The 19th PBSP VAMM

The Philippine Business for Social Progress - Visayas Regional Office is celebrating its 19th Visayas Annual Membership Meeting (VAMM) on February 21, 2007, at the Casino Espanol de Cebu.

The theme for the 19th VAMM is "Breaking Barriers" in reference to PBSP Visayas' various efforts in implementing projects aimed to integrate efforts to improve the quality of education in the country, and the various responses for disaster stricken areas. In doing these, PBSP Visayas envisions to break the barriers that hinder people from achieving prosperity and would give people ravaged by disasters a chance of a better life.

The Keynote Speaker for the 19th VAMM is Secretary Jesli Lapus of the Department of Education. He will also be the Guest of Honor during the opening and ribbon cutting ceremonies of the Education Expo and the Best of Visayas Exhibit, after the VAMM.

The BoV & Education Expo

The Philippine Business for Social Progress is inviting everybody to come and join the opening of the BEST OF VISAYAS (BoV) EXHIBIT and the EDUCATION EXPO, on February 21, 2007, at two o'clock in the afternoon at the SM City Trade Hall.

The BoV is a trade fair that gathers all PBSP assisted cooperatives, community-based organizations and micro-enterprises. Target participation of 33 coops, groups or enterprises from Bohol, Cebu, Guimaras, Iloilo, Samar and Southern Leyte.

The Educatio Expo is an education fair that provides marketing opportunities for education institutions e.g. pre-schools, elementary schools, high schools, colleges, universities and distance learning. This is also a fund-raising activity for the Coalition for Better Education (CBE). (CBE, convened by PBSP, RAFI & AGFI is a consortium of business, government, academe & civil society working for the improvement of the country’s education.) The Education EXPO is co-organized by the Coalition for Better Education (CBE).

Both activities will run from February 21, 2007 to February 25, 2007.

Everybody is invited to come and visit the booths!

New Member Companies of PBSP

Six new Visayas-based Member Companies have been recruited by the Visayas Regional Office of PBSP. These companies will be acknowledged and given their plaque of memberships during the 19th VAMM on February 21, 2007, at the Casino Espanol de Cebu. These are:

PASAR CORPORATION (ISABEL, LEYTE)

BRILLIANT METAL CRAFT (CEBU CITY)

JJ's SEAFOODS VILLAGE (TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHOL)

THE BOHOL BEE FARM

LIGHT & SHADE PHOTOGRAPHY

and the ROYAL OAKS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF CEBU

The Launching of the SLRP Livelihood & Basic Services Projects

The PBSP Visayas Regional Office has launced the Southern Leyte Rehabilitation Program's LIVELIHOOD & BASIC SERVICES PROJECTS, last February 16, 2007, in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte. In attendance were various donors, local government officials, media (ABS-CBN & GMA 7), PBSP Officers, and the members of the New Guinsaugon Village Homeowners' Association (NGVHOA).

The Blessing of the New Guinsaugon Village's Livelihood and Productivity Center, dedicated to the survivors of the Guinsaugon Landslide. The building is funded by the Angelo King Foundation.

Giving of Certificates of Scholarship of Children's Hour to one of the 56 survivors (13 for this school year 2005-2006) for the Guinsaugon landslide. In photo are: Mr Tim Olarte, VP for the Visayas of the Development Bank of the Philippines, donor to Children's Hour; Mayor Maria Lim; Vice Mayor Felix Lim; Mrs Margarita Hopkins, President of the Congress of Visayan Organizations in Hawaii, donor to Children's Hour; and Mr Bong Esguerra of Children's Hour.

Groundbreaking of Citigroup Foundation/United Way International project, a four classroom building in the relocation site of the New Guinsaugon Village Homeowner's Association in Brgy. Magbagacay, St. Bernard, Southern Leyte. In photo, with shovels, L-R: Mr Tommy Yap, VP of Citibank and Member of the PBSP Visayas Executive Committee; Vice Mayor Felix Lim; Mayor Maria Lim; Mr Lito Baylan, President of the New Guinsaugon Village Homeowners' Association.

Other Pictures and Updates will be uploaded soon.

Secretary Jesli A. Lapus is Keynote Speaker of the 19th VAMM

Secretary Jesli A. Lapus of the Department of Education has accepted PBSP's invitation to be the Keynote Speaker for PBSP's 19th Visayas Annual Membership Meeting (VAMM). The VAMM will be on February 21, 2007, 11:00 A.M. at the Casino Espanol de Cebu.

