Commerce Celebrates Businessweek 2008
By: Chilette P. Arce-Abarca, College of Commerce
The College of Commerce recently had its annual Businessweek celebration last February 11 – 16, 2008. As a backgrounder, the Businessweek celebration is an annual event in the College of Commerce. The event showcases the achievements of the college while, at the same time, it sets the focus and the immediate concerns of the college, particularly for the incoming school year.
The theme for this year’s celebration was “Developing the Socially Responsible Global Filipino”, as the college celebrates its new designations as Center of Development in Entrepreneurship and the renewal of our designation as Center of Development in Business Administration. Mr. Oroseo O. Tuy, Chair of the Accountancy Department was the Overall-in-Charge of the Businessweek activities.
According to the College Dean, Dr. Edwin P. Bernal, the college considers the Businessweek 2008 celebration as an opportunity to start becoming an active advocate of corporate social responsibility and good governance by involving many stakeholders in looking forward to building a nation of business leaders and entrepreneurs from among our business and accountancy students, who are equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge and attitude, not just to do well, but more importantly, to do good.
Highlight of this year's Businessweek event was the Seminar in Business Management and Entrepreneurship. Participants were faculty and students from seven (7) Region-V Higher Education Institutions and also business and accountancy faculty of Ateneo de Naga.
Dr. Edwin P. Bernal, Dean of the College of Commerce gave the opening remarks, expressing his thanks to our Academic Vice President, Dr. Rebecca C. Torres, for her unending support to the college. No less than the Regional Director of the Commission on Higher Education, Dr. Dominador P. Peralta, Jr.,gave the inspirational message. He was accompanied by CHED Education Specialist for Business, Dr. Dennis Rebueno. Mr. Vince Hizon, Founder of the Vince Hizon Foundation gave his keynote address on “Towards a Socially Responsible Global Filipino”.
The afternoon session focused on “Ethical Behavior: Can It Be Taught?” The seminar this year was uniquely different from those of the previous years because this time it was made departmental. The event not only involved the students and faculty from the college, but also people from the other departments in Ateneo de Naga University. Chairs and faculty members from other colleges and departments were invited to give a talk: Atty. Rose Sergio, Chair of the Social Sciences Department on Ethics in the Practice of the Legal Profession; Dr. Digna Alba, Chair of the Media Studies proved to the audience that there is ethics in media. Atty. Manuel Diaz, Director of the Information and Communication Technology Center gave a very informative yet humorous presentation on Ethics in Information and Communication Technology. Our very own Ms. Karen de los Santos of the Accountancy Department charmed the participants on her talk on Ethics in the Use of Information Technology in the Practice of Accountancy Profession. And last but not the least, Mr. Eric Lagadameo, Faculty Member of the Philosophy Department shared his time and expertise on Teaching Ethical Behavior in the Classroom. They were all invited, in recognition of their potent contributions to the delivery of holistic education in a Jesuit, Catholic and Filipino university.
The second day of the seminar was a technical session on “Developing the Socially Responsible Global Filipino: Challenges and Prospects”. Invited speakers were Dr. Monsito Ilarde, President of CSPC, Mr. Abet Bercasio, President of MNCCI, and Fr. Andrew Reception who shared their perspectives on the part of the academe, the business world, and the church, respectively.
The afternoon was the awarding of the College of Commerce Model Alumnus Award. This is the third year that the college gave due recognition to its alumni for their exemplary performance and impeccable record in their chosen field, and strength of character. This year's awardees were, Mr. Roger Cariño (BSBA-Accounting Batch 1980), Ms. Melrose Dihiansan-Macandog (BSBA-Accounting Batch 1981), and Mr. Ben Secretario (BSBA-Marketing Management Batch 2007), who later gave their talks on “Role Modelling: A Teaching-Learning Model Towards Developing a Socially Responsible Global Filipino”.
A Search for Best Student Business Plan 2008 Awards was held during the third day of the Business Week. There were two competition categories: the Regional category and the ADNU category. The Best Student Business Plan 2008 Award is given to authors of the business plan that best demonstrates superior writing and analytical skills, and that best reflects marketing, management, production/technical and financial management acumen.
Oral presentations of the business plans were held in the morning of 13 February 2008 at the Arrupe Convention Center. The announcement of winners and awarding ceremonies was held in the afternoon of the same day. The board of judges, headed by Ms. Theresa A. Arbo, Trade and Industry Specialist of the Department of Trade and Industry declared Camarines Norte State College and Mabini Colleges as First and Second Placers in this year's regional category. For the AdNU category, the winners were: Pineapple Wine (First Place), Soybetero (Second Place) and Cakoomo Bun (Third Place).
The competition was intended to recognize outstanding achievement while at the same time animate business and accounting students to think creatively and encourage them to look at entrepreneurship as a relevant career option.
Also included in the Business Week was the seminar on International Certification for Certified Financial Analyst (CFA): Prospects and Challenges last 13 February 2008 at the Richie Fernando Hall, Ateneo de Naga University.
The seminar aimed to provide opportunity to participants to gain first hand information on what and how to go about international certification and is also intended to unearth the many opportunities available for CFAs. Participants to this seminar were:
- Faculty, who are either graduates of or handling subjects in Accounting and Finance, and are interested to take the examinations and/or help their students prepare for career in Finance and Accounting;
- Third and fourth year students in Accountancy, and those majoring in Financial Accounting and Computer Management and Accounting, Financial Management and Banking and Finance, who are interested in and would like to prepare early for the international certification;
- Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) who would like to add value to the practice of accountancy either in the government, commerce in industry, education or in the public accountancy, who would like to practice accountancy in the international environment; and
- Graduates of Accountancy and Finance courses who would like to acquire international certification for career advancement.
Miss Karen M. De los Santos, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Certified Information Systems Analyst (CISA), and a faculty member of the Accountancy Department, was the main resource speaker
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