Lucky me without knowing it that the book launching was ongoing at Bestseller Robinson Ortigas, it is a real treat – a fan like me being one of the first to have a hand in this wonderful and much awaited book.

The story is so fast and furious that before I knew it I have finished reading it. This is how good and engaging the story is.

Once you are immersed in the world of Panem there is no going back. You become one of the district 13 wanting to topple the Capitol and energize every time you hear or see the Mockingjay (Katniss Everdeen) forwarding your dream for freedom.

This is the power of symbol at work. In the story the media as the medium for showing and spreading the message of the Mockingjay is what sticks to mind. It shows the power of communication and how to make it attached to the viewers and listeners. It shows how to create a lasting change once a group has identified a rallying point to a certain cause.

Creating a perception – a winning perception compared to its distant reality, this is what catapulted district 13 to victory.

In our present day, advertising and many forms of media dominate our perception of reality. Understanding that it is not reality is very important. Having a critical mind will help in determining this.

Indeed, finishing the book is one memorable event for me as it reinforces some of the thinking I have with media, communication and perception.

It is hitting two birds in one stone; you are entertained and educated at the same time.

I hope that the author has other brilliant plots and stories under her sleeves for she is a great writer to have.

Life as we all know is a very complex matter. One of its complexities is our economic survival. Livelihood as others may want to call it. In this age where speed is the norm of the day, we find ourselves confused on where to source our livelihood.

Good thing that entrepreneurship is a word spreading like a wild fire in our country. Entrepreneurship is an attractive path that allows you to control your destiny in the aspect of your economic wellbeing. Another positive about this is the widespread Filipino business opportunities being offered left and right. All you have to do is find the right event where you can tap the opportunities readily available for you to start your own business.

When it comes to events to realize your business objectives Kabuhayang Pinoy Expo is a dependable event to provide you with a variety of business opportunities ripe for your picking.

Kabuhayang Pinoy Expo slated this coming 5,6 and 7 at Trinoma Mall Activity Area is an event that aims to provide affordable business packages offered by almost 100 exhibitors to people like you who are trying to find a business that will serve as your companion in providing you the economic wellbeing you so desire.

The expo will showcase franchising and dealership on the following areas of your interest like food, fashion, health and beauty, cars, finance, technologies, and services.

It will also provide you FREE Business seminars that will solidify your knowledge and commitment to have a business that you can work on immediately to start you exciting journey as a business owner. The event is expecting thousands of visitors to gather and engage with different Filipino businesses promoting and encouraging people like you to be partners of their business organizations.

Kabuhayang Pinoy Expo is a unique event that shows you the beauty and power of having a deciding to choose a business that will serve as you economic companion in your walk with life.

The event is more than the opportunities presented in front of your eyes, it may already be an internal awakening closer but not exactly about spirituality. It is an awakening about how you can take hold of your destiny and economic status. It is about you experiencing “Eureka moment” on how to get on top of the hustle and bustle that is called life.

The event is all about you as a Filipino deciding to break free of poverty by running a business, and at the same time, helping others by creating jobs to the business that you started.

Kabuhayang Pinoy Expo is produced and organized by EX-LINK Management and Marketing Services Corporation. If you want to be a partner please call tel # 6433887 or visit www.exlinkevents.com.

As we turn our homes to hues of green and red and decorate it with different attractive lights, a magical atmosphere envelops our streets and cities. Indeed, the spirit of Christmas is upon us.

The entry of “BER” months is also the start of Megabalikbayan and OFW Expo (MBOX) preparation to make its 7th run a very meaningful and enjoyable experience for Balikbayans and OFWs. Slated this coming December 10, 11 and 12, 2010 the event boasts 2,530 square meters of exhibition area and 220 exhibitors at the minimum.

This is bigger and better compared to the previous six years and the promise to serve its main audience (Balikbayans and OFWs) with various knowledge and skills in business, investment and entrepreneurship is the best to happen in December.



The exhibition area will have all the different start-up and medium size business concepts you can ever think of to make the Balikbayans and OFWs dream of owning a business come true.

Studies have shown that for OFWs to have a better and sustainable economic status he/she must learn how to invest and own a business. This finding is not rocket science because entrepreneurship will show anyone how to have a control of his/her economic well being. And if anyone makes a commitment to have a successful business then sky is the only limit one can experience in the area of success.

The exhibition have three components, first is the MEGA INVEST where you are presented with different properties, car, technologies, agri-aqua ventures, finance and investment exhibitors. Second is the MEGA EXPERIENCE where different destinations, health and wellness products and services, food and beverages, pets and hobbies are presented for the human senses to feast on. Third is the MEGA SHOP where discounted items, online sellers, and regional products are in full display for the wise buyers to enjoy.

The event will also have university business plan competition, dog shows, cultural shows and GAWAD OFW – an event where successful OFWs are recognize for their effort to better their lives by investing wisely their money on business inside the country.


As of this moment there are already around 10 OFW Associations that support this event.

