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URL: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/112143/local-products-at-davao-trade-expo
TITLE: Local Products at Davao Trade Expo
AUTHOR: SunStar
DATE PUBLISHED: November 25, 2016
KEY INFO: LOCALLY-produced products of entrepreneurs in Mindanao were again highlighted during the 5th Mindanao Trade Expo Christmas event on Friday, November 25, at the Abreeza Mall activity area in a bid to create a platform for it to be promoted.

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URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyMztya0Y1U
TITLE: Mga produkto ng Mindanao, tampok sa Mindatienda sa Maynila
AUTHOR: UNTV News and Rescue
DATE PUBLISHED: October 20, 2020
KEY INFO: Mindanao's agricultural and fishery products are now featured in Manila through the three-day Mindatienda in Manila. This is part of the Manila City government's support to promote the product from Mindanao.

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Mga produkto ng Mindanao, tampok sa Mindatienda sa Maynila

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URL: https://icma.org/articles/pm-magazine/helping-women-entrepreneurs-philippine-city-cagayan-de-oro
TITLE: Helping Women Entrepreneurs in the Philippine City of Cagayan de Oro
AUTHOR: Eileen San Juan and Raelita Legaspi
DATE PUBLISHED: September 30, 2020
KEY INFO: Eileen San Juan and Raelita Legaspi wants to help women entrepreneurs in Cagayan de Oro through funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), ICMA is implementing the SURGE Project in Philippine cities to improve local capacity in inclusive and resilient urban development, improve local economic development, and expand economic connectivity and access between urban and rural areas.

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Through funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), ICMA is implementing the SURGE Project in Philippine cities to improve local capacity in inclusive and resilient urban development, improve local economic development, and expand economic connectivity and access between urban and rural areas.
The global COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down economic growth all over the world, crippling business operations, tourism profits, and consumer spending. Businesses closed, employers let go of some or all of their workers, and entrepreneurs had to come up with innovative ways to stay afloat. In Cagayan de Oro City, in the Northern Mindanao region of the Philippines, an initial report showed that the services sector-particularly wholesale, retail, and tourism-related businesses, are among the sectors hit hardest as a result of being categorized as nonessential production activities.

In 2019, there were 27,518 registered enterprises in Cagayan de Oro, 96.5% or 26,555 of which were micro and small enterprises. About 34% of these were able to access subsidies from the Department of Labor and Employment COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program. Many of these small and microenterprises are owned by women, and these women entrepreneurs find it difficult to remain in business during the pandemic. Their challenges include sourcing raw materials, gaining more customers, distributing products, access to credit, and business training and technology.

Research conducted by White & Case ¹ stated that women entrepreneurs in the Philippines face constraints that men do not. Some banks still prefer the husband's signature or consent in financial transactions, and some still demand that the male partner co-sign any financial contract. Getting a loan approved is also challenging for most women entrepreneurs. When banks require collateral, borrowers must pledge their home or land. Women who lack these assets are placed in a difficult position.

However, the Philippines is still positioned as the most gender equal country in Asia, ranking 16th in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2020. The report ranks 153 countries in four categories: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment. The Philippines closed 80% of the labor force gap in 2019, as women outnumbered men in senior and leadership roles, as well in professional and technical fields. ²

Through the years and now during the pandemic, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project, has worked with the local government and partners from the business sector and academia to help bolster the local economy of Cagayan de Oro City. Early this year, USAID and the local government initiated activities specifically to assist women entrepreneurs as part of a larger initiative, the Women's Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative.

The W-GDP Initiative was created to enhance opportunities for women so they can participate actively in the economy, contributing both to prosperity and national security. Established in February 2019, the W-GDP is the first whole-of-government effort by the U.S. government to promote women's economic empowerment in a global sense.

Background: Entrepreneurship in Cagayan De Oro

Since 2016, USAID has worked closely with the local government of Cagayan de Oro to improve the ease of doing business for entrepreneurs and automate and enable online transactions for business and building permit applications, payment of taxes, and other fees. The local government provides support for micro-entrepreneurs in several ways. The Community Improvement Division (CID) provides livelihood training. The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), provides mentoring to prepare businesses to compete on the open market. Cagayan de Oro Trade and Investment Promotions Center (Oro-TIPC), in tandem with DTI, provides coaching and support for business continuity planning and adjusting to the new normal.

Oro-TIPC works to maintain business-enabling local conditions. This includes ensuring ease of doing business and providing investment incentives. Their investment priority areas used to be agribusiness, information and communications technology, logistics, and tourism. Now, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) constitute Oro-TIPC's special attention sector since MSMEs compose more than 90% of Cagayan de Oro's 27,000 registered businesses, a shift that proved timely with the pandemic hitting the sector hard.

Oro-TIPC was originally created to form part of a tripartite partnership with the Misamis Oriental Provincial Office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Promote Northern Mindanao Foundation, Inc. (PRONORMIN). Oro-TIPC relies on this partnership to reach out to and assist its MSME client base.

