Mandaluyong City, Philippines Travel Log: A conversation with business celebrity Armand Q. Bengco December 06, 2011

By: Fredolin P. Aguinaldo – Mandaluyong City, Philippines

Our visitation at KsK SMP Cooperative main office in the Philippines focus on settling my siblings and my financial obligations and inquire about up-coming investment opportunities offered by the cooperative. By the time I am about to finished my transactions - is where Mr. Armand Q. Bengco arrived from one of his countless TV hosting engagements about financial literacy. Though I am aware that he is tired, I still grab the opportunity and asked his permission to chat with him which he obliges.

Our conversations centered on the opportunities to expand KsK SMP Cooperative operational activities which are based upon the collective initiative of its members to become involve. As part of this strategy, it is my great pleasure to share my conversation with Armand Q. Bengco - KsK SMP Cooperative General Manager as how he revealed his future plans.

Armand Q. Bengco – KsK SMP Coop Gen. Manager: We're planning to do roadshow in the Middle East showcasing benefits of being a KsK SMP Cooperative member and those business literacy training services offered by the Colayco Foundation 1st week of November. Is this a good time?

Fredolin P. Aguinaldo – KsK SMP Coop Member: YES it is - the weather will be pleasant. Also at this time of year, OFWs opt to keep part of their earnings with them in preparation for their upcoming vacation comes December, meaning they have cash on-hand ready to be disbursed during the roadshow. Besides, if they selected one of our product/services offered - they have the options to see by themselves the operational activities of our very own Chowking Cebu franchise as to our OWN Bank in Cavite during their vacation in the Philippines.

Armand Q. Bengco – KsK SMP Coop Gen. Manager: The destinations we're looking at are Qatar, Dubai, Bahrain and probably the Sultanate of Oman. Pls. let me know how many hours it will take to travel by land.

Fredolin P. Aguinaldo – KsK SMP Coop Member: Let’s assume that the roadshow will kick-off from Qatar.

From Qatar, the convoy will be passing trough the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) toward the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This route will take at least seven (7) hours ride at 120 kilometer per hour speed.

From UAE, you have to go back once again to the Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia towards Bahrain. Saudi Arabia to Bahrain will be trough a coast way (above sea level) linking the two country. It will take you around nine (9) hours ride. Upon reaching your destination, all of you will be surely tired flat.

Armand Q. Bengco – KsK SMP Coop Gen. Manager: Will it be safe?

 Fredolin P. Aguinaldo – KsK SMP Coop Member: NO. Boarder guards are very moody you might encounter unpleasant surprises. Besides you have to secure insurance and permits for the transport facilities, secure permits for all crews and travelling this great distance requires great deal of patience and top condition car air-conditioning system to overcome the arid climate of the Gulf. 

KsK SMP Cooperative Owned Chowking Franchise in Cebu City

  
Armand Q. Bengco – KsK SMP Coop Gen. Manager: Will it be cheaper to take the plane?

Fredolin P. Aguinaldo – KsK SMP Coop Member: Of course not, one way ticket from Qatar to the UAE will cost around USD 213.00 per person. From the UAE to Bahrain, it will be about the same air fare.

 Armand Q. Bengco – KsK SMP Coop Gen. Manager: How many hours by plane?

 Fredolin P. Aguinaldo – KsK SMP Coop Member: In both places, flying time will be around 45 minutes each way. But, you can reach your destination in top form, fresh and ready to go.

Armand Q. Bengco – KsK SMP Coop Gen. Manager: Here is other information I will need from you - Number of people you can produce to go to the "Roadshow".

Fredolin P. Aguinaldo – KsK SMP Coop Member: As I inquired to the embassy lately they don’t have exact figures, but Qatar Filipino population’s ranges from 120 - 230 thousand at its peak. If we can able to tap a minimum 10% of the totality of fourteen thousand (14,000), we will have minimum attendees of 1400.

Armand Q. Bengco – KsK SMP Coop Gen. Manager: Venue - A covered structure where we can accommodate all the people that will go to the roadshow, we need the price to use the place for 2 days. The selected venue should also have function rooms where we can hold the half-day seminars in the morning of the 2nd day & business matching session in the afternoon session of the 2nd day.

Fredolin P. Aguinaldo – KsK SMP Coop Member: Qatar Exhibition Center is having four (4) collapsible dividers at the venue, about 15,000 square meters total floor area. Separate function hall and a parking space for around 400 cars are available for your disposal…..but I will warn you now that by using this facility, we have to shoulder huge amount of money and the only option is to invite sponsors from the Philippines to pay for these expenses.