The event is produced and organized by EX-LINK Management and Marketing Services Corporation. If you have any inquiries or wanted to be part of the event as exhibitor or sponsor you may call tel # 6433887 or visit www.megabalikbayanofwexpo.com.ph

I will live with a facility that is old and decrepit but I cannot live along with people who are hurting and demotivated. How can they serve well if their soul are bedraggled.

Yes let us tell the pilots to love our country but when the stomach is aching or the respect to oneself is zero a catastrophic scenario is just around the corner.

Moreso, if offers on all sides of the globe is very tempting.

There is a middle ground. However, I think that this is a case of a lazy giant not having a competition that led to this quagmire. A giant that has become so relax that it forgot basic responsibilities to its people.
Haaay PAL.

Yes, something is missing. The action towards making a competitive MICE industry towards our ASEAN country is missing. It seems it is out of the picture for our new DOT leadership. I hope not.

Meetings, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition (MICE) are business boosters and it gives a stronger punch than backpack tourism.

In MICE the economic activities will be more long lasting.

Look at China; a country that sets-up huge convention centres in each of its cities and it is reaping the rewards in return. Look at Singapore and Hongkong, they have a very efficient MICE structure that attract and complement their tourism destinations. Look at Thailand, and even Vietnam they have a better public and private MICE machinery that have overtook us.

To our Department of Tourism, creating a MICE department or office in DOT will not be enough. A concrete and a strategic action plan is needed. The industry and all the organizations involve in MICE are ready to help.

Just don’t dare to forget about MICE, if you do any painkiller will not alleviate the pain and ailments of our tourism and MICE industry – a neglect that is an anti-thesis of targeting high value tourists.

I did not make any argument and dutifully paid the P100.00. As an organizer, I know how it is hard to survive the event even to make it break-even. However, this should not be an excuse. As organizers, what was announced to the public must be honoured regardless what is the financial conditions of the organizer or the event. We have a duty to deliver to the exhibition visitors – to give what was announced and promised.

Between surviving a financially problematic event and being honourable, I would rather lose money than lose face. I would rather side with the ethical dimension of the event than the financial dimension of the event when this two collide.

Let this be a reminder to all organizers of exhibitions and conventions. Money will always come back to those who know how to honour commitments and promises.

I may write the organizer even if it is not a member of PACEOS so that they will tow the line of what should be a conduct of a Filipino organizer. By doing this, I hope they will wake-up and realize this major error they have done.

I am not disappointed. He reiterated some of the plans that will take place “in the near future” (the bold words are his favourite; he uttered it many times during his talk). Here are some that might interest you:

•  Fast Tracking of the business registration turnaround time
•  Creation of the Philippine Business Registry – a sort of directory of the population of the all companies existing in the country
•  Focus on certified DTI SMEs that has undergone training and has shown potential for growth, they will be supported of funds and trained further if they pass profitability and marketability metrics of the government
•  Protection of the consumer
• Importation fast tracking system to our importers who have good records
• Tight monitoring of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Trade Agreements that will favour to our country’s interest

Very few but needed and doable action plans. Although I just would like to comment that something must be done to address our Business Competitiveness Ranking, we are now rank 87. Vietnam which last year was rank 70, which we are following (we are rank 71 last year) has improved to rank 57. As you can see we have deteriorated.

Honourable Secretary Gregory Domingo we hope you can do something about it. We have so much potential, we just need strong fundamentals.

The last time I talked about airports it feels like I am ranting. But of course I do. I believe that we must rant in order to be felt by the government and private sectors that are powerful to make some change in our airports.

It seems my ranting is working. I know that I am not the only one making comments about our airports, there are millions of nationalistic Pinoys praying and hoping to someday see an airport that would be like an edifice that everybody can be proud of.

Last time I have heard it was Manny Pangilinan who wanted to develop Clark Airport, I feel elated and looking forward in him making it happen. However, today it hit the major dailies that a consortium backed by the Malaysian government is willing to pour $150 Million in direct investments to jumpstart Clarks Airport Development.

I say things are looking a bit rosy. I say if all transactions are above board then let us do it. Secretary Alberto Lim, Department of Toursim, said that it is his priority. P-Noy emphasized this focus on making infrastructure a center piece of his leadership in the government to uplift not only our economy but our spirit as a country that is eager to embrace development.

Again, let us do it and make a dash to the finish line of having an International Airport that will make tourists feel great upon landing in our country and our Balikbayan and OFWs proud upon returning to their country.

It is what every products and services want. It is what all companies battle to acquire. They know that when their products and services achieve high visibility in a particular event they will have an upper hand in their competition in the long run.


So I ask why are companies not aggressive enough to acquire it when joining expo and tradeshows.

Is it because of the investment requirements?

There are many ways no to spend a lot in achieving high visibility in events. A concentrated activity in a particular timeslot is one way and having said this you have to figure other creative ways to maximize events.

For the engagement the events provide is more than the investment that you will place into it. Just try once and you will see what I mean with it.