Secretary Lapus is an apt choice for the Keynote since PBSP's theme for the 19th VAMM is "Breaking Barriers" which means that projects of PBSP on education and poverty reduction are aimed at breaking the barriers that hamper marginalized sectors to attain prosperity.

Secretary Lapus has a very illustious career in government and private sector. During the 19th VAMM, he will be introduced by Ms Eileen G. Mangubat, Member of the PBSP Visayas Executive Commitee and Publisher of the Cebu Daily News. The following is the full text of the introduction:

"AS SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, SECRETARY LAPUS HEADS NOT ONLY THE BIGGEST DEPARTMENT WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR ABOUT 30% OF THE ENTIRE PHILIPPINE BUREAUCRACY, BUT HE ALSO ASSUMES THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ADDRESSING WHAT IS WIDELY-CONSIDERED THE EXISTING EDUCATION CRISIS IN THE COUNTRY.

SECRETARY LAPUS IS THE EPITOME OF EXCELLENCE IN VERSATILITY. PRIOR TO SERVING FOR THREE TERMS AS A MEMBER OF THE PHILIPPINE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE, HE WAS PRECOCIOUS AS A TOP PROFESSIONAL MANAGER IN THE PRIVATE AND IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR. ACKNOWLEDGED FOR HIS COMPETENCY AND ADVOCACY, HE MOVED FROM A LUCRATIVE LIFE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO DISTINGUISHEDLY SERVE IN THE CABINETS OF THREE PRESIDENTS (AQUINO, RAMOS AND ARROYO).

A CPA, MBA AND DPA, AND OTHER POST GRADUATE STUDIES FROM HARVARD UNIVERSITY; INSEAD, FRANCE; BITS, SWEDEN, AND U.C.L.A IN THE U.S.A.

SECRETARY LAPUS WAS ORIGINAL CORE FACULTY OF THE ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT’S MASTERS IN DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. HE HAS TAUGHT FOR MANY YEARS AT THE ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY, MARYKNOLL COLLEGE AND HAS CONDUCTED EXECUTIVE TRAINING COURSES IN INDONESIA AND MALAYSIA. "

Invitation to the PBSP 19th VAMM

The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Visayas Regional Office has sent invitations to 250 Member Companies, Non Member Companies, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Academe, Local Government Units and other partners to the 19th Visayas Annual Membership Meeting, on February 21, 2007, at the Casino Espanol de Cebu.

PBSP Supports Guimaras!

In response to the oil spill that happened in Guimaras in August 2006, the Philippine Business for Social Progress - Visayas Regional Office, pledged to support the affected families with the following initiatives:

1.Contribute to the attainment of the Goals of the Provincial Government of Guimaras by presenting PBSP’s rehabilitation response.

2.Mobilize and coordinate the support coming from PBSP member companies, CSR partners and local and international donor agencies for livelihood rehabilitation and other projects.

3.Interface and work with the Provincial Government, Local Government Units and other Government Line Agencies of Guimaras in implementing the livelihood rehabilitation program.

4.PBSP will propose its ARM framework in the implementation of the rehabilitation and poverty reduction program in Guimaras ARM.

5.PBSP will build the capabilities of local peoples organizations and non-government organizations.

The livelihood rehabilitation program that PBSP developed was then called the GUIMARAS AREA RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (GARMP). The GARMP aims to ensure the economic survival of 4,019 affected fishing families in 25 barangays from the Municipalities of Nueva Valencia, Sibunag and San Lorenzo, thru the implementation of sustainable livelihood projects .

PBSP-SMC Feeding Program in Brgy. Tayud

The Visayas Regional Office (VRO) of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), in collaboration with the Coalition for Better Education (CBE), held a joint feeding and medical mission activity in Barangay Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu. This was one of the three SMC Project Access communities, which is also CBE's adopted barangay under its iN.CUBE Project. The area is also VRO's beneficiary community of the Project i.BUILD.

The activities were held at the grounds of Tayud Elementary School. PBSP tapped SMC's food division which provided for the "pospas" good for 300 pre-school and school-age children of Tayud; while CBE brought in the South Western University's College of Medicine, Pharmacy, MedTech, Dentistry, Optometry and Nursing to provide free medical, dental, and optical check-ups. Further, free medicines and blood typing for almost 500 residents of the barangay were given and done.


During the opening program, a MOA was also signed between SWU and Tayud LGU formalising the partnership and making SWU's extension program exclusively for Tayud. Significantly also, Mr. Bryan Perilla, Supervisor of the San Miguel Foods Corporation, committed to support other activities of the barangay. Ms. Girlie Garces, VIXCOM member and SMC's Communications Officer, also graced the occasion and even volunteered to distribute the "pospas" to the children.

