For the second time in its 10-year history, the Kapatid Mentor ME-Money Market Encounter (KMME-MME) business course is focused on a single sector – the coconut industry – for its second batch of entrepreneurs in 2026.
All present during the online program launch and orientation for Region 5 were the participants from Catanduanes: Gilda G. Bumanglaw of Ge-Ann Non-Food and Food Products based in Kilikilihan, San Miguel; Vicente T. Guerrero of Biong Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative in Gigmoto, represented by Vice Chairman Lorenzo Torillos; Marilyn U. Abrenica of Jansea’s Food Products of Tambongon, Viga; Abel M. Suarez of Carangag Farmers Association in San Andres; Jose Gregorio M. Almojuela of Pandan Farmers Agriculture Cooperative of Catamban, Pandan; Arlyn T. Martirez of Sioron Farmers Agrarian Reform Cooperative in Gigmoto; Anne E. Fernandez-Gianan of LSG Handicrafts Manufacturing in San Isidro Village, Virac; and Maria Cristy Teope of Bote-Carorian Coconut Farmers Agriculture in Bato.
They will attend weekly classes on the following modules: entrepreneurial mindsetting, marketing mind-set, business model canvas, operations management, digitalization, supply and value chain, good governance & ethics, market expansion and internationalization, product development, HR/organization management, and enterprise accounting/financial management.
Coaches will supervise the drafting and finalization of the BIP drafting, finalization and presentation, as well as the culmination and product exposition.
Present during the Catanduanes launch at the ARDCI Hotel Business Lounge were the DTI Catanduanes Provincial Office staff headed by Director Ma. Belma Q. Escueta while delivering their remarks online were Regional Director Dindo G. Nabol, Usec. Blesila A. Lantayona of the Regional Operations Group, and PCE-Go Negosyo Executive Director Anthony Patrick Chua.
The free business course for coconut industry entrepreneurs comes just a month after the DTI spearheaded the Coconut Conference – Usap Tayo (Market Updates & Opportunities) Year 5 at ARDCI Hotal last July 5, 2026 where coconut farmers associations, cooperatives and MSMEs using coconuts as raw materials participated.
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Here’s an update on the appeal filed by the camp of Bato Mayor Juan T. Rodulfo regarding the decision of RTC Branch 43 on the election protest that favored opponent Princess Vanessa A. Rodriguez.
The petition for certiorari, a reliable source told the Tribune, was supposed to have been filed with the Commission on Elections last Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, but confirmation could not be certain due to the flooding unleashed by the habagat on Metro Manila.
Although Rodriguez’s motion for execution pending appeal has been granted by Judge Irwin Peña, it will only take effect 20 days after, assuming that the Rodulfo camp is not able to secure a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) from the concerned COMELEC division handling the case.
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IT IS WORLD WAR III. The US has succeeded in building a computer able to solve any strategic or tactical problem. Military leaders are assembled in front of the ne machine and instructed to feed difficult tactical problems into it. They describe a hypothetical situation to the computer and then ask the pivotal question: attack or retreat? The computer hums away for an hour and then comes up with the answer.
“Yes.”
The generals look at each other, somewhat stupefied. Finally one of them submits a second request to the computer.
“Yes what?”
Instantly, the computer responds, “Yes Sir!”