Ms sect c 20170219 sunday

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2017

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor / Roderick dela Cruz, Issue Editor business@thestandard.com.ph

TRADERS PITCH ON REALITY TV

The Final Pitch creator John Aguilar

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BOAT BUILDER.

Headsail Inc. president Angelo Olondriz

BOAT BUILDER WANTS TO BRING ‘MEDITERRANEAN VIBE’ TO PH B OAT builder Angelo Olondriz envisions the Philippines as the “Mediterranean of Asia”, given the country’s stunning islands and breathtaking marine environment.

What is missing, he says, is the infrastructure that will host yachts and other leisure boats to bring tourists out to the sea or to idyllic island resorts.

“We have all the natural infrastructure in place. We got the islands.

We just need to learn how to move people around. And to do that, we have to build from the ground up this [leisure boating] industry,” Olondriz, president of Subic-based Headsail Inc., tells journalists onboard a Lagoon Catamaran yacht in Manila Bay. Olondriz is the president of Headsail, which manufactures about 25 hammerhead boats a year. He is also the organizer of the 9th Sea-Ex Philippine Boat Show & Nautical Lifestyle Expo on March 3 to 5 at the SMX Convention Center in the Mall of Asia complex, Pasay City.

The expo, dubbed as the biggest marine show in the country, will bring together key personalities and brands involved in the manufacture and distribution of yachts, sail boats, boating accessories, water sports equipment, summer apparel and resort getaways under one roof.

“It is because that I was building boats that I started the boat show,” says Olondriz, who believes that the Philippines can become both a hub of boat manufacturing and destination of yachts and leisure boats in Asia.

“Yes, we can. It is capital intensive, but if people see more demand, more builders will build more boats. We are hoping that they start focusing on the pleasure boat industry. We don’t have to sell boats only to Filipinos,” he says.

Olondriz says the leisure boat industry covers vessels from twometer kayak to 45 meter yacht. “It is not only for the rich. In the car industry, you have Rolls Royce, Ferrari then you have Cherry. You have the whole segments of cars for every type of buyer. The same is true for the boating industry.

You have something for everybody. From a simple kayak, which is a part of our industry, it is unfair to label it for the rich,” he says.

Olondriz, however, confirms that a thriving maritime and coastal tourism industry will attract rich foreign boat owners from Hong Kong, Singapore and other Asian countries. He says some rich yacht

owners spend up to half a million dollars just to replenish their stock.

“Can you imagine that money going to Subic, Cebu or Palawan, that money going into the local economy for buying produce?

That’s the circulation of income that we want to happen all around the Philippines,” he says.

“If you go to Thailand, many of the yachts are owned by foreigners living in Hong Kong. They just leave it in Thailand. We can become like that. All the people in Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia can leave their boats in the Philippines and come here to enjoy it. That’s what we are trying to attract,” he says.

Olondriz, who has a 30-year experience in the Philippine maritime and boating industry and a member of the Subic Bay Yacht Club, says while the country has 7,100 islands, the commercial side of the maritime industry in the country is minuscule compared to its neighbors.

“We need industries to bring people to resorts, to get people around. What is happening in this industry is that everybody is doing his own thing, but not getting anywhere. In most countries, they do use a boat show to solidify the industry, bring everybody under one roof. That’s basically what we are trying to do with the holding of the Philippine Boat Show & Nauti-

cal Lifestyle Expo,” he says.

“We want the Philippines to be the Mediterranean of Asia. We want to become the playgrounds not only for Asians, but also Europeans. We have the islands, we have the English-speaking community, we have the friendliest people in Asia,” says Olondriz.

Christopher Madrigal of National Coast Watch Council agrees that “maritime tourism is an area of the national economy that has a lot of potential.”

“It is time that there is a constant dialog between the government and stakeholders. We support our local boat builders. It would generate more income. It would generate more small businesses. It would generate income for people in the coastal areas, which are among the poorest of the poor,” says Madrigal.

Olondriz says at present, the leisure boating industry in the Philippines is very small, with annual contribution of “a hundred million at most.”

“Boat manufacturing is a segment of the industry that has never been realized. Funny, because we have the fifth biggest ship building facility in the Philippines which is Hanjin,” he says.

