C U R R I C U L U M V I T A E OF

ERNANIE S. GONZALES 105 M. Francisco St. Caloocan City. M.M., Philippines

Tel.. No.: +632 9294147 Email: nanie_gonzales@yahoo.com

EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUNDS

Creative Art Consultant ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), Quezon City (August 2006-present) Duties and Responsibilities

• overall layout and design of ASEAN Biodiversity newsmagazine • layout of ARCBC coffeetable books, brochures, manuals tarpailis, calendars and

other collaterals Associate Art Director People and Advocacy, Quezon City (March 2004-December 2008) Duties and Responsibilities

• Web design and development of www.biotechnologyforlife.com.ph • layout of select pages of Biolife magazine • layout of various publication materials

Head Artist Media G8way Corp., Makati City (March-September 2005) Duties and Responsibilities

• overall layout and design of Enterprise magazine • section one layout of Computerworld newspaper • layout of select pages of Computerworld on Campus, PC World and Stuff magazines • supervise the art unit department

Creative Art Consultant ASEAN Regional Centre for Biodiversity Conservation (ARCBC), Quezon City (April 2001-December 2004) Duties and Responsibilities

• overall layout and design of ASEAN Biodiversity newsmagazine • layout of ARCBC coffeetable books, brochures, manuals and calendars

Creative Art Consultant Naitional Integrated Protected Areas Programme (NIPAP), Quezon City (July 1999-March 2001) Duties and Responsibilities

• overall layout and design of Suhay newsmagazine • layout of NIPAP coffeetable books, brochures, manuals and calendars

Graphic Design Consultant Indonesian Observer, Jakarta, Indonesia (August 1997-March 1999) Duties and Responsibilities

• layout and design of select pages of Indonesian Observer newspaper • layout and design of select pages of TV Kabel cable magazine

Senior Artist Mirror Weekly magazine, Makati City (July 1994-July 1997) Duties and Responsibilities

• layout and design of select pages of Mirror Weekly magazine Art Director Medical Observer, Makati City (November 1992-June 1994) Duties and Responsibilities

• overall layout and design of Medical Observer magazine Staff Artist Business Star, Port Area, Manila (July 1987-April 1992) Duties and Responsibilities

• layout and design of select pages of Business Star newspaper Staff Artist Business Day, Edsa, Quezon City (November 1982-June 1987) Duties and Responsibilities

• layout and design of select pages of Business Day newspaper

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUNDS

Elementary Sampalukan Elementary School (1967-1973) Caloocan City High School Torres High School (1973-1975) Manila University of the East (1976-1978) Caloocan City College University of the East (1978-1980) Caloocan City PERSONAL BACKGROUNDS

Nickname: Nanie Birthdate: November 14, 1961 Birthplace: Caloocan City Nationality: Filipino Religion: Roman Catholic Sex: Male Civil Status: Married Spouse Name: Miriam B. Gonzales Childrens Name & Birthdate:

Gianne Carlo B. Gonzales – March 27, 1982 Marian B. Gonzales – February 28, 1986 Ana Nirvana B. Gonzales – July 23, 1994 Micah B. Gonzales – December 12, 1999

Height: 5 ft. 4 in. Weight: 160 lbs. TIN: 112-950-120 SSS No.: 03-4965208-3 REFERENCES

Rene Aranda, Editorial Cartoonist The Philippine Star, Manila Antonio Manila, AssistantDirector Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, Quezon City Ibarra Gutierrez, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Media G8way Corp, Makati City

Letters, articles, suggestions and photos arewelcome and should be addressed to:

The Editor-in-ChiefASEAN BiodiversityASEAN Centre for BiodiversityCollege, Laguna

E-mail: publications@aseanbiodiversity.org

Editor- in-ChiefMonina T. Uriarte

Managing EditorBridget P. Botengan

Creative ArtistNanie S. Gonzales

Writer-ResearcherSahlee Bugna-Barrer

EDITORIAL BOARD

Rodrigo U. FuentesExecutive Director

Ma. Consuelo D. GarciaDirector, BIM

Lauro S. PunzalanMayla A. Ibañez

Aireen G. TumimbangAmie B. Alejar

ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB)

Headquarters:

3F ERDB Bldg. Forestry Campus

University of the Philippines Los Baños

College, Laguna, Philippines

Telefax: +63-49.536-2865

E-mail: contact.us@aseanbiodiversity.org

Website: www.aseanbiodiversity.org

ACB Annex:

Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center

North Avenue, Diliman,

Quezon City 1156

Philippines

Email: publications@aseanbiodiversity.org

Printed by: Dolmar Press, Inc.