Armand Q. Bengco – KsK SMP Coop Gen. Manager: Any other venue that we can possibly use?

Fredolin P. Aguinaldo – KsK SMP Coop Member: Alternate venue to consider will be the covered air-con enabled gym of the Philippine School Doha to minimize expenses.

Armand Q. Bengco – KsK SMP Coop Gen. Manager: Personnel / staff to man the registration booth/information booth - maybe 4 people to man the entrances.

Fredolin P. Aguinaldo – KsK SMP Coop Member: I will personally look into this requirement, it is not that hard to find this number - it is just a matter of informing several groups in my contact to join us during the roadshow.

Armand Q. Bengco – KsK SMP Coop Gen. Manager: We will need the services of a contractor to set-up the stage including sound and lighting system, can it be readily available?

Fredolin P. Aguinaldo – KsK SMP Coop Member: Should we able to use the air-con enabled gym of the Philippine School Doha we can include in our request the services of their maintenance personnel to set-up these facilities. Token payments to their services should be considered.

Armand Q. Bengco – KsK SMP Coop Gen. Manager: Tourist vans for transporting the Production crew and organizers - find out how much to rent 1 tourist van for 2 days. When we've figured out the number of the entourage, we will tell you how many tourist buses we will hire.

Fredolin P. Aguinaldo – KsK SMP Coop Member: A 45-seater tourist bus can be rented for around USD 275 daily. There are several companies operating in Qatar offering these services. Also, the Philippine School Doha is a little bit far from the city proper and only few public transport bus are flying at that area and it is around 10 minutes drive from the city center. In this regard, I would suggest to provide transport facilities for the participants which is to be located strategically from different pick/drop-down zones.

 Armand Q. Bengco – KsK SMP Coop Gen. Manager:  Recommend a hotel that is close to the roadshow venue. It doesn't have to be a 5-stars hotel. 3-4 stars would be good.

Fredolin P. Aguinaldo – KsK SMP Coop Member: There are a lot of hotel or service apartelle in Qatar to choose from. Double or single occupancy room at the Millennium hotel in Qatar will be around USD 190.00 daily. The hotel is located strategically at the city center, near Filipino restaurant and a near-by shopping center.

Armand Q. Bengco – KsK SMP Coop Gen. Manager: What permits do we need to get to do the roadshow?

Fredolin P. Aguinaldo – KsK SMP Coop Member: As I inquired from previous staff of this type of gathering, the following are some of the requirements:

·         Declaration of merchandise/products (enumerate)

·         Performers/crew permits (from Philippines/local) when applicable.

·         Media permit (Radio & TV)

·         Branding including flyers, brochures’, posters, etc.

·         Police escort, when you plan to invite diplomats (USD 55.00 per officer/hour)

·         Security personnel to avoid stampede.

Armand Q. Bengco – KsK SMP Coop Gen. Manager: For now, those are the info Ill be needing. Once you've given me enough info’s, we will prepare a study to determine the need to do ocular visit to those places mentioned.

Fredolin P. Aguinaldo – KsK SMP Coop Member: Thank you for your time and hoping that this conversation will encourage every KsK SMP cooperative members to do the same in promoting this noble undertaking.

Fredolin P. Aguinaldo KsK SMP Member & Amand Q. Bengco Regular TV & Radio Resource Person in Financial Literacy & General Manager of KsK SMP Cooperative

Brief facts about KsK SMP Cooperative: It is an "Opportunity Provider" conceived by the Overseas Filipino Workers in Hong Kong. From the numerous inquiries and offshoot of the KsK Seminar Series by Mr. Colayco, the KsK Coop was formed and registered in the Philippines on September 23, 2004 to be one of the primary vehicles for one's journey to his/her financial independence or "kalayaan sa kakapusan". It is taking advantage of the power of a collective whole in increasing income, generating wealth in savings and in investments.

