Bohol Furniture and Lumber Supply has risen from being a fledgling small lumber retailer to a major company, thanks to a local Filipino invention. Cirilo Sumampong’s company in Dauis now commands a gross income of PhP 1.16 million a month after using the Department of Science and Technology’s Forest Products Research and Development Institute’s (DOST-FPRDI’s) furnace-type lumber dryer (FTLD). Sumampong relates in a DOST release, “During our first years in the business, we were producing nothing but door jambs and air-dried lumber, and earning only Php 1,500 a month. Sales were good only between September and December each year. Now, with our kiln-dried wood, we make trusses, floor planks, doors, door jambs and all kinds of furniture – beds, chairs, dining sets. Thanks to our number one client – the hotels and beach resorts that have sprung all over Bohol in recent years – our products are in demand all the time.” The Bohol firm decided to expand in 2012, getting a Php 1 million help from the DOST Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program or SETUP. By 2014, the company grossed PhP 2.5 million. “Our product lines grew and because we knew that we were using quality materials, we gained confidence in dealing with our buyers,” shared Sumampong about their experience. The clients of the company multiplied and the company was able to pay back the grant after one year, eventually expanding its store and showroom. The dryer technology used by the Bohol furniture maker was also credited for helping create jobs for Read More …
Chinkee Tan Have you ever asked yourself… “When will I most likely get the return of my investment?” “Why is it taking so long to earn profit?” Are you starting to feel frustrated because you are not seeing any immediate increase on your investment? If you are wondering WHY… Let’s talk about the one virtue that very few people are aware of when it comes to INVESTMENT. That is the ability to develop – PATIENCE. Consider, for instance, the life cycle of a Chinese Bamboo Tree. The Chinese Bamboo Tree is so unique that it will really challenge to the core whoever plants it. In the first year, you will see nothing significant. Second year, nothing. Third, it remains the same. Fourth year, still nothing! Four years after planting it, there will be no observable signs of growth. But on the fifth year, the Chinese Bamboo Tree will grow to 80 feet in six weeks. Did the Chinese Bamboo Tree only grow on the fifth year? Or, was it already growing on the first day it was planted? When it comes to investment, the same principle applies. ANY INVESTMENT REQUIRES PATIENCE Can you imagine if a farmer pulled out the roots even before it reached its fifth year? He transplants it elsewhere thinking that he may have found a more fertile piece of land. Even if he does, he cannot expect it to reach its full potential in less than four years. Why? Because a Chinese Bamboo Tree, when it Read More …
We Filipinos have to learn that in a properly functioning democracy, there are no shortcuts, no quick and easy way of doing things, no miracles—only hard work and constant vigilance. We said as much in an early editorial and we want to stress that point again today in light of the 45th anniversary of the declaration of martial law by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos …
The fact that Susie Rose is already 75 years old has not held her back from breaking world records at the Amateur World Powerlifting Congress (AWPC) World Cup held August to September in Idaho; the powerlifting grandmother even picked up 8 gold medals on her way to bagging 3 world best scores. The Filipino-American grandmother broke 3 world records at the AWPC in her age group: Dead lift – 220 lbs Back squat – 110 lbs Bench press – 77 lbs Rose previously qualified for the AWPC in June after setting an American Powerlifting Federation competition national record for dead lift of 209.4 pounds in her 65-plus age division. The Bulacan lass who studied at the University of the Philippines before moving to the United States, credits her fitness lifestyle to her 7 children and 37 grandchildren. “When my husband passed away, then my kids, they tried to help me channel my energy into something more progressive, because they didn’t want me to feel sad,” Rose shared on Balitang America. “Having so many grandkids, then I want to be fit and healthy to be able to help take care of them,” she adds. NBC News described Rose’s daily regimen: “Every morning at the crack of dawn, 75-year-old Susie Rose gets out of bed, makes herself a cup of ginger tea (a recipe from her grandparents when she was growing up in the Philippines) and heads to CrossFit Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) in Draper, Utah, with her son Paul. The two Read More …
When 7th Sea picked up its seven Gold, Silver, and Bests at the 2017 ENnie Awards, Filipino game designer Tobie Abad was credited for helping make the 2nd edition of the popular 90s role playing game (RPG) a successful RPG Kickstarter. Philippine-based Abad was part of the team of writer-designers charged with rewriting the game’s prison island for the book 7th Sea: Pirate Nations. 7th Sea game master Dan Waszkiewicz posted praises for Abad on the Facebook wall of the De La Salle University graduate: “You are too kind. I’m really glad you are getting the publicity you deserve. I legit tell people that you have one of the best minds in the industry!” “Personally, for me it was a dream-come-true moment. I know my parents aren’t completely clear about what a role-playing game is and why it has become such a passion for me, but to be able to let them know that I was part of a project that won such a huge award was something I’ve always wanted to offer back to them,” Abad revealed in a GMA News interview. The Indigo Games senior designer recounted to GMA his contributions to the 7th Sea 2nd edition: “I was tasked as a freelance writer to come up with the reimagination of La Bucca, the prison island that has turned into an independent nation of intrigue and freedom,” “This meant coming up with a somewhat similar yet new history for the island, locations of interest, plot hooks, and characters Read More …
Filipinos at the IPSC World Shoot 2017 brought home several medals from France after competing against 1,500 shooters from over 67 countries. Two teenage sport shooters brought home the gold and silver in the junior category, while older well-known shooters bagged silver and bronze medals. Kahlil Adrian Viray, 15, and Rolly Nathaniel Tecson, 14, finished first and second in the Juniors Individual Standard at the tournament. Well-known top shooter, Jeufro Emil Lejano, finished with a Silver in the Individual Classic category. Jethro “The Jet” Dionisio, considered a living legend of the action-shooting circuit, bagged the Bronze medal also in the Individual Classic category despite encountering jamming issues. Lejano also picked up the Silver in the Team Classic category together with teammates Bernardo Mari Alejandro V, William Magalong, and Wilfredo Martin Jr. The Filipino medal finishers at the 2017 IPSC: Jeufro Emil Lejano – Silver, Individual Classic Jeufro Emil Lejano, Wilfredo Martin Jr., Bernardo Mari Alejandro V and William Magalong – Silver, Team Classic Jethro Dionisio – Bronze, Individual Classic Grace Tamayo – Bronze, Ladies’ Individual Classic Israelito Pible – Bronze, Super Senior Individual Standard Kahlil Adrian Viray – Gold, Juniors Individual Standard Rolly Nathaniel Tecson – Silver, Juniors Individual Standard The Philippines came in 6th overall at the end of the 2017 IPSC. The post Pinoys bring home gold from World Shoot 2017 France appeared first on Good News Pilipinas.

