Aspiring entrepreneurs in the Philippines (such as me) are always on the lookout for opportunities to know more about the ever-evolving landscape of business and the economy, whether it be locally or around the world. In simpler terms, we want to learn, and we want to learn NOW, especially with this coming year’s ASEAN integration looming just around the corner.

It was a good thing that the Young Entrepreneurs Society (YES) – Philippines saw this as an opportunity to bring students from around the Metro together for a day of teaching, learning, and bonding.

Grow, Glow, Go Global; a national forum and workshop on global entrepreneurship, was held on September 5 at the CCF Makati Center in the A-venue Mall; organized by the YES Philippines – Student Arm led by Juan Paolo De Vega, the group invited speakers to talk about the 2015 ASEAN integration, as well as conducted activities on networking and entrepreneurial development.

 

Grow, Glow, Go Global: Young Entrepreneurs Go International

 

Economics Expert Alvin Ang, was the first to talk about the background of the upcoming 2015 ASEAN integration with details as to what this means to local businesses in the Philippines, as well as how other ASEAN regions would affect the local economy.

Next up in line was the CEO and President of well-known Filipino fast food chain Binalot, Rommel Juan, who talked about how the 2015 ASEAN integration would be a great opportunity for local businesses to engage on an international level.

Last but not least was business specialist Tommy Shane Ng, who gave a talk on saying YES to pursuing business and not forgetting God along the way.

Alvin Ang, Rommel Juan, and Tommy Shane Ng

 

The workshop activities were what easily made the event more engaging and more exciting. Different groups consisting of students from different schools battled it out in an effort to show who’s the best group of young entrepreneurs on the floor.

First off was the “Think Outside The Box” activity, which involved several teams acting out how an ordinary box can turn into anything that comes from the group’s imagination, whether it be a car, a chair, or a beatbox. The last group standing with the most unique ideas won coupons from Chao Dao Tea Place.

 

Lunch was serenaded with performances by the Rhema-Parousia Philharmonic Orchestra Inc. before finally moving on to the last activity of the day, OMNIVATION: Innovation Without Limits; a business ideation and pitching competition judged and facilitated by Miriam College Professors, Tere Cruz and Cristina Ibañez; YES-Treston Adviser, Caesar Apolinar Ramirez Jr.; ENEDA Secretary, Maria Elsa Huffano; ENEDA President, Eunice Areola; and YES-Philippines Chief Executive Director, Henry Ong.

 

The different groups went head to head by coming up with new business ideas from different categories such as food, fashion, or technology. After careful deliberation by the judges, a grand winner was chosen and awarded a cash prize of P3,000.

Overall, it was a fun and productive event by YES-Philippines. Minds were educated, bonds were formed, and stomachs were well fed. With activities and support like these from great-minded professionals, who says it’s hard to go international?

     

 

 

Grow, Glow, Go Global: Young Entrepreneurs Go International