‘The Final Pitch’ Season 9: Open Edition to start airing on CNN Philippines this July 9

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The Final Pitch, the Philippines’ groundbreaking business reality TV show, is set to premiere its ninth season exclusively on CNN Philippines starting July 9, and will air every Sunday at 8:30 pm with replays every Friday at 10:00 pm and Saturday at 5:30 pm.

Hosted by the show creator John Aguilar, the 10-episode series themed “Open Edition” will feature aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and tech start-ups across all industries to share their creative and unconventional business concepts and vie to secure funding and mentorship from the distinguished investor-judges.

In its new season, the show took a bolder step in emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and diversity in the business world and beyond tech start-ups, allowing non-technology entrepreneurs to take their businesses to the next level. The show has captured the imagination of audiences since its first season and served as a launchpad for promising entrepreneurs, providing them a platform for fostering innovation and propelling business ideas into successful ventures.

"We decided to embrace the 'Open Edition' approach, recognizing the vast pool of talented entrepreneurs across diverse industries beyond the technology sector. By doing so, we provided them with a valuable platform to interact, negotiate, and engage in discussion with the judges.” said Aguilar

The show will feature a roster of judges meticulously evaluating entrepreneur contestants’ business proposals and determining the most promising ventures equipped with insightful feedback, expert guidance, and engaging discussions. This season’s exceptional panel of investor-judges includes Rico Bautista, President and CEO of Etiqa Life & General Assurance Philippines; Brian Poe Llamanzares, President of Pantheon Holdings; Henry Aguda, President and CEO of UnionDigital Bank and Convenor of GoDigital Pilipinas; Robert Scott, Vice President-Hotel Operations of Okada Manila; Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Ilan Fluss; and the British Ambassador to the Philippines Her Excellency Laure Beaufils.

In addition, this season will also showcase an episode of ‘Open House Mentorship Sessions’ on August 6. The mentorship sessions involve insights and expertise of outstanding mentors on diverse topics such as business strategy, social media and influencer marketing, and pitching.

The episode’s esteemed mentors include Joel Santos, the founder of Thames International Business School; Vince Golangco of When in Manila; Dean Bernales of Uniquecorn Strategies; Paolo Rentero of TechShake; Atty. Marlon Valderama of LexMeet; and Chris Peralta of Silicon Valley HQ.

Mark your calendars for July 9, 2023, and tune in to CNN Philippines to witness the thrilling premiere of The Final Pitch Season 9: Open Edition, showcasing the bright spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the extraordinary potential of Filipino entrepreneurs.

 

 

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ABOUT THE FINAL PITCH

The Final Pitch is a reality TV show where viewers see the coming together of the best and brightest startup entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders searching to back and support their enterprises. The idea was spawned to create a platform to not just serve as a guide and inspiration to those who will trek the long and winding road of entrepreneurship, but for investors to find and invest in the ones they are willing to back. The Final Pitch is produced by independent television production company Streetpark Productions Inc.

For more information, visit www.thefinalpitch.ph.

‘The Final Pitch’ invites entrepreneurs across all industries with the launch of its 9th edition

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The ‘Open Edition’ aims to promote inclusivity and democratize access to opportunities for entrepreneurs beyond tech startups

The Final Pitch,  the Philippines' premier business reality TV show, is back for its ninth season on CNN Philippines, with the theme "Open Edition." The new season provides opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and startups from all industries to present their innovative business solutions catering to a diverse panel of investor-judges looking to fund and back their initiatives. 

The show's creator and host, John Aguilar, stated that the Open Edition is poised to be a breakout season for the series as it emphasizes the significance of inclusivity and diversity in the business world, particularly for non-technology startups seeking investment and partnership opportunities and aiming to take their businesses to the next level.

"We have decided to make this an 'Open Edition' to be able to give a chance to entrepreneurs of different sizes, industries, and verticals to be able to participate in both the fundraising, mentoring and market reach that The Final Pitch has been able to give the entrepreneurs who have pitched their enterprises on the show. This is also a way for us to democratize access to everything that show stands for, to go beyond tech startups, which have traditionally been the majority," said Aguilar.

