After some more speeches from young social entrepreneurs and innovators, the participants were grouped into clusters and were subjected to mini-seminars/workshops where the speakers of the previous days discussed more about the business aspects of putting up a social enterprise. The mini-seminars included business modeling courtesy of Kawil Tours, prototyping presented by people from Bahay-Kubo Organics, branding visibility by Works of Heart, Partnerships by Muni PH, and Making the Pitch by IdeaSpace Foundation.
The awesome part was that the participants were given the chance to ask questions and even seek advice regarding their own ideas and social business ventures. On my part, I was able to ask Kawil Tours if they created an exit plan and if so, what is it. Guido said that the best exit plan is to ensure that the social innovators enable the community to be able to stand up on their own. In fact, that has been the case for Kawil Tours because Guido and his team can't be in Culion-Coron all the time. Also enabling the community and empowering them give the people a sense of pride, leadership, and ownership, all of which will only redound to the benefit of the community and the social enterprise and even of the generations to come.
Even more awesome was, like other dreamers, I was able to create a pitch for Dream Job Superhero and present it to fellow dreamers and to Ian Corpuz of The Spark Project. Then, I was even able to talk to Ian and ask about how he got involved with The Spark Project, a remarkable social innovation that awards funds to people with great business ideas.
But definitely, the most awesome and brilliant part of Day 3 was when the participants were given the chance to approach each other and ask about each other's dreams and ideas. Now, I know that it is not only business cards alone that I was able to gather in the event, but rather, I have gained quite a number of new friends/acquaintances/contacts who I know I share with the same interest in aspiring good for the country.
We did not expect to be given certificates of participation, but here we were very happy to receive them.
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| Photo courtesy of Portal for Youth (P4Y) |
Now that it has been two weeks since the Dream Expo Manila 2014, the inspiration that I have gained is still very much alive in my heart and I am sure that my fellow participants share the same sentiment too. I imagined it would be great if I could exchange some thoughts with my Expo batch mates regarding the event. So thru Facebook, I asked some of them about what are the most important things they have learned/realized in The Dream Expo Manila 2014. And now, with great honor, I present to you their answers:
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Dream Expo made me realize that our youth has so much
potential and I am very positive about the future of this country. I think that
the expo was successful in making all participants aware that the Filipino
dream is always possible. – Charles Ladia
For me, dapat tayong mangarap ng hindi makasarili dapat
tayong mangarap na sakop ang buong lipunan. Napagmunihan ko na hindi sa atin
umiikot ang lipunan kundi tayo ang bumubuo sa lipunan, kaya't isa man sa atin
ang makapagdulot ng maganda sa lipunan madadamay at makakasama ang iba na
bumubuo sa lipunan sa isang magandang pag-iral. Hindi sa atin umiikot ang
milkyway galaxy kundi tayo ang bumubuo sa ganitong konsepto. Kung ang kanser ay
dulot ng hindi magandang pagiral ng cell, cell din (stem cell) ang makakapagdulot
ng kagalingan dito sa konsepto ng medisina. Sa ating lipunan kung ang kanser ay
nagmumula sa hindi maayos at produktibong pag-iral ng mamamayan, magagamot ang
kanser sa pamamagitan ng mga taong magiging produktibo, at nangangarap ng mga
imposibleng bagay. – Xander Villaluz
#TheDreamExpoMNL has taught me the importance of dreaming;
that every dream counts and that we should not be afraid to dream big not only
for ourselves but most importantly for our country, for the Philippines. I've realized that
dreams can change the world; dreams with execution. In order to contribute to
today’s society, to its progress and development, we must put our dreams into
reality. We should always have the courage to try and strive for what we want
to achieve. And as we move forward in our journey, we will be surely
encountering challenges and failures along the way but as Mr. Steve Benitez
said “Don’t let success get into your head, but don’t let failure get into your
heart.” Our speakers/ mentors and all the participants of the #TheDreamExpoMNL
are the best examples of dreaming with execution, individuals who exemplified
courage and bravery. We may have different advocacies and beliefs but we are
continuously fighting for a single dream, a better Philippines. – Kristel Capio