No. of Copies: 5,000

Disclaimer: Views or opinions expressed

herein do not necessarily represent any

official view of the European Union nor the

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

(ASEAN) Secretariat. The authors are

responsible for any data or information

presented in their articles.

Readers’ Corner

Efficient Way

GREETINGS. My name is JenniferHeckert and I am in the Philippinesdoing research on “People’s Perspectiveof Conservation in the Philippines.”We briefly met atthe Biodiversityand ClimateChange Fair atthe Departmentof Environ-ment andNaturalResources inQuezon Citylast week,wherein Ihad pickedup a fewjournals (ASEANBiodiversity) toread. I have onlypositive comments on yourjournal. Overall, I think it is avery good publication and found thearticles to be both intellectuallystimulating as well as well-researched. Ibelieve that organising each issue ofthe journal to focus on an environ-mental problem that is relevant tomore than one SE Asian country (eg.fires) is an efficient way to put themessage across that these problems areboth serious and shared amongst theregion – two reasons that theseproblems should be addressed. Alsothe beginning section of the journalthat highlights the accomplishments,problems, policies, etc. regardingbiodiversity conservation and theenvironment is very good. It isimportant to be kept aware of what isgoing on not only in one’s country ofresidence but also worldwide. Thiscould enable networking in other partsof the world that share similar issuesfor support and capacity building.

Jennifer HeckertMSc in EthnobotanyUniversity of Kent, United Kingdom

Desertification

I READ a copy of the ASEANBiodiversity magazine while visiting theProtected Areas and Wildlife Bureau in

2 • A P R I L - J U N E 2 0 0 7

Disclaimer: This publication has been developed with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of

this publication is the sole responsibility of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity and does not reflect the views

of the European Union.

Quezon City. The theme of the issuewas Desertification, and I thought thatit was an interesting topic given thegrowing concern over global warmingand other human-induced environ-mental issues. Though desertification isstill not a major concern in SoutheastAsia, I think climate change and thecontinuing denudation of our forestecosystems may hasten land degrada-tion and eventually lead to desertifica-tion over time. We should work now

to enrich our forests beforedesertification takes hold in thecountryside.

I also thought the nutshellportion was very interesting and

gave me nuggets of information onconservation activities in other parts

of the world. I look forward toreading more about conservation in

your next issues.

Cora LealQuezon City, Philippines

Enlightening

CONGRATULATIONS on anenlightening magazine! With all thecurrent environmental concerns, rangingfrom pollution to global warming, it isgood to find a magazine that featuresinformation on the environment andthe efforts of others to address theseissues. I hope to be able to learn moreabout the environment and contributeto local actions to better improve ourquality of life. I look forward to readingyour next issue.

Jennifer RamirezMakati, Philippines

Subscription

WOULD it be possible to get asubscription to your magazine? I aminterested in working on environmentalconcerns when I graduate from collegeand I found some of your articles onthe internet. I look forward to moreenlightening articles, particularly onclimate change and global warming.

Eril AlcantaraUniversity of the Philippines, Diliman

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............................................................

ContentsVolume 6, Number 2 � April-June 2007

A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y • 3

ABOUT YOU AND US

From the Desk

The Changing Environment .................................. 4

Second Quarter in a Nutshell ........................ 5

ACB Governing Board AppointsRodrigo U. Fuentesas Executive Director .................................................... 9

SPECIAL REPORTS

Enhancing Biodiversity Conservationto Cope with Climate Change ................ 11

CLIMATE CHANGE AND BIODIVERSITY

IN THE PHILIPPINES

A Decade of Researchon Terrestrial Ecosystems ............................. 16

Climate Change and Initiatives ............. 25

PROFILES

Komodo National Park ............................................ 32

Mu Ko Surin - Mu Ko SimilanMarine National Park ................................................. 36

Tubbataha Reef NationalMarine Park .................................................................................. 40

SURFING THE WEB...OF LIFE ............................................................................. 44

CHAMPIONS FOR

THE ENVIRONMENT

Global Warming ReceivesUltimate Recognition ................................................. 45

ASEAN Scientist Chairs UN&STCommittee to CombatDesertification ........................................................................ 46

BOOKMARKS

Evaluating ManagementEffectiveness forProtected Areas ................................................................... 47

Region-wide Actions Proposedfor SE Asia TerrestrialProtected Areas ................................................................... 48

ACB Holds Workshopon Governance and ProtectedArea Categories .................................................................... 49

ACB Collaborates with PFEN onForestry Education .......................................................... 50

AHP Conference ParticipantsDraft Action Plan forASEAN Protected Areas .................................... 51

International BiodiversityDay Celebrationsin the Philippines ................................................................ 53

SE Asia Environmental EconomicsForum Tackles Climate Changeand Biodiversity .................................................................... 54

ACB Joins Activities ofScience and Technology Week ............... 55

PAWB Holds BiodiversitySummer Camp for Kids ....................................... 56

PUBLICATIONS

Capsule Reviews of SomeTraining ResourcesDatabase Entries ................................................................ 54

...................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................

