Universal Robina Corporation annual stockholders meeting at Crown Plaza Hotel , Ortigas Mandaluyong City , Philippines:

Lance Y. Gokongwei , Director ,President and Chief Executive Office of Universal Robina Corporation banking on the growth of the company on the Branded Consumer Foods (BCF), capitalizing on the demographic sweet spot dividends of the entire population  of the Philippines , Vietnam, Thailand , Indonesia , Malaysia , Singapore , China /Hongkong, New Zealand /Australia and Myanmar ( 2015)-make the URC a formidable  leader in the consumer goods. Though the company the carries Non-Branded Consumer Foods ( Non -BCF Agro Commodities ) -Commodity food products like Sugar and Flour, its also known as supplier of Agro-Industrial products like Farms and Feeds.

In the Philippines, the company known for its snack foods, beverage , groceries items, and others (mini stop) . The company is catering on the "go",millenials . The urban lifestyles ,fast changing "on the go", attitudes of the people is captured by the company. 

Stragetically categorized for Indulgence, Authencity , Health , Nutrition and Wellness the company is pose to be the top of the game. 

To attest , the company posted a remarkable growth in the first half of the year 2015, net sales growth of 20 percent compared to 2014, translated into 22.5 trillion. 

This is partly due to the corporate brave joint venture strategy. The URC is able to gain a foot prints in New Zealand known for its International Quality Standards hoping that culture could be incorporated in the mainstream URC-Philippines. Products like New Zealand Oatbar wouldn be now available in the Philippines with the touch of URC. New Ventures in Japan , to upgrade the quality of the Nissan Noodles , that Filipino is accustomed for. Hence , the URC, clinched a joint venture with France, Blue beverage brand,  known to be stringent in food styling , standards and good taste. 

How would the price oil differential would affect in the logistic delivery of the consumer products in the bottomline of then company like URC?

Mr. Romeo G. David  trustee of then Shareholders Association of the Philippines ,the association that promotes fairness, accountability , independence, transparency ,honor in the total capital markets landscape in the Philippines, replied   

" though the Gulf Oil Producing strategically mark down the oil price its after effect could only be felt in the net oil importer like Philippines in at least three years time, since each company is in the process of recovering its current  obligations , so the net gains we experience (short live) for oil price differentials is good enough to offset the losses  that we have incur since five years ago. In short, todays oil price gains is just an offset of previous years oil price losses(paper losses) that each company  have had experienced".

To solve the energy and transportation  cost , that the URC have been incurring  its strategically invested into Renewable Energy, enough for its own consumption for now. But eventually it would supply extra energy  to the main grid lines once the second Renewable Energy Plant , that would be  opening this coming month June 2015.

For now the URC, has an operating 16 megawatts Renewable Energy plant from the molasses (sugar cane misfits), ,this is in National Government response for its Republic Act 9513, "priority connection into grid". Moreover , the URC in compliance with the National agenda of blending fossils oil with bio gas , the company is venturing bio gas productions using sugar cane molasses , sugar plant residue . The bio gas plant started producing bio gas since November 11, 2014 . This is all with the company corporate social responsibility to take good care with the environment and helps the company to be more green at all. This mandate is due with the government calling for company major fossil oil users to at least mitigate climate change , by abiding the government Republic Act 9367 which promulgates for the bio ethanol blending with fossil fuel oils.

With this , the company is expecting for a considerable tax allowable deductions for adopting universal United Nations calling , to mitigate climate change by adopting clean eco energy . Mr. Wilfrido E. Sanchez, Tax Counsel and the newly elected board of Director of the Universal Robina Company, must know this issue. 

As the attorney said  to me" do you  know that I am a Laywer ", and I replied  , " Yes Sir", you are indeed a lawyer.

Henry Estipona

King Financial

www.on-linexpress.blogspot.com

Tribute to Ben Farrales ; the dean of the Philippine Fashion Design

Marina Benipayo wearing Bens" Farrales creation ,appears to be the finally of the the fashion shows staged to culminate the month of the Filipinas Heritage and a night of tribute to the Philippine dean of Fashion Design; Mr. Ben Ferrales , held at SM Mega Fashion Hall, last May 22, 2015. 

