Speech: Product Launching Festival

Speech of Prof. Richard S. Celeste, MBM during the 2nd Product Launching Festival of the Entrep 103 Class of the Marketing Department, Mindanao State University, Marawi City.

 

Everything great starts from an idea. An innovative idea worth transforming into a tangible product. An idea with the goal of satisfying people’s needs and make their lives better.

I would like to request the Entrep 103 students to please stand and be recognized. Tap the shoulder of the person to your right and say, Congrats, you have made this far. And then tap the shoulder of the person to your left and say “It feels great to be learning with you. A round of applause. My warmest congratulations to all of you for surpassing the many challenges of pursuing this activity. To the class officers and members of the core team, please remain standing as others take their seats, I commend you for your persistence, motivation and dedication to lead the class and the entire Entrep 103 students towards the achievement of a common goal. You deserve a resounding round of applause. Requesting Sir Cha to stand. You deserve acknowledgement for guiding the students in practicing what they learn. Continue to push them harder so they could appreciate the benefits of having all these. Thank you. If I may borrow the lines of the Little Prince that goes, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eyes.” Some people might only focus on the tangibles without minding how you went through because behind this is a series of struggles, sacrifices and selfless acts just to get things done and so with that you all deserve another resounding round of applause.

There lies an entrepreneurial child in each one of us: a child who is daring, confident, determined and courageous, a child who always thinks he can do anything, and a child who believes everything is possible. Question: Do you think you still have that great confidence, courage and determination now?

Over the years, the level of self-confidence diminishes not because we are not capable but because we have been programmed or influenced unconsciously by the people around us like our parents, even teachers and the society at large who would tell us that we cannot do things. Example: You say, Gusto kong maging Doctor and your mother would reply, Pag sure dira Nak, di gani ka kabasa og tarong. How about the teachers reprimanding the students if they fail the exam or if they fail to memorize the definition of a term? How about the larger society with negative people who would laugh at us when we fail? We have then become conscious of what other people may think of us which adds to the limiting beliefs we set to ourselves. And then we say, Hindi ko nga talaga kaya, so when opportunities call you to do so, you hold back and retreat.

Added to that is our educational system with the requisites and emphasis reflected in 3 purposive statements: Study hard, get good grades and land a good job. These draw serious implications. For instance, the fear of committing mistakes hinders the creativity of the students. One becomes static and dependent largely on books because a minor mistake can be fatal. I can’t help myself but be amazed with a 20 year old boy in the name of Gian Javelona who is the Chief Executive Officer of his company Orange Apps. He said, “I think education is the main problem. All of us are molded to be employees – not employers. If you ask a student today, what they want to do after graduation, most will say that they want to work for a big, local company or go abroad and earn big money.” This is a sad reality but it’s never too late to do some things.

For example, today is the Grand Launching of your New Products in Entrep 103. It is an opportunity for you to learn how it is to become an entrepreneur. More than this launching is a series of tests and challenges on your time management, teamwork, creativity, marketing, entrepreneurial and leadership skills.

First, the time management test. I understand that you have struggled much to make both ends meet to the extent of missing other priorities not to mention the missed classes. To those who maintained a balance in all of your subjects, good for you and to those who did not, make it a goal to balance things and manage well your time. Have a to-do list as your guide and reminder. Write the tasks on your notes a night before the day begins because while you are asleep, your mind works as to how you will accomplish the tasks and so when the day comes, everything flows smoothly, allowing you to accomplish most if not all of the tasks written because some of these will need more time.

Second, the test of how it is to work with the team. I want to emphasize this: Each one of you is a significant part of the team and when you as a parcel of a subsystem do not function well, others will be affected. Imagine how much of a delay you would cause if you don’t cooperate. Always remember that your individual contributions would lead to a group success. Create a synergy for a successful undertaking.

3^rd, the creativity test. You were given the task to represent a festival in the country and you have done it so well. With your output, you deserve a grade higher than your average score in your major written exams :D

4^th, the actual marketing test, you sure have strategies to attract customers like putting up of the streamers, facilitating gimmicks and having convincing techniques to make customers buy your product. I want you to know that you will always encounter rejections but don’t take it seriously because for every 1 No from a customer is a several Yeses from other customers. You just have to believe that as long as you have something to sell, you can make a sale.