MU KO SURIN MARINE NATIONAL PARK, WHICH WAS ESTAB-

lished in 1981, consists of a group of islands and surrounding sea in the

Andaman sea. Its five main islands are Ko Surin Nua, Ko Surin Tai, Ko

Ree, Ko Glang and Ko Khai. The National Park is approximately 60 km off the coast

of Ranong Province in the southern peninsular region of Thailand and only a few

kilometres from the border of Myanmar. The Park covers an area of 13,500 ha of

which 76% is sea.

MARINE NATIONAL PARK

Mu Ko Surin -Mu Ko Similan

About 100 km south of the Mu Ko Surin isthe Mu Koh Similan National Park. It is situatedalong the western coastlines of the Andaman Seaand the Indian Ocean. Established in 1982, thePark covers an area of 140 sq km and composesnine islands - Ko Bangu, Ko Similan, HinHuwagrlok, Ko Payu, Ko Ha, Ko Hok, Ko Miang,Ko Payan, and Ko Huyong. These granite islandswere created by upwellings of hot magma duringthe Teritiary-Cretaceous Period some 65 millionyears ago, and then smoothed by glacial ice andthe wave action of the sea.

Habitats

Mu Ko Surin and Mu Ko Similan consist ofsea, coral reefs and islands. Terrestrial vegetationcan be classed as mangrove forests (Rhizophoraand Xylocarpus), beach forests (Barringtonia, Ca-suarina and Terminalia) and some primary rainforest

including several deciduous species such asSterculiacae and wild rambutans, Nephelium. High-est point on the islands is 350 m. The two largestislands lie close together and one can wade the200 m between them at low tide.

Wildlife

The islands support some 91 species of birdsincluding 34 migratory species of mostly waders,terns and herons. Ko Surin is just about the onlyplace in Thailand where the Beach Thick-knee canbe found. Also, the forests of the Surin Islandssupport a fairly rich avifauna with Green ImperialPigeons being very abundant and Orange-breastedPigeon fairly common. Large Green Pigeon, whichis scarce in Thailand, is also often encounteredon the Surin Islands where Nicobar pigeons alsooccur. The White-bellied Sea Eagle and BrahminyKite are common birds here. In addition, a number

36 • A P R I L - J U N E 2 0 0 7

..........................................................................................................................

A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y • 37

of Tern species and possibly Frigatebirds can beseen on the crossing from Kuraburi. Other forestbirds include hornbills, drongo, babblers, sunbirdsand flower peckers.

The islands are home to wild pigs, macaquesand another 20 species of small mammals espe-cially bats. There are pythons, monitors and otherreptiles. Special attractions of the site are themarine turtles that nest there – green turtles,hawksbills and occasionally the rare Olive Ridley.Important tree species that grow on the islandsinclude Manilkara sp., Cordia subcordia andTournefolia argentia.

The real value of the Park is under the seawhere rich coral reefs are found with a multitudeof dazzling fishes. The reefs are considered themost diverse in Thailand.

On Mu Ko Similan National Park, the hardcorals are deep water species of mostly staghorncoral types (Acropora echinata) and the smallercauliflower-shaped types (Seriatopora histrix). Othermarine life species include Gorgonian sea fans,flower-like soft coral, several species of crabs, spiny

painted lobsters, squid, sponges, sea cucumbersand giant clams. Aboveground, a survey conductedin 1992 revealed that 39 species of birds can befound on the nine islands. Resident species in-clude the Brahminy Kite and the White-breastedWaterhen, while migratory species include thePintail Snipe, and Grey Wagtail. Temporary mi-gratory species include the Barn Swallow, CattleEgret, Watercock, and the Roseate Tern. The mostcommonly seen species include the Pacific Reef-Egret, Nicobar Pigeon, Pied Imperial Pigeon,White-bellied Sea-Eagle, and the Collared King-fisher.

There are few natural freshwater reserves onMu Ko Similan National Park, and as such largemammal species cannot exist. Some 27 species ofsmall mammals occur within the Park, including16 species of bats such as the Black-bearded TombBat, the Lesser False Vampire Bat, the Interme-diate Horseshoe Bat, the Lesser Bent-Winged Bat,and the Hairless Bat. There are 22 species ofreptiles and amphibians, three species of squirrelsand four species of rats. The more unusual but

....................................................................................................................................................

fairly common residents include the Bush-TailedPorcupine, Common Palm Civet, Flying Lemur,Bottle-Nosed Dolphin, and the Hairy Leg Moun-tain Land Crab.

