9TH AmCham BOP Day 3: Learning first-hand

9th AmCham BOP Day 3:

Learning first-hand

by Aldwin Chester Yap Dumago, AmCham BOP 8 Alumnus

Everyone was excited for the first round of company visits of the 9^th AmCham BOP. They had breakfast together with Mr. Rick Santos, President and CEO of CB Richard Ellis, at the AmCham Hall on Monday morning.

Mr. Santos focused his talk on leadership. He posed the question to the delegates, “If time and money were no object and success were guaranteed, what would you do?” and asked them to write their answers on a sheet of paper. He asked the delegates to send him an email of their answers to the question. The best answer will be recognized during the Awards Night and the winner will receive a mobile phone.

He continued to expound on his topic by citing famous leaders like Efren Penaflorida, Warren Buffett, Tony Meloto, Manny Pangilinan, Henry Sy, Jack Welch, Walt Disney, and Mahatma Gandhi. He also showed a video clip from the movie “Remember the Titans.”

“Be ready to change and adapt to the international world. If you want to be successful going forward, you look back to the piece of paper you’ve written on this morning,” he said. Apart from sharing other leaders’ success stories, he was also very generous to share to the delegates his personal story.

He then talked about the positive outlook of the Philippines under the administration of President Aquino. He cited the boost in investor’s confidence and financial health of the country. “Now is the best time for the Philippines; now is your best time to shine as leaders,” he said.

The delegates were all excited for their first company visit—Mead Johnson Nutrition at its headquarters in Makati City. The group was warmly welcomed by Mr. Paul Richards, MJN Country Manager, and his management team. He presented the history of Mead Johnson Nutrition worldwide as well as its local unit which has been in existence for more than 60 years. MJN Philippines is the fourth largest MJN subsidiary around the world and the second in Asia.

The delegates became more interested when Mr. Richards explained the different MJN products and how they are being marketed commercially. He said MJN’s strength is on strategy. “Marketing has no science; it’s all about creating a demand for your product and getting them to buy it,” Mr. Richards shared to the delegates.

He discussed the career opportunities in MJN. While they do not recruit new graduates, he was quick to add that MJN will be very happy to get BOP alumni after they get sufficient work experience from other companies. He also gave an unsolicited advice to the delegates, “Leap frog while early than to move from one company to another after 20 years.”

Lastly, he reminded the students of the significance of having a long-term goal but living life one day at a time. “Don’t sacrifice your health, your peace of mind, your friendship, your relationship, your family; you may be missing out on life trying to achieve your goal.”

The delegates were given a tour of its state- of- the- art facility. There, they were able to see first-hand how the milk products are placed in foil packs, then into cartons and, finally, into the boxes which are ready for warehousing and distribution. The fully-automated process made the delegates understand how an assembly line format of manufacturing works.

A buffet lunch was hosted by MJN. The executives sat down with the delegates to entertain their questions. The delegates wasted no time asking as many questions about product development, marketing strategies, company outlook, people management, and the whereabouts of the iconic Susi and Geno mascots of Sustagen, one of MJN’s premium brands.

The next stop for the delegates was Chevron Holdings at RCBC Plaza in Makati City. They were welcomed by Mark Quebral, Regional Manager for Human Resources, and Chevron employees to its training room. The topic on fuel and energy picked the interests of the delegates in view of the rising oil prices and looming power crisis. “It’s getting harder and harder to look for petroleum; oil in the Philippines is scarce,” Mr. Quebral said.

Chevron’s corporate strategy of enabling people has become an effective tool in achieving the companywide mission. “To ensure we have the right people with the right capacities at the right time, we create a world-class, high- performing, diverse global workforce, develop and manage our talent to ensure we have the organizational capacity to execute our strategies,” he explained.

Mr. Quebral took time to explain the Chevron Malampaya Asset, the biggest investment in the Philippines to date, and Chevron’s geothermal plants in Tiwi, Albay and Makban, Batangas. Chevron is the world’s leading developer of geothermal energy and the Philippines is the second largest producer of geothermal energy in the world after the US.

In Chevron, everyone puts a premium on safety according to Mr. Quebral. To prove the point, he presented a video on the companywide effort to ensure the safety of all its employees and stakeholders.