Olondriz is optimistic that as the Philippine economy grows, demand for leisure boats will also Turn to C2

FOR the first time on Philippine TV, viewers will see the coming together of the best and brightest entrepreneurs on a reality TV show that will link them to multi-millionaire and billionaire investors who are searching to own a piece of the next big business idea.

All of them will go through a business boot camp and series of challenges for their chance to make the pitch of their lives in a once-in-a-lifetime funding round.

Entitled ‘The Final Pitch’, the reality TV show is loosely inspired by the Emmy Award-winning shows ‘Shark Tank’ and ‘The Apprentice,’ and will challenge entrepreneur contestants in the realities of scaling their existing businesses- from exploring funding options, refining their business plans, and marketing their products and services.

The show is set to air on History Channel in May 2017.

“The Final Pitch aims to help entrepreneurs find success by connecting them to investors who can finance them, and to mentors who can fine-tune their businesses—reducing risk factors and boosting growth potential and sustainability,” said John Aguilar, the creator and host of The Final Pitch.

Entrepreneurs will go through a series of challenges that will test their creativity, motivation and character. At the same time, they will learn the secrets behind the success of their potential investors, who are also tasked to handpick the top finalists to proceed on the show.

For Jose ‘Jomag’ Magsaysay, founder of a well-loved global food brand and one of the investors on ‘The Final Pitch’, his picks for the show would be based on whether or not he can see them as future business partners. “I’m looking for people who deserve a break, as I believe in the person more than the business,” he said.

Other investors include the multi-awarded chairman and CEO of the Sterling Group of Companies and SL Agritech Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong; self-made billionaire and the youngest chairman of a publicly-listed company in the PSE, Joseph Calata; and 25-year old millennial CEO of the angel investing group MFT Group of Companies, Mica Tan. Aguilar said the show is on the lookout for a final investor who will complete the investor panel. “The final slot should go to someone who is not just a successful business person with the capability to invest, but someone who would like to see and help other entrepreneurs succeed.”

ANTIQUE NATIVE SHARES SUCCESSFUL FRANCHISE STORY

Lester Yee says being involved in the family business at an early age has helped him develop the skills and experience that prepared him in running 23 7-Eleven stores.

FRANCHISING has become one of the most common routes for Filipinos seeking for financial independence. To find potential success in any franchise business venture, one of the most pertinent decisions to make would be choosing a trusted product—one that offers a profitable business model.

This is what led to the success story of Lester Mark Yee, whose smart investment in a C-store brand has led him not only to entrepreneurial fulfillment but to a rewarding business journey.

The 38-year-old Antique native is one of the many pioneering and proud

partners that led 7-Eleven’s milestone franchise expansion success in the south in 2012.

“We started our business partnership with 7-Eleven when Chevron Philippines Inc. [Caltex] tied up with Philippine Seven Corp. to convert our mini mart into a branded convenience store. The investment package offered to us as Caltex retailer is very enticing. It’s a total package [products, store design/ layout, systems, marketing, among others] which is worth our investment and also complements our Caltex Station,” says Yee.

“We are one of the first batch of stores that opened in Cebu in 2012, making us part of both 7-Eleven and PSC’s historic Cebu launching. I personally believe that 7-Eleven would mark in the heart of our Caltex customers in Cebu, considering that it will be the first in this area,” he says.

The 7-Eleven franchise package includes a one month preparatory training. Upon completion, Yee and his team were fully ready when they opened the company’s first 7-Eleven store, the Caltex NRA outlet in Mandaue City in July 2012.

“We learned the A to Z of store op-

eration. As a company, we also aimed in becoming the best franchisee of 7-Eleven stores for the emerging markets in the Philippines, with God as the center of our business. We commit in providing customer needs and wants and making their daily life easier via modern convenience stores,” he says.

Prior to franchising 7-Eleven outlets, Yee’s source of business savvy was his early training and exposure to the family business. His family owns and manages various businesses in Antique and Cebu

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Business

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2017 business@thestandard.com.ph

BOAT BUILDER...

From C1

pick up. This way, property developers will find it viable to build marinas all over the country. He quotes architect Jun Palafox as saying that “waterways is the forefront of development in any country.”

Madrigal of the National Coast Watch Council supports this claim.

“If you examine all the development policies of the country, most of it is terrestrial-based. We don’t realize that water is a bigger part of the Philippines, and that is the potential waiting to happen,” he says.

