Features & Opinion
Creating jobs through pedicart venture
MANILA, Philippines - Despite its dominance in the supermarket sector, Gardenia Bakeries Philippines Inc. added a new market for its products through the pedicart outlets, a three-wheeled bike that has a cart capable of carrying 50 loaves to be sold in Metro Manila villages and communities just like the ice cream companies had done.
Inspiring women of the year
In celebration of Women’s Month, today we open the Go Negosyo Women Entrepreneurship Summit at the World Trade Center in Pasay. Our theme, “Babae, tagumpay ka ng bayan!” says it all.
20 challenges facing Philippine SMEs in 2010
Acting without design, occupying oneself without making a business of it, finding the great in what is small and the many in the few, repaying injury with kindness, effecting difficult things while they are easy, and managing great things in their beginnings; this is the method of Tao.
Who are successors to our tycoons?
The day rags-to-riches industrialist and Philippine Airlines boss Lucio C. Tan surprised the public with his move to merge his flagship business Fortune Tobacco with arch-rival Philip Morris International, this writer was interviewed by Europe’s leading economic newspaper Financial Times for our assessment. This writer believes that this is a very smart strategic move of Lucio Tan, because it would ensure long-term stability and viability for his business empire.
One-stop shop for training program
MANILA, Philippines - The financial crisis of 2009 taught a lot of companies to spend prudently and invest wisely in training programs. HR managers and training coordinators therefore have an enormous challenge this 2010 to find a venue that offers effective training programs and learning solutions yet at the same time fulfill the goals of the company without breaking the budget.
Social entrepreneurship through coffee and water
What is a social entrepreneur? Books and sources suggest that a social entrepreneur is someone who identifies a social problem and uses entrepreneurial skills and concepts to bring about change and provide solutions.
Why are Chinese entrepreneurs successful?
One of the most dynamic and gutsiest ladies I have ever met was my neighbor here in The Philippine STAR’s Business Life section, Josefina “Josie” Trinidad Lichauco. She was an honors graduate of the University of the Philippines (UP) Law School with a master’s degree from Yale University.
Dagupan’s little shoe store now a retail giant
This is a story of a little corner store named after Walt Disney’s mouse.
Making top-of-the-line beauty products affordable to all
AMANILA, Philippines - It can be expensive, this business of being beautiful. Beauty products and treatments can cost a hefty sum and significantly dent the budget.1:09 PM 2/16/2010
Women educators, enablers, entrepreneurs
As we celebrate women’s month in March, “Tagumpay” will be featuring women with stories of triumph. It will not only be about triumph over poverty; we will feature tagumpay stories about women with different backgrounds overcoming different challenges.
PBSP steps up drive vs poverty
LAST YEAR’S global economic meltdown and recent natural calamities have left many businesses and households in shambles, with most of the affected still trying to put back together the pieces of their broken lives.
Pia Magalona on a quest for financial freedom
Shortly after master rapper Francis Magalona lost his eight-month battle with cancer at 44 years old, his wife, Pia Magalona, was told she had a check waiting for her at life insurer Sun Life of Canada.
Retiree mines health, wealth in herbal trade
When Tito Contado, 73, retired from his job, he had no plans of looking for other sources of income or putting up a business, knowing he had saved enough for his retirement.
Franchising: A fallback for overseas workers
Recent statistics from the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency have revealed that there are more than 8.7 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) deployed in various parts of the world.
Henry Sy now RP’s richest man
The Philippines’ biggest mall operator and his family have increased their wealth by $1.4 billion despite the global financial turmoil, making them the wealthiest Filipinos this year, Forbes Asia magazine said yesterday.
Socorro Ramos: Nanay, Super Tindera, and everyone’s minister of education
EMOTIONAL WEATHER REPORT By Jessica Zafra
Everybody calls her Nanay. Educators, writers, leaders of industry, the employees, suppliers, and clients of National Book Store, the readers of this paper, in which her column appears every week, and several generations of schoolchildren — the “laking-National.”
AFFI, helping others grow in business
About 10 years ago, 10 young entrepreneurs banded themselves together for a common goal – to network and share best practices and trade trends for their mutual advancement.
Never wrestle with a pig
COMMONNESS By Bong R. Osorio
Read Bong Osorio's career development advice to college students eager to get out of college and find their place in the competitive world of business and life.
Not-so-secret strategies of self-made Filipino millionaires
INQUIRER.NET MONEY SMARTS By Ma. Salve Duplito
ANTONIO L. TIU is the image of a young, wealthy Chinese businessman. As president of AgriNurture Inc., a P3-billion agriculture company preparing for an initial public offering, the 32-year old visionary can easily live like a billionaire.
‘Save It Forward’ program brings kids back to school
One in every six school-age children in the Philippines is deprived of education. Poverty drives them out of the classrooms and into labor where they are sometimes exposed to harsh surroundings and environments not even suitable for adults.