Tom Miclat (BOP 2 alumnus) and Jonalyn Andal (BOP 7 alumna), now Chevron employees, were present throughout the presentation. Ms. Andal shared her work experience on her six months of working with Chevron.

By 400pm, the delegates were back at the AmCham Hall to take the Test of English for International Communications (TOEIC) by John Hopkins International. The two- hour examination tested the listening and reading skills of the delegates. Results of the test are to be released and special citations will be given to the top scorers during the Awards Night on Saturday.

Shortly after the test, they had a forum on business integrity and corporate values by Ms. Grace Sorongon, Vice President of John Clements Consultants, and Mr. Richard McGonegal, President and Managing Director of RCG Information Technology Philippines. One delegate asked about the ethical parameters for employees who communicate thru social networking sites while another one asked about cases of employees sharing confidential information to people outside of the company.

Afterwhich, the delegates had their case mentoring with Mr. Tully Moss, a well-known educator of Harvard Business School programs and consultant to several multinational companies, and Ms. Carol Dominguez, President and CEO of John Clements Consultants. Both helped the groups work on their business plans.

9th AmCham BOP Day 2: Making sense of the case

9th AmCham BOP Day 2:

Making sense of the case

By Aldwin Chester Yap Dumago, AmCham BOP 8 Alumnus

It was a relatively “free and easy” day for the 32 delegates of 9th AmCham BOP since they did not have any activity until lunch time. In preparation for the case mentoring session later that day, everyone reread the case while having late breakfast at McDonalds.

Ms. Grace Alcid, a training expert of Harvard Business School case studies by John Clements Consultants, brought with her a variety of hair and skin care products by Splash Corporation and distributed them to the five groups to help them have a better grasp of the case study.

Right after lunch, Ms. Alcid immediately engaged the groups into a fruitful discussion. Together, they identified the challenges of Splash Corporation based on the scenario written on the case. Reading the case one day ahead gave the delegates an advantage because it became easier for them to process the case study. The session, which lasted for about four hours, greatly helped the delegates understand the objectives of the case.

The delegates went on working on the case until late night with just a short break for dinner. The delegates look forward to the company visits beginning Monday until Friday, saying that insights from the company executives might give them fresh ideas that can be of help as they work on their case.

9th AmCham BOP gathers the best business students

9^th 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 9^th 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, 9^th 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.

Thirty students join AmCham’s summer leadership program

Photo shows members of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, over 30 students of the 2011 AmCham Business Orientation Program (BOP), some BOP alumni, and several AmCham BOP sponsors.

Thirty students gear up for AmCham’s summer leadership program

Business Orientation Program set on April 2-9, 2011

(Manila, Philippines) – Thirty student leaders from various universities nationwide were selected to join this year’s Business Orientation Program (BOP) of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) on April 2-9. In the course of this week, the students will be exposed to the “real world” of business and have the opportunity to discuss business and economic topics with the country’s top CEOs.

The 30 successful AmCham BOP participants were among the 145 applicants for the program this year. The applicants underwent qualification tests and personal interviews by AmCham’s BOP committee members.

Among the schools represented by the participating students are UP Diliman, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila, Enderun Colleges, Far Eastern University, University of Asia and the Pacific, San Beda College, University of the East, Centro Escolar University, St. Paul University - Quezon City, Polythecnic University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Naga University, Holy Angel University, UP Cebu, University of Baguio, University of Cordilleras, University of San Jose Recoletos-Cebu, Silliman University, Mindanao University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan de Oro, and Ateneo de Davao University.

Now on its ninth year, AmCham continues to provide business college students skills enhancement and career opportunities. The program, which consists of a week-long schedule of activities, gives qualified college students opportunities to understand key international business and economic issues through site tours in multinational companies, in-depth discussions with management professionals, and project analysis and presentation.

Activities of the program include site tours in American multinational companies, seminars from AmCham member firms, business projects, and opportunity to interact with BOP alumni, US Embassy officers, AmCham Board of Directors and other AmCham members during a pre-program cocktail reception and the closing awards dinner at the end of the week.

Aside from exposing future corporate leaders to the “real world” of business and commerce, AmCham BOP, due to the participation of students from different backgrounds, also helps to enhance mutual understanding, cooperation, and communication skills – all valuable tools for their future in the business world.

“The American Chamber is really proud to have initiated this program for the benefit of tomorrow’s leaders, and is committed to continue providing this educational experience to support and contribute to the Philippine business community,” AmCham BOP Chair Leslie Murray said.