Olondriz says it is understandable for a landlocked country to have a small boating industry. “But for a country with 7,100 islands and 36,289 kilometers of coastline, no. How do you get around? We should have a number of marinas here, with a number of yachts, and even people like us with no boats can go charter boats,” he says.

FILIPINO INVENTS ANTI-POLLUTION GADGET

The inventor, George de Guzman, points to the gadget which he installed in the car of his customers.

He says the 9th Philippine Boat Show & Nautical Lifestyle aims to raise awareness on the potential of the leisure boating industry. The government through the Maritime Industry Authority, the National Coast Watch Council and the Tourism and Promotions Board are joining the campaign.

“Right now, we are working with them to update the rules and regulations that govern the marine industry.

The last time this was revised was back in 1987. We are also working to get the leisure boating industry legitimized. These developments will pave the way for significant growth in the years to come,” says Olondriz.

Among the local boat builders that are expected to join the show are Trevally Boats, Teamnonino, Australasia Marine Alliance Corp., Advanced Composite Systems-Hammerhead Boats and local boat distributors carrying internationally known brands, such as Azimut Yachts, Beneteau, Lagoon, Princess, Chaparral Boats, Sunseeker, NuMarine, Galeon and Corsair Marine. Roderick T. dela Cruz

ANTIQUE...

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under the Esprutingkle Group of Companies. Aside from being a certified public accountant, Yee says that being involved in the family business at an early age has helped him develop the skills and experience that greatly prepared him in running their C-stores.

Being the manager of a flagship outlet outside Luzon, Yee admits encountering challenges during their pilot operations.

But with PSC’s guidance and all-out system support, Yee is proud to rise above the setbacks.

“There are areas for improvement since it is their first time outside Luzon, nevertheless our store ran successfully because of the collaboration of all the stakeholders,” he says.

“We are confident and we feel secured with our investment with 7-Eleven because of the total package of the brand.

Aside from a world-renowned name and highly successful franchise system, the c-store chain’s effective marketing techniques were built on years of successful global operations. Not to mention its profitability and market acceptability,”says Yee. Now into fourth year as a franchisee, Yee’s group now owns and manages a total of 23 stores across the entire islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Growing rapidly and successfully along with the venture, Yee says they are currently applying for more additional stores. “We apply for stores where there are PSC expansions because we want to grow across the country.”

Today, Yee says they employ a total of 191 staff.

By Ben Cal

A

VISITING Filipino-American has cited a Filipino inventor for developing a device that greatly helps reduce pollution emitted not only from vehicles but also from generators and ships.

Jun Pedery, a retired logistics officer of Lockheed Martin Corp. based in Bethesda, Maryland, lauded George de Guzman, the enterprising Filipino inventor who developed an anti-pollution gadget called “Power-Up” fuel combustor.

Pedery heard about de Guzman’s invention over radio station DZBB program host, Rene Sta. Cruz whom he called by phone to arrange for a meeting with the inventor.

Sta. Cruz, an advocate of Filipino inventors, called up de Guzman telling the latter that Pedery would like to meet him (de Guzman).

As a result, de Guzman and Pedery met twice, first at Alhambra Grill in Quezon City which was followed by another meeting at Merville subdivision in Parañaque City.

During their meeting, Pedery told the Filipino inventor that he was gratified to witness first-hand how “Power-Up” works in containing pollution and at the same time injecting more power to the engine.

“I was so impressed during the actual demonstration of the device that there was practically no pollution was emitted from the vehicle that was newly installed with Power-Up,” Pedery said in an interview with this writer.

De Guzman told Pedery that “Power-Up” also saves fuel up to 50 percent and change oil is done only after 30,000 kilometers.

On his part, Pedery said: “When I go back to the US, I will tell my friends about ‘Power-Up’ and possibly introduce the device to some prospective investors to look into the possibility of bringing the invention to America.”

The “Power-Up” device invented by George de Guzman

“I’m proud of this Filipino invention,” Pedery said, adding “I hope the Philippine government will help in propagating Filipino inventions because there are lots of them that will boost Philippine economy.”

In an interview, De Guzman said he had produced and sold so far over 9,000 “Power-Up” devices, and more have their vehicles installed with the gadget.

He said that one of his customers is former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson who used it for his luxury yacht.