5^th, the test on your entrepreneurial skills. Starting up a business, organizing a product exhibit and selling products are really challenging. It demands much of your time, energy and yes money. But activities like this serve as one of the ways for you to appreciate what your course is all about. BSBA Entrepreneurial Marketing calls for students and faculty alike to explore entrepreneurship by engaging into it. May this grand launching and all other selling activities be an eye opener to everyone of us to consider engaging entrepreneurship worth venturing into.

6^th, the leadership test. How patient have you become in calling for a group meeting with no one in coming. How effective you are in facilitating group consensus and agreement so you could work well together towards a common goal.

All these tests are but a training ground for you - a learning avenue where you get to develop the values of being responsible, diligent, patient, disciplined and time conscious.  

 

The theme: Today’s Innovation – World Class Delights for World Class Individuals is timely and relevant as it is in consonance with MSU’s goal to be a world class institution in 2020. It poses a challenge to both young and seasoned entrepreneurs to offer innovative products so customers will be satisfied.  With a thorough and detailed focus on the stages of the product development process, anyone can come up with a brilliant idea, transform this idea into a tangible output and satisfy customer’s needs. I highly suggest that you tap the social media in your promotional activities by posting photos and update in facebook and twitter so a lot of people will know of your products who will eventually become your customers in the years to come. More so with telling the world that Mindanao is not that horrible and horrid; that we can actually do activities safely, peacefully and successfully.

Indeed, Entrep 103 is a very good foundation for your entry to the terminal or final courses Entrep 109 for the business plan and Entrep 197 for the practicum. Make your experiences here your guide posts as you continue schooling. And I encourage you to be bolder, more daring and more passionate in the future.

Before I end my speech, I would like to leave you these pieces of advice that you can keep and apply. I call it 5 Be’s.

1.      Be hungry for learning. Take every course requirement as an opportunity for you to learn, grow and be responsible. If your instructor gives you tasks to do, don’t complain right away. Always think of the benefits it could give you and find ways to learn from it. And I tell you, there’s so much learning if theories are supplemented with applications because it is through application that everything will be put to test.

2.      Be positive and be faithful. Each one of us go through struggles and some of these challenges seem to pull us down leading to decisions of giving up. As Napoleon Hill puts it, “Every adversity, every failure and every heartache carries with it the Seed of an equivalent or greater benefit.” So, don’t worry of what you are going though right now because it has a positive equivalent. Whatever struggles you have, just stay positive and never give up when you are on the verge of doing it. I want to emphasize this: Do not stop when you are tired. Stop when you are done. Also, Call unto God for interventions and believe in Him that everything will be well.

3.      Believe in yourself. Venus Williams, an Olympic Gold Medalist said, You have to believe in yourself when no else does, that’s what makes you a winner. Never mind other people who would tell you, you cannot do things. One of the joys in life is actually doing what others think you can’t because it seems impossible. Two of the powerful statements available to mankind are: I can and I am… Can everyone say I can do it…. I can make it through the rain… And say I am confident, I am diligent, I am responsible, I am productive, I am determined, I am courageous, I am talented.

4.      Be in love. There can be no law greater than Love and there can be no emotion stronger than love. Find love in everything that you do and it will make you happy. How I wish though that I could stay in love longer with what I presently do for the years to come. To the students, learn to love your course and the things you do in your major subjects because you are on the right track. Feel proud you are a BSBA Entrepreneurial Marketing student because you have a vital role as a practicing young entrepreneur in the economic development of the country. It even gives you a rare opportunity to make a difference. And so when people ask you what course are you taking, confidently say, I am taking BSBA Entrepreneurial Marketing – a course giving me the option to the path less travelled by – that is becoming an entrepreneur. Most importantly, be in love with the Almighty, the source of everything for without Him, we are nothing.  

5.      Be thankful. There is power in gratitude that could change our lives because for every thank you we say welcomes more blessings and abundance. Say thank you to your parents, to the saleslady, to the tricycle driver and to anyone you come in contact with. More so with being grateful to the Almighty for all the good things He has done for us. Even be grateful for the green fields, fresh air, and everything that you have now. Learn to appreciate.