How to boost your sales career
BUSINESS MATTERS (Beyond the bottom line) By Francis J. Kong
You can not put your business and you can not put your career on cruise control. Find out what courses of action you can take to boost your sales performance.
First Aristocrat Resto franchisee makes good in Subic & Pampanga
Founded on the pioneering spirit of the Reyes forebears Engracia Cruz-Reyes, fondly known as Aling Asiang, and husband Justice Alex Reyes, Aristocrat has become a benchmark for success in the industry for 72 years now.
Success secrets of the century-old Aboitiz conglomerate
BULL MARKET, BULL SHEET By Wilson Lee Flores
Discover how the respected, multibillionaire Aboitiz clan of Cebu maintained harmonious family unity and business success across more than four generations.
Asiapro: A thriving self-help enterprise
Self-help or self-reliance continues to be the basic philosophy underlying the country’s social reform and poverty alleviation efforts. Self-sustaining businesses and livelihood ventures are encouraged, which led to the development of groups with self-help programs that require little (to no) assistance from the government.
Tycoons see the future in schools, hospitals
BULL MARKET, BULL SHEET By Wilson Lee Flores
First Pacific Group and PLDT/Smart chairman Manuel “Manny” V. Pangilinan is now buying hospitals nationwide and is emerging as the “Hospital King of the Philippines,” while “shopping mall king” Henry Sy of SM Group and BDO is buying banks and also, it seems, universities.
RP's 12 Most Profitable Companies in 2007
PLDT continues to lord it over listed companies in the Philippines, topping once again the 2007 list of most profitable companies with a net income of P36.0 Billion.
Home-based medical transcription
Reader's Corner By Eleonor Amadora
Contrary to what others say, deciding to become a "housewife/homemaker" can still be as stimulating and self-fulfilling as having your previous career.
Best business plans from student entrepreneurs
BULL MARKET, BULL SHEET By Wilson Lee Flores
The Manila Jaycees recently held its annual "Best Business Plan for the World" competition at the PSE boardroom. Learn about the winning business plans which will represent the Philippines in the global competition.
2 Cebu moms succeed as micro entrepreneurs
By the GO NEGOSYO team
From being a tenant, Saturnina “Inday” Diez rose to become a landowner and a trader of agricultural products since she began her own business five years ago.
More insights on goat farming
The operation of the Alaminos Goat Farm in Laguna is most impressive. Their goats are very healthy and reproducing very well. 100 Saanen goats imported last May from Australia have already doubled in number.
Frugal housewife wins P1-M PSBank fortune
Estela Cahanding, a 62-year-old housewife, never thought her years of frugal living would one day lead to a P1-million fortune.
What’s hot, what’s not?
PHILEQUITY CORNER By Antonio R. Samson
In every briefing on the investment landscape, whether in hotel ballrooms for high-net-worth clients or on TV interviews of portfolio managers in the business channels, the resource person is always asked to designate his stock pick, a list of sectors and companies he favors...
How to start chasing your dream
ASK NANAY By Socorro C. Ramos
A reader asks "I want to be a writer but I don’t know how or where to start. One problem is that I can’t go to college because of financial constraints...tried my best to get a job but until now I am still waiting to hear from one of the companies I applied to. I don’t know what to do, Nanay."
Savemore: The neighborhood SM
“There’s a new SM supermarket just around the neighborhood – the growing Savemore chain, which is a fresh new concept to the SM Supermarket chain. To date, there are eight Savemore supermarkets, as well as 23 supermarkets and 11 hypermarkets in the SM chain, making it the largest and most innovative in the country.”
Words of wisdom from Taipan Henry Sy
“My basic strategy is to stick to my core business, and to my area of expertise. My businesses are all related – retail, shopping centers, banking, real estate and tourism development. Together they create synergy.”
Top 5 tips on finding franchise success
Becoming an entrepreneur is an exciting and daunting prospect because while you get to enjoy the benefit of being your own boss, you also carry the risk of a failed business venture.
When celebrities go into business
Reputation is important in business, and a good reputation contributes to progress, while a bad one can break your business. How people react to your business depends on how you project yourself.
Creating jobs through pedicart venture
MANILA, Philippines - Despite its dominance in the supermarket sector, Gardenia Bakeries Philippines Inc. added a new market for its products through the pedicart outlets, a three-wheeled bike that has a cart capable of carrying 50 loaves to be sold in Metro Manila villages and communities just like the ice cream companies had done.
Inspiring women of the year
In celebration of Women’s Month, today we open the Go Negosyo Women Entrepreneurship Summit at the World Trade Center in Pasay. Our theme, “Babae, tagumpay ka ng bayan!” says it all.