De Guzman hopes that the government supports not only his invention but all other Filipino inventors. PNA

TAGUIG STUDENTS WIN BIG AT HONG KONG SCIENCE CONTEST GRADE school students from Taguig Integrated School have brought the country honor and pride on the world stage as they won major science awards for inventing innovative yet practical household products.

The two winning products, “Rauvolfia Serpentina Delicious and Nutritious Tea Drink” and “Coconut Oil, Basil, and Beeswax Anti-Bacterial and Mosquito Repellent Lotion Bar”—invented by students with ages ranging from 10 to 12 – won gold and silver prizes, respectively at the Hong Kong International Invention, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Exhibition held at the City University of Hong Kong and organized by the China Business Strategic Alliance.

Kier Sean Cadag, Brian Ivan Santiago, Franzes Keisha Joven and Lance Ulryck Corpuz took home the gold award while Tracy Gonzales, Chizel Anne Liwanag, Patricia Marites Sanga and Elise Gabriel Santos won silver. The teams were led by research advisers and TIS faculty members Rosenda Puno and Georgie Amaranto.

The two homegrown products also earned additional awards, with the former winning a special award from the World

Invention Intellectual Property Associations, and the latter also earning a special award from the Indonesia Invention and Innovation Promotion Association “in honor of the highest standard of excellence.”

The Aboitiz Foundation, the corporate foundation of the Aboitiz Group, provided the teams financial support during the three-day exhibition as part of its broader

and strong commitment to the Department of Education Special Science Elementary Schools project.

The SSES Project—first launched by DepEd in 2007 to 57 public elementary schools (expanded to 43 more in 2009)—is a research and development project designed to develop Filipino children who are equipped with scientific and technological

knowledge, skills and attitudes; who are creative and have positive values; and have lifelong learning skills to become productive partners in the development of the community and society.

The students explained that their inventions were inspired by their aim to resolve real-world challenges in their community: to create a tasty yet healthy children’s beverage, and to help fight disease-causing mosquitoes from a school-side creek.

“It was a very interesting competition.

We got to meet new friends and exhibit our inventions,” said Santos.

“After the competition, I am further encouraged to explore and study science, because indeed, science is everywhere,” added Cadag.

“These achievements by our student beneficiaries from TIS are a result of perseverance and preparation, and are truly an inspiration to all of us. We will continue supporting important educational initiatives, particularly the strengthening of SSES and technical-vocational high schools, as we help communities feel empowered, safe, and be sustainable,” said Maribeth Marasigan, Aboitiz Foundation first vice president.

Sports

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2017 randyproject@yahoo.com

FRAYNA PLANS EUROPE TRIP TO BOOST WORLD RANKING

HIDILYN SETS SIGHT ON GOLD IN TOKYO

By Peter Atencio

Diaz receiving her Athlete of the Year Trophy from Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA President Riera Mallari of the Manila Standard. With them are Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Peping Cojuangco (extreme left) and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)chairman Butch Ramirez.

Olympic weightlifting silver medal vows to come back again to the PSA Awards Night as a big winner

Mika Reyes receiving her Ms. Volleyball trophy from Tribune sports editor Aldrin Cardona

By Peter Atencio

T

HE crème de la crème of Filipino athletes took the podium in the recent Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards Night, which is considered the Oscars of sports.

The biggest toast belonged to Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz who was adjudged the Athlete of the Year honors by the oldest and biggest organization of sports journalists in the country.

Diaz said sports and the that silver medal victory in women’s weightlifting in Rio Olympics changed his life and the PSA trophy is something that he would cherish for life.

And she’s hoping to return again.

“Malaking inspiration ito sa akin. Sana, makabalik ako sa 2021,” said the Zamboanga City lass, referring to the year following the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

“Napatunayan ko na walang imposible kung gugustuhin at magwowork sa mga pangarap mo,” added Diaz during her speech after receiving her trophy at the Le Pavilion in Pasay City.

She’s aware that the road to Tokyo is no less difficult. The 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur is no longer in her calendar

after her even was scratched in the biennial meet.

Instead, Diaz is focusing her preparations on two other top-tier events this year--the weightlifting meet in the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Turkmenistan this September, and the World Championship this Novembers in Anaheim, California.

Diaz will be competing for the first time in the multi-event Asian meet while it will be her third time to join the World tournament organized by the International Weightlifting Federation in the United States.

Diaz said she’s glad to be training again with coach Tony Agustin.