Threats

The islands were formerly occupied and selec-tively logged of gum trees and ironwood. The reefshave been damaged until 1989 by reefblasting, andsubsequently, by boat anchors. Mooring buoys arenow available.

Conservation Programmes

The National Parks Division of the ForestryDepartment has undertaken many activities tohalt logging, resettle local people, protect the reefsand develop visitor accommodation and facili-ties. The staffs now manage a turtle hatchery toprotect eggs through hatching period and thenrelease the young turtles back to the sea. Surveysof coral reef condition, and the distribution ofgiant clams and edible invertebrates have alsobeen conducted on the Mu Ko Surin MarineNational Park.

In the aftermath of the tsunami that hit Thai-land in December 2004, Coral Cay Conservation(CCC), funded by the UK Government’s Foreignand Commonwealth Office (FCO), launched aproject in the Mu Ko Surin Islands MarineNational Park that was undertaken during Febru-ary and March 2005. The project comprised twoindependent but complimentary studies: the first

was to quantify the level of tsunami-induced damageto the reefs, and the second, to assess the currentstate of the marine resources of the park. Theobjective of the latter was to produce a GeographicInformation System-based resource map of thereefs of the National Park.

To achieve this, baseline marine ecological datawere gathered from a series of biogeographicallydiverse sites. From these data, a series of ecologi-cally discreet ‘habitats’ was determined, furtherexamples of which were then identified throughthe use of remote sensing applications. This kindof habitat mapping will play a major role in thecreation and evaluation of management strategiesfor coral reef systems.

Other Interests

Visitors have the opportunity to enjoy the beachlife, swim with wild turtles as well as snorkel andscuba dive to as low as 35 m. Birdwatching is alsoa popular activity. A visit to the Chaw Le fishingvillage on Koh Surin Tai Island provides the rarechance to learn about the traditional culture of seagypsies and witness ancestor worship ceremoniesduring the full moon in March.

Visiting Mu Ko Surin – Mu Ko Similan

National Park

Mu Ko Surin can be reached by boat fromRanong town or Kuraburi town. Special chartersoperate from Ban Hid Lad, Khulaburi and tripstake about 4 hours. Boat rides from Patong or

38 • A P R I L - J U N E 2 0 0 7

..............................................................................................................................................................................................................

Rawai on Phuket take about 10 hours, but speed-boats can do the trip in just three to four hours.Longer diving trips are available that take in othergroups of islands as well.

Visitors can access Mu Ko Similan, by takinga boat from the pier in Ban Thap Lamu, AmphoeThai Muang or from a pier in Amphoe KhuraBuri for a three-hour trip on the 40-km route toMu Ko Similan.

The months of May to November arecharacterised by rough seas and strong rain of thesouthwest monsoon. The best months to visit wouldbe December to April. Humidity is high andtemperature averages 28° Celsius.

The Forest Department maintains a bungalowbeach accommodation and a large dormitory. Forfurther inquiries, one can contact the NationalPark Office, Department of National Park, Wild-life and Plant Conservation, Chatuchak DistrictBangkok.

PROFILES

A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y • 39

References:

Comley, James; O’Farrell, Shay; Hamylton, Sarah; Ingwersen,Chelsea; and Ryan Walker (2005). The Coral Reef Resourcesof Mu Ko Surin National Park, Thailand. Coral CayConservation (www.coralcay.org/science/publications/thailand_2005_resources.pdf)MacKinnon, J.R. and G.B. Villamor (2004): ASEAN’s GreatestParks. ASEAN Regional Centre for Biodiversity Conservation(ARCBC), Los Banos, Philippines.National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department ofThailand (www.dnp.go.th)Royal Thai Government website (www.thaigov.go.th)www..talaythai.comwww.thaibirding.com

2 NEGOSYO � 2nd QUARTER 2006

Go Negosyo Magazine is published four times a year by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship Foundation Inc. • Executive Director: Imelda J. MadarangMagazine Editor: Oscar Gomez Jr. Assistant Editor: Niel Niño Lim Art Director: Nanie Gonzales Photography: Luke Esteban, Ivan Santos • We welcome

your comments and any news originating from enablers and advocates of entrepreneurship. Write to gonegosyo@yahoo.com • PCE Secretariat: 5/F RFM

Corporate Center, Pioneer corner Sheridan Streets, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila • Phone (632) 637-9229 Fax: (632) 637-78-73

More than 2,000 delegatesfrom high schoolsnationwide are converg-

ing in Baguio City for the veryfirst GO NEGOSYO TEENGO NEGOSYO TEENGO NEGOSYO TEENGO NEGOSYO TEENGO NEGOSYO TEENEDITIONEDITIONEDITIONEDITIONEDITION from July 27 to 30,2006 at the Summer Capital ofthe Philippines.