Cebu City, Philippines Travel Log: A Visitation at Chowking One Mango Dec. 2, 2011

By Fredolin Pagdilao Aguinaldo - Cebu City Philippines
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Visiting Cebu is definitely an adventure with it's various tourist as of those historical sites will hold the prospect of fun-filled discovery of breathtaking beauty and the friendliest people you're sure to meet. I am not a typical tourist as you think but an entrepreneur looking for opportunities for my advancement as to those businesses I belong wherever I go.
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Our first stop is in Mango Avenue, the main commercial hub and entertainment center of Cebu. Since Filipinos are notoriously trigger-happy so getting them to pose or take photo is a cinch to bring home memories of the beautiful scenery, I then started to click.
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Why Chowking?
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For those of you who don't know Chowking yet - is one of the biggest Chinese fast-food chain in the Philippines nowadays that frequented by a mixed client base especially Filipinos.
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To start my day, I casually entered the place to have my bowl of spicy  beef wanton as usual. My wife Evelyn and my daughter Anna Mae chooses the best family food menu offered along with their favorite dessert of classic halo-halo and glasses of refreshing drinks. While indulging those sumptuous food, a familiar face just passed-by our table but since I am just taking my vacation and not at all a residence of this place, I thought it is just an illusion to see someone I know.


Nevertheless, I decided to ask a lady crew if I can talk to their Branch Manager. Hesitant at first and knowing that her face is already of purple red - that a complaint is about to be made, I threw my best smile ever assuring her of a good intention and a keyword "KsK member" makes her face aglow and exited to excuse herself. In a flash, she came back along with the lady who passed-by our table a while ago. Now I am very much sure that I know this lady, not personally but trough KsK Facebook forum is no other than Ms.  Ma. Theresa Balbuena - KSK SMP Coop Board of Director member.
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Fred-KsK member * Ms. Balbuena-KsK Director * Anna Mae-KsK member * Evelyn

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After exchanging pleasantries, I begun asking about the operational activities of the food joint. Thought I already browse the locality a while ago, a confirmation of my observations has been made by Ms. Balbuena to my satisfactions. She is indeed knowledgeable about business potentials in Cebu when she mentioned of KMP Food expansion programs awaiting to be implemented. To cap my visit at Chowking One Mango, Cebu - a quick tour is made. Further, she also advice us to  check-in at near-by Crown Regency Hotels and Towers for our accommodation.

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Chowking One Mango, Cebu is one project that KsK - Kapatiran sa Kasaganaan Service and Multi-Purpose Cooperative owned, in-fact the only Cooperative granted by Chowking management to their fold. Chowking One Mango Cebu open its door to the public last quarter of 2010 and holds their first anniversary lately. KsK was conceptualized in Hongkong in 2004 by OFW's  trough the guidance of the Colayco Foundation. 

Cebu City, Philippines Travel Log: The Shoestring Budget Dec. 2, 2011

By Fredolin Pagdilao Aguinaldo - Cebu City.

The Shoesring budget:  
My airline ticket from Cebu Pacific was so cheap that I paid only Php 2, 100.00 / U$49.00 for a return ticket to Cebu. As advice to fellow travelers, it is a must to purchase ticket(s) during airlines promotional offer and make the most of it during your vacation in the Philippines when you are abroad and during holiday seasons for those local travelers who want's to spend their vacation to various tourist destination in the country.
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I arrived at the domestic airport from our condo unit at Espana Towers along Espana Boulevard, Manila via a taxi cab that cost me about Php 250.00 (U$ 5.80) for that 30 minutes drive and since it is still an hour-ahead of my departure, I decided to have a sip of Cappuccino with a store value of Php 150.00 / cup (U$ 3.50) and a piece of carrot cake that cost me about Php 100.00 (U$ 2.31) unsuspecting that the slice will only act as thin-liner to my bulging tummy. Nevertheless, these suffice my hunger temporarily before proceeding to the check-in counter for my boarding pass. In there, I was so amazed to see such a long line of baggage's and a mixed race of passengers painstakingly waiting for their turn to be served. Among them are balikbayan with their bulging baggage's, though I am one of them, I decided to be a light-traveler this time.

For those passenger ahead of us, they are about to complete one agonizing check-in procedure just because I suspect that either those dispatchers serving us are over-worked or simply lazy-enough to perform their duty to the expense of  us travelers. For a while, I thought of those not-so-good write-ups regarding our International Airport as to the services rendered to passenger are hoax only to dis-credit the present administration but since I experienced those chaotic situations myself being an International and domestic airport user, I think there's really a need to upgrade our airport buildings as to the services rendered if we Filipino's  really want's to attract more foreign visitors and business investors into the country.
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Also it is noticeable that most of those male foreign travelers has Filipina companion aside from those young couples from the North Americas, India, Great Britain, Mainland China and  Korea, makes me think that Cebu is really a tourist hub as of lover's lane paradise. Nevertheless, I was relived when my turn comes for me to have my boarding pass processes. Without further a due, I proceed straight to the boarding area but not to by-passed the security check to where we have to remove our shoes to be scanned thoroughly. Alas, I did reach the boarding area but can't endure the sight once again because of lack of view-window provided. Only a couple of 3-meters glass panel is available for those more than 200 passenger crammed in the waiting area. I have to return-back to the main lobby to wind-up and browse those local produce that is available for sale until such time that the final boarding announcement is heard.

