BOP Participants 2009

The BOP Participants
by Ayessa Parayno (Ogilvy Intern, UP Manila)

Upon seeing them, I initially thought the 28 students participating in the AmCham Business Orientation Program—most of whom are taking up business courses-- were unapproachable. But I was so glad to be proven wrong—as every one of them was so nice.

And who said smart people can’t be fun? Their energy was infectious.
This recent batch of BOP students seemed to have mastered the art of learning while having fun, and here are the pictures to prove it.




See this one? I took this when we were at the elevator going down RCBC Tower after the session with Chevron.











This was supposed to be a stolen shot. But they caught me and smiled. =)






We were told that taking pictures within and in front of RCBC Tower was prohibited. But the advice came too late because we already took this shot outside.


I talked to some of the participants and these are some of the things they had to say.



Randy Ventanilla said” I joined BOP because I want to have an in depth knowledge about the companies and how it is in the corporate setting. Meeting with CEOs and expansion of network is what I expect from this program”



Mohammad Balang shared, “Since Marawi is underdeveloped. I believe that through BOP, opportunities and exposure in the corporate setting will help me in my future career. With this program, I was able to meet new friends and build networks.”










Shayne Gonzales and Edlyn Batac: “We believe that through BOP, we will be able to realize what we really want to do in our future career. Unlike in Pampanga, Manila can open a variety of opportunities for us”.





Being in the company of these future business leaders has been a wonderful experience for me. Not only did the participants learn from the mentor CEOs and executives. They also benefited from the new-found friendships that hopefully will last even beyond the week-long program. (Ayessa Parayno, UP Manila)

AmCham Business Orientation Program (BOP) 2009

BOP 2009 Sponsors

BOP 2009 received generous support from Asian Hospital and Medical Center, MeadJohnson Nutrition (Bristol-Myers), CalEnergy, CB Richard Ellis, Citibank, Chevron, Convergys, Ford Philippines, Goodyear, Genpact Philippines, International SOS, John Clements Consultants, Peregrine, Philip Morris, SunPower Manufacturing, TOEIC Hopkins International, and Renaissance Makati City Hotel.

BOP has also received generous in-kind support from Quantum Hotels and Resorts (residence of provincial students) Coca Cola Bottlers Philippines – (for beverages & prizes/ gifts), DataOne Asia, PLDT Business Solutions, Jollibee Foods Corporation, Tokyo Tokyo Inc., Golden Arches Development Corp.-McDonalds (meal Stubs), Procter & Gamble and SC Johnsons (Company Products).

This year the program extended to include a wider range of universities, and include students from Baguio (University of Baguio, St. Louis University), Pampanga (Holy Angel University), Metro Manila (Centro Escolar University, Collegio de San Juan de Letran, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, University of Asia and the Pacific, University of the East, University of the Philippines), Cebu (University of Cebu and University of the Philippines), Dumaguete (Siliman University), Mindanao (UP-Davao and Ateneo de Zamboanga ), and ARMM (Mindanao State University-Marawi City).

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Student Selection

Increased area coverage-- 28 students from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao:

NCR 11

North Luzon 7

Visayas 4

Mindanao 6

Total 28

Females 16
Males 12

Total Number of Applicants -- 67
Post Exam/ Assessment -- 43
Post Interview -- 41
BOP Final Numbers -- 28

KEY Elements/ Deliverables

Cocktail Night (with TJ Manotoc)
11 Company Visits
5 Breakfast with the CEOs
4 Resource Speakers
Meet and Greet US Ambassador Kenney
1 Business Project (Harvard Business Review)
AmCham General Membership Luncheon Meeting with Gina Lopez (ABS CBN)
Awards Dinner
Media Participation/ Press Coverage
TOEIC (Test of English as International Communication)

BOP Ambassadors,

Come and Join Batch 7 for the BOP 2009 Awards Dinner on April 25 (Saturday) @ 6PM, Romy & Peony Rooms, Renaissance Makati City Hotel.

Celebrate and reminisce the time when you were once a BOP Participant -- and had your Awarding Night.

RSVP Abbie Flores on or before April 24, 2009 @ 3pm.

Cheers

BUSINESS ORIENTATION PROGRAM (BOP) 2009 - Cocktail Invite for the BOP Alumni

Dear BOP Alumni,

Greetings!

AmCham and the BOP Committee would like to invite you all to attend the Pre-Cocktail Night on April 18, 2009 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm at AmCham Hall, 2F Corinthian Plaza Building, Paseo de Roxas, Makati City.

Meet and greet the BOP 2009 Participants and share to them your experiences as BOP Alumni.

Attached BOP 2009 Activities for your reference.

Please confirm your attendance by replying to this email or call Abbie at 818 7911 to 13.

We hope to see you all.

Support BOP 2009!

AmCham BOP "The Best Meets The Best."



