PED/NEP Entrepreneurs' Forum at UPOU
The Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) held an Entrepreneurs' Forum on 14 June 2008 at the AVRoom, UP Open University, Los Banos, Laguna. The forum is one of the activities conducted for the closing program of the Personal Entrepreneurial Development (PED)/New Enterprise Planning (NEP) courses, Batch 1- 2008.
Two successful Los Baños-based entrepreneurs and two graduates of UPOU's entrepreneur courses, who are now managing successful enterprises, shared their experiences, guides for success, and lessons on entrepreneurship with forum participants that included this year's batch of non-formal course graduates.
The following were the entrepreneur-speakers who participated in the forum:
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Merle M. Balicao, Proprietress of MerNel's Cake House; home of the famous
chocolate cake in Los Baños, Laguna;
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Carl Lorenze Roque, Proprietor of Laguna Libre, a Community Directory and Ads Paper in Los Baños, Laguna;
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Angela A. Ferraz, Proprietress of Fibratech, manufacturer of stained fiberglass in Calamba, Laguna and a graduate of PED/NEP 2005, Batch 2; and
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Vernie V. Lucero, Proprietress of Folia Tropica, producer of organic compost in Los Baños, Laguna and a graduate of NEP 2007, Batch 1.
Ms. Angela A. Cielo and Engr. Meynard Ricarte, PED and NEP Course Coordinators, respectively moderated the forum.
Mr. Jommar A. De Guzman, a PED and NEP graduate and who spoke on behalf of the graduating class, shared his experience as a distance learner. He said that his studies at UPOU is a living proof that "Internet access is not only useful in finding out the latest events (around the world) and about friends' lives...but a very effective distance education tool; a tool which enables us to excel in learning. Tight work schedules, family responsibilities, and stress are no longer considered obstacles in this age of distance learning."
Dr. Maria Fe V. Mendoza, FMDS Dean, welcomed the graduates, guests, and other participants to the forum. (Larry Cruz, FMDS).
(Date posted: June 30, 2008)