NU12 - Serendipity Walk in Cainta (by JU Spentrep)

Serendipity Walk

A recent stroll in the heart of the busy streets in Cainta opened my eyes on the many opportunities that my city can offer. Cainta, being one of the most urbanized towns in Rizal due to its proximity to Manila, serves as one of the main gateways for travelers to the province of Rizal.

1. Laundry shop for a cause - Regular laundry shop may schedule free dry cleaning or ironing of coat for unemployed Cainta residents who have a scheduled job interview. This can create a buzz and may bring good publicity to the laundry shop. This initiative signifies support to the local government's focus on job-generating opportunities and projects. 

2. Promote delicacy store - Uploading of pictures of Aling Kika's Kakanin and other delicacy stores in our Facebook and other social networking sites help spread to our network that we have good products to try when they visit. 

3. Umbrellas for rent in local convenience stores--residents may be allowed to borrow umbrella by leaving any government-issued ID or by paying a minimal cost

4. Be-your-own-foreman - lending of construction materials (hammer, screw driver, saw, etc.) at a minimal cost by construction hardwares to families whose main man of the house is working abroad or in nearby cities

5. Cainta River Cruise - A 3- or 5-year program that encourages residents to take care of the river for future job creation (e.g. cruise to foreign guests; cruise can offer a whole new way to see an exotic locale)

6. Rent Some Chicks - A regular pet store may offer a rent scheme at a cost to families who wanted to experience having farm fresh eggs in their backyard; to be rented: 2 hens, coop, accessories, food, etc.); target market: residents in private subdivisions and villages

These ideas may be revisited and fleshed out in future. 3 by JU?

2 NU 6 by Jan Sollesta: serependipity walk, and splitting the family business into 4

What pisses me off the office? (NU6 5)

By Jan Vincent Sollesta

Our family business is really focused on pharmaceuticals. My parents started this business about 15 years ago. Initially, they started manufacturing externally used medicines and these were sold in pharmacies in the province of Iloilo. As time goes by, since the business was established, many activities add up and products came in to the company. Most are manufactured in house but there are some products also that are being distributed only by the company. If we evaluate the business in a bigger picture, in its present situation, the main activity of the business is really into manufacturing. Some of the components of the business also include distribution, medical supplies and advertising. Perhaps this is really expected as the company grows. With this expansion and diversification of the business, handling the diverse interests of the business become quite challenging.

 Our diversification applies both forward and backward integration of our core activity which is manufacturing. Even though diversification in the business is a good thing, it may also have some loopholes if it is not handled well. In our current situation I would suggest to separate this business properly like considering them as separate entities. It would be separated according to their activities. Since we have four activities in the business, I would suggest to have these separated and handled by a holding company. I believe that if these businesses are considered different entities it could individually established its own direction and focus. If companies are focused on its core strength it would likely to become more effective than a single company being juggled simultaneously. After separating into different entities, we would assign qualified people to oversee a entity and so on with others and start to formulate their company’s Vision, Mission and objectives. Basically, these efforts are more on improving the structure of the company. 3.5

Serendipity walk (NU 6 6)

By: Jan Vincent Sollesta

Street: Diversion Road, Part after Jaro and Mandurriao Intersection. 3

Background: This street is the main artery going to the airport from the city. I chose this street because I see it daily in front of my window. Fifteen years ago, this street in not heavily passed by cars but now due to the airport and abrupt development of the city, it should also have the following:

1.       Fast Food Restaurant/ Drive thru -  good thing for travellers

2.       Decent Pharmacy

3.       24 hour convenience store

4.       Shopping mall

5.       Decent “pasalubong center”

6.       Hospital – not even one is present preferably private hospital

7.       A park where in surrounding community could enjoy

8.       Recreation Center

9.       Decent Gym

10.   Market Wet/Dry – existing is too far

11.   Jeepneys with route going to main Jaro  - only option is tricycle and taxi