Mang Ben Farrales " deserves all this generous tribute because he is truly a creative person. He is very kind to the needy. He can easily mobilise the Philippine Fashion Industry in times of trouble and tribulations besieged the country, by doing staging fashion shows for a cause. On his entire fashion career , he been staged several galas for the benefits of several organization here and abroad. There was once, he staged a fashion with Red Cross Philippines long time advocates Miss Rosa Rosal". This is from the words of Mr. Sardo Austria , Philippine Fashion Editor for Metro Magazine, Woman's Journal, Lifestyle Asia, Freelance Editor of Instyle', Experience Magazine, and Chef of Parade , Lifestyle sections of the Philippine Daily Broadsheets . 

"Furtherance, tonight multi media tributes to Philippine Dean of Fashion is just a tidbits of the books that I will be writing together with my editorial team. The book is a through research paper on the life of Mang Ben , as fashion designer , advocates and the fashion trends during the golden era of the Philippine Fashion from the 60' , 70's, 80's 90's up to this date. Together with Abe Floriendo we have been working with the outlines already. Hoping to have the manuscript by August and September. If this happens , the book will be come out in the general public for a private book launching probably by mid November or December of the year 2015", enthusiastically narrated by the Philippine revered fashion writer -editor.

The Ben Ferrules Fashion Show at Megamall Fashion Hall, ambiance reverberate nostalgia. The pieces shown are all master pieces , collector item perhaps a museum pieces. Its amenably heritage collections of creativity. Mang Ben, uses the Filipinos own textiles from pina silk. He drapes and manually sewn the hem line of the gowns. The decorative styles of the gowns are all , Philippine characters from immaculate, mythical birds ( like ibong adorn). The dress could be of women usage on their very momentous occasions like weddings , balls or gala. Nevertheless he acknowledge the importance of the Philippines Malays tradition on the tone on of his creation. He elevated the sarong into a fashionable garments. He salutes to the rich , colourful " Kumintang", customs of the South Mindanao, which by then a staple fashion choice by the Raja's Sultanate Princesses . He also romantized , the Luzon island , women dwellers through his immaculate "terno'". Indeed Mang Ben, is truly the dean of the Philippine Fashion.

Fame and accolade bestowed in this fortunate man comes not just an overnight sensation hyped by the artificial media glitches, but have the tendency to be ethereal and immortal, because he is love and respected by his peers and the industry whom Mang Ben devoted his life.He gave his strength and devotion to the industry.

He uplift the genre of the Philippine Fashion Design fit for the taste of the royalties . He created a masterpieces which is appropriate in the tomb of the museum.

Part of the tribute program, is a multi media presentation. A narrative of Mang Ben Ferrules artistic journey in the field of fashion. A televised format a long side with the lyrical prost of literature , complimented with a vivid colourful momentous pictures of Mang Ben Ferrules fashion portfolio. His achievement , successes have been recalled and reinterpreted, atoning Mang Ben enigmatic life . All of kind , comforting words fit enough for the "posthumous " dedications. The Philippine fashion industry were almost near in tears , embracing the dean , and showering with all love and admiration.Warm of affection showered him , from all the people he moved , influenced by all his dedication to the craft of cloth making.

Yes,the journey to grave is trying to out paced the moment for Mang Ben. Yet his vision for fashion beauty, creativity will never fade. Philippine Heritage Foundation perhaps , the Filipino people is defying an ounce of breath for Mang Bens' to feel , understand ,personally hear by him , that he is certainly very "dear" by the industry.Certainly Mang Ben, is fully aware and appreciates the night of tributes to him. He give back with his sincerest smiles and the warm caress of the hands of those who greeted and embrace him.

He , because he knew then, that Life is "Fashion trend Style", perhaps like every one knows that " Death is certainly to come with us, but remotely cannot be figured out exactly when". 

A salute to the Man who Made it in the PHILIPPINE Fashion Industry . 

Henry Estipona",
King Financial
www.on-linexpress.blogspot.com

Financial Times Live Forum 2014 ; 

"First Metro Investment Corporation : Metro Bank Group and Financial Times tandem"

In anticipation for the upcoming World Economic Forum , the Financial times together with Metro Bank Investment Corporation Metro bank group staged a one day " Financial Times - First Metro Philippines Investment Summit , " Gearing Up for ASEAN Integration last May 19, 2014 at Mandarin Oriental Hotel , Manila Philippines.