Armando Bartolome Some people wonder if it’s possible for a results-driven leader to build a relationship with his employees and have fun while at work. The drive to see results can make a leader cold-hearted; but thankfully, many successful entrepreneurs have realized that it’s important to have a heart despite having to implement strict rules for the success of the company. Young leaders usually excel in running an effective and fun workplace. Compared to older executives, managers who are 30 years old or younger are at least 2-3 times more likely to be effective at balancing the need to deliver results while still being ‘approachable’ to employees.Additionally, those who are 40 years old and above appear to be more results-driven. You may have witnessed it yourself when you get to talk to young executives or managers–they are easier to talk to compared to older executives. Young managers are also strong-willed but they still make their employees feel valued. Older executives, on the other hand, are more interested in building a strong persona, assuming that this will help them influence others. But older managers would also benefit from improving their people skills, even if they don’t completely realize it. If you want to become a better more engaged leader, here are a few tips. Develop Great Communication Skills Former Apple CEO Gil Amelio wrote that developing excellent communication skills is absolutely essential to effective leadership. “The leader must be able to share knowledge and ideas to transmit a sense of urgency Read More …
Filipino-American fashion designer Zaldy Goco won a Creative Arts Emmy Award for “RuPaul’s Drag Race” episode, “Oh. My. Gaga!” Goco, known in fashion circles as Zaldy, was given a Creative Arts Emmy in the category for “Outstanding Costumes for Variety, NonFiction or Reality Programming” together with Perry Meek for the VH1 reality show. Zaldy, exclusive designer to the Emmy Award-winning show, actually designed for Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball concert series. RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Philippine-born costume designer said his Filipino heritage influenced his colorful costume creations. “It’s a very colorful and loud culture,” Zaldy said of his Filipino upbringing in an Emmy red carpet interview with ABS-CBN’s Showbiz Tonight reporter Yong Chavez. The Fil-Am designer recalled his family tradition of dressing up and partying. Zaldy has designed clothes in collaboration with Michael Jackson for his This is It world tour. He also worked with Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani, Mick Jagger, and the Rolling Stones. Zaldy’s work with RuPaul’s Drag Race spans the elimination-style reality contest’s seasons 1-9 which has developed a mainstream fanbase and transformed the art of drag. The post Zaldy Goco wins Emmy for RuPaul’s Lady Gaga costume appeared first on Good News Pilipinas.
The University of Mindanao (UM) Chorale bagged the grand prize at the 13th Busan Choral Festival and Competition Grand Prix. The UM Chorale emerged triumphant in the finals of the international competition held September in South Korea, after winning two categories in the semis – Gold for Classical Mixed and Gold for Ethnic. The university choir group under conductor Peter Buaya brought home the Busan Festival grand prize of $20,000, besting other choral groups from 47 countries. The 24-member UM Chorale previously won the 9th Concentus International Choral Festival in Singapore in 2016. The post University of Mindanao Chorale wins Busan fest Grand Priz appeared first on Good News Pilipinas.
The iconic Pinoy dirty ice cream is now being enjoyed by Londoners with the establishment of Mamasons in Camden Town. About Time Magazine recommended the Mamasons Filipino Street Ice Cream and Coffee House in its list of “10 Things You Need to Eat in London This Week.” Writer Alicia Grimshaw highlighted the Pinoy dessert in the article introduction for the first Filipino ice cream parlor in London which is listed in 10th place. Grimshaw named the new North London spot of Mamasons which was opened in June in Camden Town by Omar Shah of Camden’s Bintang Restaurant. “Dirty ice cream is an endearing nickname used to describe ice cream sold on the Filipino streets by family run street vendors. They produce affordable and natural ice cream by using an age-old churning method of ice and salt, a steel pot and a whole lot of elbow grease,” wrote Grimshaw. About Time praised Mamasons signature flavor – the Ube (local purple yam) – “Its natural vibrant colour and unique earthy taste combined with a rich and creamy underlying sweetness is something Filipinos cannot get enough of.” The Mamasons bun – a Filipino baked pandesal (a traditional milk bun) filled with cool ice cream then sealed and toasted instantly became a summer hit. “With every bite you’ll get an explosion of hot, cold, sweet and creamy blended flavours.” Mamasons is a small batch producer specializing in flavors indigenous to the Philippines and its surrounding islands. Mamasons, using its team of authentic in-house flavor innovators has developed, Read More …