This season's roster of judges also hail from different industries, bringing diverse perspectives and valuable insights to aspiring entrepreneurs. The panel of investor-judges includes Rico Bautista, President and CEO of Etiqa Life & General Assurance Philippines; Brian Poe-Llamanzares, President of Pantheon Holdings; Henry Aguda, President and CEO of UnionDigital Bank and Member-convenor of GoDigital Pilipinas; and Robert Scott, Vice President-Hotel Operations of Okada Manila. For the first time, the show will involve judges from the diplomatic corps with the participation of the Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Ilan Fluss, and the British Ambassador to the Philippines Her Excellency Laure Beaufils. According to Aguilar, the judges will serve as not just potential investors, but as strategic partners to the future contestants.

 

In a virtual press launch on May 9th, Rico Bautista expressed his desire to collaborate with entrepreneurs who have strategic, feasible, and technological ideas with clear business opportunities.

Bautista stated, "I am personally looking for startups who can help expand our business in Etiqa, especially when it relates to insurance, customer service, and distribution. I am also looking for an entrepreneurial and passionate leader and a strong business team with the ability to combine art with technology. Their passion in starting up and innovating, to come up with something so simple and yet very relevant, both to the market they're playing in and to the company that they will be helping. Lastly, future potential and clear commercial teams resulting in early Return of Investment (ROI).”

According to Brian Poe-Llamanzares, he is seeking business solutions that directly address significant problems in the country and are both usable and accessible to the public.

"As an investor and entrepreneur, I am always on the lookout for innovative solutions that address real problems and benefit the general public. Simultaneously, I am also keen on identifying opportunities that align with our family business at Pantheon Holdings. However, my ultimate belief is investing in the entrepreneurs themselves. In the Philippines, entrepreneurship is the driving force behind many successful companies, particularly at the startup level, and the person behind the venture is what ultimately makes it successful. I am thrilled to engage with entrepreneurs who possess a clear vision of what their company requires to grow and thrive, whether it be a technological solution, marketing assistance, or networking opportunities," expressed Llamanzares.

Expressing his enthusiasm for finding the next big thing in the Philippine startup scene, Henry Aguda said, "Our main focus in UnionDigital Bank is to provide banking service to the under-banked, unbanked and SMEs, that is why we have an open mind coming into this show to find the ‘diamond in the rough’, an SME that will become a unicorn one of these days. My excitement is here also looking for solutions that we can take to the government and be the ones to scale up. Maybe an entrepreneur or a startup can solve a problem that the government is trying to solve and the government becomes the accelerator to make them a unicorn." Aguda is looking for game-changing ideas that can transform the industry and provide solutions to the government's problems.

Aguilar also announced that this season's mentoring sessions, previously exclusive to the contestants of the show, will be open for the first time to participants outside of the program. The Final Pitch will invite the show’s contestants, students, startups, and other organizations to come together for a one-day learning experience during the filming of the Open House Mentoring Day episode on May 23 at Thames International Business School.

The mentorship program will involve a diversified group of business mentors who will guide the participants. These mentors include Dean Bernales, Founder & CEO of Uniquecorn Strategies; Chris Peralta, Founder of Silicon Valley HQ; Vince Golangco, CEO & Founder of When in Manila; Atty. Marlon Valderama, founder and CEO of LexMeet; Joel Santos, President of Thames International Business School; and Paolo Rentero, Co-Founder of TechShake. Aguilar will likewise give a pitching masterclass based on his best-selling book The Art and Science of the Pitch. 

"We are excited to offer opportunities to a varied range of entrepreneurs and startups to take advantage of the fundraising, mentoring, and market reach that The Final Pitch Open Edition can provide. This is our way of promoting inclusivity and diversity on the show, and we're eagerly anticipating the incredible concepts and companies that will emerge from this season," Aguilar added.

To join The Final Pitch, interested applicants will be required to fill out and submit an online entry form through the link: TheFinalPitch.ph/application via its official website TheFinalPitch.ph. The deadline for submission of applications is until May 13, 2023. Participants who wish to join the May 23 Open House Mentoring Day can register through https://TheFinalPitchOpenMentorship.eventbrite.co.uk or visit the The Final Pitch Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

 

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ABOUT THE FINAL PITCH

The Final Pitch is a reality TV show where viewers see the coming together of the best and brightest startup entrepreneurs, and investors and business leaders searching to back and support their enterprises. The idea was spawned to create a platform to not just serve as a guide and inspiration to those who will trek the long and winding road of entrepreneurship, but for investors to find and invest in the ones they are willing to back. The Final Pitch is produced by independent television production company Streetpark Productions Inc.

For more information, visit www.thefinalpitch.ph.