Post event Story

1. How would I describe my AmCham program experience to my mother or best friend? Did it meet my expectations?

Rose Chua, Business Administration student in the University of the Philippines – Diliman and recently elected to be part of the Business Administration Student Council.

If I were to describe the program experience to my mother or best friend, I would have to say that I got very “full” from the experience. More than just the literal meaning of “full” (we were fed heartily and had almost free-flowing supply of coffee and hot choco at the AmCham hall), I was able to learn about different industries direct from executives and managers of the company, themselves. I was “full” in respect to getting a very wide perspective and insightful look into the workings of the best American companies. Also, I had a very “full” and enriching experience meeting the best students in the country and being able to work with them. It certainly exceeded my expectations of the program.

Aldwin Chester Dumago, 3^rd year student in BS Entrepreneurship with minor in Economics in Ateneo De Davao University

Oxford has yet release a superlative adjective that will describe my AmCham BOP experience. It’s more than the best, the most fantastic, the most exciting, or the most memorable. I’m serious. I don’t have to describe the AmCham BOP experience in one word to my mother or best friend. I will just have to spend the whole day rekindling my experience to her/my best friend so they’ll get to understand how it feels to be part of the program.

Athena Plaza, a fourth year Business Administration student of the University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu City and a consistent academic scholar.

My mother knows fully well the amazing experience I had in BOP since I bombarded her with long detailed text messages during the course of the program and, when we arrived home from the airport, the first thing I did was show off all the cool stuff I got from the BOP. (Thanks to all our sponsors! I didn't mind the excess baggage.) I told my mother that the BOP was such a beautiful life-changing experience and I felt very blessed to have been given such opportunity to meet the best business leaders and interact with the future leaders of our country. The BOP not only met my expectations; it surpassed them!

Christian Patacsil, a double major student in BS in Business Administration major in Marketing Management and Business Economics Saint Louis University, Baguio.

I described AmCham to my best friends as irreplaceable, challenging, and definitely an unforgettable experience. My friends almost envy me for the grand stories I share! And until now, I can’t believe that I’ll also share memorable stories to Rehanna Rosario who really inspired me to make it in AmCham’s BOP. J

Obviously, my experiences exceeded my expectations! I acquired knowledge more than what I expected. The remarkable CEO talks, the cherished company visits, and the sharing of intelligent answers and networking to finest BOP delegates… it’s so perfect! That’s not all! The freebies, delicious and heavenly served foods, the fine-dining reception areas, everything falls into perfection! No wonder it was an ideal, successful and terrific experience I truly enjoyed! J

2. Which company site visit was the most interesting for me and why/how?

Rose Chua, Business Administration student in the University of the Philippines – Diliman and recently elected to be part of the Business Administration Student Council.

The most interesting company visit for me was Accenture. Prior to that, we already had 2 talks from the same industry but what set Accenture apart was a slightly different business model. I was definitely intrigued at the mention that the company does a lot of “back-office” work for companies abroad as most other BPOs seem to be more focused on service-oriented work.

Aldwin Chester Dumago, 3^rd year student in BS Entrepreneurship with minor in Economics in Ateneo De Davao University

There is always a significant lesson to be learned in every company/site visit. But what struck me the most are the two trips to Clark and Laguna. The visit to Clark made me realize how much potential Clark has that remains to be unseen by the Filipinos. It’s a big shame on us that the Americans came to see that great potential first. While listening to Mr. Dennis Wright explain the site development plan as we drove around the Global Gateway Logistics City, I was already imagining all those buildings are already in place and the people moving around. That was a futuristic trip.

Meanwhile, the trip to Laguna convinced me that Filipino skilled laborers are truly world-class. I was so delighted to see a brand new Mazda/Ford automobile ready for driving every eight minutes. Ford Motors Philippines isn’t only manufacturing cars for the local market but also for the ASEAN region. Imagine a Ford automobile manufactured here that is cruising on the street of Thailand. The solar panels being produced in Laguna are not even for local consumption but are being exported to other countries. That simply means we are at par with international standards.

Athena Plaza, a fourth year Business Administration student of the University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu City and a consistent academic scholar.

