activities, and sharing important milestones, they have also become his chosen family in Davao. After all, family is not just blood. It’s also the special people who make any place feel like home.
Leading DBS from Malaysia
Distance hasn't stopped Gem from staying hands-on with DBS.From Malaysia, he continues to join online meetings, coordinate with his officers, review plans, and help lead the organization’s activities. Regular video calls and group conversations keep decisions moving, even when everyone isn't in the same place. A running joke among the officers is to never fall for Gem’s “I have chika!” Of course, everyone immediately goes online and ends up spending hours in a meeting. The thing is, it never feels like work when it’s something you love to do and with people you genuinely enjoy having conversations with.
From Malaysia, he continues to join online meetings, coordinate with his officers, review plans, and help lead the organization’s activities. Regular video calls and group conversations keep decisions moving, even when everyone isn't in the same place. A running joke among the officers is to never fall for Gem’s “I have chika!” Of course, everyone immediately goes online and ends up spending hours in a meeting. The thing is, it never feels like work when it’s something you love to do and with people you genuinely enjoy having conversations with.
Not every conversation is about work. There are also random updates, quick check-ins, jokes, and calls with the members he fondly calls his “DBS babies.”
“I may be based in Malaysia now, but I’m still very hands-on with DBS. I join meetings, coordinate with my officers, and make sure I’m up to date on our activities. During Kadayawan, the calls, photos, videos, and real-time updates made me feel like I was still celebrating with my DBS family in Davao,” Gem shared.
These ordinary conversations help make the distance feel smaller. They allow Gem to remain present not only as the organization’s president but also as a friend and a part of the DBS family.
Experiencing Kadayawan from afar
For Gem, Kadayawan has always reminded her what makes Davao feel like home. Beyond the major events and colorful celebrations, it is a time when communities come together, local stories are celebrated, and Davaoeños take pride in the city and culture they share.
Being away made him miss that familiar energy even more, especially the opportunity to experience it alongside his DBS family.
While Davao celebrated, Gem experienced Kadayawan through the people back home. His DBS family sent him photos, videos, calls, and real-time updates from the festivities.
During the Kadayawan week, several brand and city events took place, with some even falling on the same dates. Members happily shared their experiences with Gem by sending their video and blog links through the DBS official group chat, allowing everyone to enjoy and engage with their content. With a reliable internet connection, staying connected is super easy.
It may have happened through a screen, but it let Gem see what was happening, join the conversation, and share the excitement from thousands of miles away.
He may not have been physically present, but his DBS family ensured he was not completely excluded from the celebration.
Staying connected from Davao to Malaysia
The connection that makes these moments possible is the one Gem’s DBS family in Davao uses.
At Pau Balayon's home, the PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1499 supports everyday digital needs, from online meetings and video calls to social media, streaming, and other activities at home. This is especially important because she often hosts face-to-face gatherings for the officers and needs a reliable connection for everyone during the meeting.
Its fiber connection enables the DBS team to reach Gem in Malaysia via video calls and messaging apps. It also helps them exchange files, discuss upcoming activities, and keep plans moving even while their president is abroad.
The plan also comes with unlimited PLDT-to-PLDT calls, unlimited calls to nominated Smart or TNT numbers, and shareable Smart mobile data for the household’s everyday use in the Philippines.
These benefits help family members stay connected at home and on the go. For conversations with Gem overseas, the fiber connection enables video calls and online conversations to continue across the distance.
Beyond Kadayawan and DBS work, the connection also supports the smaller moments that matter, from casual conversations to simply checking in on one another after a long day.
Still part of home
Working overseas means Gem cannot always be present for every celebration or DBS activity in Davao. Still, the distance has not diminished his commitment to the organization or the relationships he has built within it.
Kadayawan may have been experienced through a screen this year, but calls, photos, videos, and real-time updates reminded him that being away does not mean being forgotten.
The festival eventually ends, but staying connected continues through ordinary meetings, spontaneous calls, shared stories, and everyday conversations.
For Gem, home is not limited to one place. It is also found in the people who keep making room for him, wherever he may be.