The event corporate partners such as AIM , Asian Institute of Management, Century Pacific Food , Inc., Charter Ping An Insurance Corporation GT Capital Holdings Inc., CIRTEK Holdings Philippines Corporation, Magsaysay , Manila Water" Care in every drop", PSE Philippine Stock Exchange Inc., Rockwell Land, and Toyota " moving forward".

An excerpt of the Vice President of the Republic of the PHilippines , His Honorable Excellency , V.P Jejomar Binay delivered during the Financial Times First Metro Philippines Investment Summit.

" In my stint being the former Mayor of the city of Makati , I had a the opportunity and privilege to study abroad, in Harvard University. From the said institution that I was able to exposed and fully grasp the financial world , its structures necessary for one to carry out a certain level of public mandates.At the same its relevant and application in the private enterprises."

Further the V. P. continued; " This summit financial times- First Metro Philippines Investment summit will expound financial agenda that bring out , encourage sensible discussions , ensights, and emparts on how a nation like Philippines or the region , the south east asia, would respond proactively to the very interconnective , rapid changes confronting our times.

Expected from our reactions to these changes ot times is the over all sounds economic parameters and performance that should be favorable to describe , "that is on trajectory expansion mode.

"For these, the Philippines is rightfully in the said bright spots . With the current administration concerted efforts to move the economy in the the blameless straight path , were manage to accomplish unprecedented economic performance from 2012, 2013 and 2014 , benchmarking a success rate for 6%, 7.7% and 6.5% respectively. Raising the bar in terms of our national credit rating given by the respected rating institutions like the standards and poors (SP), that is favorably on the Philippines advantage . From BBB- to BBB+ that means the Philippines has a stable economy , fit for the foreign direct investments to pour down their money to our business private and public sectors".

The Vice president hence, said" even the the biggest foreign banks like the HSBC , Hongkong Shanghai Bank , made a public declaration that the Philippines would ultimately will one of the biggest economy in the region in the coming years to come. Expecting to hurdle more of about seven notches from its current status, as one of the economic performer in the region perhaps in the world."

"However ,despite of this success story of benchmarking, the fulfillment of success being a public manager is to ensure that the economic miracle would need to be felt , trickle down to the bottom segments of our society. What we need is an inclusive economic growth that would spur the agricultural sector comprising the vast majority of our rural folks.", this is the very the words of the vice president.

" Because as everyone observed, the Philippine economic upheaval is mainly fuelled by the massive growth in the service sectors , the outbound and inward bound business process outsourcing( BPO), and the billion dollar remittances of our OFW overseas foreign workers ".

"Moreover , the V.P explained , despite our relative growth in manufacturing and agricultural sectors , the current administration is rolling out , comprehensive yet calculated master plan economic agenda for us to sustain the growth that we are experiencing. "

" Finally we realized , that we need to diversify our labor sector, we need to strenghten , standardize and be competitive in the manufacturing sector for its directly provides real job and employment . We need to do this, for us to reach the critical point of our economic expansion.

" Listening from the advice from the economic think tanks from Washington D. C., we are aware the Philippine constitutions limitations that would further liberalize the entry of foreign sectors , specially in the ownership of putting up of corporations, banking and financial operations in the Philippines. "

" Our immediate goal is to speed up , investment and expenditure in mega projects like infrastructures, energy, information technology providing a hassle free investment landscape in the country".

" For the moment , the total GDP gross domestic product , percentage in relation to investment in public infrastructure comprise for about 25 %". Hence, there is a need to expedite the pending approval and implementation of PPP,( Private Pubic Partnership) programmes especially in the public transport and power sectors".

" From the congress side point of view, we just approved and pass the "EPIRA", in relation to fair playing field eneryg sectors. We are are aware the need to reduce the electricity cost in order to spur the growth in the manufacturing industry. This can only be done by expanding the power generating capacity of energy players.".

On top of it", the Philippines should focus on labor productivity and at the same time the needs to upgrade the skills of our labor force , by enhancing the education available for the Philippine , greatest asset for now, our human resources."

Together with private enterprises its very clear , that we laid out , the massive portfolio of investment related to gaming, cultural heritage,m medical eco tourism, modernizing our agricultural sectors with provisions for research and development, focused on the high value crops , ensuring the safe and reliable logistics , supply chain in the most affordable to everyone.

