ONE CEBU Goes Season 2

For those who are familiar with the ObraNegosyo Eskwela of Cebu Province, the coming to full swing of the entrepreneurial mentoring program, is like a breeze of fresh air that beckons positive opportunities for those who need access and support to strengthen their small businesses.

This year there are twenty entries from all parts of the province. Minglanilla’s pitch is Nadine Safety Apparel, Sibonga’s entry is the traditional tuba making, Alcoy comes in with Soling’s Bakeshop, Dalaguete’s product is handicraft by Judylin. Boljoon brings in their citronella oil as Alegria also takes a leap with Lloyd Cariaga’s furniture, while Ginatilan takes Azon’s Palagsing and Sinacol products. Bogo’s entry is Tering’s Pintos, a delicious corn-based delicacy. Borbon now utilizes their renowned Takyong shells and other local materials in Nena Orio’s accessories. Neighboring Sogod stirs in Lorna’s Tablea with twelve participating schools.

The town of Catmon showcases in this program their native chicken carenderia. Carmen’s entry is handicraft-making with baging, a local twine. Danao City displays rattan iron furniture and handicrafts. In the island of Camotes, Pilar prides itself with their spicy vinegar. In the same island, San Francisco takes on the initiative to turn waste into beautiful recycled paper accessories as Poro builds on their local produce, through a banana chips enterprise.

Tudela ventures into Casava cookies. Consolacion’s entry is sarok-making, reinventing the farmer’s hat into a good protective and decorative head gear.

Cordova encourages local ready-to-wear items to combat the influx of the imported ukay-ukay. Mandaue City banks on their recipe of bibingka with Mayol’s Bibingka.

Mentoring the entrepreneurs through the structure of their business plans and the translation of their ideas into formal business proposals are the participating schools. Students and professors from the University of the Philippines, Saint Theresa’s College, University of Cebu’s two campuses, Southwestern University, University of San Carlos, Mandaue City College, University of Southern Philippines Foundation, Cebu Normal University, Cebu Technical University, Benedicto College, and University of the Visayas.

Practicing businessmen from Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry are the partners of these schools in mentoring the entrepreneurs.

Final judging for this year’s Obra is on May 30. There will be three top winners who will get an infusion of P100K each per winning entrepreneur while the schools will be given five awards with various prizes.