And so I am ending this message with “Who wants this?” Taking actions is indeed key towards success and may take one action at a time towards the achievement of our dreams in life. We can have so many goals and aspirations but only if we take actions can we make these dreams real.

Thank you so much everyone for listening. May you have more sales today and for the days coming so you could also appreciate earning a profit and satisfying people’s needs. Have a great day ahead. And May God bless us all.

Today is the beginning of my new life...

                Today marks the beginning of my new life.

                Today, I thank the Lord for all the blessings He has given me.

                Today, I remember all the good things God has done for me.

                Today, I ask forgiveness to the people I have wronged and hurt.

                Today, I forgive every person who intentionally or not, have caused me pain.

                Today, I acknowledge the opportunities accorded me.

                Today, I thank every part of nature, the lush environment and fresh air.

                Today, I promise to focus on the positive aspects of life, even in the midst of challenges. Everything I know, has a purpose and the reason behind it is for my own good.

                Today, I want to give the best that I can and make other people happy.

                Today, I will spread the power of gratitude and positivism that everyone I encounter and those who read this will become enthusiastic and cheerful.

                Today, I will share smile to every person I meet. It costs nothing but will help enlighten depressed souls.

                Today, I offer my life to the Creator.

                Today is the best day of my life… Thank you Lord… You are loved… 

Reminiscing my MBM Journey

Getting a degree is everyone’s dream, an achievement that gives a person a glimmer of hope and a challenge to make real the knowledge gained throughout the years of schooling.

Becoming a Doctor in Business Management is one of my dreams and a course sine qua non to it is Master in Business Management among others. Days from now, the degree Master in Business Management (MBM) will be conferred upon me and my colleagues at Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology. As the day of commencement exercises approaches, I come to remember special moments of ups and downs; of successes and failures, of laughters and tears in my MBM Journey.

I could still recall the day I applied for enrolment at the MBM Office. I met Prof. Milagros R. Narido, the CBAA Graduate Program Coordinator and her staff Ms. Elizabeth Delmo who accommodated and guided me in the enrolment process. I prepared myself then for another set of years in the academe as a student.

The first day of classes came and I was in a new learning environment - meeting new classmates and acquaintances. As practiced, we were told to introduce ourselves, where are we from, where are we connected and what was our undergraduate major. I was amazed then that MBM is a convergence of eager learners from the different fields of expertise – Engineering, Sociology, Biology, Political Science and Business Administration among others.

One of our professors asked us what are our dreams and I got puzzled at first, refreshing my dreams in life. Everyone shared his/her ultimate desire and I must say that expressing your goals is a liberating experience. Thank you so much Ma’am Narido for facilitating. J

During the first semester, I noticed that the student body has no set of officers. Having the desire to become one, I signified my interest of leading the MBM Student Board. From then on, we held MBM Get Together Party, MBM General Orientation, MBM Acquaintance Party, MBM Outreach Program, MBM Enhancement Seminars and MBM Educational Tours.

MBM Student Board Officers - (2010-2011)

MBM Get Together Party 2010

MBM Get Together Party 2011

MBM Acquaintance Party 2011

MBM General Orientation 2011

MBM General Orientation 2012

Tree Growing Activity

MBM Outreach Program

A Seminar on Cross-Cultural Managerial Competencies

A Seminar on E-business

Showcasing Deliciosa Ice Cream ar MSU-IIT Tabo sa Pasko 

Organizing educational tours was the most exciting, exhilarating and challenging task I have ever done in my MBM undertaking as the president of the MBM Student Board. Preparing request letters of permission and approval from the institute officials and faculty; complying long list of field trip requirements; communicating companies; facilitating, guiding and leading the delegates; and negotiating certain matters with business owners and asking, searching, exploring for the whereabouts during the tour were so laborious yet fulfilling. We started visiting companies in Iligan City namely, Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation, National Power Corporation, PILMICO and HOLCIM. 

With a signature pose @ Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation

@ Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation

With rock salt from Australia (background) @ MVC

@ National Power Corporation

@ Nature's Park, Maria Cristina Falls :D

@ HOLCIM Philippines

@ PILMICO

We also visited the Philippine Stock Exchange, Golden Bay Seafood Restaurant, Gardenia Philippines, Tanza Oazis and Steelfab Water Solutions, Asia, Inc.

