Amid the fast-changing environment posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, in this morning’s One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines’ Manlilikha Designers’ Course e-Graduation Ceremony.
“Ang pagiging malikhain ay isa sa mga kinikilalang kagalingan ng mga Pilipino, at kasama na rito ang fashion industry. Importante ang creativity sa pagbibigay halaga sa ating negosyo, lalo na sa MSMEs. It is a major ingredient to increase the value of a product and for the business itself. This will be a significant growth driver for the manufacturing services.
Again, I would like to express my gratitude to the OTOP MODA Manlilikha program in training young designers to hone their skills, with the help of veteran designers. This in turn will help MSMEs to differentiate, ang kasabihan nga ng isang marketing guru na si Jack Trout, “Differentiate or die.” Kahit ano pang negosyo, hindi lang ang MSMEs, they have to differentiate or die. This will lead to more innovation that will allow us to survive, thrive, and to grow further our businesses. Ang importanteng mga tanong kapag may negosyo, “Bakit bibilhin ang negosyo?,” “Ano ang differentiation mo?,” “Bakit ikaw ang bibilihan ko at hindi iba?”—these will really be the key to your success.
Gusto ko rin pasalamatan ang DTI regional and provincial directors na walang tigil sa pagserbisyo sa ating MSMEs nationwide. Araw-araw po silang lumalabas para magserbisyo sa taong bayan, sila Ms. Carissa Cruz Evangelista, ang Chairperson ng Philippine Fashion Coalition, and Jackie Aquino. Ipinaaabot ko rin ang aking pasasalamat sa mga designer mentor na talagang tumulong sa programang ito ng OTOP.”
