Cyclists form courier firm

Sun.Star Cebu <> Wednesday, March 18, 2009

BY NANCY R. CUDIS, Sun.Star Staff Reporter

WHEN you send an able-bodied person on a bicycle to deliver documents around the city, you don’t only have a cost-efficient business concept but one that is environment-friendly as well.

German cycling enthusiast Jens Funk thought so, too, when he helped his friends put up Ecocouriers in December last year.

The bike courier business, comprised of at least six cyclists, has been delivering various items—mostly documents—to people and business organizations in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.“It is a good idea to make biking a business (since) it helps the environment, give opportunities to earn and, at the same time, we get to bike, which we love to do,” Funk told Sun.Star Cebu.

Ecocouriers, a government-registered business, started with an initial investment of P15,000 and operates under Outdoor Perspective, an outdoor gear store along Juana Osmeña St.

The bike courier business—considered to be the first in Cebu—makes 10 to 12 deliveries a day, mostly within Cebu City, for doctors and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Among its clients is Graphic Star at SM City Cebu. Ecocouriers delivers print materials to Graphic Star customers. The bike couriers also transport products for Xooma, an energy drink company, and gifts during special occasions, like Valentine’s Day.

The bike courier company is also trying to get a contract with Darras+Bowler, a wine shop.

Although Ecocouriers received several requests to transport packed food, Funk said the company is still studying ways to avoid spoiling the food.

“Through our flyers and word of mouth, we hope to encourage locals to patronize our services even for regular errands like bills payment,” Funk said.

Ecocouriers’ services include standard (P50 for pick-up and delivery and P80 for roundtrip) and one-hour express (P80 for pick-up and delivery and P120 for roundtrip). Funk stressed, though, that they are open to special arrangements with companies.

“We are also targeting small companies, especially those without drivers (or messengers). Instead of losing a hundred pesos in sending a staff member to make a delivery, they could get Ecocouriers at an affordable rate,” explained Funk.

Getting more cyclists during peak days is not difficult, he said, since he knows many cyclists who would jump at the income opportunity. He cited a couple of cyclists who had joined Ecocouriers after losing their jobs at the Mactan Economic Zone.

Funk is an active member of the local cycling community in the past seven years.

Their bikers, along with the items they deliver, have insurance, Funk said.

Like any business with a new concept, Ecocouriers is confronted with the challenge of getting locals and companies to patronize their services.

Filed under: Business, Environment, Feature , biking, cebu, courier, SMEs

Retailer does direct selling

Sun.Star Cebu <> Friday, October 31, 2008

BY NANCY R. CUDIS, Sun.Star Staff Reporter

A FASHION retailer finds opportunity in direct selling as malls and department stores are becoming “a bit challenging” for the retail industry due to the global economic crisis that is pushing consumers to become conservative spenders.

“We have always been into brand retailing. We are strong in what we do. We are now in malls and department stores but direct selling is a distribution strategy for us to reach out to other potential customers,” said Bernie Liu, chief executive officer of Golden ABC Inc. that owns popular apparel brands Penshoppe, Oxygen, Memo and Forme.

After more than a year of extensive research, his company launched Red Logo, a wholly-owned direct selling subsidiary of Golden ABC, last April when “things started to slow down.”

In the process, Liu said that micro-entrepreneurs can augment their family income with their new distribution mechanism that carries “sustainable” products and gets support from the company.

“The market response is doing very well. We generated more than 10,000 dealers in less than six months since we launched it. That is pretty good for a start-up business strategy,” Liu told reporters last Wednesday during the general membership meeting of the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) Cebu.

Red Logo’s first four branches are located in Metro Manila, catering to a nationwide market. Liu said that Red Logo may put up a branch in Cebu sometime next year to cater to the Visayas market.

Challenging

The Red Logo catalogue carries it own brands like Fuel and Agenda, but also allows Penshoppe, Memo and Forme to be its guest brands for a certain period.

“In the brick and mortar (meaning infrastructure), malls and department stores are a bit challenging right now (for us) because of the global crisis that slows down consumer spending. Direct selling, on the other hand, is flying. While the crisis is a problem for one (sector), it is also an opportunity for another,” Liu said.

He said companies can take advantage of the slowdown by lowering retail prices.

“Expand strategically. Companies need to set their sights globally while at the same time seizing opportunities in real estate in their own backyards. Retail expansion through directly-owned or franchised stores presents numerous opportunities (such as) negotiating better prices with malls regarding rent,” he told members of PRA Cebu Chapter.

He stressed that the crisis is not an excuse for a retailer to slow down as well, especially if he has the resources.

Golden ABC now manages about 400 stores nationwide, including outlets in department stores. The company is in negotiations with interested franchisees who want to open stores overseas.