MBM Educational Tour in Luzon

6th Global Business Conference

Taking a pose at Gardenia, Philippines

@ Tanza Oazis, Cavite, Philippines

@ Steelfab Water Solutions, Asia, Inc.

@ the Philippine Stock Exchange

And yes, we explored Singapore – a first world country. The trip was the most daring, challenging and ecstatic educational tour we had. We visited Mycofarm – Singapore’s largest producer of mushroom, Asia Pacific Breweries Pte. Ltd, the producer of Tiger Beer – Singapore’s first locally brewed beer, Universal Studios, Sentosa and Marina Bay Tower which was awarded as  the “Best High-Rise Architecture and Best Marina Development” by CNBC awards in 2008. We were truly impressed with the country’s systematic transportation services like the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) where people find it convenient and affordable. We were also amazed with its very clean environment and the presence of lush trees amidst tall buildings. More so, with Singapore’s emphasis on Entertainment and Tourism that attracted millions of visitors, thereby augmenting income and job opportunities to everyone.

A welcoming pose at Changi Airport, Singapore

Free taste of sauteed mushroom @ Mycofarm, Singapore

Cheers for bottomless beer @ Tiger Brewery, Singapore :D

Hello Universal Studios :-)

Conquering Battlestar Galactica, Singapore - one of the largest roller coasters in the world

It was a long journey of fun, learning and appreciation on the new perspectives about business and life in general. There have been moments of mistakes and detours during the entire tour but it made the venture really educational in the truest sense of the word. The group has indeed learned in terms of enhancing self-confidence, appreciating cross-cultural differences and having fun while learning.

MBM journey wouldn’t be complete without series of sleepless nights studying lessons for the exam, complying research works and loads of study cases for analysis. One major requirement in MBM is the completion of THESIS. It was the hardest and toughest course requirement I had to pass. Here are the lessons I learned while working on my thesis.

·   1. Have a timetable. Follow the schedule. Work on it immediately and do not procrastinate. Procrastinating has been the biggest problem I had. I kept on postponing the tasks I should have done and completed.

·     2. Focus. Focus. Focus. This matters a lot. I was supposed to be spending more time with the thesis but because of my other priorities, things were compromised. We just can’t serve two masters at the same time.

·    3. Never give up. One thing I have assessed in myself is that I am persistent, patient and resilient. I never gave up even when it seemed impossible because of my lapses. For 6 long weeks, I had sleepless nights, unbalanced diet, butterflies and “dragons” in the stomach, LBM, fever and embarrassing situations. Beyond all these, I just pursued, continued and moved on – never losing hope.

·       4. Pray. Pray. Pray. My guiding verse is found in Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Amidst the struggles, I cling to God’s promise as stated in the verse.

·  5. Communicate. Communicate. Communicate. One thing I missed was to constantly communicate with my thesis adviser who has been very concerned of my research work. I learned my lesson of giving updates, submitting output and following through.

·       6. Decide when do you want to achieve your goal. Our decision really matters. It is when we decide to reach our goals that every opportunities and even circumstances will conspire to make it happen. More than this is the Divine Intervention from God who continually gives us strength and courage to realize our dreams.

To my thesis adviser, Prof. Melissa B. Mangali, thank you so much Ma’am for your passion to impart your knowledge. I am very happy with the output of my thesis because of your guidance. I would be forever thankful for giving me a chance to complete my thesis even if it meant long hours you would spend for checking the paper. I truly appreciate your hardwork so I could get my thesis done. Thank you even for letting me learn again the importance of focus, of setting priorities and of making excellence a goal.

With my thesis adviser, Prof. Melissa B. Mangali during the thesis defense :-)

With Dr. Alita T. Roxas, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Prof. Milagros R. Narido, CBAA Graduate Program Coordinator

To the panel members, Prof. Milagros R. Narido and Prof. Adrian P. Galido, thank you so much for your continued support, encouragement and valuable comments. I was able to withstand the challenges because you were always there for me – graciously pushing me so I could graduate. Special thanks to Dr. Alita Roxas for the valuable suggestions. My gratitude also goes to Ma'am Elizabeth Delmo for the constant reminder. Thank you so much.