The said activity is a concrete example of the interplay/collaboration of the Business-Goverment(DepEd)-LGU-Academe-NGOs linkage.

Lexmark Supports PBSP's Upland Project

PBSP and Lexmark International Philippines signed a Memorandum of Agreement for a partnership for the reforestation costs, environment related project implementation, institution building to BUKID Multi Purpose Cooperative (MPC), The BUKID MPC is an assisted cooperative of PBSP's Cebu Watershed Management Program (CWMP). This project is a part of the enterprise support to include abaca production to the upland farmers who are members of the BUKID MPC.

The photo above during the MOA signing: From right: Mr. John F. Domingo, Chair of PBSP Visayas Executive Committee (VIXCOM) and President of Magellan Veneer Corporation; Mr. Paul Flutty, President of Lexmark International Philippines; & Ms. Eileen Mangubat, Member of PBSP VIXCOM & Chair of PBSP's Hillyland Committee and Publisher of Cebu Daily News.

Cebu Business Fights Poverty Through CSR

PBSP hosted the “Freedom from Poverty: Cebu Business Fights Poverty Through Corporate Social Responsibility.” The luncheon corporate event was held at the Casino Español De Cebu last August 2, 2006 and was attended by 62 people coming from 35 companies and CSR partner organizations.

During the forum, Mr. Jose Levi Villanueva of the UnionBank, Chair of the PBSP Visayas Executive Committee and Member of the PBSP Visayas Executive Committee, presented the poverty reduction and corporate social responsibility thrusts of PBSP Visayas.

The keynote speaker of the event Ms. Yolanda V. Ong, Group Chairperson of Campaigns & Grey, showcased the moral and practical and aspects of engaging in CSR. She also emphasized the importance of strategically communicating the CSR initiatives of companies and advocacy works of various organizations.

The corporate gathering was opened with the performance of the "Pandanggo sa Ilaw" by the dance troupe of the Cebu State College of Science and Technology. Towards the end, the attendees joined the PBSP Board and staff in lighting the candles as expression of support to CSR.

One of the milestones of the Forum was the show of interest of some non-member companies to implement CSR into their core business. There were also inquiries by some non-member companies on how to become a member of PBSP, to which this is being followed up by PBSP staff.

The 2006 Reforestation Campaign

"When the rains start falling, signaling the start of the planting season, it's the time to head for the hillsides to plant trees in Cebu.

But the skies were clear and bright on yesterday (July 1, 2006) providing an ideal canopy for volunteers who joined the kickoff of the 2006 Reforestation Caravan of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP)."

Those were lifted from the Cebu Daily News (page 2) on its July 2, 2006 issue, where CDN, being a PBSP member company, came in full force, like they always do, to participate in the refo caravan.

Ms. Eileen Mangubat, Chair of PBSP Hillyland Sub-Committee and Member of PBSP Visayas Executive Committee (VIXCOM), gave a very enthusiastic speech about the essence of planting trees in the Cebu Hillylands.

Mahogany Seedlings, jackfruit and cacao were planted in the slopes of barangay Magsaysay, Balamban town by more than 200 employee-volunteers of PBSP member companies (9), friends and CSR partners (7).

Other most notable groups who joined were: Bigfoot Asia Pacific Foundation, FEP Printing, East Asia Utility, Fairchild, SMC-Cebu Beverage Packaging Plant, Cosmos Bottling Corp., SMC-Magnolia, GA Sattelite Ventures, Wellmade Motors, USC- Water Resource Center, SMC Foods, FCB Mandaue, and the ERUF.

This refo caravan commences the 2006 Reforestation Campaign of PBSP, which will culminate on the last Saturday of September 2006, through "Tindak-Tanum". This wil involve PBSP member companies and friends along with bicycle enthusiasts trooping up to the reforestation site. Details will be informed later. For more information, the PBSP VRO staff would be happy to accomodate inquiries at Tel. Nos. +63-32-2325283.

PBSP and the Smart Schools Program

PBSP, in partnership with SMART Communications, Inc., has partnered to implement the Smart Schools Program.

Recent turn-over of new Smart Learning Resource Centers under the Smart Schools Program were done last July 11, 2006 at the Paril National High School and the Lusaran National High School.

