aladdin's lamp is mine

Or so it seemed at first. When what you want is presented to you, you look at what you have in your hands. You're full but still you say yes. And humans like me are like that.

Accepting the scholarship to the training for chambers of commerce and industry in Tokyo in the middle of the preparations for the first Cagayan de Oro Business Enterprises, Services and Trade Exposition [ORO BEST EXPO - one last advert] was a double whammy.

Anyway, it's the dawn to wake up not to chamber work but to closing loose ends and leaving my vacation message in my email boxes. The Oro BEST Expo is over and on the whole I want to think it is a success, though I do not want to over-rate it. I believe the ones who really lost sleep and slaved on a project are the ones who take it silently when an event is over. Those who just put on the show dress are the ones who really gush about how good it's been because they were simply there.

So well the baggage must be done - oops up to 20 kilos only! And I still haven't finalized the country report. And I have some papers to leave for the officers. And a memo to draft for the staff. The final paper due in MBA will have to be submitted when I'm back. I need to design Nika's gown. Same goes for mine! And that concept paper for the Cagayan de Oro ICT Business Council. And the finalization of the wedding missalette for Hans. And the chamber's water forum and a power investment forum when I'm back.

Yes when I'm back. I have to leave first. Aladdin never fully knew what his lamp means.

far away and anywhere

The Force Recon Airsoft Group (FRAG) of Cagayan de Oro was finally approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The group was also awarded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources a portion of the Malasag Watershed Park to be its playground. In return for this, the group will re-green the area. How's that?

Here is Mike's promotional video of the group, recorded during their first take last October 6 in Malasag Hill. And by the way, I must be there the next time!



frag = noun, U.S. Army and Marine Corps Slang. verb, fragged, fragging. to wound or assault with a fragmentation grenade

in search of the historical jesus

"Jesus was a Jew, not a Christian. This single historical fact opens the door to understanding Jesus as he really was in his own time and place; it's a door that many have never thought to enter. To understand Jesus in his own time and place we have to understand his deep commitment to the ancestral faith of his fathers. He saw himself as doing nothing other than filling the words of Moses and the Prophets, and the messianic hope that guided his life, and led him to his death, was the central core of his innermost being."

- The Jesus Dynasty
by James D. Tabor

celebrating together in cdo

The Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. cordially invites you to the Cagayan de Oro Business Enterprises, Services and Trade Exposition or ORO BEST EXPO 2007 on October 17-19, 2007 Wednesday to Friday at The Atrium, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City.

With the surge of investors in the country and the dynamic market of the region, the goal of the ORO BEST EXPO 2007 is to deliver an informative and comprehensive trade fair that will highlight the advantages and opportunities of investing in Cagayan de Oro City of Northern Mindanao. Event organizer Oro Chamber takes this as one of its advocacies as the city, being the business hub of the region, strengthens its role as a major business destination.

Aside from showcasing the various industries in the region through a 3-day exposition, the event’s highlight is the Go Negosyo Conference, the first-ever Mindanao conference in partnership with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship where the Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs from Northern Mindanao will be awarded on October 19. Invited is no less than the President, Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, to bestow the award and give the keynote message during that conference. Joining her are the Go Negosyo advocates who are featured in Joey Concepcion's Go Negosyo book.

The ORO BEST EXPO 2007 also aims to provide participants and visitors information on how to start up and strengthen business ventures through an Entrepreneur 101 Forum to be presented by the Bayan Foundation. Also organized is a business clinic for rising entrepreneurs, and local enterprises shall be provided with business matching sessions for possible engagements with 50 American companies through the linkage with the US Commercial Service.

With a parallel recruitment fair for new graduates and business clinic for entrepreneurs, the event highlights include:
Opening Ceremonies* Oct17
Luncheon with Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula** Oct17
Cagayan de Oro Forum - Polishing the Gold* Oct17
Cocktails for USA Exhibitors and Partners** Oct17
2nd Cagayan de Oro Business-Academe Forum* Oct18
Doing Business with the USA* Oct18
Go Negosyo Cagayan de Oro* Oct19
Luncheon with Go Negosyo Advocates** Oct19
Oro Chamber General Membership Meeting** Oct19

*FREE ENTRANCE **BY INVITATION ONLY
For Inquiries CLICK HERE