Oro-TIPC is a perfect example of a women-led organization pursuing the growth of businesses and investments in the city. The team is composed mostly of women and is led by a woman entrepreneur who sits on the board of a homegrown corporation, and who closely collaborates with a female USAID/SURGE Project city program coordinator with an impressive legacy of service in the public sector. With this, Oro-TIPC understands the unique challenges of women-owned enterprises and considers what projects and programs will most benefit women entrepreneurs.

To support women-owned businesses, One-Town-One-Product Philippines Hub|Ginamâ (OTOP.PH|Ginamâ) was eventually launched to serve as an incubation, market-testing venue for city- and region-based MSMEs. It is run by a female entrepreneur, 90% of members are composed of women entrepreneurs, and it is overseen by both Oro-TIPC and the Misamis Oriental Provincial Office of the DTI. OTOP.PH|Ginamâ is part of the country's OTOP.PH network, which connects its MSME suppliers with OTOP.PH hubs all over the Philippines.

Beginning in December 2019, a number of business continuity planning (BCP) workshops for MSMEs were held, many of which were led by women. The first group of participants submitted their business continuity plans within the first quarter of 2020. They were invited to an Export and Digital Marketing Seminar co-organized with USAID and the United Parcel Service (UPS).

Partnership with USAID

The Oro-TIPC also serves as the city's clearinghouse for official development assistance. The center works closely with USAID in achieving the common goal of balanced, inclusive, and resilient economic growth for Cagayan de Oro City.

The center and USAID work together in serving as the city's EODB (ease of doing business) watchdogs, jointly championing and supporting automation for business permits and licensing earlier on, and more recently for building permitting. Oro-TIPC and USAID are also partners in the Technical Working Group (TWG) for Area Response and Recovery Planning (ARRP), which is now engaged in risk assessment and scenario planning with academic partner Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan, using the university's Geospatial Risk Database for Decision Support System (GRiD-DSS).

The local government of Cagayan de Oro City has consistently allotted manpower and resources for the economic empowerment of its citizens, particularly the sector with the least financial capacity. Acknowledging the sustainability of equipping its constituents with the needed capability and skills, the city has a long history of organizing citizens into cooperatives at the barangay (or village) level and providing them with the training and resources to take a proactive part in generating or augmenting their respective and collective incomes.

This is done in collaboration with the country's Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA), and Cagayan de Oro's City Agriculture and City Veterinary Offices, opening avenues in learning marketable skills, vegetable gardening for household consumption and small-scale commerce, and livestock raising.

The approach has since expanded to entrepreneurship coaching and grooming with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Oro-TIPC, evolving into a whole-of-government approach toward economic empowerment, similar to what the U.S. government is working to achieve under the W-GDP.

The local government encourages the participation of women in programs, which has resulted in their leadership in charting the course for many of the city's offspring ventures. The city, together with its partners, slowly began shifting its attention to clear and present economic drivers, which collectively already constitute more than 90% of registered businesses: MSMEs mostly led by women.

In January 2020, USAID led a focus group discussion on women entrepreneurial development with officials from the local government, including DTI Region 10, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PHILEXPORT), officials of the Department of Science and Technology, and the Cagayan de Oro Trade and Investment Promotion Office, as part of its W-GDP work. Presidents and key officials of women enterprises and business groups such as the Oro Chamber of Commerce, Mindanao Mountaineering Federation, Ginamâ One Town-One Product Hub, Multi-fiber Organization, Food Producers Association of Northern Mindanao (FOPANORMIN), and Health and Wellness also joined the FGD. The objectives of the focus group were to identify the capacity development needs of women entrepreneurs to successfully participate in international and domestic trade, and to determine the needed business support services of women entrepreneurs.

Various means of technical assistance were provided, including an export audit to determine capabilities; technical assistance in certifications, such as Food and Drug Administration certification, Halal certification of fresh and processed foods, fair trade, and others; capacity building for non-food production (e.g., handicrafts); development of local tourism; and collaboration with government and private sectors.

With USAID, a traditional craft group was also organized in early 2020, serving an immediate need of the pottery subsector. The Bulua Traditional Pottery Arts and Crafts was formed with 45 members led by women. One member company of the group is already regularly exporting their pottery products abroad.

Learning to Adapt During the Pandemic

The majority of the female-led MSMEs in Cagayan de Oro found it difficult to remain in business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Community quarantines limited the opening of businesses and the mobility of employees and clients alike, resulting in drastically reduced sales.

Many found it challenging to source materials and distribute their products with distributors shutting down, plus the rising costs and restrictions on logistics. Add to that fewer customers and competition from home-based startups, lack of credit access, and evolving government-imposed guidelines.

With the easing of restrictions under the city's current Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ), MSMEs have started to reopen, turning to takeout and delivery services to ring in sales. Women-led MSMEs have had to adapt, learning digital marketing and transitioning to cashless transactions.

