A meeting of entrepreneurs does not mean that only the rich and "sosi' can get a chance to present their ideas and products to the market.
In fact, Juan Great Leap (JGL) has changed that notion.
Last July 27, an event called "Open Coffee" was arranged by JGL to be a venue for an exchange of ideas and market strategies for all entrepreneurs. Everybody was welcome to join the fun.
Well, truthfully, I arrived a little too late at the party. So, I was not able to grasp all the goodies Open Coffee has to offer. Either way, what I heard and saw was enough for me to write this story.
All of the ideas that were presented during the pitch, of course, are all good. But, as said by someone (by me, LOL), not everything that was said are amazing.
During the mixer, I came across an old guy who at first, did not look like he was at the right place.
Why, you ask? Well, he was a skinny man who had a pasiking - a traditional finely weaved abaca - as his bag. He did not the least look like the rest of the participants who looked like elites.
Either way, he's worth cannot be judged by his looks alone. Didn't you know that he's a member of the Investors Society of the Philippines?
Clemente M. Cobaria is a full fledged inventor who developed Sintaz. At 62, he alone manages his business, from marketing to product development.
Sintaz is a versatile product that can be used as a decoration or as a toy. It is made from all natural fibers like Abaca and Rattan. As a multi-purpose product, he has made a variety of designs for people of all classes, politicians included.
Sintaz and Mr. Cobaria were already featured in Umagang Kay Ganda and a variety of shows. However, due to a lack of financial support, his business fails to take-off every time.
Nevertheless, Mr. Cobaria considers his product an art.
"This is an art medium - novel signage, novel art medium," he told me.
Yes, what he does is truly an art on its own. Who cannot even consider it an art when he made an illustration of my name using his Sintaz in under five minutes?
Currently, he looks in to schools as a potential partner in spreading his ideas.
"Gusto ko maturuan ang maraming tao para kung sakali, kahit wala na ako, nandito pa din ito," while referring to the Sintaz.
Now, he sees JGL as another venue where he can use to spread his product and advocacy.
On the other hand, I think that all of us should support this kind of an endeavor. We should not let talents like Mr. Cobaria
