I GREW up believing in an old adage that says, "Nothing in life is FREE!" Every move you make, every breath you take entails a commitment and a cost. Not until I was much older did I realize that there are things in life that ARE free even in business where money is almost always the be all and end all of it.
Thanks to technology, supporting small businesses may cost nothing at all. You can write a simple, positive testimonial or simply engage with their posts. Common online gestures such as liking, sharing or following a post can work the algorithm to their business favor. It takes a staunch believer, however, to make this work and whether or not you believe me, it only took one meeting to feel such wonderful support emanating from each member and officers of the Up-North Business Club (UNBC).
The UNBC is the offshoot of the Baguio Association of Hotels and Inns (Bahai), launched to encourage and welcome participation from other registered business sectors, not to limit its membership among hoteliers.
The primary intention of the UNBC is to build relationships to network and promote good ethics and standards collectively.
The club officers were inducted on September 3, 2019 with Ms. Jeanine Chan of Mountain Lodge and Restaurant as president; Vice president Mr. Gerry Beltran, General Manager of Albergo Hotel; Secretary Kristine Suarez of Naruto and Baguio Plantitas; Assistant Secretary, Freida Laciste, host and events organizer; Ms. Fe Emily Solis of Jehu Enterprises; Auditors Cindy Segwaben from Lemon and Olives and its former Chef Ben Munar and PRO, Nathaniel Barroga, General Manager of Mines View Park Hotel.
Right after the induction was the club's first project with the Department of Tourism showcasing food and delicacies from the North at Camp John Hay. This was followed by a display of each members' products at the Enchanting Baguio for forty days. A weekly trade fair using the establishments of members as platforms to sell and help each other promote their goods dubbed as "Produkto Mi Ilako Mi'' was put on hold due to the pandemic.
With the tourism industry severely hit by Covid-19, the UNBC collectively pulled together its resources to come up with an avenue where the locals can come together for coffee, food and music after a long lock down in a safe environment. This gave birth to the project, "Step Out and Breathe 1 and 2" held at the Mountain Lodge and Mines View Park Hotel respectively. Watch out for its 3rd rendition in partnership with the first Hoka Brew Music Festival happening on November 21, 28 and December 5, 2020 with Ingrid Payaket, On Call Vocals and The Edralins performing separately on the said dates. The show will be held at The Podium Boutique Hotel along Marcos Highway, Baguio City in collaboration with Eroz Goze Fashion Studio & Gallery and Reinforcement Lights and Sound for the benefit of the Anxiety and Depression Support Group Baguio headed by Mr. Ricky Ducas. Tickets are priced at P650 per person inclusive of dinner.
Now, in alignment with the City's plan to slowly, safely and surely revive our local economy, the UNBC, with its wider network (i.e 42 business members as of this writing and counting), are working hand in hand in building relationship with each other capped by a mindset of complementing one another to boost a healthy and fruitful environment in the city. The UNBC aims to solidly synergize and create a sustainable tourism initiative and become a relevant voice to represent this sector for the betterment of our city and consequentially, the region, then the nation.
#fileunderbuhayentrepreneur
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Visit UNBC's Facebook page @upnorthbusinessclubph for more details and membership inquiries.