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Saturday, March 31, 2007
Best Business Plan of the World Competition 2007 (www.bestbusinessplan.ph)
I'm so proud of this BBP Competition that I agreed to lead this search for the Manila Jaycees. We are on the 4th year of looking for that Filipino entrepreneur team who would bring the glory for the Philippines for four straight years. Our media usually don't cover stories like these (sad to say) not unless you would have to pay for it. For those awesome entrepreneurs out there, submit your Best Business Plan for this year's 4th Philippine Young Entrepreneur Best Business Plan Competition 2007! Check out the website for details: (www.bestbusinessplan.ph). Deadline for entries is on April 30, 2007!! Who knows, you might win $5,000 and an all expense paid trip to beautiful Antalya, Turkey!
The Pride of the Philippines:
Filipinos bag the ‘Best Business Plan of the World’ title 3 years in a row
For three consecutive years now – 2004, 2005 and 2006 – the Philippines has emerged the winner in JCI’s ‘Best Business Plan of the World’ competition, besting thousands of entries from some 100 countries. Thus, Manila Jaycees and all its sponsors take pride in helping bring out the best in budding Filipino entrepreneurs through its flagship project, the ‘Best Business Plan’ competition (www.bestbusinessplan.ph).
The contest is held yearly by Manila Jaycees as part of its search for Philippine entries to the JCI’s ‘Best Business Plan of the World’ competition. Now on its 4th year, the 2007 contest aims to sustain the Philippines’ strong performance in the international tilt. More importantly, Manila Jaycees hopes to inspire more of our young breed of entrepreneurs to come up with the best among the best business plans that are not only feasible but are capable of creating a positive impact on society.
Success Stories
2004 Winner: X-Tal Farms, Inc. by Christian Guerrero of Thames Business School
In 2004, a 27-year-old student-farmer-entrepreneur, Christian Guerrero of Thames Business School in Quezon City, became the first Filipino champion in the world congress held in Fukuoka, Japan for his franchise farming business, X-Tal Farms, Inc. Guerrero won US$5,000 as seed money for his cause-oriented venture, which aimed at helping his fellow farmers in Zambales to adopt modern farming techniques and be able to market their produce profitably. Photo shows Guerrero receiving a replica of his US$5,000 check prize from JCI President Fernando Sanchez-Arias and JCI Interim Secretary General Edson Kodama at the awarding ceremony in Fukuoka.
2005 Winner: Xilworx by Ruth Michelle Ariem, Alexis Lozano, Michael Estorninos of Far Eastern University 
The following year, a group of business students from Far Eastern University (FEU) called Xilworx won world acclaim in the same contest held in Vienna, Austria for their “clean” technology of extracting silver from spent X-ray solutions. Using appropriate technology to collect and process these highly toxic waste materials, Xilworx hopes to augment the local supply of silver and assist industries such as the jewelry sector while still protecting the environment. The FEU team was composed of Ruth Michelle Ariem, Alexis Lozano, Michael Estorninos and their adviser, Prof. Ramon Adviento. Photo shows Alexis Lozano and Ruth Michelle Ariem posing for posterity with a replica of their US$5,000 check prize. With them is 2005 JCI WP Kevin Cullinane.