The Final Pitch Season 5: Real Estate and Livable Cities

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The Final Pitch has launched its fifth season with the theme "Real Estate and Livable Cities"

The Final Pitch Season 5 will feature landowners and entrepreneurs who will pitch their properties and businesses to a panel of investor-judges who are looking to own a piece of their properties or companies.

The country's first and only business reality television show, The Final Pitch fifth season will start filming this November and will begin airing early 2020. 

"For the first time ever, we will be producing a season with a theme - The Final Pitch Season 5: Real Estate and Livable Citles Edition will be the first season focused on real estate projects, urban solutions, and property technologies that contribute to the livability and sustainability of our cities," said John Aguilar, serial entrepreneur creator and host of the show. Aguilar is also the CEO of Dragon's Nest, a startup venture builder that will be building the ASEAN region's next exponential startups.

Previous seasons of the show focused on various technology startups and SMES pitching their businesses to investor judges for funding. This time, real estate-related deals and solutions for the property sector will be at the forefront.

Pitching for Real Estate

"With the jitters created by the possible volatility of the demand from the POGO sector impacting the entire industry, there is now an even more urgent need to prepare for an eventual down-cycle of the property sector, and future-proof the business interests of developers and construction industry stakeholders," Aguilar noted.

"This can be done by either consolidating landholdings for the future, or even totally shifting business models to prepare for the seismic shifts that technological disruption will bring to the real estate sector," he added.

A property owner or owner's representative or broker can pitch a property to the show's investors.

"Whether for sale or joint venture, we are looking for properties across the Philippines ranging from raw land, buildings, islands, even prime properties in the Metro," Aguilar stressed.

"Our foremost criteria for accepting these properties for consideration will be that the title is clean. We will not engage in a broker or broker's representative who does not have exclusive rights to market or sell the properties they are proposing. Properties or projects with an existing prospectus or highest and best land use study are preferred, but not required. If the property is for sale, the selling price must be at least 20% below market value."

The properties must be free from any liens and encumbrances and must be fully owned by the party pitching the property. These properties will be pitched to the investors with the intertion of selling the properties to them, or engaging in a possible joint venture project together. The terms of the deal may be flexible, but if the project is not interesting, the project might not even make it past the consideration stage.

"Ultimately, we are looking for great deals for the investors for properties that can be land banked, renovated, or developed for the future," Aguilar shared.

Developing Livable Cities

Aside from real estate deals, the season will also feature startups who will pitch businesses that make for livable cities-green and sustainable building materials and technologies, clean energy, all the way to smart home and proptech (property technology) startups.

Entrepreneurs who pitch their enterprise, service or invention must have at least a minimum viable product or prototype. Businesses that provide solutions that improve people's quality of living, particularly those that address safety, hygiene, healthcare, the environment, recreation, pubilic transport and access to goods and services will also be considered.

Investor judges and mentors

The show's panel of investor Judges is a mix of property developers, businessmen, and corporate leaders keen on exploring new enterprises that can complement their businesses, integrate effectively into their value chain, allow them to diversify their portfollo, or enable them to create meaningful impact through strategic initiatives and intervention.

The fifth season's judges are real estate movers:

-- Victor Consunji, CEO of Victor Consunji Development Corporation, an innovative developer of homes and modern neighborhoods

-- Cary Lagdameo, First Vice President of Davao-based Damosa Land Inc., the real estate arm of the Anflo group of companies;

-- Cesar Wee Jr, President of Wee Community Developers Inc, one of the fastest growing premium residential developers in the country;

-- Jet Yu, founder and CEO of Prime Philippines, one of the youngest and most aggressive real estate consultancy firms in the country.

-- George Royeca, Chief Transport Advocate of Angkas - 

In the mix to look for livable cities solutions and technologies

In turn, the show's mentors, who will guide the finalists in the different aspects of their business proposals with Amor Maclang, Public Engagement head of the Urban Land Institute and co-founder of GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications Inc., and Hardy Lipana, President and CEO of Conveyance Realty Services Inc.

Interested property owners and entrepreneurs who want to pitch their property, solution or startup may log on to thefinalpitch.ph/application. Deadline for submission is by November 11, 2019.

The Final Pitch airs Sundays at 8 pm, with replays every Monday at 9:30 pm and Saturdays 1 pm on CNN Philippines. The show is produced by Streetpark Productions, Inc. To view past seasons and to find out how you can get involved in future seasons, log on to TheFinalPitch.ph

Kariton Klasrum Program goes nationwide

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Developed by CNN 2009 Hero of the Year Efren Peñaflorida, the Kariton Klasrum is a program where volunteers filled wheel wooden pushcarts with learning materials and sanitation supplies to teach basic education and hygiene practices to out-of-school children.