The onset of the pandemic necessitated a shift in gears, with the sessions reformatted to cover rapid impact assessment and migrating to non-face-to-face platforms, such as teleconferencing and even social media chat groups. Oro-TIPC had to resort to the latter since many of the stakeholders' internet access and devices could not support online meetings.

Women entrepreneurs are now engaged in group chat-facilitated and online meeting-enabled consultations with fellow MSMEs, public and private partners, retailers, malls, restaurants, and hotel operators. This has become a venue for dialogue, consultations, coaching, sharing and giving feedback on evolving quarantine guidelines, as well as re-skilling and re-tooling to cope with the demands of the new normal.

The Shift to Digital Marketing

Women entrepreneurs are also provided with online training on business continuity planning, digital marketing, and cashless transactions through the partnership of ORO-TIPC, USAID, and DTI. USAID has been helping ORO-TIPC and DTI mentor over 200 MSMEs on how to upgrade and survive in the new normal through group chat consultations and webinars on:

* Screening and applying for financial relief assistance from government agencies and financial institutions.

* e-Commerce and digital marketing.

* Guidelines for operating in quarantine conditions and the new normal.

However, like any other shift to a new way of doing things, challenges arise in introducing online platforms to the participants. The major stumbling blocks include:

* Entering into an entrepreneurial mindset and putting that knowledge into action.

* Stepping into the relatively unfamiliar territory of digital marketing.

* Adopting third-party delivery services and cashless transactions that do not provide as much control as face-to-face transactions.

* Establishing trust with clients relative to the faceless and paperless manner in which technology-facilitated business is conducted.

With continuous collaboration and support, best practices still arise from this unfamiliar situation. The group of MSMEs, together with ORO-TIPC and other partners, created several group chats where they can communicate regularly on issues about business, health, and other related concerns, and even air complaints on facilities and establishments not following protocols. The group chat-facilitated value chain analysis was originally put in place since many of the MSME respondents did not have stable internet access. The group chat members are grouped according to their subsector. In total, there are 11 subsectors: health and beauty, tourism, food and beverage, processed meat, hotels and restaurants, multi-fiber, pottery, cacao and coffee, information and communications technology, processed food, and cashews and peanuts. With the spread of the pandemic and resulting quarantine, the group chats have been reformatted for rapid impact assessment and instant feedback and information dissemination. In fact, the group chats were used by DTI to advise clients on packaging their applications for financial relief assistance.

Suppliers to OTOP.PH|Ginamâ were also not able to immediately shift to e-commerce websites and online marketing as individual MSMEs. While this is still the goal, cashless transactions were already encouraged through enrollment to digital apps like GCash or Pay Maya, where QR codes may be scanned through their phones. Payment from OTOP.PH|Ginamâ to suppliers will now be through these platforms.

While waiting for the launch of its e-commerce website next year, the hub also refurbished its Facebook page with product profiles and helpful posts. This way, enterprise suppliers are acclimatized to the environment of cashless transactions even before a complete e-commerce site becomes available.

Moving Forward

More activities are planned to further foster women entrepreneurship utilizing digital technology. Virtual business-matching and virtual fairs and exhibits for clients, as well as a virtual investment forum, are being planned. Because of the pandemic, every business suddenly needs to be technology-savvy to survive. Oro-TIPC, with the help of its public and private partners, will offer COVID-19 business continuity and recovery planning training in an online format in the next six months and leverage its local leadership in this field to bring in other organizations to help coach micro and small entrepreneurs (MSEs). Budgets for 2021 are currently being crafted to include coaching MSEs in BCP under the new normal, including finding new revenue streams and marketing channels.

The center will need guidance on maintaining business-enabling conditions, as well as facilitating ease of doing business in the new normal. It is eyeing more ways to facilitate online transactions using credit cards and online payment systems like GCash and PayMaya. PayMaya is also planning to set up an ATM machine where both buyers and entrepreneurs can conduct transactions.

As the Cagayan de Oro local government unit completes its Area Response and Recovery Plan with the help of USAID, the directions for each affected sub-sector assessed will be clearer. Coaching on access to financial and other firm-level assistance will be costly and while local coaches may be trained to do this, an external stimulus package that includes funds to pay coaches and can contribute to boosting the local economy will be welcome.

Conclusion

Economic assistance from the government-including tax breaks, access to credit subsidies, debt relief, and employment subsidy support-is very much anticipated. Women-led MSMEs need help from coaches and mentors that can walk them through loan applications, simplified business continuity planning, and advisory services for reopening that are practical and applicable to them.

The pandemic has impressed upon each and every citizen the importance of supporting their own locality. This renewed focus on uplifting one's own backyard should be further encouraged by supporting small enterprises with constructive feedback, technical guidance, and commercial patronage. It is noteworthy that women-led MSMEs in Cagayan de Oro are now more motivated in helping one another toward their common goal-business resilience and equity-with the help of committed partners from both the public and private sectors advocating for the same goal.