2006 Winner: MedCorp by Mark Steven King, Ma. Cecilia Mahilum, Faye Zarate, Dhan Morris Samson, and Palarca of Ateneo de Manila University 
Last 2006, the Filipino excellence continues to shine abroad, this time gaining recognition for endeavoring to market a product that can have significant impact on lowering the cost of health care for developing countries. A group of students from the Ateneo de Manila University, under the name of MedCorp, bagged the grand prize in the Best Business Plan competition sponsored by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) and held in Seoul, South Korea. MedCorp intends to market a product called Carragel. This substance is derived from carrageenan, a red seaweed extract, and is designed as a hemostatic agent, something that stops the flow of blood during operations. The Philippines supplies 80% of the global demand for carrageenan, hence Carragel can be priced over 60% lower than the other absorbable gel and foam variety of hemostats currently used in hospitals. In addition, Carragel is completely safe to use, has a faster absorption time, exhibits much more versatility, and even has the ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
MedCorp was formed as part of a marketing course assignment in college, which required students to come up with a business plan to market a new or little know product or service. The team members stumbled upon Carragel through its original developer, Dr. Lucille Abad, a senior science research specialist at the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute. Now, the team – composed of Mark Steven King, Ma. Cecilia Mahilum, Faye Zarate, Dhan Morris Samson, and Palarca – has plans of partnering with Zuellig Pharmaceuticals to tap its distribution network, starting with Southeast Asia and on to the Pacific rim countries within five to six years. Manila Jaycees looks forward to another success story in the 2007 International Best Business Plan competition – and eventually at the 2007 JCI World Conference in Antalya, Turkey! (www.bestbusinessplan.ph)
March 31, 2007 in 13. Awesome Happenings in Manila circa 2005 onwards | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Friday, March 30, 2007
Paying it Forward for a Cost of Friendship
Thanks to Friends of Our Awesome Planet!! One of my motivation for blogging is to gain more online friends and meet the fabulous Filipinos in and out of our country. Some just started as readers, then became acquaintances through comments/ email exchanges. At some point, I do hope to cultivate online friends that lasts. This is why I prefer food trips with small groups, photo tripping, blog meets/ eyeballs, and I make it a point to answer each and every comment (even if it is a delayed response). Also, there are people who ask me to promote their sites and most of the time I oblige as long as it is awesome and for the cost of friendship (free :) - as Pauline, our Media Manager would use to say. It is also a way for me to pay it forward to friends of Our Awesome Planet who are generous enough to share my site with people, give me word-of-mouth tips, and continue to read through out the blog's 27 months existence.
This blog would continue to be an online live biography of our life and our adventures hoping someday that Aidan and Baby 4 will be great leaders of our country. Imagine, they can look back at their childhood/ formative years and read history through the eyes of their parents. Sometimes, I'm tempted to transform it to a magazine type site or to fully commercialize it. I would often resist that temptation because I want it to continue to be personal and to document "experiences" rather than doing reviews for the sake of content. "Where is the fun in that?", I would ask myself.
It would continue to conform to the highest standards of integrity, honesty and truth. These are the traits ingrained in me by Papa Procter and we call it PVP or Purpose-Values-Principles which is the core essence of the company that I've been loyal to for close to 12 years now. Also, my mom would always say that don't strive to possess earthly treasures but rather strive to collect treasures in heaven. That is why, my blog is a way for me to fulfill my personal mission in life to:
Touch One Heart. Inspire One Mind. Save One Soul. No Day but Today!
Sorry for making this a sentimental post. I usually have moments like this because I am humbled at people letting me know that they read my blog and when I look at the blog statistics. I do hope that I can pay it forward by sharing with you the Very Best of the Philippines and offering my "friendship".
email: anton@diaz.ph
blog: anton.blogs.com
March 30, 2007 in 01. My Favorite Blog Posts | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack
Doughnut Miss it this Easter!
I was surprised that when I arrived from Singapore today, I got 6 boxes of half-dozen Easter Egg Doughnuts from Blooey. That was a pleasant surprise and I gave some to my team. Honestly, the chocolate and cream cheese toppings were so sweet that it is screaming calories every time you bite into it. These egg shape doughnuts does not have a hole so that you get that full carbo rich experience. How I wish they would start having those light or fat free doughnuts or healthy doughnuts (i know it is quite a contradictory but I'm just hoping that there would be one someday)
I'm more excited about the fun activities on April 8, Easter Day in Bonifacio High Street and Serendra. Thanks again to Krispy Kreme and see you there on Easter!
KRISPY KREME’S EASTER DOUGHNUTS are here! (PRESS RELEASE)
Krispy Kreme, America ’s most loved doughnut, offers new egg-shaped doughnuts in the spirit of Easter. With five colorful designs and two flavors – chocolate and cream cheese. These egg shaped doughnuts are great substitute for Easter egg hunts too!
Enjoy great value with Krispy Kreme's Sweet Easter Treat when you purchase 1 dozen Assorted with Egg Shaped Doughnut and a medium Frozen Blend or Iced Espresso for just P379. Hurry! This offer is until April 15, 2007 only.
Plus! It's our 1st Easter in the Philippines . So join us on April 8 as Krispy Kreme celebrates Easter with fun-filled activities for the entire family.
Visit us at Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City , Taguig City and Ground Floor, Bldg. B, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City .
