“Your mindset matters. It affects everything – from the business and investment decisions you make, to the way you raise your children, to your stress levels and overall well-being.” –Peter Diamandis
The biggest winner to emerge from the Iloilo Trade Mission and Investment Forum, featuring the Ilonggo Fashion Show and Jewelry Show, which toured the east coast of the United States from June 4 to 10 was Iloilo City itself.
Through the “missionaries,” led by Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III and Philippine Council of Management (Philcoman) Research Institute, Inc. president and project coordinator, Dr. Emily Noserale, Iloilo City swept through New York City, Virginia, Washington DC, and their environs.
Once again, it has been proven, through trade missions, the partnership between the private sector and government works wonders.
The active participation by US-based Ilonggos and their large communities across the east coast was, in fact, one of the main reasons why the mission was a grand success.
Words from the executives who mattered most
LLG Pixar Mayers, Inc. Executive Director Fraulen Chrubner: “[Iloilo City trade mission panelists] came well-prepared and the discussions were trenchant and easy to decipher, especially for serious business globetrotters.”
IM Systems Group President and CEO Vance Hum: “It was an excellent event. I was impressed by the very informative multi-panel discussion on business possibilities, economic progress, and fashion, springing out of Iloilo, Philippines and the ensuing outdoor fashion show and Philippine fare at the reception topped off the perfect evening weather.”
US-Philippines Society (US-PS) Executive Director Hank Hendrickson: “The presentations and the visual demonstrations of state-of-the-art design from Iloilo illustrate just how far the Philippines has advanced in developing vibrant regional centers beyond the national capital region. The city’s delegation made a persuasive case for Americans to consider the advantages of looking toward Iloilo as a site for investments in technology and business process operations, and for the region’s improved services and high quality of life.”
Woodland Ricks and Associates Senior Executive Progamme Director Segmund JB Hollerman: “Iloilo City’s 364-hectare mixed-use development reclamation project contained in the brochure has the potential to become a world-class economic development and industrial zone. It’s amazing that they have that detailed conceptual land use plan, similar to Singapore and other industrialized investment meccas in Asia.”
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The week-long event that kicked off in New York City and concluded in Washington DC was an economic and cultural diplomacy initiative of the Philippine Embassy, in cooperation with the Iloilo City government, US-PS, and the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Washington DC
Aside from the mayor and his wife, Gina Sarabia-Espinosa, other heroes of the hectic trade mission who stood as panelists during business sessions were Executive Assistant and Commercial Diplomat Rex Aguado; Local Economic Enterprise Officer Ariel Castaneda; City Planning and Development Office Coordinator Jose Roni Penalosa; City Tourism Officer Junel Ann Divinagracia; West Visayas State University College of Mass Communications dean, Dr. Carmencita ‘Menchie’ Robles; Iloilo Business Park-Megaworld Sales Director Carla Margarita Perez; StackTrek Enterprises, Inc. founder and CEO Billy Shung Hei Yuen; and secretariat chief Florence Hibionada.
A private sector contingent, including fashion and jewelry designers, led by the city’s first lady, also added luster and prestige to the business and exhibit expeditions./WDJ