Economic empowerment and equality for women will only materialize when women entrepreneurs enjoy equal access to the same affordable financing mechanisms that men have access to: equal access to markets, market information, digital technology, and services. Just as W-GDP co-creator and advisor to the president Ivanka Trump has said, "Investing in women is vital for our collective economic prosperity and global stability. When we empower women, communities prosper and countries thrive."

EILEEN SAN JUAN is the Local Economic and Investment Promotions Officer (LEIPO), and head of Cagayan de Oro Trade and Investment Promotions Center (Oro-TIPC).

RAELITA LEGASPI is the MSME Specialist of Cagayan de Oro Trade and Investment Promotions Center (Oro-TIPC) who handles MSME development and promotion and assists the WED program.

Endnotes and Resources

¹ White & Case and Goldman Sachs. "Legislation, Regulation and Practices Impacting Women's Access to Financial Inclusion." https://www.whitecase.com/publications/article/philippines-closing-credit-gap-women-entrepreneurs

² https://www.rappler.com/nation/247372-philippines-rankings-gender-gap-report-2020

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Helping Women Entrepreneurs in the Philippine City of Cagayan de Oro

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Through funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), ICMA is implementing the SURGE Project in Philippine cities to improve local capacity in inclusive and resilient urban development, improve local economic development, and expand economic connectivity and access between urban and rural areas.

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DTI showcases local products in 24th Caraga Business Conference, connects enterprises with same business interests

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URL: https://www.dti.gov.ph/regions/caraga/caraga-news/dti-showcases-local-products-24th-caraga-business-conference/
TITLE: DTI showcases local products in 24th Caraga Business Conference, connects enterprises with same business interests

AUTHOR: Department of Trade and Industry
DATE PUBLISHED: August 15, 2021
KEY INFO: Strengthening its assistance to local businesses and producers affected by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga conducted a regional trade fair and exhibit cum business matching activity in line with the 24 th Caraga Business Conference, 15-19 August 2021.

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2020 Gross Regional Domestic Product Northern Mindanao

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SOURCE: http://rsso10.psa.gov.ph/?page=4
AUTHOR: Philippine Statistics Authority
TITLE: 2020 Gross Regional Domestic Product Northern Mindanao
DATE: November 2, 2021
KEY INFO: The data is from the 2020 gross regional domestic product of Northern Mindanao. With these results, we can see the support of the Mindanaoan youth and society towards the economic growth of the island of Mindanao, Philippines.

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URL: https://www.facebook.com/groups/889447691899894/permalink/892464231598240/
TITLE: Meet the Founders of Lokal Dabaw
AUTHOR: Lokal Dabaw
DATE PUBLISHED: April 19, 2021
KEY INFO: Through the Lokal Dabaw group, they aim to support and sustain small businesses based in Davao City. They aspire to uplift other entrepreneurs such as themselves by creating a platform for promotion of these local businesses.

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FILIPINO BANGUS POND HARVEST - Foreigner Tries Local Philippines Business, Davao, Mindanao

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URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-e1coyBf_0
TITLE: Filipino Bangus Pond Harvest - Foreigner Tries Local Philippines Business (Davao, Mindanao)

AUTHOR: Becoming Filipino
DATE: July 3, 2020
KEY INFO: Becoming Filipino helps his friend who owns a local business in Davao, Mindanao, survive the crisis of supply in bangus fishing.

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FILIPINO BANGUS POND HARVEST - Foreigner Tries Local Philippines Business (Davao, Mindanao)

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How about you stop spreading drama - And instead support your local community

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URL: https://www.google.com/search?q=memes+about+supporting+local+community&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwi9o6SEpuD1AhVWxosBHb31CI8Q2-cCegQIABAA&oq=memes+about+supporting+local+community&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQA1CiEViCIGDnIWgAcAB4AYABlAKIAf8NkgEFMC41LjSYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ8ABAQ&sclient=img&ei=_Rf6Yf2wA9aMr7wPveuj-Ag&rlz=1C1CHBF_enPH913PH913#imgrc=gFHKAWYcBecoqM
TITLE: How about you stop spreading drama - And instead support your local community
AUTHOR: Unknown
KEY INFO: This meme talks about supporting local brands from our own community instead of creating unnecessary issues.

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/395661498616337079/117354-REVISED-PUBLIC-Philippines-Jobs-Report-FINAL.pdf
TITLE: Philippines Mindanao Jobs Report

AUTHOR: The World Bank Philppines
DATE PUBLISHED: June 2017
KEY INFO: The book indicates the jobs of the Mindanaons from the past years, wherein with these we can dictate the youth's role in knowing what to apply for a job that supports the local products of the island of Mindanao, Philippines.

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URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHkTNVwHSzY
TITLE: MagingBUYani
AUTHOR: DTI PHILIPPINES
DATE PUBLISHED: June 23, 2020
KEY INFO: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launches Buy Local, Go Lokal, a national media campaign that aims to help Philippine MSMEs who have been severely affected by the COVID 19 pandemic to weather the storm and create opportunities for their recovery and growth.