Share some Egg Shaped Doughnuts today!
March 30, 2007 in zz. Advertising, Contests and Sponsored Posts | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack
Lecheng Pastillas 'to
I think I finally found the best pastillas in Manila. Christine of Ramblings from a Gypsy Soul brought these Jumbo Pastillas during Poch's despedida dip party and we immediately got hooked! Christine was also responsible for my Sonja's cupcakes addiction way before it opened in Serendra. I finally succumbed to these Jumbo Pastillas temptation and we had to buy two boxes to satisfy our soon-to-be pastillas addiction. Finally, this might be the Best Pastillas in Manila!
Pastillas is one of those that conjured up childhood memories similar to our all time favorite chocnut. It was sad that it became a commodity and for a time, it was satisfied being sold in a generic unbranded cardboard box decreasing in size over time. Iya's Jumbo Pastillas decided to revive its lost glory starting with a maroon cow inspired box perfect for giving it as a gift or satisfying the most requested pasalubong of balikbayans in other countries. The pastillas of our childhood days is quite large and after seeing this 2.5 inches long jumbo pastillas (3.0 inches with the white cover), you would conclude that this the authentic pastillas. The actual pastillas itself is smooth, sweet and enough to make you forget how sinful it is.
We are in pastillas heaven now and my search for the ultimate pastillas is finally over. Not unless, some readers can share their own best pastillas secret. Let me know and maybe we can have a pastillas taste test. One box of Iya's Jumbo Pastillas sells for P250 / box which contains 24 pastillas. Effectively, each one would cost P10.40 and I was wondering why not just add one more pastillas to simplify the computation into P10/ pastillas. I actually have no reference as to how much Sevilla's pastillas would cost.
Aidan is now creating his own pastillas childhood memories and he looks at his mom for a nod of approval before devouring another pastillas. He now has a mental memory of how good these white japanese paper covered sweets that we hide even the photos of these pastillas or else, the two boxes would not be enough for the three of us!
Iya's Jumbo Pastillas (P250/box)
Fruit stall in Market Market,
Tel: 729-0325.
Tel. (02) 843.9066
Guingona's Residence
2320 Morado St./1392 Palm Ave. Dasmarinas Vill., Makati
Directions:
Enter Dasmarinas village via the gate near Sanctuario de San Antonio Church.
Leave your ID and tell them you are going to 2320 Morado St.
Drive straight and turn on the second right.
It is the corner house along Morado St. and Palm Ave.
March 30, 2007 in 07. Foodie Discoveries | Permalink | Comments (23) | TrackBack
Jewel Box, Mount Faber, Singapore
Mount Faber View -- The Highest Point in Singapore.
"An Extraordinary hideaway which stands out with its pleasing sense of rustic sophistication. The Jewel Box offers an ethereal ambiance in which you will enjoy the privacy and tranquility of nature, as well as the exquisite variety of bars & restaurant. In the midst of an enormous wealth of flora and fauna, of colorful sunsets, and songs of birds, this exuberant architectonic combination offers the most spectacular scenery of the city and harbour and is perfect for after-work drinks, intimate dinners and serious partying"
(www.mountfaber.com.sg)
(Left to Right) Apurva (Indian), Siriwan (Thailand), Mui - The boss (Singaporean), Donald (Australian), Alex (Singaporean), Birthday Boy Steven (Malaysian), Calvin (Chinese), and Mark (Australian).
Usually, our regional team meets twice a year and I always look forward to the group dinner. It is the only time I'm able to go to "bloggable" places, otherwise, we spend most of the time between the hotel and our Novena office. I was excited because I've never been to Mount Faber which is allegedly the highest point in Singapore. We went to Jewel box, Singapore's Iconic Hilltop Destination, which serves a 4 course set menu of salad, soup, entree and dessert. Despite the fantastic 180 degrees view of Sentosa, the lush forrest, and nearby islands, it was not enough to compensate for its uninspired ambiance and cuisine. They also have a very nice and enticing website but I have a hard time to even say that the food was OK.
In any case, it is always a nice experience and more learnings about Singapore. Thanks Alex for arranging this!
Jewel Box, Mount Faber Leisure Group
www.mountfaber.com.sg
March 30, 2007 in zz. Travel Raves Outside The Philippines | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
