Ecopreneurs - Planters Development Bank

SME Speaker Series is big hit
among Baguio bizfolk
Baguio City—The Plantersbank SME
Speaker Series 2009 tour got off to a
big start at the Pines View Hotel in
this city on March 12.
The Baguio symposium themed
Leading Through Difficult Times: Why
Just Survive When You Can Thrive
featured motivational guru and entrepreneur
Francis J. Kong as guest lecturer
and drew over 200 SME clients
and prospects from around Metro Baguio,
even as far as Dagupan and San
Fernando cities in Pangasinan and La
Union, respectively.
Mr. Kong’s talk focused on the
development of a strategic mindset
to help Filipino entrepreneurs cope
with and recognize opportunities in
a period of global recession.
Plantersbank chairman Ambassador
Jesus P. Tambunting took the
opportunity to address concerns
about challenges resulting from the
economic downturn experienced by
the country’s main trading partners.
He pointed out that the onset of globalization
during the 1990s shaped
his view that doing business will
always be challenging. The challenges
will always be there, whether
or not a recession hits the world
economy, according to Ambassador
Tambunting.
Maintaining focus is a factor
shared by Plantersbank and the SME
clients who succeeded and thrived
after the 1997 Asian financial crash.
Ambassador Tambunting said “we
should not allow the challenges to
dominate the way we think. We have
a choice,” he said, between getting
bitter and getting better.
He explained that the market
economy operates in cycles and that
as the global recession makes itself
felt on the home front, entrepreneurs
Symposium on leadership for difficult times at Pines View Hotel draws heavy turnout
from Baguio SME community. (Inset) Resource speaker Francis J. Kong, enterprise guru and author.
Ambassador Tambunting with Plato Wraps
owner Kamela Seen and Plantersbank Corporate
Communications first vice president Bobby F.
Banaag
Atty. Jose Alvarez, Hilda Emdizo, Joy Salvado and
Nancy Bantog of the Rural Bank of Buguias.
should learn to master their emotions
and avoid impulsive action. He
dedicated the SME Speaker Series
Dr. Reinaldo Bautista Sr., Kristine Sameon,
Maginoo Bautista, Dr. Matimyas Bautista, Lilia
Bautista, Magiting Bautista of University of
Baguio together with Russel Elliot of KAM Poultry
and (second from left) Plantersbank chairman
Ambassador Jesus P. Tambunting.
Ambassador Tambunting with Francis J. Kong
for 2009 to the promotion of strategic
thinking for business survival and
future growth.
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VOL. NO. 04 / ISSUE NO. 02