Buy Local, Go Lokal revolves around the powerful message for our countrymen to support Philippine MSMEs by shifting their buying patterns towards the consumption and purchase of Philippine fresh produce and manufactured goods.  The campaign likewise will help stimulate and boost domestic travel, while encouraging Filipino consumers to patronize Philippine owned and operated facilities and services.

Buy Local, Go Lokal.

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Philippines: Enabling Business to Reduce Poverty in Mindanao

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URL: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2018/08/06/philippines-enabling-business-to-reduce-poverty-in-mindanao
TITLE: Philippines: Enabling Business to Reduce Poverty in Mindanao

AUTHOR: The World Bank
DATE PUBLISHED: August 6, 2018
KEY INFO: Today’s forum “Mindanao Today, Mindanao Tomorrow: Enabling Business for Jobs Creation,” was organized by the World Bank, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Philippine Business for Social Progress to highlight key reforms that would support private business growth.

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URL: https://mb.com.ph/2020/10/12/this-platform-allows-young-filipino-artists-to-thrive-amid-the-pandemic/
TITLE: This platform allows young Filipino artists to thrive amid the pandemic
AUTHOR: Jules Vivas
DATE: October 12, 2020
KEY INFO: The world now revolves around the Covid-19 pandemic. One cannot emphasize enough how our lives have changed because of the virus. Thousands of people who find themselves in self-isolation resort to art in order to endure and survive the uncertainties. Mental health studies reveal that art reduces feelings of stress and anxiety caused by the current health phenomenon. But more than a source of leisure and entertainment, art is a powerful tool that sparks hope.

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An opportunity in art that you shouldn't miss

Throughout history art has been used to promote creativity, ignite the imagination, and stir emotion into the hearts of many. It also helps creators and audiences cope with the times, in circumstances that seem too great to comprehend and even endure such as the current pandemic. Suffering, however, is also a source of inspiration for artists-from Edvard Munch illustrating his experience with the Spanish flu to Keith Haring 's artwork on the 1980's AIDS crisis.

The world now revolves around the Covid-19 pandemic. One cannot emphasize enough how our lives have changed because of the virus. Thousands of people who find themselves in self-isolation resort to art in order to endure and survive the uncertainties. Mental health studies reveal that art reduces feelings of stress and anxiety caused by the current health phenomenon. But more than a source of leisure and entertainment, art is a powerful tool that sparks hope.

In collaboration with multi-genre arts festival Fringe Manila, Pilipinas Shell recently launched Virtual Art Interact, a platform for renowned artists to share their insights on the sector and how to develop their skills. The virtual forum-cum-workshop is part of the petroleum corporation's long-running National Students Art Competition (NSAC), an ongoing contest aimed to support young artists. Entries are still being accepted until Oct. 11.

WEBINAR[T] A screenshot of the recently concluded Virtual Art Interact with (Clockwise from top left) Leeroy New, Con Cabrera, Jappy Agoncillo, and Andrei Pamintuan

Virtual Art Interact featured workshop demos as well as artist discussions designed to support local young creatives from the grassroots level, following NSAC's 53rd anniversary in August.

Like NSAC, the Virtual Art Interact's main theme is "Hope in our art," which challenges the youth to produce artworks that encourage positivity. Spread across three days and three regions to cover the entire Philippines' rich creative landscape, the first leg of the art conference kicked off in Luzon. The biggest island in the archipelago has no shortage of culture, both in the urban setting and beyond. National Capital Region (NCR), in particular, is known for its energetic contemporary art scene, with the most prominent galleries and museums all over Metro Manila.

For many years, the oil and gas company has been an advocate for the arts, recognizing that it is a key to unlocking the potential of the youth and our nation's future. "We want the NSAC to become a platform to support and empower the community, so that they may in turn uplift more Filipinos through art," says Sankie Simbulan, the country social performance and investment manager of Pilipinas Shell. "Despite this crisis, art and artists are resilient. Through programs such as Virtual Art Interact, Shell is able to amplify artists' voices and give young artists a better chance to thrive, despite the difficult circumstances they are facing."

"It's been very difficult because we can't go out," admits Manila-based street artist, painter, and illustrator Jappy Agoncillo. The Pinoy creative is famous for his distinct comic-book style using pop culture themes. Most of his most popular works can be found sprawled against buildings and urban structures around the metro. While the city may be his canvas, the lockdown has challenged him to seek other platforms and sources of inspiration for his art.

For the webinar, Jappy performed a live demonstration of acrylic art. "I'm a street artist, but doing street art is off the table right now. I overcame this by shifting toward trying to help others. Many people have lost their livelihoods and want to turn to art to create, express themselves, and even earn a little more. I've been giving advice to younger, aspiring artists who are figuring out how to begin their careers," he muses.