She is back under his wings, and after Dondon Aldanete took over to help train her for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics last year.

And there’s something else that’s keeping her busy.

She is back to school, taking up business management after she

Grandmaster Eugene Torre sharing his thoughts after being conferred the Lifetime Achievement award.

accepted a scholarship offer from the College of St. Benilde. The help came from another Olympian, La Salle alumnus Stephen Fernandez, who is the school’s athletic director.

Also sharing the limelight with Diaz during the Awards Night were chess gradmaster Eugene Torre who was conferred the Lifetime Achieve-

ment award and karter Milo Rivera as Presidential awardee.

Other major awardees were June Mar Fajardo as Mr. Basketball, Misagh Bahadoran (Mr. Footbal), Miguel Luis Tabuena (Mr. Golf ), Jeordan Domingues (Mr Taekwondo) and Mika Aereen Reyes (Ms. Volleyball).

GOING up in the world rankings tops the agenda of Filipina grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna this year, That is why she is hatching plans to go to Europe and compete in topranked tournaments.

“We have mapped out plans to go to Europe later this year,” said Frayna after she got a citation during the PSA Awards Night held recently at Le Pavilion in Pasay City.

The Europe trip is next on her bucket list after she sees action in the FIDE Asian Zonal 3,3 Chess Championship for men and women slated Feb.25 to March 5 in Tagaytay City.

The Asian Zonal is part of the FIDE World Championship cycle and will select two players to advance to the World Cup scheduled this September in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Here, the women’s champion will qualify to the Women’s World Championship and World Championship cycle.

At total of $5,000 in cash prizes will be at stake in the Asian Zonal.

Frayna is expected to fight it out with woodpushers from Brunei, Cambodia, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Her current 2325 rating has gone up to 2400, and after she officially earned the men’s International Master title she also bagged in Azerbaijan.

She got it after defeating International Master Olga Zimina.

She is currently at no. 160, according to the FIDE website.

With more international stints ahead, Frayna hopes to break into the top 100 in the coming years. She is ranked first in the Philippine women’s rankings.

Before going into an international campaign, Frayna first has to focus on her studies since she is a candidate for cum laude in her psychology degree at the Far Eastern University.

The 20-year-old Frayna, who is coached by Jayson Gonzales, is not only prioritizing her studies, she is also undergoing a six-hour formal chess training, aside from cross-training in basketball daily.

Janelle May Frayna is ready to take on the best as she competes in tough tournaments in Europe this year

EXEC OF THE YEAR AWARDEE: JUICO SHOWS ‘EM HOW

Philip Ella Juico (third from left) shares his Executive of the Year trophy with fellow former chairmen of the Philippine Sports Commission, Richie Garcia (extreme left) and Eric Buhain (extreme right) and current chair Butch Ramirez during the PSA Awards Night, considered as the Oscars of Philippine sports.

THE national sports associations must first have firm and clear vision of what they want to accomplish in the next few years.

Philip Ella Juico said this after he received the 2016 sports executive of the year and the NSA of the year awards on behalf of Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association.

He was honored during the annual Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night held recently at Le Pavilion in Pasay City.

“This requires reflections and lots of consultation,” stated Juico during his speech.

He added that the NSAs must come out with a detailed plan on how they wish to pull of their plans.

From there, they can fully assess their resources and capabilities.

Juico talked about his reflections after one of the country’s top business conglomerates, agreed to help the association plan out its programs for the next four years.

The PATAFA has convinced Ayala Corporation to support its preparations for the 2017 and 2019 Southeast Asian Games, the 2018 Asian Games and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

He said it was Ayala Cor-

poration CEO, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, who has reached out to PATAFA to discuss his assistance to the association.

“He believes that as host of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, we must dominate it. And what better way to do it than to concentrate on medal-rich athletics or track and field (events),” said Juico.

Juico, who was former chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), advised the NSAs to ask assistance from the government and the private sector” only if you have well thought-out plans for the next several years.”

Juico also urged government to make it easier for businesses to help sports development by not throwing too many unnecessary and bureaucratic rules and regulations.

He added that Mr. Ayala has committed to augment what the PATAFA will get from the PSC. Juico said that Ayala Corporation and PATAFA believed in the strategic management principle of “shared value”—the competitive strength of a business improves if it plays an active role in helping solve the community’s problems.

Peter Atencio