Sun.Star: Cebu students launch businesses

College students of the Centre for International Education (CIE) have proven that in business, age does not matter. CIE students, mostly in their early 20s, have successfully opened small- and medium-scale businesses in compliance with a requirement in their Project Based Learning (PBL) class. Gerald Anthony Gullas, owner of Sammy G’s Dimsuman, opened his Chinese dimsum eatery in June this year with a capital of P10,000, which was part of his personal savings. “I love dimsum food and I want to cater to the needs of students for ready-to-eat food," Gullas said of his food stall located at the University of the Visayas. He earns an average of P700 to P1,000 a day. While the business is showing positive results, Gullas said he wants to “test the waters before expanding the business by opening additional stalls in malls or near call centers." Borrowed capital CIE students Mark Que, Marie Cecille Dakay, Berdynne Garcia and Krista Amar pooled their resources and opened MKB Express Corporate Cafeteria, which targets “corporations in need of an independent cafeteria." Dakay said the canteen, located at Cebeco in Danao City, was established with each of them putting in P20,000 that they borrowed from their parents. “Food is the easiest business," she said of the cafeteria her group founded two years ago. It serves all kinds of affordable Filipino dishes. Optimism about Cebu’s booming food sector made the group entertain the idea of going into the catering business soon, Dakay said. “We are looking into making the business big-time," she added. Other members of the class also ventured into the food business. Not easy Joseph Chongbian, Daniel Lua and Simeon Gonzalez founded Bobby Burrito, which offers Mexican dishes at Rosedale Building in Talamban, Cebu City. “Our goal is to be like Taco Bell," said Gonzalez, adding that Bobby Burrito’s ingredients are sourced locally. He said running the business is “not an easy feat" since like other new entrants, they also went through the usual process of getting a business permit, among others. “But once you get the system, it’s easier," he said, adding that a combined investment of P150,000 was needed to run their endeavor. Despite the pressure of balancing work and studies, Lua said “technology such as the Internet has made coordination easier" for the group. Other students went into other fields. Jan-Jan Dacay III opened Quickpoints Gears in 2003, whose idea sprung from his interest in airsoft sports. Dacay said he needed an initial investment of P200,000, which he borrowed from his parents. As he added up products to sell, his investment went up to P3 million since most of the materials like combat clothes, vests and airsoft accessories, had to be imported from China, United States and Japan, among others. Real property Clifton John Paray, taking after his family’s BF Property Development Corp., undertook a “build and rent" housing project. Paray, who visits his project three times a week, said he wants to run the family real estate business someday. Prof. Nelia Cruz-Sarcol, CIE president and chief executive officer, said the PBL curriculum, which was first introduced in 1998, offers a different teaching style that involves requiring students to begin conceptualizing their business and establishing it even on their first year in college. “They are graded according to application of theoretical inputs and exams," she said, adding that sales made from the business only come as a special award and not part of the grading system. In a press interview, Sarcol dismissed speculations that opening a business for CIE students is a “piece of cake" since they come from affluent families. “It’s difficult to teach entrepreneurship to students because it entails hardwork. These rich kids sometimes do not have the staying power to do that but pursuing entrepreneurship needs conceptualization. They realize it’s a lot of hardwork. There is no such thing as passive entrepreneurship," she said. Other new PBL businesses launched last Saturday include San Remegio Leisure Transport, Cebu Fencing Duellist, Café Volere, Asiana Home Décor Inc., I.P. Eguia Water Technologies Inc. Real Waters, Sozo Soap, Syrichta, and Vanity of Dressing. - Sun.Star