With so many creative spaces shuttering, artists currently need new platforms to showcase their work-therefore the NSAC and Virtual Art Interact are the perfect venue to keep the industry alive. "We have this well of information and platforms through the internet. We can easily connect," added curator and art director Con Cabrera who moderated the discussion. "It's a very special time for artists."

Renowned sculptor and former NSAC winner Leeroy New pointed out how technology has been shattering the glass ceiling for artists, especially during the lockdown where the art-starved public turn to the internet for solace, expression, and inspiration. "Now, everyone can share their art online and have access to a global audience," he explains.

After participating in the program more than 15 years ago, Leeroy has gone on to achieve awards and world-class recognition from the Asian Cultural Council, Singapore Biennale, and other prestigious organizations. He also mentioned the significant role art plays beyond demonstrating individual creativity, saying, "But with this crisis, art as a practice has to expand. It's not just about creating artworks, but also figuring out how to use that self-expression to be involved in the community-whether that's converting your studio to design protective equipment for healthcare workers, or creating art that informs. So it's also a matter of expanding our concepts of creativity with the times."

Winners of the 2019 NSAC

"The artist's role in society is to be of service in the community. The NSAC is a good reminder for our young artists to not just hone their craft, but also think about how their art can change lives," says Andrei Pamintuan Fringe Manila's festival director.

"Artists are the storytellers of the world, and our stories have the capacity to transform communities and society for the better by instilling progressive ideas into our work," Leeroy concurs.

Virtual Art Interact promises to continue in supporting artists so that they may thrive despite the negative effects of the pandemic to cultivate the ideas of tomorrow. The next leg is set to happen on Oct. 17. It will focus on the Mindanao region.

Winners will be awarded with medals, and plaques, and cash prizes of P30,000, P40,000, and P60,000, for the third to first placers respectively. To know the mechanics, visit Pilipinas Shell's official website. For more information, also visit their social media accounts.

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This platform allows young Filipino artists to thrive amid the pandemic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
An opportunity in art that you shouldn't miss Throughout history art has been used to promote creativity, ignite the imagination, and stir emotion into the hearts of many. It also helps creators and audiences cope with the times, in circumstances that seem too great to comprehend and even endure such as the current pandemic.

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2KdElq9g5iyi46WFQjZsZe?si=ZCZOiUAIQNmuRL8GSIeJuA
TITLE: The overwhelming support for local entrepreneurs
AUTHOR: Disrupt Davao Podcast
DATE PUBLISHED: September 2020
KEY INFO: Cacao Culture Farms is a social enterprise that seeks to help cacao farmers and women in our community by developing and promoting cacao-based products and encouraging entrepreneurs to use high quality, locally and ethically sourced cacao products from the Philippines. Cacao Culture Farms' cacao products are proudly locally grown, harvested, and processed in Davao City.

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DD2: The overwhelming support for local entrepreneurs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A rising tide lifts all boats. With the exciting news of Davao City being named the “Cacao Capital of the Philippines”, I am excited to have one of the founders of Cacao Culture on the show - Shiela Reyes-Lao. Cacao Culture Farms is a social enterprise that seeks to help cacao farmers and women i…

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Mindanao Trade Expo: "Connecting Mindanao"

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URL:
https://www.dti.gov.ph/archives/regional-archives/region-11-news-archives/mindanao-products-to-invade-makati-in-october/
TITLE: Mindanao Trade Expo: "Connecting Mindanao"
AUTHOR: DTI Philippines
KEY INFO: This print ad promotes the act of purchasing local products of Mindanao.

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHF4t6E1iQU
TITLE: Conflict to Career: EDC’s Work in the Philippines
DATE PUBLISHED: May 21, 2016
KEY INFO: In the Philippines, EDC’s USAID-funded work has helped thousands of young people gain access to workforce development training. Halima, a young welder on the rise, is one of them. EDC’s Kevin Corbin tells her story.

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Conflict to Career: EDC’s Work in the Philippines

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URL: https://www.xu.edu.ph/xavier-news/170-xu-ateneo-news-sy-2020-2021/4959-xavier-ateneo-assists-micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-in-covid-19-business-recovery
TITLE: Xavier Ateneo assists Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in COVID 19 Business Recovery
AUTHOR: Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan), Ms. Victoria Melissa C. Pulido
DATE PUBLISHED: April 28, 2021
KEY INFO: Xavier Ateneo is part of the team that assisted micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in COVID 19 business recovery through the OROBEST Business Recovery Innovation through Development and Growth of Enterprise Program (OROBEST BRIDGE). This partnership program between the academe, government agencies and business sector, extend direct consultancy services for MSMEs to guide them in redesigning their operation and emerge resilient amid the threats and limitations of the pandemic.