As part of the effort in promoting inclusive education nationwide, the Department of Education (DepEd) is replicating the Dynamic Teen Company's (DTC) Kariton Klasrum made popular by CNN Hero awardee Efren Penaflorida, Jr. By expanding the project nationwide, DepEd and its partners intend to address the needs of hard-to-reach learners and out-of-school children and youth (OSCYs).

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said the DepEd aims to reach out to out-of-school youth and street children through the project. 

“Children should not be required to adjust to our system of education,  it is the system of education that should address their needs,”  he said.

The program provides greater mobility for children-at-risk, OSCYs, and school drop-outs in accessing basic education through the Alternative Delivery Modes (ADM) program of DepEd. 

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said, “This project aims to have a 100% reintegration rate of the beneficiaries into mainstream or regular schools. Just as we accommodate the unique needs of indigenous peoples and special learners, we also try to fit our modes of delivery to the unique conditions of children at-risk, especially those in the streets."

According to Peñaflorida, there are already a total of 84 ongoing Kariton Klasrum sites. He explains that the goal of the program is to get the children back to school. “Hindi ito replacement sa regular classroom. Ang gusto namin ay ma-entice silang mag-aral ulit.” After three months under the Kariton Klasrum Program, the students will be evaluated for school-readiness. “We are never too strong to do things on our own. Your presence now secures our future. It is very important,” he added.

DepEd Undersecretary for Partnerships and External Linkages Mario A. Deriquito said that a total number of 106 Kariton Klasrum sites is the target for NCR. He then posed the challenge of reaching out to the farthest areas and “to look for those who have been overlooked.”

Deriquito also invited partners to help in the program and said, “We encourage companies, organizations, and individuals to support the Kariton Klasrum Program. We need help in providing students’ school supplies, storybooks, and daily feeding programs as well as teacher's kits, slippers, hygiene kits and vitamins. Volunteers for the projects activities are likewise invited to join.”

Prior to the implementation of the program, a full assessment of project sites, a mapping and validation of children at risk on the streets will be done by DepEd in coordination with DSWD and barangay LGUs, who will also provide "tanods" (watchmen) in the project sites to ensure security. To date, there have already been 27 initial areas which were identified as new Kariton Klasrum sites. DTC is tasked with training volunteers and monitoring the program implementation, while DepEd takes care of the curriculum and the program implementation per se.

Luistro added that it should not be the children who will adjust to the education system but the other way around. He also invited everyone to “learn from the children at-risk in streets” and said, “Sana matuto tayo sa mga batang nasa lansangan at makita nating marami pa tayong dapat matutuhan, kasama nila.”

Efren Peñaflorida and URC rejoiced with Kariton Revolution kids as DTC opens Red-buil, the newest educational floor

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Efren Peñaflorida, the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year and Universal Robina Corporation (URC) opens the DTC’s newest educational floor, URC Learning Center at the Cavite City.

URC rejoiced with Kariton Revolution kids as in support of Dynamic Teen Company’s (DTC) mission to promote literacy and enrich potentials of future leaders, Universal Robina Corporation (URC) sponsored the construction of a learning center at the second floor of DTC’s Red-buil (red building).

Efren Peñaflorida

Peñaflorida started a "pushcart classroom" in the Philippines to bring education to poor children as an alternative to gang membership. When he has received $100,000 as his prize as he was named 2009 CNN Hero of the Year, he continue his advocacy work and with his friends, they formed the Dynamic Teen Company with an aim of providing youth awareness projects, talent and self-development activities, and community services.

Founders of DTC, Peñaflorida and his classmates and friends find fulfillment as they slowly grow the number of youths being transformed through their programs. Transformed youth, who used to be street kids, drop-outs and out-of-school, even been drug users, petty thieves, scavengers, but youth are now DTC volunteers and have returned to mainstream education.

Universal Robina Corporation (URC) is one of the largest branded consumer food and beverage product companies in the Philippines and committed in making lives a truly helpful and fun experience.

The newly opened URC Learning Center has classrooms fully furnished with chairs, desks, whiteboards, and book shelves for incoming 9th and 10th graders. There is also an office where volunteer educators can prepare their lessons, as well as a laboratory for advance lessons in science.