Best Regards

Gretel and Her BOP Experience

In one of the grueling process of applying for the American chamber of Commerce Business Orientation Program 2008 – writing an essay explaining why I wanted the opportunity of experiencing BOP - I mentioned there that I came from a very small and sheltered town, where most people know each other and business practices are crude and fundamental, and that I wanted to learn something different from the things that I was currently exposed to. By the way, I am still living in the same place, still experiencing and immersing myself in the same business practices. However, the significance of the experiences I got from BOP has magnified lately for the time of breaking away from our small town is coming fast and a new culture is looming overhead. The American Chamber of Commerce Business Orientation Program has provided me a glimpse of this new culture, of this new set of ideals and has oiled my transition to a new place.

The program package included visits to multinational corporations. There, I witnessed firsthand the sheer energy and presence emanating from top executives. Observing them, listening to their talks, and learning about their ideals have given me ideas of what to expect when I get out from the academe and face the real world. Furthermore, each organization’s best practices and code of ethics were showcased. Seeing and exposing myself with the best players in the various industries have not only increased my understanding of the various organization’s vision and objectives, but I was able to grasp the industry with which a certain organization operates in. This hands-on educational experience shall be valuable when I shall be pursuing my career as an auditor of a public auditing firm.

Moreover, in the laboratory of that whole-week program, we grouped ourselves into teams and slaved over our business plans. The Business Plan Competition demanded that we plan and coordinate our actions properly in order to meet the 1-week deadline. Creativity and persuasive arguments were expected and thankfully, our group had them – though we only ranked 3rd. Victory was not only in the Bronze medals received, but also in the knowledge gained by performing the whole process of pooling, choosing and defending ideas.

There were of course freebies and perks that we experienced during the whole program that sweetened the whole journey. We took free TOEIC exams, where some of us got great scores – expected of course from being the “Best of the Best”, we stayed at a hotel within walking distance to malls – which was a godsend for us provincianas, and we got site tours in fascinating factories.

One of the most important parts of the whole experience for me was that I got to meet and talk with great minds – and I was able to obtain a calling card or two from executives, and mobile numbers from co-delegates. I was really impressed by them and the program provided a great opportunity to weave a larger network of great and sharp minds.

If I am asked if I would go through the same grueling process of applying for the BOP again, my answer would still be a resounding Yes! BOP has indeed opened a lot of doors for me, it has linked me with amazing individuals, and it has paved my road to a bigger world. I would forever be grateful for the American Chamber of Commerce for providing students like me – who come from sheltered towns – to experience the best and what it is like to be the best. I believe the knowledge and wisdom we obtained along the way was worth all the effort and time answering test questions and replying to interview queries

AmCham BOP Admission Poster

ADMISSION TO THE BUSINESS ORIENTATION PROGRAM (BOP) 2009

A. Eligibility Criteria

Interested students must be:
• a Filipino citizen
• an incoming senior in Academic Year 2009-10
• taking up a business major or business-related course
• possesses an above average academic record
• superb leadership potential
• excellent English language communication skills

B. Requirements:

Student should submit the following:
1. Accomplished BOP Application Form together with 2x2 picture
2. Essays
3. Resume
4. Temporary transcript of records (with a certification of latest Grade Point Average (GPA) or General Weighted Average (GWA) from the Registrar)

C. Process:

The BOP application process is described below:

1. The required documents should be submitted to the appropriate university/school official (normally the faculty dean or program director). The university/school official shall then recommend (in writing, naming the students being recommended) 4 to 5 students to the BOP Committee for consideration.

2. Selected student’s applicant will be asked to take an English proficiency exam and a Competency – Personality test.

3. Students who pass the above exams will be interviewed for final selection.

4. Successful candidates will receive an acceptance letter within the second week of March.

NOTE:

.AmCham will only accept a total of 30 participants from universities throughout the country for the BOP 2009.
Deadline for submission of recommended students is on Tuesday, February 10, 2009.
Inquiries may be directed to:
Abbie Flores (BOP Coordinator) (632) 818 7911 to 13, email: abbie@amchamphilippines.com

BUSINESS ORIENTATION PROGRAM (BOP) 2009

AmCham will holds its 7th Annual Business Orientation Program (BOP) on April 18 - 19, 2009 -- aptly themed "The Best Meets the Best."

This is a week-long program for University students consisting of breakfast with the CEO, Company visits, talks and a Business Plan project.

So far, BOP 2009 Partners include:

Gold
Asian Hospital
MeadJohnson (Bristol Myers)
CB Richard Ellis
Chevron Holdings Philippines
Citibank
Convergys
Genpact Philippines
Goodyear Philippines
John Clements Consultants
Renaissance Makati City Hotel
SunPower

Silver
Ford Philippines

Corporate Partners
Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines
Ogilvy

In-Kind
SC Johnson Philippines

BOP Invite Letter together with the application forms, BOP Information detail and poster has been to selected Universities in LUZVIMIN.

BOP Timeline

1) Deadline for Submission of Application Form: February 10, 2008

2) BOP Screening Exam and Initial Interview by John Clements: February 16 to 21, 2009

3) Final Interview: February 25 to 27, 2009

4) Release of Accepted Applicants : 2nd week of March 2009


We are in need of BOP Alumni who would like to be involved in the upcoming BOP 2009 by becoming AmCham BOP 2009 Ambassador to their University -- by simply promoting the Program to their University and to the possible candidates as well.

BE PART OF THE BOP 2009 -- Be an AmCham BOP Ambassador!!!