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Xavier Ateneo is part of the team that assisted micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in COVID 19 business recovery through the OROBEST Business Recovery Innovation through Development and Growth of Enterprise Program (OROBEST BRIDGE). This partnership program between the academe, government agencies and business sector, extend direct consultancy services for MSMEs to guide them in redesigning their operation and emerge resilient amid the threats and limitations of the pandemic.
OROBEST BRIDGE Implementers, Partners and Stakeholders with Mr Ruben A Vegafria (President, Oro Chamber of Commerce)
Faculty experts in Xavier Ateneo and Ateneo de Manila University have assisted identified MSMEs in coming up with Innovation Business Recovery Plans (IBR) that will aid businesses in accessing appropriate programs and services that will help cushion the impact of COVID 19. IBRs can bring in potential partnership for MSMEs that will support them in research, innovation, capital loan, e-commerce, and funding/ grants. Moreover, the IBRs main objective is to help businesses make an informed choice on their recovery and continuity as they strive to overcome the threats of the pandemic.
Mr Ruben Vegafria, President of Oro Chamber of Commerce, attends the turn-over ceremony and personally hands in to MSMEs the IBR developed by faculty experts from Xavier Ateneo and ADMU. Ms Nenita Tan, Business Owner of Bestfriend Goodies, receives the IBR developed by Engr Elenito Duran, Faculty of the College of Agriculture at Xavier Ateneo.
Ateneo de Manila's Intellectual Property Office developed the IBRs of Green Pastures Corporation and Oro Handmade Innovation, Inc. while the following are Xavier Ateneo faculty involved in the IBR development of the respective MSMEs:

Engr Glenn B Paclijan, Chairperson (Industrial Engineering) of the College of Engineering
Jamaican FnB Training and Assessment Center
Mr Milbert Dialogo, Faculty of the School of Business and Management
Mustard Seed Systems Corporation
Engr Elenito Duran, Faculty of the College of Agriculture
Best Friend Goodies
IBRs were turned over to MSMEs on April 22, 2021 at the Oro Chamber of Commerce and was attended by Mr Ruben A Vegafria (President, Oro Chamber), Mr Alfonso P Alamban (Regional Director , DOST-X), Dr Ambrosio Cultura II (Director, NorminCIERD), Mr Ermidio J Abang (Regional Director, DTI-X), Mr Almer R Masillones (Provincial Director, DTI-MisOr), Ms Querittes Queja (Program Director, OROBEST Innovation), Engr Dexter S Lo, (Director, Xavier Ateneo's Institutional Societal Engagement), representatives from the academe and business owners of MSMEs.
OROBEST BRIDGE Program's Core Team and Xavier Ateneo's Faculty Experts with Mr Ruben Vegafria (President, Oro Chamber of Commerce), Ms Querittes Queja (Program Director, OROBEST Innovation) and Mr Noemar Nash Nunez (Program Officer, OROBEST Innovation)
Lead implementers of the ORBEST BRIDGE are Xavier Ateneo, Ateneo de Manila University, Department of Trade and Industry X, Department of Science and Technology X, Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and USAID Stride Program. While, Xavier Ateneo's OROBEST BRIDGE core team is composed of Engr Dexter S Lo (Director, Institutional Societal Engagement), Ms Therese Rhea Rose M Baliwag (Project Officer, Institutional Societal Engagement) and Mr John Louie Sabal (Chairperson, Economics Department).

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Xavier Ateneo assists Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in COVID 19 Business Recovery

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Xavier Ateneo is part of the team that assisted micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in COVID 19 business recovery through the OROBEST Business Recovery Innovation through Development and Growth of Enterprise Program (OROBEST BRIDGE).

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URL: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/01/19/fashion-entreps-cling-to-padayon-spirit-to-face-pandemic-challenges/
TITLE: Fashion entreps cling to 'padayon' spirit to face pandemic challenges | Rizal Raoul Reyes
AUTHOR: Business Mirror
DATE PUBLISHED: January 19, 2022
KEY INFO: Despite the myriad of challenges posed by the lingering Covid-19 pandemic, young social entrepreneur Isabela Blancas has imbibed the spirit of padayon (to carry on in Bisaya) to help others, even as her own enterprise—One Closet—was also affected by the contagion.

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Fashion entreps cling to 'padayon' spirit to face pandemic challenges | Rizal Raoul Reyes

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Despite the myriad of challenges posed by the lingering Covid-19 pandemic, young social entrepreneur Isabela Blancas has imbibed the spirit of padayon (to carry on in Bisaya) to help others, even as her own enterprise-One Closet-was also affected by the contagion. Nevertheless, Blancas and One Closet carried on by tapping...

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URL: https://www.facebook.com/yfconventionph/videos/833630704004241

TITLE: Sabayan, Sa Bayan: Youth Force Convention- Mindanao Leg Day 1

AUTHOR: Youth Force Convention Philippines
DATE PUBLISHED: September 24, 2021
KEY INFO: The webinar talks about the strategies of the youth in knowing the ways of improving Mindanao, wherein it was mentioned that supporting local businesses and local products is one of the ways of the youth to support the island of Mindanao, Philippines.