At present, Golden ABC has four stores in Saudi Arabia and three stores in China.

Filed under: Feature , Golden ABC Inc.

Developer sells house units under ’smart living’ concept

Sun.Star Cebu <> Saturday, October 18, 2008

BY NANCY R. CUDIS, Sun.Star Staff Reporter

A DEVELOPER’S more than 15 years of experience in the real estate industry has resulted in the creation of a waterfront community that introduces the “smart living” concept to potential buyers.

Spanning 11 hectares along the coast of Minglanilla, Fonte Di Versailles is an Italian-inspired community that features a promenade, Wellness Park, beachfront clubhouse, a lagoon and four house designs—Alessandra, Delanna, Isabella and Gianina.

Paramount Property Ventures Inc. (PPVI), its developer, is currently doing simultaneous work on phase one that involves 123 house units in a five-hectare area and phase two that includes less than 150 units in a six-hectare area.

“It is our ultimate aspiration to come up with a subdivision that understands the needs of the meticulous buyers,” said PPVI consultant for business development and head for sales and marketing Boler Binamira.

He said that after an evaluation of existing homeowners, PPVI noted concerns that were not met or satisfied by other developers, such as security, ventilation and accessibility of rooms in a house.

As part of the “smart living” concept, Fonte Di Versailles offers security cameras at the guardhouse that can be accessed through a house owner’s cable TV and will build houses perpendicular to the sea to optimize ventilation. Roads are also designed for convenient driving.

Features

Each house model has “unique” features, like headboard switches. Alessandra, for instance, provides a 200-degree view of Bohol Strait, while a powder room is built next to the living area for Gianina models.

Since PPVI started pre-development selling in June, about 10 percent of the units are already sold. The prices of the units range from P6.8 million to P14.9 million.

Fonte Di Versailles is intended for the AB market and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are “propelling the local real estate business.”

Despite the ongoing financial crisis in the US that is threatening more developed countries, Binamira said that they are optimistic that the Philippine economy will continue to pick up in terms of real estate, business process outsourcing and the agricultural sector.

“About 10 percent of our total population are OFWs but only a very small percentage of them, specially those assigned in the financial sector, are greatly affected by what is happening in the global economy. The rest are not and continue to invest in homes,” he said.

He also noted that the local financial institutions are aggressive in giving low interest rates for housing developments, including high-end homes, encouraging the local market to buy.

While 20 percent of the units at Fonte Di Versailles can be availed by financing, most of their buyers, including OFWs and local businessmen, preferred spot cash or deferred cash—stretched over several months without interest—as mode of payment.

PPVI is also the developer of The Residences of Coral Bay, a resort subdivision also in Minglanilla. Its 77 units were already sold out.

Filed under: Feature , Fonte Di Versailles, Paramount Property Ventures Inc. (PPVI), PPVI consultant for business development and head for s

RP-born American teener donates 550 wheelchairs

Sun.Star Cebu <> Monday, May 05, 2008

BY NANCY R. CUDIS, Sun.Star Staff Reporter

THE vision of an 18-year-old girl will spell a big difference to the lives of physically challenged individuals in Cebu with her gift of 550 special wheelchairs this month.

Michelle Dalrympe, the youngest of three children of a couple from California, finds a common denominator with the pre-qualified recipients of these wheelchairs.

A male schoolmate, an off-duty security officer, accidentally discharged his 9mm gun in his backpack. The bullet hit Michelle and severed her spinal cord.

While the man pleaded guilty to one felony and two misdemeanors in the case and was sentenced to 270 days, Michelle was unable to walk again.

But her experiences as a paraplegic did not bring her down.

Instead, it inspired her to organize a wheelchair project with the help of her father.

She decided to distribute some to the Philippines, where she was born and where she grew up until she was seven years old while her parents served as missionaries here.

A team of 15 people, mostly from Big Valley Grace Community Church in Modesto, California, raised funds for the wheelchairs.

The wheelchairs will arrive in the country on May 8 to 20 and will be distributed to the beneficiaries in coordination with LifeWind International, Free Wheelchair Mission in Irvine, California and Holistic Community Development Initiatives (HCDI) based in the Philippines.

Michelle’s father, Terry, said the wheelchairs were uniquely made for rugged terrains.

About 300 wheelchairs will be distributed to recipients identified in advance by community health volunteers to areas in the country where HCDI’s community health education program is being implemented.

The Modesto team will deliver the wheelchairs directly to the homes of the PWDs and organize their families as support groups, which HCDI will monitor.

They will be mobilized to work together to empower family members of PWDs.

Two weeks ago, churches in Cebu City launched “The Paralytic Project” to help identify recipients of the wheelchairs.