Adding more fun and creativity to these new learning spaces are walls adorned with murals of the nine participating URC brands: Refresh, C2, and Payless Instant Mami; and Jack ‘n Jill Knots, Chiz Curls, Magic Flakes, Wafrets, Fun Fries and Roller Coaster.

DTC, an organization headed by pushcart educator and CNN Hero Efren Peñaflorida and his mentor Harnin Manalaysay, has managed several academic programs under their umbrella project, Kariton Revolution –a movement URC has been actively supporting since 2011. 

“It is an honor to work with Efren Peñaflorida and his team. We admire his passion to spark a positive change in the country. Granting free education to out-of-school youths is a truly admirable endeavor, one that we are quite proud to support,” said URC Executive Vice-President and Managing Director Nilo Mapa, Jr. 

The learning facilities in the newly built floor of the activity center are part of URC’s commitment to provide support to DTC and its undertakings. 

“We greatly appreciate URC’s support in our endeavors. The new classrooms they built for us will serve as venues for learning and knowledge,” shared Efren Peñaflorida when asked about URC as a partner.

As DTC's mission and vision in educating children, will strive harder to give the underprivileged youth in the Philippines to a better fighting chance at life, to become morally upright, productive and responsible individuals who embrace a spirit of volunteerism, 

DTC is to provide them guidance until they progress in their career and be productive contributors of society. 

Here are videos showing special presentation of Kariton Revolution kids during the event/opening of URC Learning Center.

The DTC building is located at 188 J. Miranda St., Caridad, Cavite City, Philippines.

Visit Efren Peñaflorida Twitter - @karitonkid and for more information, feel free to inquire at pushcartclasses@gmail.com. 

Filipino-owned Mӧvenpick Resort Cebu Tops Hot New Destinations List in 2013, According to Google, CNN New Filipino-owned Swiss Hotel is Second Most Googled Destination in the Philippines

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Mӧvenpick Resort Cebu is the second most Googled destination in the Philippines, according to Google’s 2013 year-in-review search list. As first reported on CNN, the Zeitgeist is Google's year-ender report and lists the hottest travel destinations by country.

The annual Google report captures the trends and interests of people all over the world, including new favorites among Filipinos.

Sky Ranch in Tagaytay and Tubbataha Reef in Puerto Princesa were ranked the first and the third respectively. Pico de Loro, Tugawe Cove Resort, Potipot Island, Amana Waterpark, Misibis Bay, Nuvali and Laiya resorts rounded up the ten spots that Filipinos were most interested in learning more about.

Manny H. Osmena, owner of the two-year old Mӧvenpick was thrilled to hear about the results. 

“When my General Manager told me about the great news, I was so happy. It Is a gift from God to be recognized for the complete transformation of the property, as well as the transformation of the food and beverage service. We welcome visitors who are curious about the resort and aim to give them a great experience with the unique ambience of Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu."

Interesting amenities and offers at the resort include the Ibiza Beach Club reminiscence of the club atmosphere in the Spanish island. Guests could watch gorgeous views of the sunset as they enjoy the Balearic-stye churrasco capped by the world-famous Mӧvenpick Swiss Ice cream. Guests could also order the same premium coffee served in Mӧvenpick Hotels in Paris, Zurich and Berlin. The outdoor performance venue shoes exciting Latin dance numbers, fire exhibition dancers and Las Vegas style performances four to five nights a week produced by our in-house artists under the direction of the entertainment director hailing from Majorca, Spain Paco Beltran. Meanwhile special occasions culminate in a special fireworks display over the beach from the rooms, views of the aqua colored waters and the seamlessly constructed boardwalk made from ironwood look pristine and serene. Guests pamper themselves with the finest bath sets imported from the luxury brand Chopard. To begin and end the journey is a luxury hotel car service: a Porsche Cayenne, which provides visitors a full-circle experience of excellence and elegance they won’t forget. 

The above qualities of Mӧvenpick Resort Cebu make it a place for a great and luxurious stay. The traits of this place have fueled the Filipino traveler’s interest in making Mӧvenpick Resort Cebu his destination of choice in 2013 and beyond.

Nestled on the shores of Mactan Island, Mövenpick Hotel offers contemporary style with a fun and fresh appeal for both leisure and business travelers. The hotel evokes romance and tranquility with its elegant accommodation, lush tropical gardens and fabulous restaurants showcasing stunning ocean views.

Let's enjoy the wonderful world of Movenpick Resort Cebu.  Let's enjoy the facilities of the hotel and go to the city to explore the Island of Cebu. It's more fun in the Philippines!