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Sabayan, Sa Bayan: Youth Force Convention- Mindanao Leg Day 1

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URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291447703_Local_economic_development_and_youth_employment_The_case_of_Davao_City
TITLE: Local economic development and youth employment: The case of Davao City

AUTHOR: Maria Asuncion (Ina) Arraiza Ortiz - University of the Philippines
DATE PUBLISHED: December 2009
KEY INFO: The book indicates the growth of each local business and the youth employment in Davao City, Mindanao, wherein with this employment, the youth can support the local products, which will increase the economic growth of Davao City, Mindanao.

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URL: https://primer.com.ph/blog/2019/04/26/see-local-products-of-mindanao-at-treasures-of-sox/
TITLE: See Local Products of Mindanao at Treasures of SOX
AUTHOR: Philippine Primer
DATE PUBLISHED: April 26, 2019
KEY INFO: Aside from its 7,100+ islands with its respective rich culture and heritage, Philippines has still more in her sleeves. This country is not just all about islands to highlands, suggest that you dig deeper and locate its locals – both people and produce. If you’re one of the youth who's into travelling or know someone who loves adventure getaways, then you’d feel the same excitement in exploring what these islands can uniquely offer to the table.

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See Local Products of Mindanao at Treasures of SOX

The SOCCSKSARGEN Region (Region 12) of the Philippines takes center stage at the Department of Tourism's (DOT) Travel and Trade Expo titled, Treasures of SOX. The expo is currently at the Midtown Atrium, near the main entrance of Robinsons Place Manila in Ermita until April 28, 2019.

SOX is the moniker for Region XII or SOCCSKSARGEN in Central Mindanao. The name is an acronym that stands for the region's four provinces and 1 city: South Cotabato, Cotabato Province, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and Gen eral Santos.

The expo this year features both the provinces and major cities in the region. Each one has an area to showcase their unique local products as well as offer tours, activities, and destinations for their province or city:

Sultan Kudarat Province

The name of this province is derived from a Muslim ruler in 1625 and is considered a hero. Sultan Kudarat's provincial capital is Isulan. In their booth, they offer coffee products as one of the leading crops produced in the province.

Tacurong City

The smallest city in land area in Sultan Kudarat is Tacurong City. It is the place of the popular Baras Bird Sanctuary which houses more than 20,000 herons and egrets. Their booth offers guided tours and additional information on the bird sanctuary.

South Cotabato Province

South Cotabato adapted the title, Land of the Dreamweavers to promote the province's tribal weavers of the T'nalak fabric of the T'boli tribe. It is a tradition that the woven designs of the fabric are inspired by the dreams of women weavers. Their booth sells various products using the famed fabric.

Koronadal City

South Cotabato's provincial capital is Koronadal as well as the province's Agri-industrial Center for its favorable geographical location. For the expo, the locals have brought with them seasonings and fabrics.

General Santos

The great General Santos city is part of South Cotabato but is governed independently from the province. The city is located at the shores of Sarangani Bay, a popular fishing site for sashimi-grade tuna, the city's most prominent product. In their booth at the expo, they sell jewelry and snacks,

Cotabato Province

Also known as North Cotabato (to distinguish them from South Cotabato and Cotabato City), is known for their falls and the eco-tourism park around the Philippine's highest peak, Mt. Apo. On their booth spices are available.

Kidapawan City

At the foot of Mt. Apo is Cotabato's provincial capital, Kidapawan, a well-known starting point for climbing the highest mountain in the country. The mountain also houses the endangered Philippine Eagle making this city a tourist favorite. Approach their booth for trekking details and tours.

Sarangani Province

This unique province is divided into two sections with General Santos and Sarangani Bay in between. Thanks to this, the province is rich with natural attractions such as caves, diving spots, beaches, and falls. Know more about their tourist spots from their booth.

Cotabato City

Representing the province of the Maguindanao province is the grand Cotabato City. The name from the Maguindanao word kuta wato meaning "stone fort" in reference to the fort in which served as the seat of the hero, Sultan Kudarat. On their booth textiles, jewelry, and spices are available.

As they continue to introduce new products, this year's Treasures of SOX will also reveal a VIP card which tourists can use to avail of freebies and discounts from Regional Tourism Council-accredited establishments!
Also read: What to Expect At Treasures of SOX: DOT's Travel and Trade Expo 2019
Details:

What: Treasures of SOX: Travel and Trade Expo
When: April 25 to 28, 2019
Where: Midtown Atrium, Robinson's Place Manila, Pedro Gil St, Ermita, Manila
Facebook: facebook.com/TreasuresOfSox
Website: https://sox.explora.ph

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See Local Products of Mindanao at Treasures of SOX

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See Local Products of Mindanao at Treasures of SOX The SOCCSKSARGEN Region (Region 12) of the Philippines takes center stage at the Department of Tourism's (DOT) Travel and Trade Expo titled, Treasures of SOX. The expo is currently at the Midtown Atrium, near the main entrance of Robinsons Place Manila in Ermita until April 28, 2019.