The best takeaway from the #DreamExpoMNL is to learn how to
be a professional beggar! Haha! And that be always proud of whatever your
advocacy is so that you can find people who share the same passion and goals! –
KB Meniado
It's a great privilege to have joined the Dream expo MLA and
be in a room filled with dreamers, and passionate people who want to do
something to give back to or country and especially them who have done it and
continue to inspire us. This realization from the 3 day expo continues to linger
up to this day in my mind, and I most eagerly share with friends. That we are
never too old or too busy to dream. No matter how crazy or simple, many or one,
as long as we do and we do something to make it happen. Let's fuel our passion
and make it burn the brightest. And even if the wave crashes on us or the wind
blows the light out, we should rise above our failures and flow to the beat of
our heart. – Zel Enriquez
One of the things that made an impression
upon me was how crucial it was to ground your plans with the WHY. You have to
start with the purpose or cause that propels you in wanting to do something for
your community. Having that will keep you anchored when trials arise from
pursuing your passion. Knowing exactly what you want in life, your specific
goals, what matters most to you and why, keeps you moving forward. I loved that
part where Roxy Navarro reminded us that the area where our deepest passions
intersect with the world's hunger is where one should serve (Venn diagram).
Another lesson I got was on the importance of networking and surrounding
yourself with the best people. I really enjoyed being a part of Dream Expo
Manila! – Ros Raymundo
What struck me the most during The Dream
Expo MNL is the Hope and Love for the Philippines that filled each and
everyone in the room, and is what united all of us there. Amidst all the
problems in our country, these innovators were able to see the diamond in the
rough, the opportunities amidst the crisis, and they dreamed to make things
better for our country and they did, and they still continue to do so. And I
realize how important it is to be in the know of what's happening in our
society, and I mean not just the problems, but people out there who are doing
what they can for the Philippines—they
are to be admired, and emulated. It's great to be in the company of all these
people because it made me see how I'm not alone in this fight, that there is
indeed hope for the country and it's a dream we can make a reality. : ) – Jenny Ngo Gui, Muni
1.) Changemakers are troublemakers. I'm so
happy and inspired to know that the crazy people are the best people. Go lang
nang go. Fight authority, fight the system, fight everything just for what you
believe in. 2.) Hashtag Tiwala. Pushing for an advocacy is a big leap of faith.
You'll never know if it will pay off. Learn to love, learn to learn. At least
you tried (but I'll never know how to move on haha). 3.) Always live for the
other, BUT, make sure you leave something for yourself. Kenosis? I think that's
what they call it? Haha. One thing that I would always remember is to
acknowledge sacrifice with sustainability. Haha. – Marc Wendolf Duque
Dream Expo pushes me to innovate. This experience gives me learning and understanding on how to create good business opportunities. I will never get tired of joining this kind of events because the experiences and ideas of the speakers keep me motivated to move forward on what I want to do and where i need to go. - Alastair Narcisa
"I learned that there's always hope. You can help in any way you can." - Nap Garcia, ProTees Project
Gathering all these answers is a different experience altogether but a
similarly exhilarating one too. There is so much hope for this country
and the world. If one person could inspire another to become a better
person for the country and that person inspires another one to become a
compassionate citizen too, then soon our country will be filled with
every day heroes doing their roles in whatever capacity to uplift our
nation.Dream Expo pushes me to innovate. This experience gives me learning and understanding on how to create good business opportunities. I will never get tired of joining this kind of events because the experiences and ideas of the speakers keep me motivated to move forward on what I want to do and where i need to go. - Alastair Narcisa
"I learned that there's always hope. You can help in any way you can." - Nap Garcia, ProTees Project
So let me end this article with our group picture. :)
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| Photo courtesy of Portal for Youth (P4Y) |
#dreambigPhilippines
You might also want to read: Day well spent in The Dream Expo Manila 2014
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