9th AmCham BOP gathers the best business students
By Aldwin Chester Yap Dumago, AmCham BOP 8 Alumnus
It’s the time of the year when “the best meets the best” in Manila for the annual American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Business Orientation Program for Aspiring Business Leaders. A total of 32 undergraduate students from 25 universities and colleges all over the country were selected to be part of the weeklong program consisting of company visits, talks and a case study.
Now on its 9th year, AmCham BOP offers well-qualified Filipino college students the rare opportunity to gain a new understanding of the global business and economic issues through a variety of activities that are geared towards preparing the future business leaders for the real- life business environment.
Of the 145 applicants for the program, only 32 of them passed the procedure which comprises written and online examinations plus phone and panel interviews. This year’s delegates come from Ateneo de Manila University, Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Naga University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Xavier University- Ateneo de Cagayan, University of the Philippines- Diliman, University of the Philippines- Cebu, De La Salle University- Manila, Enderun Colleges, Far Eastern University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, St. Paul University- Quezon City, San Beda College, University of Asia and the Pacific, University of the East, Holy Angels University, University of Baguio, University of the Cordilleras, Silliman University, University of San Jose Recolectos, and Mindanao State University- Marawi City.
Delegates who flew in from Davao and Cebu were the first to arrive at the AmCham Hall for the welcome lunch. Shortly before 1200 noon, all the delegates have arrived and the sumptuous lunch was served.
Ms. Leslie Ann Murray, 9th AmCham BOP Chair, officially welcomed the delegates while Mr. Jeffrey Woodruff, AmCham Executive Director, gave an overview and history of AmCham Philippines. Mr. Robert Sears, AmCham Director, explained to the delegates what they should expect and do during the program.
Mr. Demetrio ‘Jun’ Salipsip, Director of AmCham Foundation, immediately engaged the delegates on how to go about the case study presentation which is one of the highlights of the program. The Splash Corporation case given to the students was from Nanyang Technological University of Singapore. Mr. Christopher Stolk, SEA Change Philippines’ Senior Director of Engineering, then facilitated the groupings of the delegates for the case study. The students had one hour to read the case and do a preliminary discussion before they checked in at AIM Conference Center, the official residence for this year’s delegates.
Shortly before 600pm, the delegates boarded the bus en route to South Forbes Park for the cocktail reception hosted by Ms. Leslie Bassett, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the United States of America, at her residence in South Forbes Park, Makati City.
All the delegates, BOP alumni, AmCham members, BOP sponsors and partners, US Embassy officials and guests enjoyed the gastronomic showcase.
AmCham President Austen Chamberlain and Mr. Woodruff each gave their message to the students and sponsors. Meanwhile, Mr. Paul Richards, Mead Johnson Nutrition’s President and CEO, spoke on behalf of the sponsors of the program. He expressed his excitement towards meeting the delegates again during the visit and plant tour at Mead Johnson Nutrition’s headquarters in Makati City.
The 32 students were asked to go in front to introduce themselves to the crowd. Mr. Woodruff then gave the BOP delegates 10 minutes to interact with the AmCham members and sponsors. Immediately, the students dispersed and approached every sponsor and member around. On the other hand, the BOP alumni gathered around recalling their own experiences.
The cocktail reception ended with the traditional picture-taking session. The delegates thanked Ms. Bassett from graciously hosting them at her residence.
As early as the Day One, the delegates already showed their commitment and diligence in doing their case study. Upon arrival at the AIM Hotel, the five groups immediately convened to further discuss their strategies before they go for a more intensive case study and mentoring session on Sunday.