 On my way to the airplane, I am about to enter the covered walkway tube but been directed instead to use the stair down to reach the tail-portion of the plane. Our flight will take around an hour to Cebu without any untoward incident of turbulence seen. At the Cebu International airport, I re-join with my wife Evelyn and daughter Anna Mae who traveled few minutes ahead of me. After our immigration procedures was made, we took a short taxi ride (Php 250.00 / U$ 5.78) from Cebu International Airport traversing the famous Marcelo B. Fernan bridge that overlook the scenic shipping dockyards and bustling sea-going routes. Without even trying to figure-out about businesses potentials,  the busy port can tell a lot of story that Cebu offers various business opportunities as well as continue creating jobs for those locals in the area.

As in Manila, I've seen a lot of public transport utilities cris-crossing around but the colorful jeepney's attract my attention most. When I first visited Cebu, more than 2-decades ago, SM Cebu is just starting it's operations. I still remember those story my brother told that his company done the dredging procedures to where SM Cebu is sitting now. A shallow marshland converted to one prime-properties and standing alone at that time, For now, every single space is being taken and turn this area as one Cebu business hub. From there, we reach Mango Avenue to check-in at the Mango Park Hotel (Php 2, 650.00 / night - U$ 61.33) which is located in the middle of Cebu commercial and business district.

Cebu City, Philippines Travel Log: A family Adventure Dec. 2, 2011

By Fredolin Pagdilao Aguinaldo - Mandaluyong City

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Cebu is branded as the most livable City in the Philippines. The Queen City of the South boasts of famed Cebuano hospitality, faith and renowned scenic spots.  My family have chosen the right place when we decided to spend our vacation last week-end: its rich cultural history and landmarks; the downtown tourism activities that have amazed tourist and local alike; and it's thriving trade and industry through its various businesses a First-World City in the Philippines that you really want to visit on your next vacation. 

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Day 1 

Armed with my over-heated debit card to conquer our Cebu Adventure aside from those green-bucks I brought along with me from my work location in Doha, Qatar - Our Cebu adventure, a journey to the unknown, abruptly  starts when my wife Evelyn and my daughter Anna Mae hurriedly packed their bags 'coz of a flight manifest  that was wrongly reviewed the day before. In order to avoid flight cancellation, I then opted to drive them to the airport myself though I was not so sure about the route. 

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Undoubtedly, it was a mistake on my part because as soon as we joined the main gate outside of our resort-type condo compound at California Garden Square in Mandaluyong City, heavy traffic snaked as far-as you can imagine. Thought my grand-vacation eagerness was slowly turning-sour because of this dilemma, I had to concentrate on my driving to avoid untoward incidents that might cause major disruptions to our grand-vacation this year. It took us some time to navigate and reach the U-turn slot going to  Global City, Taguig with all the traffic congestion, a 25kph drive was then slowly moving towards the business center of Makati until  just after the overlapped bridge-way near the domestic airport in Pasay City. I was about to turn-right into an open slot but my wife Evelyn just in-time told me that it wasn't allowed and besides MMDA personnel is manning the cross-road near-by that might-again award me a violation ticket. I then followed the traffic towards the International Airport road until such time that a round-about gave me space to turn right towards the terminal 3 of the new domestic airport building. 

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Going back-home wasn't easy either, I then decided to take the route towards Mc. Kinley road and joined the traffic at EDSA near the  ABC shopping complex in Makati towards the on-going construction of SMDC's Light Residences bounded by EDSA and Madison sts. (near Boni Ave., Mandaluyong) and passing through the underground bridge near the mixed complex of  Robinson shopping mall. I then changed clothes at back in Mandaluyong and drove our CRV  to Espana Towers located in Espana Boulevard, Manila where I have to temporary-park to the rest of our stay in Cebu City. To reach the domestic airport for my flight, a taxi cab came to the rescue - where my Cebu Pacific airbus aeroplane is waiting.