These two schools were the first recipients for Cebu City. Those who attended the turn-over ceremonies were Cebu City-North District Councilors, Dr. Christopher Alix and Edwin Jagmoc Sr., graced the event together with the Assistant Superintendent of Deped Cebu City Division, Dr. Josephine Abadia; Public Schools Division Supervisor, Mr. Rey Lañete; Paril Brgy. Capt. Eliseo Jopia; Division ICT Coordinator, Mr. Tom Pastor. Smart Communications, Inc., was represented by Atty. Ma. Jane Paredes and Ms. Menchie Quiñal. PBSP was represented by Ms. Mae Monjas, Ms. Olive Jabido and Ms. Edith Desabelle.

Partners in Learning in Cebu

The Philippine Business for Social in partnership with Microsoft Philippines, are implementing the Partners in Learning (PIL) program being undertaken by Mircosoft worldwide. In the Philippines, the PIL's major goal is to integrate Information and Communications Technology (ICT) into the public schools' curriculum.

Here in the Province of Cebu, PBSP conducted four simultaneous training on Digital Literacy. With the support from the DepEd Cebu Province Division, the trainings were conducted to the Carmen National High School, Dalaguete National High School, Bantayan National High School, and the Ocaña (Carcar) National High School. These simulataneous trainings were done last July 7-8, 2006.

The photos below were the participants from the Carmen National High SChool.

Bohol Governor Aumentado Speaks at the MDG Forum in Tagbilaran City

The Philippine Business for Social Progress conducted the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and CEO Forum - Phase 2 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, on July 4, 2007, at the Bohol Tropics Resort Hotel in Tagbilaran City.

There were 27 participants from various business enterprises, 11 participants from the government, and 6 participants from PBSP's partners, for a total of 44 participants. The guest of honor on this affair was Governor Erico Aumentado of the Province of Bohol.

On his speech, Governor Aumentado said: "...from 52.9% poverty incidence in the Province of Bohol, we have reduced it to 29%. Thanks to all the forces helping us including PBSP... its Area Resource Management Projects in Bohol has been ongoing in the hinterlands in some areas where we have high incidence of poverty. I wish to report to PBSP that in those area, we have liberated our people from the clutches and fears of insurgency. Thanks to you and thanks to PBSP. A big hand for PBSP..."

The Philippines is a member-estate of the MDGs, which has been initiated by the United Nations. The aim of the MDG is to eradicate poverty by 2015. In doing so, PBSP takes the lead in the business sector's response for the MDGs. Thus the business sector has pledged to support four clusters of MDGs: Environment, Education, Health and Poverty.

For Bohol, the Governor encouraged the business sector to support the projects on potable water system in the Municipality of Sevilla and the Caruod Watershed in northern Bohol. PBSP on the other hand, encouraged the companies present to support the projects of the Bohol ARM.

Briefing the PBSP Member Companies in Cebu

“FREEDOM FROM POVERTY!”
Cebu Business Fights Poverty through Corporate Social Responsibility
August 2, 2006, 11:00 A.M. – 2 :00 P.M.
Casino Espanol de Cebu, Ranudo St., Cebu City

Objectives:

• CSR appreciation of MCs and NMCs and at the same time adapt to PBSP’s brand of CSR.
• Participation of at least five (5) of the 10 new member companies in any of the Visayas working committees.
• At least (5) new member companies supportive to PBSP’s various CSR projects.
• Recruitment of 10 new Visayas-based member companies.

Invitees:

• Prospective member companies;
• PBSP Member Companies;
• Members of the PBSP Visayas Regional Executive Committee; and the
• Membership Committee

Concept & Theme:

• Filipiniana, to create a nationalistic ambiance;
• Promote PBSP as a modern day expression of Bayanihan/Pakikipagkapwa;
• The dance troupe of Cebu Normal University will be invited to perform Pandanggo sa Ilaw (light to evoke hope amidst adversity /symbolize PBSP’s role in poverty reduction

Mrs. Belen King To Visit A. King Projects in Cebu

Mrs. Belen King, wife of Mr. Angelo King, will visit PBSP A. King Projects in Cebu on July 1, 2006. From the Shangri-la Hotel where she and her staff will be billeted, Mrs. King will visit first the Cebu Eastern Furniture Producers Coop (CEFPMPC) Building in Barangay Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City. There will be a brief interaction with CEFPMPC members and officers, inspection of the building, and photo ops. The CEFPMPC Multi-Purpose Center houses the coop members' best products (export-quality furniture and furnishings), and is being used as a meeting place for the members and officers. Birthdays and special occasions are also held in the center.