The Baguio City NationalHigh School band will herald thearrival of guests and schooldelegations from various regions.No less than Department ofEducation Undersecretary FeHidalgo and Presidential Consult-ant for Entrepreneurship Jose“Joey” Concepcion III will receivethe participants during the openingceremony.

Go Negosyo’s carefully de-signed learning program hasdivided the four-day conferenceinto three entrepreneurial “mas-tery” levels: Personal MasterPersonal MasterPersonal MasterPersonal MasterPersonal Masteryyyyy,,,,,Situation MasterSituation MasterSituation MasterSituation MasterSituation Masteryyyyy,,,,, and BusinessBusinessBusinessBusinessBusinessMasterMasterMasterMasterMasteryyyyy.....

DAY 1DAY 1DAY 1DAY 1DAY 1 will probe into theentrepreneur’s personal character-istics, leanings, uncommon driveand fearless spirit. Subsequentbreakout sessions will test theentrepreneurial competence ofeach participant. A panel discus-sion on “Rags to Riches”“Rags to Riches”“Rags to Riches”“Rags to Riches”“Rags to Riches” willshowcase life stories of businessowners who rose from the bottom

of the entrepreneurial ladder.World-renowned Sining Kumintangng Batangas will perform duringthe welcome socials.

DAY 2DAY 2DAY 2DAY 2DAY 2 will analyze the typicalsituations faced by entrepreneurs.An Opportunity Seeking, Screen-Opportunity Seeking, Screen-Opportunity Seeking, Screen-Opportunity Seeking, Screen-Opportunity Seeking, Screen-ing and Seizinging and Seizinging and Seizinging and Seizinging and Seizing session intendsto show aspiring entrepreneurshow they can identify and grabopportunities. Participants will alsoget a closer look at today’sPromising Business Fields andPromising Business Fields andPromising Business Fields andPromising Business Fields andPromising Business Fields andProspectsProspectsProspectsProspectsProspects. A succeeding panel,Moving Up from the Under-Moving Up from the Under-Moving Up from the Under-Moving Up from the Under-Moving Up from the Under-ground to the Mainstreamground to the Mainstreamground to the Mainstreamground to the Mainstreamground to the MainstreamEconomyEconomyEconomyEconomyEconomy,,,,, will illustrate how eventhe smallest and simplest busi-nesses can make it big. ThePhilippine Center for Entrepre-neurship (PCE) will host anevening of exciting game shows.

DAY 3DAY 3DAY 3DAY 3DAY 3 leads up to the level ofBusiness Mastery—how to reallyrun and make a business success-ful. Workshops and a forum onSuccessful School ImplementorsSuccessful School ImplementorsSuccessful School ImplementorsSuccessful School ImplementorsSuccessful School Implementorsof entrepreneurship programs willbe held in the afternoon. Acolorful evening fashion show capsthe third day, highlighting the lifestories of renowned designer-entrepreneurs who persevered toachieve their dream.

DAY 4DAY 4DAY 4DAY 4DAY 4 recaps the entireprogram as young entrepreneurs

GO NEGOSYO TEEN EDITION is the

first-ever Youth Entrepreneurship and

Cooperativism in Schools (YECS)

training and conference. Under the

theme “Nurturing the Seeds of

Entrepreneurship,” GO NEGOSYO

TEEN EDITION’s aims are to:

• Popularize the essentials of

entrepreneurship and demystify

its concepts for the apprecia-

tion of high school students

and out-of-school youth;

• Strengthen entrepreneurship

education at the secondary

level;

• Initiate HS students and out-of-

school youth into entrepreneur-

ial activities and challenges;

• Provide a venue to learn

innovative livelihood skills and

micro-business prospects;

• Share best practices in YECS

implementation.

Meaningful plenary sessions will

give the delegates an excellent

opportunity to learn first-hand from

the roster of distinguished speakers

from different entrepreneurial fields.

Participants will also experience

interactive sessions facilitated by the

Department of Trade and Industry–

Philippine Trade Training Center (DTI-

PTTC), get the chance to interact

with celebrity-entrepreneurs and youth

models, visit a business expo, and

apply their learnings during interactive

competitions.

This program is spearheaded by

the Department of Education-Center

for Students and Co-Curricular

Affairs, in partnership with the

Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship,

Office of the Presidential Consultant

for Entrepreneurship, the Department

of Trade and Industry-PTTC and

Businessworks, Inc.

hold a special session of experi-ence-sharing with the participants.Another session on Agri-BusinessAgri-BusinessAgri-BusinessAgri-BusinessAgri-Businesshopes to fan interest in lucrativeventures that utilize and enrich thecountry’s vast agricultural re-sources.