Terry, the international director of LifeWind International, said these churches will also help in bringing PWDs on May 17 to the Cebu International Convention Center, where they will receive their chairs and enjoy the music and story of singer Ray Ann Fuentes.

Michelle will visit the country to lead in the distribution of some 250 wheelchairs during the concert.

She will also participate in a second concert in Bacolod City on May 18.

Filed under: Feature

Cebu dancers win P1M, festival top prize

Sun.Star Cebu <> Monday, May 05, 2008

BY NANCY R. CUDIS, Sun.Star Staff Reporter

FOR the third straight year, Cebu City’s Lumad Basakanon bested the festivals of provinces during the Aliwan Festival in Pasay City last Saturday.

With their flawless execution of movements, Lumad Basaknon outperformed other contingents who had elaborate props and costumes.

The win earned the contingent from Barangay Basak San Nicolas another P1 million and a trophy.

The Aliwan Festival, now on its fifth year, is an inter-regional competition showcasing different major festivals from all over the country.

The recent event showed 24 festivals.

Lumad Basakanon is followed by Iloilo City’s Dinagyang Festival and Carmen, Cebu’s Sinulog Festival, which placed third.

Apart from the feat, the float of the International Pharmaceuticals Inc. that won first place in the float category in this year’s Sinulog Festival also bagged third place in Aliwan’s float competition.

Ciarra Joyce Buot of Carmen, Cebu placed second runner-up in the Reyna ng Aliwan competition and won best in long gown.

Lumad Basakanon choreographers Norman Navarro and his brother Dennis said they did not expect that the contingent will be included in the top three best festivals as other contingents were “really good.”

Time limit

Learning their lessons from last year’s competition, they set their dance according to the required time limit. They also stayed faithful to the contest criteria.

Judges concentrated on choreography, performance, timing and rhythm.

Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) executive director Ricky Ballesteros said they are “happy and proud” with the victories of Cebu Province and Cebu City in all of Aliwan’s categories.

He noted that Lumad Basakanon only had minimal props compared with the other contingents.

“Their presentation showed fluidity in movement. Ang changes sa movement and dance steps limpyo kayo (They beautifully executed the changes in the dance steps). It is their trademark already. Limpyo sad kaayo ang movements sa Carmen, Cebu contingent (The Carmen, Cebu contingent did great as well),” he told Sun.Star Cebu.

Support

He also observed that the group did not experience financial problems as it enjoyed the support of the Cebu City Government, which took care of its transportation expenses.

Basak San Nicolas Barangay Captain George Rama, with the help of sponsors, also took care of their meals.

The group also received a subsidy from the Aliwan Festival organizing committee.

“We really thought that it will be Lumad Basakanon and Carmen in the top of the list of winners. We also thought that our float that showcased a jungle where a lion is holding an image of the Sto. Niño will win first place. It was the most photographed float. But the criteria requires that the concept should be more on culture,” Ballesteros said.

Cebu City Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa, who accompanied the city’s contingent, said that he was worried when he saw the presentations of the other contingents, such as Iloilo’s Dinagyang and Carmen, Cebu’s Sinulog, since the performances were also good.

“It was very colorful and bongga ilang props and costumes but Lumad Basakanon’s flawless execution made them stand out,” he said.

“I like this one better. It’s the best performance ever because in the way they performed, there was always (an element of) surprise. No one knew what was going to happen next, especially with the shift in the dance steps and formation. (The) movements were well-coordinated and every move had a purpose,” he added.

Hall of Fame

When asked if Lumad Basakanon can still join in next year’s Aliwan as a contestant, Ballesteros said he is not aware of contest rules so he isn’t sure if they will disallow the group from joining after a third straight win.

He doesn’t also know if they will place the group in a hall of fame.

The contingent won first place in the free interpretation category in the Sinulog this year.

Navarro said they will do their best to win in next year’s festival in order to win and again represent the city in the national competition of festivals.

Ballesteros and Dolores “Dolly” Suzara of the Sinulog organizing committee also grabbed the opportunity to invite other participating contingents in the Aliwan to join next year’s festival.

When Sun.Star Cebu called Ballesteros yesterday, he said Lumad Basakanon’s 100 dancers, 42 instrumentalists and 28 propsmen were on their way to Santiago City, Isabela to dance as a guest contingent in the city’s Pattaraday Festival.

Lumad Basakanon is expected to be back in Cebu City on Friday.

Filed under: Feature

New Year babies

Sun.Star Cebu <> Thursday, January 03, 2008

BY NANCY R. CUDIS, Sun.Star Staff Reporter

AS THEY carried their rosy-cheeked babies into the obstetrics extension ward of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), two new mothers greeted the New Year with joy and contentment.

Outside, it rained heavily, drenching several annoyed commuters.