Our visit to Peregrine Development International in Clark, Pampanga was most interesting because we had the chance to meet their President, Mr. Dennis Wright, whose passion and long-term vision inspired us to create our own opportunities and become future visionary leaders of the country. Mr. Wright talked avidly about the development of the Global Gateway Logistics City and strongly declared that, “Clark is it!” I enjoyed the site tour very much because, although most of the infrastructure was not yet in place, Mr. Wright's passion allowed us to share in his vision of the future. Peregrine is one company I will always admire because it sees what others, even Filipinos themselves, cannot see.

Christian Patacsil, a double major student in BS in Business Administration major in Marketing Management and Business Economics Saint Louis University, Baguio.

The Integra Business Processing Solutions Inc. company visit definitely interests me most. The admiring organized preparation they’d arranged, the exciting presentations like the personality test interpretations and company overview, and the well-planned group tours made us (not only me) think highly of Integra. Personally after hearing about Integra, I would wish of working in this multinational company and be part of the growing BPO industry. They really deliver value to their clients and support their employees through work-life balance. Knowing that their employees have the freedom and responsibility to manage their own career paths, I found excitement that this is the right place for a fun-learning work zone! J

Chico Arellano, incoming fifth year BS Accountancy student in University of the East and local chapter president of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants

I want to commend the company of Integra, not because I became an apple of the eye when we visited them, but because they thought us how to assess people. They used the DISC analysis for knowing people. This people estimation technique will bring us to a better understanding of dealing with people in a group. This lesson will bring us to a successful leadership.

3. Of the business executives (including academicians and political personalities, if any) I met, who made the most impact on me and why/how?

Rose Chua, Business Administration student in the University of the Philippines – Diliman and recently elected to be part of the Business Administration Student Council.

Two people that made an impact on me would be Mr. Rick Santos and Ms. Grace Alcid. Mr. Rick Santos because I felt that he has great leadership—his talk was very inspiring. I saw how his attitudes tie to his achievements. Ms. Grace Alcid because of her genuine sincerity and her good approach when it comes to failure. She gave really made an impact on me by giving me advice on how to take on failure.

Aldwin Chester Dumago, 3^rd year student in BS Entrepreneurship with minor in Economics in Ateneo De Davao University

Two people made such great impact in my life. One is Mr. Dennis Wright of Peregrine. His vision for the country made me feel so bad about myself. How can I be so negative about my own country when there’s a non-Filipino who sees a lot of great potential here? Just when most Filipinos tell me to “go out of the country and work in the US or anywhere else,” here comes an American citizen telling us “don’t leave your country, stay here.” The Philippine Government sees no bright prospects on the former US military airport facility, yet the Americans see Diosdado Macapagal International Airport as the gateway of the Philippines to the world. Why are blinded by the negative perceptions about the Philippines when there are foreigners who see hope in this part of the world?

Another person who made such huge impact on me is Ms. Carol Dominguez. Although we never did any visit to John Clements nor did she hold a session talking about her leadership experience, those pocket moments that I had with here were truly inspiring. Whenever we had dinner in AmCham, Aimee and I would always talk to her partly on BOP matters and more on her personal life. She shared to us how she managed to be at the peak of her success as a business executive, how she was as a college student looking for a job back then, and even her love life. Her stories inspired me to set specific goals and map out my life very well. I realized thru our nightly conversations that there’s more to Ms. Carol than being a career woman—she loves yoga, she is a partygoer, she is a fan of Glee, she dated two men at the same time, she had her helper bake pies for her suitors who give her presents on Christmas, and a lot more. Life is all about finding the perfect balance between career and oneself.

Athena Plaza, a fourth year Business Administration student of the University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu City and a consistent academic scholar.

Mr. Dennis Wright, President of Peregrine Development International, made the most impact on me because he was highly passionate, enthusiastic, and optimistic regarding his company's development project in Clark. The way he spoke manifested his utmost determination to achieve their goals and his intensity and focus were truly inspiring. I believe that the country needs more visionary leaders like Mr. Wright and I hope that my visit to Peregrine and my encounter with him will help me create a vision for the country that I shall passionately pursue.

Christian Patacsil, a double major student in BS in Business Administration major in Marketing Management and Business Economics Saint Louis University, Baguio.

Mr. Tim Neely (economic counselor) and Ms. Tyrena Holly’s (FCS-Commercial Attache) talks made the most impact on me. Basically because I am so engrossed with the intricacies of our economy that made me asked questions. As an economic student, I’m interested of formulating policies that will someday make a change (positive of course) to the lives of my fellow Filipino people.