For the culminating activity inthe afternoon, different groups willpresent their very own startupconcepts as they vie for distinctionin the Best Business Idea Awards.�

2 NEGOSYO � 2nd QUARTER 2006

8 NEGOSYO � 2nd QUARTER 2006

2004 to attend a youth summit.He partnered with another YECSstudent from Bicol to cop themajor prize in the cooking democompetition.

Many YECS-ZCHS graduateshave moved on to rewarding andself-reliant lives. Some of themcontinue to supply the school withtheir own home-made delicacies,such as Spicy Mango Catsup from4-H Club member Mikaila RossFernandez, and a Muslim delicacyknown as “apa” produced by themother of Jaymar Salim, who isnow a third-year midwiferystudent in a local college. YECs-ZCHS also accepts made-to-ordergiveaways for weddings, birthdays,and junior-senior proms in thecommunity.

DAVAO CITYNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

In July 1997 the Davao CityNational High School YECSstarted with a handful of inter-ested, courageous students and ameager capital. Through the

and the art of cooking. Linkageswere forged with the government’sdepartments of agriculture, tradeand industry, science and technol-ogy, and social welfare anddevelopment, as well as theCooperative Development Author-

ity.With a pioneering

and consistently improv-ing program thatchampions campusentrepreneurs, YECS-ZCHS has baggedcountless awards inregional, national andinternational contests.The latest recognitionwas a national awardas Outstanding HighSchool Entrepreneur-ship Program givenlast Feb. 23, 2006during the GoNegosyo Entrepre-

neurship Summit held in GlobalCity. The distinction was awardedby Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyoand DepEd OIC Fe Hidalgo.The school has beencited numerously asoutstanding youth-basedorganization, mostinnovative YECSorganization, andregional model YECSfor 2003-04, amongso many recognitions.

In the interna-tional arena, JayzelLaureano, the 2004-05 YECS-ZCHSchairman, won astudent grant toTaipei in August

ZAMBOANGA CITYHIGH SCHOOL

Launched on July 1, 1997,YECs at Zamboanga City HighSchool only had P1,500 for itsinitial capital. Students wouldreport during their free periods tomake sandwiches and ice

water which they wouldsell themselves. It had a verygood market to start with, sincethe school had a population ofclose to 10,000 students. TheYECS moderator, Mrs. EmmylouValeros, helped see to it that thestudent venture would prosper.After a year, a new YECS canteenwas opened and run by 30 YECSmembers. Soon, the grouplaunched two more food serviceinnovations—the Rolling YECSand the Walking Store to servestudents even outside the canteen’sfour walls. Members’ skills werealso enhanced through training onbusiness strategy and management,meat processing and preservation,

The Department of Education, through its programs on entrepreneurshipeducation, continually develops students to be creative, innovative and self-productive.

Success stories from the DepEd’s Youth Entrepreneurship and Cooperativism inSchools (YECS) program hope to serve as inspiration for other schools who have notyet established YECS in their institutions. Students who volunteer for YECS aretrained to become entrepreneurs who can compete not only locally but also globally.

8 NEGOSYO � 2nd QUARTER 2006

92nd QUARTER 2006 � NEGOSYO

years, more students havejoined the cooperative, andDCNHS-YECS has acquired itsown freezers, office air condi-tioner, office cabinets, foodcounter, electric air pot, officesupplies and catering equipmentthat can serve 100 persons. It isnow registered as the DCNHSLaboratory Cooperative with theBureau of Internal Revenue.

DCNHS has already been aDivision Winner (SY 2001-2002),Regional Winner (SY 2002-2003),and National 2nd Runner-up (SY2004-2005) of YECS.

Today, the DCNHS-YECS isfinding its way into the main-stream of Davao business. Giventime, its member-students will findthemselves financially ready andself-supporting in their studies.The experience and businessacumen being developed in thestudents by YECS will go a longway towards helping young peoplebecome economically independent,largely through the developmentof their skills in planning andoperating a business.

ILOCOS NORTENATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Ilocos Norte National HighSchool YECS started in 2000 with22 members. Student-memberspaid a membership fee of P20and a capital share of P30 pershare with a maximum of five

shares. A P25,000seed fund fromCongressmanRoque Ablan alsohelped startoperations. Fromthat point, YECSin Ilocos Nortehas grown its totalpaid-up capital toP52,600. TheINNHS-YECSmanages a self-service canteen,serving as thelaboratory for

the food service classes of theschool. A P350,000-canteenbuilding donated by Coca-ColaBottlers Philippines sits on themain campus.