20 challenges facing Philippine SMEs in 2010
Acting without design, occupying oneself without making a business of it, finding the great in what is small and the many in the few, repaying injury with kindness, effecting difficult things while they are easy, and managing great things in their beginnings; this is the method of Tao.
Who are successors to our tycoons?
The day rags-to-riches industrialist and Philippine Airlines boss Lucio C. Tan surprised the public with his move to merge his flagship business Fortune Tobacco with arch-rival Philip Morris International, this writer was interviewed by Europe’s leading economic newspaper Financial Times for our assessment. This writer believes that this is a very smart strategic move of Lucio Tan, because it would ensure long-term stability and viability for his business empire.
One-stop shop for training program
MANILA, Philippines - The financial crisis of 2009 taught a lot of companies to spend prudently and invest wisely in training programs. HR managers and training coordinators therefore have an enormous challenge this 2010 to find a venue that offers effective training programs and learning solutions yet at the same time fulfill the goals of the company without breaking the budget.
Social entrepreneurship through coffee and water
What is a social entrepreneur? Books and sources suggest that a social entrepreneur is someone who identifies a social problem and uses entrepreneurial skills and concepts to bring about change and provide solutions.
Why are Chinese entrepreneurs successful?
One of the most dynamic and gutsiest ladies I have ever met was my neighbor here in The Philippine STAR’s Business Life section, Josefina “Josie” Trinidad Lichauco. She was an honors graduate of the University of the Philippines (UP) Law School with a master’s degree from Yale University.
Dagupan’s little shoe store now a retail giant
This is a story of a little corner store named after Walt Disney’s mouse.
Making top-of-the-line beauty products affordable to all
AMANILA, Philippines - It can be expensive, this business of being beautiful. Beauty products and treatments can cost a hefty sum and significantly dent the budget.1:09 PM 2/16/2010
Women educators, enablers, entrepreneurs
As we celebrate women’s month in March, “Tagumpay” will be featuring women with stories of triumph. It will not only be about triumph over poverty; we will feature tagumpay stories about women with different backgrounds overcoming different challenges.
PBSP steps up drive vs poverty
LAST YEAR’S global economic meltdown and recent natural calamities have left many businesses and households in shambles, with most of the affected still trying to put back together the pieces of their broken lives.
Pia Magalona on a quest for financial freedom
Shortly after master rapper Francis Magalona lost his eight-month battle with cancer at 44 years old, his wife, Pia Magalona, was told she had a check waiting for her at life insurer Sun Life of Canada.
Retiree mines health, wealth in herbal trade
When Tito Contado, 73, retired from his job, he had no plans of looking for other sources of income or putting up a business, knowing he had saved enough for his retirement.
Franchising: A fallback for overseas workers
Recent statistics from the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency have revealed that there are more than 8.7 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) deployed in various parts of the world.
Henry Sy now RP’s richest man
The Philippines’ biggest mall operator and his family have increased their wealth by $1.4 billion despite the global financial turmoil, making them the wealthiest Filipinos this year, Forbes Asia magazine said yesterday.
Socorro Ramos: Nanay, Super Tindera, and everyone’s minister of education
EMOTIONAL WEATHER REPORT By Jessica Zafra
Everybody calls her Nanay. Educators, writers, leaders of industry, the employees, suppliers, and clients of National Book Store, the readers of this paper, in which her column appears every week, and several generations of schoolchildren — the “laking-National.”
AFFI, helping others grow in business
About 10 years ago, 10 young entrepreneurs banded themselves together for a common goal – to network and share best practices and trade trends for their mutual advancement.
Never wrestle with a pig
COMMONNESS By Bong R. Osorio
Read Bong Osorio's career development advice to college students eager to get out of college and find their place in the competitive world of business and life.
Not-so-secret strategies of self-made Filipino millionaires
INQUIRER.NET MONEY SMARTS By Ma. Salve Duplito
ANTONIO L. TIU is the image of a young, wealthy Chinese businessman. As president of AgriNurture Inc., a P3-billion agriculture company preparing for an initial public offering, the 32-year old visionary can easily live like a billionaire.
‘Save It Forward’ program brings kids back to school
One in every six school-age children in the Philippines is deprived of education. Poverty drives them out of the classrooms and into labor where they are sometimes exposed to harsh surroundings and environments not even suitable for adults.
How to boost your sales career
BUSINESS MATTERS (Beyond the bottom line) By Francis J. Kong
You can not put your business and you can not put your career on cruise control. Find out what courses of action you can take to boost your sales performance.
First Aristocrat Resto franchisee makes good in Subic & Pampanga
Founded on the pioneering spirit of the Reyes forebears Engracia Cruz-Reyes, fondly known as Aling Asiang, and husband Justice Alex Reyes, Aristocrat has become a benchmark for success in the industry for 72 years now.