But 20-year-old Jacquilyn Cadutdut paid no heed to them as she cuddled her sleeping 7.4-pound baby girl and swayed with her near their bed.

The ward has 10 beds and Jacquilyn shared one with another patient. Even this did not worry her, saying she was content just holding the baby.

Her baby, Stacy Raine, was born on New Year’s Day at 2:34 p.m.

Jacquilyn expected to deliver the baby on Dec. 17 yet, but went into labor only on New Year’s Eve.

Upon the advice of a midwife she consulted in the Barangay Budlaan, Cebu City’s health center, she checked into CCMC, where she gave birth on Jan. 1.

The delivery was smooth and easy, the new mother said of her experience.

“I am happy that of all the days, I gave birth on Jan. 1. I did not expect my delivery to reach January. I’m so happy,” said Jacquilyn, a production worker in Barangay Lahug.

Stacy Raine will bear her father’s surname, Rentucan.

Jorey Rentucan, 22, Jacquilyn’s live-in partner, works as a construction worker. He was resting on a bed next to Jacquilyn’s when Sun.Star Cebu visited the family.

Jacquilyn, who did not undergo ultrasound examination, is looking forward to getting treated by relatives who won in the betting on the baby’s gender.

Not far from Jacquilyn’s bed was 18-year-old Angelin Umbao from Barangay Talamban. In a quiet corner, she was feeding her first baby, a healthy boy who weighed over six pounds, when Sun.Star Cebu first saw her.

Angelin expected to deliver on Christmas Day but she only started feeling labor pains on Dec. 31.

She traveled from the Talamban Health Center to the Eversley Childs Sanitarium in Mandaue to CCMC, where she finally gave birth on Jan. 1 at 1:23 p.m.

The baby will be named John Reynald, to honor Angelin’s mother and her aunt, who she said raised her. John Reynald will carry his father’s surname, Tanoy.

Angelin’s younger sister, Kathleya Jane, said the family, at first, did not welcome Angelin’s pregnancy. But when Angelin gave birth, the whole family rejoiced.

“I’m so happy I can’t describe how I really feel. I learned that to have a baby born on Jan. 1 and in 2008 is lucky,” the mother said.

Angelin looks forward to residing in Barangay Apas with her future husband, who works as a habal-habal driver.

Both Jacquilyn and Angelin are eldest of four siblings.

Filed under: Feature

Vendors cash in on New Year’s Eve tradition

Sun.Star Cebu <> Monday, December 31, 2007

BY NANCY R. CUDIS, Sun.Star Staff Reporter

A BELIEF that round fruits for the New Year’s feast invite good luck doesn’t necessarily bring vendors much glee.

Rising prices set by their suppliers, coupled with about the same demand as last year, are keeping vendors from making as much as they’d like from New Year’s Eve shoppers.

Fruit vendor Linda, for instance, who has been selling fruits in Mandaue City for the past 30 years, used to welcome the Christmas and New Year rush because this meant a boom in her family’s only source of income.

But she was dismayed when she purchased her supply of fruits from Carbon Market yesterday morning, because these cost her P100 more per box compared to December last year.

A box of oranges, for example, cost her P340 in 2006. Now, it costs her P420.

“Some rejects are thrown in, too. We would be lucky if we earn more than P50 per box. Last time, we could expect more than P100 per box,” she said in Cebuano.

A relative who once sold fruits next to Linda recently closed shop because she was not earning from the small enterprise, with prices rising. She turned her attention to selling ukay-ukay (used clothes) instead, which she considers a more promising business this holiday season.

Linda, with her husband and two sons helping her, expects today to be one of their busiest days in the year, when consumers get their tables ready for the new year.

She sells mangoes, chicos and oranges, among others. These are favored by consumers who believe that preparing 13 types of round fruits on their tables in time for New Year will bring good luck.

While this superstitious belief benefits Linda’s modest business, it doesn’t do much for Ezekiel, another fruit vendor who came from Bohol and has been selling for the past 15 years.

For him, it doesn’t matter if consumers are superstitious or not because the demand is steady anyway. What worries him is that the prices of fruits from his supplier would increase three times in a day.

Ezekiel, 34, a father of four young children, used to earn P2 per orange or apple he sold. For this season, however, he will be earning P1, sometimes even less, per fruit sold because like Linda, he maintained his retail prices to please buyers.

However, vendor Diana, who sells firecrackers, is focusing on the volume, “no matter how small the income.”

Diana, a mother of four married children, only vends firecrackers during Christmas and New Year. After she made a profit last year, she pursued doing it the second time this year.

For her, there is not much difference between the two years she has been selling firecrackers, except that for this New Year, she invested in new “child-friendly” products called small petards to attract more buyers.

Filed under: Feature