4. How would I describe my group's case study analysis and presentation to someone who was not in the room last Saturday?

Rose Chua, Business Administration student in the University of the Philippines – Diliman and recently elected to be part of the Business Administration Student Council.

Honestly, I think we handled the presentations well and calm given the constraints we had in terms of preparation. We were very stressed from not getting enough sleep, from the sudden issues in room changes, and problems in our presentation but we still kept a positive outlook. Despite not being able to deliver a perfect presentation, we were able to work well as a group and supported each other all throughout. Some people might have learned about new business concepts (well, I did too), but the most valuable learning I got from this experience is working under pressure and with people I didn’t even know prior to one week of the presentations.

Aldwin Chester Dumago, 3^rd year student in BS Entrepreneurship with minor in Economics in Ateneo De Davao University

That it was one roller coaster ride, not knowing where you’re heading for. I’m proud to say we’re the best group given our unpreparedness and lack of manpower (because we’re the only group with four members). We managed to land on the third spot even if we started to work seriously on our case just on the eve of the case presentation. That was the final test of “grace under pressure” for us. I will never forget that wonderful experience of having to present in front of Mr. Ernest Cu and the rest of the panelists a case study which we never had the chance to go through prior to the presentation. That was our first and final rehearsal.

Athena Plaza, a fourth year Business Administration student of the University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu City and a consistent academic scholar.

A case study analysis and a business proposal usually take weeks or even one whole semester but, because we were branded as the “best” from day one, we had to accomplish these tasks within a week. I had encountered cases before but never one from Harvard Business Publishing. The first time I read it (and that was a feat by itself), I felt that my brain processed a day's worth of information in just a couple of hours. I'm grateful that I had talented and cooperative group mates with whom I spent late nights discussing and preparing the business plan. We would start at around nine in the evening and end beyond midnight. We only had two hours of sleep before the presentation itself. We were both excited and nervous that the CEO of Globe Telecom was one of our panelists. I believe we did a great job and the preparation and presentation of the business plan were wonderful experiences I would never have encountered had I not joined BOP.

Christian Patacsil, a double major student in BS in Business Administration major in Marketing Management and Business Economics Saint Louis University, Baguio.

I would describe Harvard Business Publishing’s Globe Telecom Case Study as a challenging and an energy draining activity. The making of the business plan really puts into tests our knowledge, understanding, and versatility to business fields such as marketing, finance, accounting and economics. An average of 3 hours sleep for almost a week intended for the making of the business plan exercised our brain cells to the max! The analysis of the business plan was critical because everyone has a good idea (battle of the minds!) to share but of course only one emerged as the best idea to follow.

I described the last minute preparations and presentation to Globe Telecom’s president Ernest Cu and to other multinational CEO’s as a nerve-wracking yet intensifying moment! Thankfully we made it! In the end, it all paid off when our group- the Frontliners won as the second best presentation entitled “Making the Dream a Reality”.

5. What are the three most important things I've learned from my fellow
student-participants?

Rose Chua, Business Administration student in the University of the Philippines – Diliman and recently elected to be part of the Business Administration Student Council.

If I were to cite three important things I learned from my fellow student-participants it would be:

1) That it is important to have open communication lines at all times with my groupmates.

2) That it is important to be very open and understanding in giving people the benefit of the doubt.

3) That friends can be found in the most unexpected places. I went into AmCham mostly with the expectation that I will learn and work a lot. What I did not expect was that I would find people that I immediately related to and became friends with. I did not expect that I would make friends with people from different schools and different provinces—as far as Baguio in the North and Davao in the South

Aldwin Chester Dumago, 3^rd year student in BS Entrepreneurship with minor in Economics in Ateneo De Davao University.

First, the world is both big and small. It’s big because I get to meet new people in every conference that I attend. At the same time, the world is small because I realize that we have so many common friends. My network keeps on growing but it seems to be coming to a full circle.

Second, cherish every moment you spend with your fellow delegates. You’ll never know, one day, the person seated beside you on the bus will become one of the country’s top business leaders. You might need his/her help by then. When that happens, you can proudly tell everyone, “hey, that’s my good friend! We were together in AmCham BOP!” We learn something from one another everyday. We discover new things about one another; we learn to give and take. We establish lifelong friendships.