Success secrets of the century-old Aboitiz conglomerate
BULL MARKET, BULL SHEET By Wilson Lee Flores
Discover how the respected, multibillionaire Aboitiz clan of Cebu maintained harmonious family unity and business success across more than four generations.
Asiapro: A thriving self-help enterprise
Self-help or self-reliance continues to be the basic philosophy underlying the country’s social reform and poverty alleviation efforts. Self-sustaining businesses and livelihood ventures are encouraged, which led to the development of groups with self-help programs that require little (to no) assistance from the government.
Tycoons see the future in schools, hospitals
BULL MARKET, BULL SHEET By Wilson Lee Flores
First Pacific Group and PLDT/Smart chairman Manuel “Manny” V. Pangilinan is now buying hospitals nationwide and is emerging as the “Hospital King of the Philippines,” while “shopping mall king” Henry Sy of SM Group and BDO is buying banks and also, it seems, universities.
RP's 12 Most Profitable Companies in 2007
PLDT continues to lord it over listed companies in the Philippines, topping once again the 2007 list of most profitable companies with a net income of P36.0 Billion.
Home-based medical transcription
Reader's Corner By Eleonor Amadora
Contrary to what others say, deciding to become a "housewife/homemaker" can still be as stimulating and self-fulfilling as having your previous career.
Best business plans from student entrepreneurs
BULL MARKET, BULL SHEET By Wilson Lee Flores
The Manila Jaycees recently held its annual "Best Business Plan for the World" competition at the PSE boardroom. Learn about the winning business plans which will represent the Philippines in the global competition.
2 Cebu moms succeed as micro entrepreneurs
By the GO NEGOSYO team
From being a tenant, Saturnina “Inday” Diez rose to become a landowner and a trader of agricultural products since she began her own business five years ago.
More insights on goat farming
The operation of the Alaminos Goat Farm in Laguna is most impressive. Their goats are very healthy and reproducing very well. 100 Saanen goats imported last May from Australia have already doubled in number.
Women helping other women
Mary Kay is more than just makeup. It is about reaching out and helping other women,” says Pat Fortenberry.
Day with hands-on goat farm owners
By Zac Sarian, Manila Bulletin
It is always highly enlightening to talk to hands-on farmers because they know best the problems as well as the potentials of the particular business they are in.
The Real value of savings
Most businesses do the usual stuff – work hard, earn and earn more. For the people behind The Real Bank, a thrift bank, the bank is not just an ordinary bank.
K2 Drug: 2-in-1 franchise with a social mission
Medicines account for 40 percent of the country’s healthcare spending. While there is a proliferation of drugstores in the country today, whether it’s a big drugstore or small, generics or not, the constant demand for quality yet affordable medicines remains foremost to Filipino families and communities.
Jollibee: Building a Filipino multinational brand
By Ernesto Tanmantiong President, Jollibee Business Unit
When we first ventured into the fast-food business 30 years ago, we didn’t have any deliberate or complex strategy. There was only one thing we were sure of, we were committed to become number one; to be the best and to be known worldwide
The World's 12 Richest People in 2008
Despite the global economic gloom, the number billionaires in the world crossed over the 1,000 mark for the first time ever. And after 13 years at the top, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is no longer the world's richest man. That honor now belongs to his friend and sometimes bridge partner Warren Buffett.
Frugal housewife wins P1-M PSBank fortune
Estela Cahanding, a 62-year-old housewife, never thought her years of frugal living would one day lead to a P1-million fortune.
What’s hot, what’s not?
PHILEQUITY CORNER By Antonio R. Samson
In every briefing on the investment landscape, whether in hotel ballrooms for high-net-worth clients or on TV interviews of portfolio managers in the business channels, the resource person is always asked to designate his stock pick, a list of sectors and companies he favors...
How to start chasing your dream
ASK NANAY By Socorro C. Ramos
A reader asks "I want to be a writer but I don’t know how or where to start. One problem is that I can’t go to college because of financial constraints...tried my best to get a job but until now I am still waiting to hear from one of the companies I applied to. I don’t know what to do, Nanay."
Savemore: The neighborhood SM
“There’s a new SM supermarket just around the neighborhood – the growing Savemore chain, which is a fresh new concept to the SM Supermarket chain. To date, there are eight Savemore supermarkets, as well as 23 supermarkets and 11 hypermarkets in the SM chain, making it the largest and most innovative in the country.”
Words of wisdom from Taipan Henry Sy
“My basic strategy is to stick to my core business, and to my area of expertise. My businesses are all related – retail, shopping centers, banking, real estate and tourism development. Together they create synergy.”
Top 5 tips on finding franchise success
Becoming an entrepreneur is an exciting and daunting prospect because while you get to enjoy the benefit of being your own boss, you also carry the risk of a failed business venture.
When celebrities go into business
Reputation is important in business, and a good reputation contributes to progress, while a bad one can break your business. How people react to your business depends on how you project yourself.