And to everyone, who in one way or another have helped me finish my scholarly work, from the bottom of heart, thank you so so much…

With the requirements of the degree I have satisfactorily completed, is a glimmer of hope for the realization of my dreams. It’s a one big step, a leap of faith and a test of courage on how far I will go. Very soon, I will be teaching a new batch of students at Mindanao State University Main Campus – the institution that helped mold my dreams. Thank you so much.

My heartfelt gratitude also goes to the following:

My Iligan Bloggers Society (IBS) Family for helping me learn the basics of blogging. Thanks Lovette Jam for introducing me to the blogosphere.

My Toastmasters International Family for helping me enhance more self-confidence in public speaking. I was able to attend a toastmasters meeting at Singapore where I won the best table topic speaker. Special thanks to Prof. Pamela Ressurreccion for introducing me to the organization :-) 

Iligan Toastmasters Club

Toastmasters International Meeting - ACCA Singapore

My Tita Fannies Family for warmly welcoming me as a marketing consultant. Thank you so much for allowing me to have a hands on experience about marketing and about business in general.

13th Anniversary Celebration of Tita Fannies Liempo and Chicken Haus

My JCIL Family for the spiritual guidance. God is indeed so good!!!

My graduate dormitory family for the 2 long years of being together. 

MSU-IIT Graduate Dormitory Get Together Party

My MSU family for the continued support especially in my MBM undertaking. 

My CBAA Family especially Prof. Potre P. Riga for giving me the opportunity to pursue MBM. 

My CBAA Family :-)

My BROLJ Family for the constant communication, never fading love and friendship. 

Lloyd, Ondoy, Rolly, Richard, Brian

Jun2, Lloyd, Rolly, Richard and Brian

My very own family for the inspiration, support and motivation. 

With some of my nieces and nephews

With some of my brothers and sisters in law

All of these is a continuing challenge of putting into practice what I have learned as a student, a toastmaster, a blogger, a marketing consultant, a classmate, a friend, a person and a Filipino citizen.

To all those I met in my MBM undertaking, thank you so much for the lessons shared, aspirations expressed and journey crossed. Thank you so so much. Thank you Lord. 

One Chance: One Great Philippine Festival to Visit

Blessed with 7,107 islands, Philippines is truly a convergence of various cultures. People from different regions have their own ways of celebrating gratitude for great harvest and abundant blessings. These celebrations have been called festivals to give honor to their Patron Saint for the fruitful interventions.

This coming October, three festivals await everyone to grace: Hermosa Festival in ZAMBOANGA, Lanzones Festival in CAMIGUIN and MassKara Festival in BACOLOD. I have never been into these places and have always wanted to visit these during festivals. If given a chance to witness one, I would choose Hermosa Festival in ZAMBOANGA.  

Why do I want to experience and join Hermosa Festival?

First, I want to explore Hermosa Festival. Of the three celebrations, Hermosa Festival seemed new to me. This got me excited to learn more of the festivity by joining it. I would love to see myself dancing together with the participants so happy and grateful. More so, with the thrills of regatta where every sailor gives all his strength to perform well during the race. How exciting it is to take a ride and be amazed with the colorful vintas and the aura of determination among contestants to win the competition.

Second, I want to probe the southern part of Mindanao by starting to learn the culture in Zamboanga. One day immersion or two would help me appreciate the way people live, what are their favorite foods as well as their practices of the tradition and norms. It would be a great experience for me to tour the city with so much gladness.

Lastly, I want to promote Zamboanga and the whole of Mindanao as great tourist destinations. I want to share the good news to everyone that Mindanao is a safe place to visit. With the experience I will have this October, I will be even prouder to encourage our fellows as well as foreigners to visit Zamboanga without mental reservations.

Indeed, Philippines is a land of festivals. Joining one celebration at a time is what I would love to fulfill. 

"Experience MassKara Festival, Hermosa Festival and Lanzones Festival this October. Airphil Express flies daily to BACOLOD, ZAMBOANGA and CAGAYAN DE ORO from Cebu and Manila. Visit www.airphilexpress.com to book!

Photo Credits:

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/rorenz/sets/72157594336872595/

Google Images: Hermosa Festival in Zamboanga

Thank you so much. God bless :-)