By energizing our SMS's small and medium enterprises which is the current engine of our business sectors comprising 90 % plus , there is a need to put them on the business mapping , who have a priority access to micro loans. Encourage start ups to be innovative and creative enough to outsource capital from the maturing financial capital markets that we have today.

"The Philippine business landscape should have a business ethics and character . Expansion is meaningless , when marginalized sector is beyond the boundary of it"
,inclusive growth means, should be felt by every one".

The city of Makati , being your host today " the financial time and metro bank financial summit 2014", and the upcoming World Economic Forum a day from now, which will took place in Makati , Shangrila Hotel is a success story by itself of economic miracle".

The VP stressed out, that after 1986 , being an appointed Local Government Unit manager by the then, President of the Republic of the PHilippines , Ms. Corazon C. Aquino , the city of Makati coffers is incurring a total debt of 215 million pesos. The city emerged however to become a private sectors and public example of tremendous growth after 21 years (2010), , the city of Makati were able to implement worth of 10 billion projects with no financial budget deficits in the end.

"Makati now is the city of tomorrow".

This was done due to single focus mindedness, good governance, and private sectors supporting the government in carrying out public mandates. During my tenure as former mayor of Makati, I kept my promise to raise trax by implementing sounds , computerize tax collection system. I raise tax only once thus benchmarking our tax base and the city of Makati become debtless.

Raising tax revenue is genuinely necessary provided this must be by performance base , classified each sectors of industry.

We adopted public policy adjustable to burgeoning real estate Makati Enterprises.

We promoted the city as the shopping mecca of the Philippines.

Guided by the idea , that expansion means exclusions.

Today city of Makati means, greater accesses, opportunity, advancement, qood quality of lifestyles, better enhance economic landscape conducive to do business.

By 2010 , 40 % of annual budget of the city of Makati , is aloted to Education,Health, Environment, Social Services, Infrastructure, and other services.

The reality of being a financial public managers is on the execution.

Overall the achievement needs always to be inclusive to all sectors rich and poor .
After all the success of business it may private or public is always beyond "ETHICS".

----------------------------------------------ENDS-----

Strengthening the Family as the core of Gov't and Corporate Governance.



The Role of Social Media in bridging the enormous wealth gap between the artificial body of corporation versus the organic family is evidence not only for its life learning acceptance , challenging the " status quo " ,which the later being at " ease " could be  the ultimate solutions in the Philippines quest for  " Change".

In Economic cycle , the family (which groom individual)drives demand being the ultimate consumer. And the Philippines considering its sweet demographic young citizen ,the demands for growth is due by consumerism. 

In Political structure, the family serves as the smallest form of government for which services should attuned to the demands by each member of the family. Its also the head of the family if not the couple that contribute to the treasury of the government through professional or business taxes. 

In Philippines  scenario  raring Family is mainly for the reason of conjugal partnership to meet the physiological eminent cycle of life , to add make the pyramidal base of the church hierarchy , or if not , just only be the milking cow for the government treasury. 

However , with the observance with our fellow Chinese brothers, raring the family  considers not only a very important part of the society, but an integral part of the macrocosm of the  social universe or Community. They consider Family a breeding ground of micro  entrepreneur . That is where family family groom and bloom. From family members , they form family association . From the family family business they  evolves to become taipans  and multi corporations. 

This is happening not only in the Philippines but in the whole of region of Asia.Considering the magnitude of Chinese immigrants , comprising the successful family businesses that now evolves not only as family taipans ,but multinational corporations already is big Challenge for each host countries like the Philippines.

In the community of the family taipans and multi corporations in the Philippines , how much is the percentage that is represented by Filipino? How to produce a multi family ( taipans) and multi corporations that is the main challenge for the government governing policy. 

The National Strategy for Financial Inclusion  is on upswing motivated even by the Central Bank and will conduct a caravan of forum from Luzon ( may 20), Visayas and Mindanao. The initiative could be an offshoot answer , though its too late but could be better rather than nothing solutions at all. 

The SME ( small , medium enterprise ) czar , the secretary of DTI , Department of Trade and Industry is doing his best round the clock to make the SME , competitive , survive not only for the scenario of the Asian 2015 , but on the mandate of each SME to survive on its day to day challenges. 

Thanks for the social media, that these institutions, family , consumers, the business , taipans , oligarchs at least meet their eye to eye via social media .