The YECS Club also engagesin vegetable gardening, broilerproduction, and hog and cattlefattening. Student-members aretrained to raise broilers and hogs,dress chicken, and butcher hogsthe sanitary way. Other businessventures include silk screening ofschool uniforms and a sheet metalbusiness which makes pails, basinsand toolboxes.

The student-members areelated to receive their dividendsevery end of the school year, andof course, to be given the oppor-tunity to attend trainings, learn thesystematic system and orderlyrecording of sales and managingbusinesses, and to foster the spiritof entrepreneurship andcooperation.�

The Department of Education, through its Center for Students and Co-Curricular

Affairs (CSCA) and in coordination with the Bureau of Secondary Education

(BSE), former Youth Sector Rep. Anna Marie Periquet, and various government

agencies, launched the Youth Entrepreneurship and Cooperativism in

Schools (YECS), also known as the YECS sa DECS Program, in April 1997. The

education department subsequently authorized the establishment of YECS clubs in

all public and private secondary schools starting School Year 1999-2000.

YECS objectives

» Enhance the culture and instill the values of entrepreneurship and the

formation of ideas and habits of cooperation among the students.

» Develop the personal entrepreneurial competencies (PECs) of students in the

operation of a micro-business cooperative; and

» Help alleviate poverty and encourage long-range economic development in the

countryside through career enhancement programs and provisions of lifelong

learning for productive living.

» Institutionalize YECS among public and private high schools nationwide by

establishing networks with private organizations and other government

agencies with expertise in entrepreneurship and cooperativism;

» Provide the students with specialized trainings and assistance on entrepre-

neurship and cooperativism for them to create their own sources of

livelihood when they are left by themselves; and

» Expose the YECS members in different industries and technologies for them

to create a base for their own business ventures within the school or in

the future.�

92nd QUARTER 2006 � NEGOSYO

{P R I M E I s s u e 0 5 F e b r u a r y ` 0 454

B u s i n e s s

Most industry observers believe the prospectslook brighter for the country this year than thelast, in spite of politics taking center-stage due tothe presidential elections.

The May polls, it turns out, will even help fuelthe Philippines’ consumer-led economy.Regardless of who will win as President, theelections in itself is a blessing, like a drizzle duringEl Niño, as it will give the economy the much-needed boost from the most-unlikely source:campaign funds.

“We are talking about P3 bil l ion inexpenditures per presidential candidate and itdoes not count the other candidates. It willdefinitely grease the economy–both the aboveand underground,” said Joey Roxas, presidentof Eagle Equities, Inc.

BloodlineConsumer spending has always been the

bloodline of the Philippine economy, whichaccounts for about a third of gross domesticproduct.

Figures from the National StatisticalCoordination Board show that personalconsumption expenditures grew 4.9 percent inthe third quarter of 2003, in spite of it being a

OOMSAYERS will find it hard to reconcile the pervading optimism for 2004coming from a virus-, war- and budget deficit-inflicted Philippine economyof 2003.

lean season. The fourth quarter usually caps theyear with better-than-expected figures, liftedmainly by increased spending due to theChristmas season.

Economist Benvenuto Icamina of the WallaceBusiness Forum, a consultancy for multinationalfirms, shares the same view that the elections,which is estimated to be worth P50 billion incampaign funds, is a shot in the arm for theeconomy, at least for the first half of 2004.

“This year will be better, no matter who winsfor the presidency. The world economy is betterthis year, which will boost our exports. Even if wehave political uncertainties this year, we havefavorable prospects,” Icamina said.

The country’s exports, particularly electronics,were among the casualties of a slowdown in theUS economy, which reeled from the terroristattacks from Muslim fundamentalists.

Icamina predicts that the electronics sector–oneof the country’s main sources of dollar revenues–will grow by as much as 10 to 15 percent this yearfrom a contraction last year.

Betting on agricultureEven the Asian Development Bank and the

World Bank see better prospects for the country.

2004 ELECTIONSP50B in Econo

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percent. This meant last year’s slack plus this year’scapacity would have better chances of getting soldgiven the brisk demand both from local andforeign sources.

Wild cardOptimism, however, ends with the peso, the

most polit ical ly sensit ive of al l economicindicators.

Astro del Castillo, a director of the Associationof Securities Analysts of the Philippines, believesthe peso will remain volatile this year due to politicaluncertainties.

“The peso is now on the 55 (to a dollar) level,and investment inflows are quite slow. The marketremains cautiously optimistic on who will be thesteward of the country for the next six years,” DelCastillo said.

He remains optimistic that the peso’sperformance will strengthen the same way it didduring the first year of former President JosephEstrada’s term. The peso was then ranging at 42to 45 to a dollar.

mic ‘Grease’Both institutions predict a 4.5-percent increasein GDP, citing a recovery in the agriculturesector. Only the International Monetary Fundexpects the country’s GDP growth to remain flatat 4 percent.

Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri alsorelies on agriculture and electronic exports for his4.9- to 5.8-percent GDP projection for 2004.

Foreign investments will be difficult to come bythis year, as investors usually wait at least six monthsafter a major political event–in our case, theelections–before deciding on investments.

“It is really wait and see for the general businessclimate. We don’t expect the boost to come frominvestments this year. Investors will still look atwhat is going to happen (to our polls),” accordingto economist Icamina.

Production from existing capacity willnevertheless cushion the lack of direct investmentsthis year, he says.

Most industries, including cement andelectronics, only used 60 to 70 percent of theirexisting capacity last year from the usual 85 to 90

By Czarina May BaetiongThe May polls, it turns out, will even help fuel the Philippines’consumer-led economy. Regardless of who will win as President,the elections in itself is a blessing, like a drizzle during El Niño,as it will give the economy the much-needed boost from themost-unlikely source: campaign funds.

{‘Make it

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By Lita T. Logarta

Your Dreams

F a s h i o n

IN Asia — The Philippines in particular — since1984, John Robert Powers is still very much in thebusiness of making it happen for people. With Manilanow the regional Asian headquarters, JRP schoolsflourish in Thailand, Indonesia, Korea and Japan. TheJRP Center in Makati alone counts with a totalenrollment of about 2,000 students, most of whomtransform so amazingly at the end of their coursethat they are unrecognizable, according to MarivicPadilla-Catala, International Director of John RobertPowers International and director of JRP Manila. Sheenthuses, it’s so fulfilling and satisfying, for instance,to see a timid teenager metamorphose into a poisedand radiant young woman ready to tackle a careerin showbiz. Or to help a business executive achievehis full potential as a communicator and leader. Ican’t begin to count the many success stories ourstudents represent.”

Catala explains JRP runs personal development/personality enhancement, and modeling,communications and specialized interactive skillsprograms. At the same time, our comprehensive and

Come Trueat

John RobertPowers

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unique curricular work creates positive attitudes in thestudent about self, develop presentational skills andenhance employment possibilities. This, the JRPsystem, she points out, is ideal for teenagers, aspiringbusiness people, home-makers, and front-linepersonnel — including children as young as six toadults who are already CEOs and even diplomats!

That is undoubtedly because JRP covers almost everyarea of human development possible. For instance,summer workshops being offered this year areespecially crafted for teens and young children to boostconfidence, and enhance to the maximum theircharacter, creativity and skills. Thus there are workshopsfor Acting and Personal Growth, for the child whoneed to express himself; Social Graces for propermanners and behavior; Voice Communication for shyone;

TV Hosting and VTR Projection, for the would-beperfomer; Celebrity Program for those aspiring forfame. That, Catala says, simply means harnessing yourchild’s potentials for success. What parent wouldn’tlike that!

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Catala indeed frowns on would-beapplicants who are forced by theirguardians or parents to enroll. “I tell theparents that under these circumstances,their children will not profit from theworkshops. Any desire to improve orchange must come from inside them.There are also parents who think JRP canenforce the discipline, which theythemselves cannot enforce at home. Thatis not JRP’s role, although we do demandthat our students follow the rules of theschool about promptness, dress,behavior, etc.

If the student does not have the rightattitude or approach to the program, itwill all be a waste of money and time!Catala in fact likens JRP to a finishingschool. We finish off the student, put thepolishing touches and smoothen therough edges, so to speak. We have apsychologist on hand, so we also givecounseling sessions, if necessary. So yousee, our approach is more than physical.

Further, explains Catala, a student isnot just given a certificate when hecompletes a course. We evaluate progressreports, made by both the student andthe teachers, so we are informed bothways. The student gets his certificate onlyafter he demonstrates three major points:he must be confident, have poise, andbe articulate. Those are the basics. Butmostly, you see the student transformingright before your eyes, like a timid kidturning into a very outgoing one!

Catala’s repertoire of success stories tellof varied characters such as insecure wivesof politicians or diplomats, girls preparingfor debuts or weddings or beauty contestsor entertainment and/or modelingcareers, would-be actors, aspiringpoliticians or CEOs who lackcommunication or image skills, wallflowerswhose parents want them to be belles/beaux of the ball, yuppies seeking upwardmobility, and many others.

So far, since she took over at JRPCenter-Manila in 1999 (a job for whichshe had to undergo hands-on training atJRP in Boston and Hollywood)’ Catala saysonly two or three out of 2,000 studentshave asked for refund of fees paid. Wewould rather return the money thanargue, because these are obviously peoplewho hearts are not into the program. Shesays “What we really do here at JRP ishelp you make your dreams come true.We make it happen, but it’s up to you!”