Don’t be a kidnap victim!

There was good news and bad news. At a recent Bulong Pulungan forum at the Westin Philippine Plaza, Philippine National Police chief Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and anti-crime crusader Teresita Ang-See confirmed that the number of kidnap-for-ransom incidents have declined in recent weeks. According to Ang-See, early this year, there were as many as three kidnappings a week–a nightmare situation reminiscent of the kidnap frenzy of 1993-1994, when there was a kidnapping committed every other day.

Ebdane thinks these kidnappings may have been born out of "internal politics," hatched by people who wanted to discredit him.

Nowadays, there is only one kidnapping incident a week. Though a kidnapping is always one kidnapping too many, both Ebdane and Ang-See say they, "can live with that."

Ang-See used the forum to dispel two myths. Number one: That all kidnap victims are rich. Number two: That kidnap victims are mostly Filipino-Chinese.

"The Chinese constitute only 30 percent of the kidnap victims, and the Chinese are only 1.2 percent of the Filipino population," she points out.

Ang-See says she is constantly trying to debunk the belief of other members of the Filipino Chinese community that, "You waste many to avoid tragedy."

She was obviously referring to the belief of many members of the community that it would be best to keep quiet, pay ransom, even if it impoverishes you, in the belief that it is the only way to avoid tragedy.

Ang-See believes in solving the crime with the help of law enforcers, that is, those who really are on the side of the law.

Ebdane, who was already a chief of police at the young age of 28, cautions that when you are victimized by kidnappers, make sure you approach only policeman you trust. He even goes a step further–don’t trust all your relatives either. Keep your problem and details of rescue operations to yourself and immediate family members whom you trust.

Ang-See says never ever think that middle or lower-middle class families are exempt from kidnap gangs.

Both Ebdane and Ang-See, pointing out that two recent celebrated kidnapping cases involved family drivers who had links to kidnap gangs, advise parents to hire only drivers with NBI clearances, or those that come highly recommended.

And finally, Ang-See points out, remember that "the number of unreported kidnapping cases is directly proportional to the number of reported kidnap cases."

Be vigilant always and never, ever flaunt your wealth.

Leaders Unlimited

Ricco and Tina Ocampo. Joecon and Joey Concepcion. Bill Luz. Gaita Fores. Manny Villar. Joanna Ongpin-Duarte. Cito Lorenzo. Bing Sibal-Limjoco. Bernie Liu. Johnlu Koa. Cecilio Pedro. Bert Fenix.

These are just some of the business moguls in the country today who are working hard to propel the country to economic growth.

One rare event has brought them all together–Leaders Unlimited (The Aurelio Periquet Jr. Business Leadership Seminar Series on Campus), conceptualized in memory of the late, Aurelio Periquet Jr., a much-respected and patriotic business leader during his time.

Spearheaded by the Aurelio Periquet Jr. Foundation and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., Leaders Unlimited is a 10-part series of business leadership seminars participated in by established and successful businessmen, and young students from the country’s top universities and colleges.

The Leaders Unlimited started from a simple goal born of a clear vision. Anna Marie Periquet, president of the Aurelio Periquet Jr. Foundation and proponent of Leaders Unlimited, put up the project because "it is part of the foundation’s commitment to develop the country’s future business leaders and instill in them the correct and responsible business values... (to) inspire the students to become achievers and make them realize their own potentials."

From climbing up the corporate ladder to learning the ropes and tricks of the business trade, these successful businessmen shared with students tried and tested formulas on how to make their own future enterprises highly successful and profitable.

Students learned an insightful business strategy from Dr. Alberto Fenix at Miriam College. Fenix, president of New Tech Pulp, Inc., makers of abaca pulps used in paper making that are exported to Europe, said it is never too early to tell if they have the entrepreneurial spirit in them. The topic was "Entrepreneurial Motive and Action: Do You Have It?" He also discussed motivating the work force and hitting the nail in making effective solutions in corporate problems.

Meanwhile, the president of Philippine Franchise Corp. and EVP of Phoenix Publishing House, Alegria Sibal-Limjoco intimated to the students of St. Scholastica’s College secrets of passing a family business down the generations with the topic "Carrying on the Tradition: The Key to Enduring Business Success." She also talked on important rudiments in managing and getting a franchise.

Meanwhile, UAP students welcomed Bernie Liu, president of Golden ABC, Inc., makers of clothes brands Penshoppe and Oxygen with dithering excitement.

With the topic "Pioneering Business Leadership: The Penshoppe Story," Bernie gamely recounted Penshoppe’s humble beginnings, zeroing in on five core values such as equality, work excellence, professionalism and ethics, growth and development of people and the development of entrepreneurial mindset.

French Baker owner Johnlu Koa and Makati Business Club executive director Bill Luz talked about important buzz words in the biz today– unassailability and staying power–to UP student leaders with the topic. "The Executive and the Entrepreneur: A tale of Two Business Worlds." Popular TV talk show host Ces Oreña-Drilon gamely hosted the open forum to the delight of the students.

Johnlu Koa taught the students a thing or two on surefire ways to keep a young company going and cited his own company’s success and staying power, French Baker. For him, it’s one thing to start a company and another to keep it sustained in the business.

Bill Luz stressed the part of business today is to gain profits in an ethical and fair manner.

Butch Jimenez, vice president for Media and Corporate Affairs of PLDT, gave the keynote address. He said that instead of always focusing on the negative, people should retrain their sights on positive things. This, he said, is how to more effectively motivate people and show true business leadership.

Students from Assumption College were all ears for fellow Assumptionistas Gaita Araneta-Fores of Cibo fame, and Joanna Ongpin-Duarte, owner of Big & Small Company, who spoke on the topic "Women Power: Success Secrets of Women in Business." Both recounted the hardships they went through in their respective businesses before they became successful. Their advice: do what you enjoy most.

Over at the UST, it was a very "hapee" seminar with Cecilio Pedro, president and CEO of Lamoiyan Corp., makers of Hapee Toothpaste. Cecilio spoke on "The Hapee Entrepreneur: Making a Big Difference" wherein he shared with the students his formula for success–hardwork, achievement-oriented, prayer, elasticity, endurance. Needless to say, don’t worry, be hapee!

Ricco and Tina Ocampo, owners of Anonymous and i2i, shared insights with San Beda College students via a talk show format with host Ces Drilon. The topic was "He Says, She Says: Leadership Styles for Today’s Entrepreneurs." Ricco and Tina stressed they have high confidence in the Pinoy’s business ingenuity. He says: Develop progressive concepts. She says: Be creative.

This November, Leaders Unlimited will wrap up the seminar series with Joecon and Joey Concepcion at DLSU-College of St. Benilde with the topic "The Family Firm: Handing Over to the Next Generation, and Presidential Adviser Luis Lorenzo Jr. in Ateneo, with the topic "A Broader Perspective: The Business of Service."

Anna Periquet said, "Since we only piloted Leaders Unlimited in 10 schools this year, there are more schools that want us to visit their campuses next year. Even our sponsors are multiplying. It is truly rewarding to know that in our own little way, the foundation is doing something right."

Anna added that a compilation of the talks of all these prominent business leaders will be published in a book aptly titled, Leaders Unlimited, to be launched on Feb. 24, 2003, to coincide with her father’s fifth death anniversary.

Leaders are indeed unlimited.