The next building to be visited will be the the Lapu-lapu City Science and Technology High School Speech Laboratory in Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City. There will also be a brief interaction with some LLSTEC community, photo-ops, and a brief program prepared by the school. The building houses the state-of-the-art speech lab facility; where language skills of top students of Lapu-Lapu City are trained.

Afterwards, the group will proceed to the Tabok Workers Multi-Purpose Coop (TWMPC) Center in Barangay Tabok, Mandaue City. There will also be an interaction with TWMPC officers and members, inspection of the building, and photo-ops. The TWMPC Multi-Purpose Center is a tangible testimony of the coop's growth from zero capital to now multi-million peso cooperative. The center is the coop's business center, and where some its production processes are done.

The visit of Mrs. King is being coordinated by the PBSP Operations Group with the PBSP Visayas Regional Office through Ms. Edith Desabelle, Program Officer for the Metro Cebu Workforce and Education Program wherein the A. King projects to be visited are parts of.

PBSP Holds CSR & MDG Forum in Bohol

BOHOL CSR & MDG FORUM
July 7, 2006, 10:30 A.M., Harbor View Function Room,
Bohol Tropics Resort Hotel, Tagbilaran City

“CSR and MDG: New Perspectives for Bohol Business Community"

OBJECTIVES:

• To orient Bohol business community on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s);
• To popularize PBSP’s brand of CSR to the Bohol business community;
• To involve PBSP MC branches in PBSP/CSR initiatives specifically of the Bohol ARM and CVED Programs; and
• To recruit at least 3 new PBSP Member Companies from the Bohol business community.

FORUM PROGRAM

10:30 Registration
10:57 – 11:00 Invocation by Mr. Gil Olaivar of SMART
11:00 – 11:03 National Anthem
11:03 – 11:05 Welcome Remarks by Mr. Argeo Melisimo of FCB
11:05 – 11:10 Acknowledgment of Guests by Engr. Alan Tenorio of Petron
11:10 – 11:20 Presentation of PBSP Video
11:20 - 11:22 Introduction of the Guest Speaker by Mr. Marius Borja of Unionbank
11:22 – 11:45 A Talk on CSR & MDG Mr. Levi Villanueva of Unionbank
11:45 - 1:00 LUNCH

Orientation of PBSP’s Programs in Bohol:
On CSR & Poverty Reduction

1:00 - 1:20 - CVED by Mr. Philip Tan of Wellmade Motors
1:20 - 1:35 - Bohol ARM by Mr. N. Tolentino Gallares of FCB
1:35 - 1:55 Open Forum by Mr. N. Tolentino Gallares as Moderator
1:55 – 2:00 Closing Remarks by Ms. Natividad Gonzaga of AIT Marketing

There will be visits to CVED assisted groups in the afternoon and a field visit to Bohol ARM and BUILD Program sites the following day.

PBSP Kicks off the 2006 Refo Caravan

PBSP Announces the

2006 CEBU HILLYLAND REFORESTATION CARAVAN

A well-balanced ecology ensures steady flow of water for man. To have such balance, an area should have 54% forest cover. In 1991, Cebu has only 13%. PBSP invites companies, schools, clubs and civic organizations to plant trees in our watersheds.

Tree Planting Schedules:
July 8,15, 22 & 29
August 5, 12, 19 & 26, September 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2006

Hurry! Book your schedules now!!!

Kick-off Day : July 1, 2006 (Saturday)
Tree Planting Site : Brgy. Magsaysay, Balamban, Cebu
Assembly Area : CIC Backgate (Cor Samar Loop and Leyte Loop)
Cebu Business Park (Ayala) at 6:30 AM

For details, please contact: PBSP-VRO, 4th Floor, PLDT Building, Juan Luna Ave., Mabolo, Cebu City at tel. no. 232-5283 or 232-5270 and look for Ms. Maita Fabi.

SMART and PBSP turn over Smart School In San Juan, Southern Leyte

The San Juan National High School (SJNHS) Teachers Learning Resource Center in San Juan, Southern Leyte was inaugurated last June 5, 2006.

SJNHS is one the recipients of the Smart Schools Program, a community service initiative of Smart Communications, Inc. The program includes provision of 2 units PCs and peripherals, 1 year free internet connection using Smart Bro (a wireless internet connection), and teacher training. The Smart Schools Program is being implemented by the Workforce and Education Program of the PBSP Visayas Regional Office.