Third, each one is unique. Every one of us has his/her own strengths and weaknesses. No one can do everything alone. It is through teamwork that we synergize by recognizing our strengths and acknowledging our weakness. We must complement one another to be an effective team. Whoever is good in Marketing does the Marketing Plan, while the Accountancy/Finance major works on the financial analysis.

Athena Plaza, a fourth year Business Administration student of the University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu City and a consistent academic scholar.

I'm grateful that I belong to such a lively and dynamic batch. My fellow student-participants have taught me that, although we belonged to different schools and universities, we were fundamentally equal in the sense that we had so much to learn and gain from the BOP experience. They also taught me how to blend fun with learning; some of my fellow participants were always full of laughter and energy. Lastly, my BOP batch mates taught me the value of diversity. We were such a wonderful group because we were unique individuals who came together to create a single life-changing experience.

Christian Patacsil, a double major student in BS in Business Administration major in Marketing Management and Business Economics Saint Louis University, Baguio.

Networking is one of the most important things I’ve learned. Building connections among top students nationwide is one great opportunity for me to know their university cultures and background. Sharing with intelligent information would really show our distinct differences and way of thinking that made me believe that we are diversified yet unified. The second thing is to ‘reach the summit’. My fellow student-leader participants are absolutely the best. Thus, it is expected from me also to perform my very best. Lastly, the bonding and friendship we created are no doubt indestructible. The friendship we made will surely be long-lasting and will flourish as time goes by! (I miss my best friends- the BSA TOWER BOYS and my 807 roommates).

6. What are my favorite parts of the AmCham program experience and why?

Rose Chua, Business Administration student in the University of the Philippines – Diliman and recently elected to be part of the Business Administration Student Council.

My favorite part of the AmCham program experience would be the seminars and company talks that we had. It was really good exposure in the different industries in the market today. For example, I would never have known that a company like International SOS provides help for any emergency to its consumers.

Aldwin Chester Dumago, 3^rd year student in BS Entrepreneurship with minor in Economics in Ateneo De Davao University.

There are so many things that I love about BOP.

First is the food. I never went hungry throughout BOP. Thanks to our sponsors. There came a point when I no longer want to see food or eat it. Such an unhealthy indulgence!

Second is the program. It’s so jampacked that, looking back, I could not imagine how we were able to get through everything in one week. Yes, we did rant so many times about being tired from company visits everyday yet we still love it!

Third—the freebies! Who doesn’t love them? My pen collection suddenly grew big after receiving at least five new pens from different companies. Had I known that P&G was giving us a bagful of shampoos and soaps, I shouldn’t have gone to the grocery the night before my trip to Manila. If only excess baggage fees were cheap, I would be very happy to bring to Davao a dozen rolls of Joy tissue paper and three boxes of Kleenex as my pasalubong.

Fourth—the organizing committee and the AmCham staff. Without the hard work of the organizers, BOP wouldn’t be as good as it was. The AmCham staff was very kind to assist us with our needs and concerns. We know how demanding we can sometimes become, but they always helped us.

Fifth—the out-of-town trips. For someone like me who is not from Manila, a trip to Laguna and Clark would definitely be something to look forward to. I always fly to Manila every year and I see the same buildings all around. But a trip to Clark and Laguna? That’s interesting!

I guess I can’t continue enumerating what I liked most about AmCham BOP, otherwise I would end up enumerating everything. AmCham BOP in itself is a wonderful experience.

Athena Plaza, a fourth year Business Administration student of the University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu City and a consistent academic scholar.

The company visits and talks with CEOs were my most favorite parts. They were not only valuable learning experiences; they were also very enjoyable ones. They gave me a taste of the real business world and they inspired me to plan and work for a successful career.

Christian Patacsil, a double major student in BS in Business Administration major in Marketing Management and Business Economics Saint Louis University, Baguio.

My favorite parts of the bop experience are: the acquisition of relevant information from the talks made by different CEO’s, the company visits that really made me understand the real work scenario and business atmosphere, and of course the mouth-watering foods served in the fine-dining reception areas like the Marriot Hotel and Holiday Inn.

GUIDING FUTURE CHOICES

7. How did the program influence my career/learning choices, values, personal perspective? This early, how do I think I would apply what I've learned in my own setting?

