Future Tycoons in the Spotlight at Commercenter Alabang’s BIZ KIDS 2019

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The next-generation entrepreneurs behind the exciting kiddie ventures of Commercenter Alabang’s BIZ KIDS 2019 got their real-world business experience last weekend! In the first-of-its-kind event in the South, the participating youngsters brought and sold various self-made products to a new and bigger customer base — which even included Filipino rock music icon Bamboo, who dropped by at the event!

For its second year, BIZ KIDS provided free expo space for a total of 14 businesses — 2 more than 2018 — run by kids with a strong entrepreneurial flair over the two-day fair. This allowed the budding young entrepreneurs to focus their energy and brain power on making their products and thinking of creative ways to sell.

Formally opening the event was a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the morning of May 18, 2019, Saturday, led by Commercenter Alabang’s Ana Liza Maquinay, Operations and Leasing Supervisor, and Bianca Pabello, Junior Marketing Manager. After that, the little entrepreneurs got to work right away — going back to their respective booths to start selling their merchandise, which ranged from food and beverages, arts and crafts, stationery and accessories, personalized gift items and souvenirs, and skincare products.

“Seeing the kids’ creativity, determination, and enthusiasm is really inspiring,” quips Leslie Tagle-Dinglasan, Asst. Vice President for Marketing of Commercenter Alabang. “They could have chosen to just sleep in or play that weekend, but instead they chose to be at BIZ KIDS 2019 to learn, work, and earn.”

At the end of the weekend event, the standout kiddie ventures were honored at the BIZ KIDS Awards. Lois Faith Berino bagged the Best Booth Design Award for her biz, Lois Faith Gourmet Recipes, which offered pasti-mallows, crispy mushrooms, and yema spread. Little tycoons Hidde and Rinke Bartlema and Lucius Manalac, the trio behind homemade skincare brand Flubber Blubber Soaps and Scrubs, received the Most Innovative Biz Award.

The biggest-selling businesses were also recognized with the Sales Genius Award, which was given in four categories: Desserts, Snacks, Handicrafts, and Arts. Beatrice Veloso’s Grand Slam Cookies, Zac and Zion Jimenez’s Yummy Bites, Natalie Sumagpao’s CLAYThings, and Christine Yenko’s Sandy’s Little Nook topped each segment, respectively.

A new award was added to the original lineup: theAsianparent Philippines Biz Kid 2019 Award, which was given to the venture whose photo posted on The Asian Parent Mobile App garnered the most number of likes. Crisps Gourmet Snacks, helmed by Aria Gacutan, Anree Ignacio, and Almond Wong, bagged the honor, which was awarded by Commercenter Alabang’s Bianca Pabello together with Richelle Morana, Community Manager of The Asian Parent Philippines.

“The event was a very good opportunity for the kids to experience what it’s like to run a business,” shares Maria Flor Bueno, mother of kiddie entrepreneur Chelsea Bueno of DMC Sweet Treats. “We’re grateful for a chance to be part of this.”

Before last weekend’s expo, BIZ KIDS also hosted the future tycoons on a two-day workshop that introduced them not only to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, but also to the basics of stock market investing — either as a means to raise capital or an alternative venture.

“BIZ KIDS is about empowering kids with real-world experience and with basic business and finance concepts that will help them realize their potential,” notes Tagle-Dinglasan. “We’re thankful to everyone who helped us do that by dropping by last weekend to support the participating kiddie ventures. We hope to see everyone again next year!”

BIZ KIDS 2019 is presented by Commercenter Alabang, and is supported by media partners theAsianparent Philippines, Inquirer.net, InqPOP, Manila for Kids, CNN Philippines, Pop Life TV, Yuneoh.com, ClickTheCity.com, WhatsHappening.PH, WazzupPilipinas.com, Mom Center, Mommy Practicality and Mommy Levy.

Why Should We Care: Black Canvas' Weight of Words

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Our words create our world! This is the philosophy behind Black Canvas’ “Weight of Words (WOW),” a new theater piece exploring the power of words. WOW rediscovers and reflects how words transform us, how they can inspire or destroy us and how they can renew hope in this chaotic world.

Everyday, we encounter news of death, war and other crimes. While we cope with these adversities by expressing ourselves online, we still witness the growing culture of hate and bullying spreading around our world- in schools, government and in different communities.

WOW aims to rekindle our respect for words to become better speakers and listeners to each other, promoting empathy and love.

It features a solo performance by Black Canvas’ founder Abner Delina Jr., an actor (Batibot/Gloc-9 Sirena), director and arts education advocate. His passion for devised theater brought him to the global stage for “Beautiful Trauma”, a collaboration by various Asian artists showcased at the Tokyo Festival 2018. Bringing together young artist- collaborators Mark Dalacat (Art Direction), Joyce Garcia (Video Projections) and Joshua Tayco (Sound Design), in collaboration with artist-teachers Issa Manalo Lopez (Direction Consultant), Jared Jonathan Luna (Movement) and Olive Nieto (Dramaturgy), this performance will also present perspectives on the issues of bullying and mental health.

Black Canvas, a young multi-arts platform promoting creative collaboration, has produced original works tackling gender, relationships and interconnectedness such as “I, Label”, “Werk in Progress” and the Aliw Award Finalist (Best Duo and Best Direction), “Kyemestry.” For “Weight of Words”, the company’s dream is to bring people together and remind each other of our inner power- poetry, magic and the healing powers of words.”

Inspired from the book published by CANVAS (Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development), this multi-perspectival multi-media theater piece created for millennials explores how words affect our lives and the world we live in. Weight of Words invites you for its premiere at the PARC Foundation Blackbox on May 31 (8PM), June 1-2 (4PM & 8PM), and Pineapple Lab on June 15 (5PM & 8PM) and 16 (4PM & 8PM). For ticket reservations, contact the PARC Foundation at 09953078428, Pineapple Lab at rsvp@pineapplelab.ph, Ticket2Me at www.ticket2me.net. For additional inquiries, contact the Black Canvas Facebook Page.

Lamudi Hosts First Lamudi Link Broker Networking Night

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Lamudi partner brokers and agents gathered together for a fun night of learning and networking for Lamudi Link, the real estate platform’s broker networking affair. The first installment of Lamudi Link happened last May 16 at Pedro Tap House at the heart of Makati’s hippest district, Poblacion.

Lamudi Link was created for partner brokers to get acquainted and possibly explore business prospects with each other. The networking series was also aimed for relationship-building between Lamudi and its partner brokers in a relaxed and casual environment, as well as an avenue for knowledge-sharing.

“We call our broker clients partners because that is how we see them—partners. And as partners, we want to continuously foster a good working relationship with them. Lamudi Link is our way to get to know our partners more and to give them a chance to mingle with like-minded professionals, pick up some learning from each other that can be applied in their respective careers,” Lamudi CEO Bhavna Suresh said.

More than a networking event

Networking with fellow brokers may be the highlight of the night but Lamudi Link also made room for learning as Lamudi Academy’s Learning and Development Coach Nadine Pacis gave brokers some pointers on closing leads efficiently, maximizing the Lamudi platform to their advantage, as well as an overview of the new rising segment of the real estate market—the millennials.

“We are encouraging all our partners to find time to attend these events. Not only will they expand their networks, but Lamudi Link is also a welcome break from working hard,” Ms. Suresh said.