The said event was attended by Southern Leyte Governor Hon. Rosette Lerias; Dr. Alberto Escobarte, Assistant Regional Director - DepEd Region 8 and its Regional ICT Coordinator, Dr. Catalina Petilos; and Smart Communications' Ms. Menchie Quiñal and Atty. Ma Jane Paredes, Network Services Division Manager for Vismin and Manager of Public Affairs, respectively. Ms. Mae Monjas and Ms. Leah Alivio, both from PBSP, also attended the event.

A Success Story from PBSP-CVED Visayas

WHERE COOKING IS A TRADITION

"Unsa'y muagi (na pagkaon) sa kamot ni Lola, molami jud na; unsa'y moagi sa kamot ni Mama, lami jud na." says Hedelisa Bautista-Ares, proprietor of TIENDA BOHOLANA based in Totolan, Dauis, Bohol. From the name itself, one can deduce that the business produces genuine Bohol-made products, and that is 18 kinds of baked products in Tienda Boholana's case. It ranges from pasalubong varieties to Bohol-made delicacies. Tienda Boholana, is a label coined by her father in 1988, back whenthe business had been managed by her mother, Estella. One of their products, the famous Peanut Crunch, was even named after her in 1977.

The business had been passed through generations of a food-loving family. Hedelisa herself inherited the business when her mother died in 1992. It had woven not only the Bautista's family's penchant for cooking but also the lives of those who had sustained it, back when cooking was simply a hobby, which later evolved as a business. Cooking served as a quilt that pieced together the lives of the people who had been part of Tienda Boholana for the last 16 years, bearing witness to marriages, births and significant events of those who had worked with them. It encompasses the history and lives of the Bautista's family as well as the love and hopes of the people that surrounds it.

In 1995, Hedelisa would have given all that up at a time when the market went down and her passion for cooking had faded, to the point that she cannot even stand the sight of flour. For her, continuing the business when she had no reason became a dilemma. But the long line of their family's penchant for cooking won out. With so many families working most of their lives living off Tienda Boholana's productivity, giving up due to lack of passion for cooking was too lame an excuse, even for Hedelisa. It was like putting off the embers of hope of those working withTienda Boholana just because she lost the fire herself.

Slowly, she wormed herway through a solution. Opportunity came. She was on the right track, it seems. Through a two-day entrepreneurship seminar spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry in Tagbilaran City in November 2004, Hedelisa was informed about CVED (Corporate Volunteers for Enterprise Development), an enterprise development program of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). There she learned about the ways of how small and medium scaleindustries can be assisted through the CVED program. Ways that ranged from developing market and some strategies, improving organization and its operations and strengthening financial management so business becomes ready and competitive.

It was a perfect timing. Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) , a private institution which aims to promote business sector commitment to social development partnered with the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) and the Canadian International for Development Agency (CIDA), established CVED in 2002 and thereon has been helping micro and small enterprises by engaging the skills and expertise of a Filipino Volunteer Adviser (VA).

PBSP undertook the task of helping Hedelisa's sleepy business when shecame to them, sending her a Volunteer Adviser (VA) who later taught her the dynamics of effectively managing and marketing her business.For Hedelisa, working with Margaret Gravador, the Volunteer Adviser assigned to her, was like going back to school. Being taught about the aspects of marketing the product, packaging, pricing, dressing up their display area made her realize that there are indeed innovative and creative ways in bringing her product to the market. Re-packaging her business was one factor in the rebirth of Tienda Boholana.

As she later learned from her continuous advises with Marge, these were some component that she needed in order to successfully compete in the market. They also utilized advertising to improve their product's marketability, such as putting up one page advertisements in the Bohol Daily Chronicle.

In the end of it all, Hedelisa was able to bring back most ofher grandmother and parents' regular customers who had slowly trickled in number a few years back, and in the process had bridged one generation to another. This time she is confident that she is bridging the yesteryears humble effort and the hope that the future brings into the business which she understand depends on her passion and determination to carry on.

With PBSP-CVED advisory assistance, not only had she continued theirfamily's tradition for cooking which had passed on from generation to generation, but it had improved their business literally, increasing their sales by 300%. For what it's worth, Hedelisa Ares is one proprietor in whom the CVED program of PBSP had definitely left its mark of excellence for generations to come.

Interviewed by: Dianne Rallon
Edited by: Lady Nice Taneo

( For information on CVED, contact: PBSP Visayas Regional Office, 4th floor PLDT building Juan Luna Avenue, Mabolo, Cebu City. Tel nos.: 231 9426, 232 5270 (look for Malu) Fax 232 5286 or email to mrampiloquio@pbsp.org.ph )