Rose Chua, Business Administration student in the University of the Philippines – Diliman and recently elected to be part of the Business Administration Student Council.

Throughout the program, there was always an emphasis on taking opportunities that offer a full view of the company like Management Trainee programs do. The greatest take-away I got would be that my choices in life should always be geared towards providing me the long-term fulfillment I hope to achieve. I think that finding an opportunity on the career path that I want to pursue is worth more than anything. And, that in evaluating opportunities that may come, I should take into consideration the amount of growth it might offer.

Aldwin Chester Dumago, 3^rd year student in BS Entrepreneurship with minor in Economics in Ateneo De Davao University.

Definitely, the BOP experience did a lot to change the way I view things. I made a lot of realizations about the corporate world, about the role of foreign investments in the Philippine economy, and most importantly, about my personal perspective. As mentioned earlier, BOP taught me to love my country. While it is never wrong to go out and explore the world, the Philippines should always be my end destination. If I have to study abroad, it is not to enrich myself so that other countries can benefit from me but to come home and share to the Filipinos what I will learn abroad. If I have to work abroad, it is for me to see how developed countries do business so that when I come back, I can teach the Filipinos the best business practices in the global setting. These are all long-term goals.

I am an Entrepreneurship student; basically, my mindset should be to become the employer and not the employee. But I also acknowledge the fact that it is always best to start from scratch so you’ll get to appreciate things when you’re on top. On the short run, I see myself working in one of the many companies we’ve visited during BOP. The opportunities are countless. Where in the country today will you find business executives telling you “do you need a job? I can give you one”? BOP opened a lot of doors of opportunities for us. We are considered to be “the best” business students, but we feel we are the “luckiest students” because of what BOP has done to us.

Athena Plaza, a fourth year Business Administration student of the University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu City and a consistent academic scholar.

The program has significantly influenced my career choices as well as my personal values. The BOP opened my eyes to the career opportunities that multinational companies, like those we visited, offer to young aspiring students. I used to think that multinational companies were corporate giants seeking only profits and market share. The BOP made me appreciate the contributions of American companies to the economic and social development of the country, and the personal and career development of its employees.

Christian Patacsil, a double major student in BS in Business Administration major in Marketing Management and Business Economics Saint Louis University, Baguio.

Participating in this prestigious activity offered me the best opportunity of enhancing my business leadership potentials. It made me gain competitive advantage with the privilege it offers to limited 30 slots. My involvement towards the increasing and sustaining networks and partnership among other student leaders made me a better person and challenge me to be at my best in all times. With my passion to continuous learning, my involvement to different activities boosted my knowledge and somewhat prepare me in the real-life business environment.

8. Leaders are said to have a great story. In a paragraph or two, what do
I envision my story will be?

Rose Chua, Business Administration student in the University of the Philippines – Diliman and recently elected to be part of the Business Administration Student Council.

I envision myself to be a serial entrepreneur in the future. I believe that entrepreneurship and innovation provide the greatest progress to an economy. In 10 years time, I hope to be an established entrepreneur and start a network of business entrepreneurs that would help business start-ups in the critical years of its progress.

Aldwin Chester Dumago, 3^rd year student in BS Entrepreneurship with minor in Economics in Ateneo De Davao University.

My leadership story will have to be a representation of who I am as a person. I am not a son of a business tycoon; I will not inherit the world. I am not the smartest student; I did not study in Harvard. But I have a lifelong dream. Opportunities don’t fine me, rather I look for them. With ambition and sheer determination, I will begin the race from bottom and finish on top. Leadership is influence. I want to influence others to dream big and achieve personal success.

As politicians would have it, “hindi bawal mangarap ang mahirap, basta’t maaabot ito sa malinis na paraan. Sa sipag at tiyaga, galling at talino, kahit sino aasenso.”

Christian Patacsil, a double major student in BS in Business Administration major in Marketing Management and Business Economics Saint Louis University, Baguio.

I envisioned that in the next few years I’ll stand to the next future AmCham batches as an executive or CEO of one of the top multinational companies we’ve been to. I’ll live my dream of becoming the next “BIG BOSS” who will continuously inspire the youth. I’ll wave the flag of the Ilocandia region by being an inspiration to my Kababayans. I will stand by the dream of my beloved university by being the light that transforms! J