25 th JCI Philippines Visayas Area Conference
Bigwigs in the Tourism and Business Industries keynote JCI Confab

Two of the most prominent names in tourism and business will be the keynote speakers during the 25 th Visayas Area Conference (Visarcon) of the Junior Chamber international Philippines (JCIP) on September 2-4, 2005 in Iloilo City. This is an annual gathering of young leaders and entrepreneurs from all over the Visayas with the theme: Entrepreneurship, Tourism and Camaraderie.

Salvador "Dong" Sarabia

Undersecretary for Security and Political Affairs Salvador “Dong” Sarabia, Jr. will keynote the Opening Ceremonies on Friday, September 2 at the Paseo Iloilo, Robinson's Place Iloilo. Sarabia, a native of Iloilo and a former JCI Iloilo member, owns the La Fiesta Hotel, one of the most popular hotels in Iloilo City. He was President and CEO of Sarabia Manor Hotel Corporation before he joined the government service as Assistant Secretary for Tourism Services and Regional Offices. During this period, he was in charge of special projects such as the Philippine Tourism Cup and the Philippine SOAP Award. At present, his office leads in the advocacy campaign for security awareness and tourism safety through the flagship project STOP or Security of Tourists Operation Program with the National Defense College of the Philippines. Likewise, the department tied-up with the JCIP and other organizations for the Philippines' TURISTA (The Universal Recognition in the Security of Tourist Awards) to give recognition to those who have made remarkable involvement in terms of protecting tourist safety.

On the other hand, Cebuano multi-awarded entrepreneur Jonathan Jay Adeguer will inspire JCIP delegates with his success story in the retail and other industries during the Awarding Ceremonies to be held at the Rotary Amphitheater, Provincial Capitol Grounds on September 3, 2005.

Jonathan Jay Aldeguer

Aldeguer, a self-made man, is the person behind the success of Island Souvenirs, a t-shirt company boasting of Filipino designs which today have over a hundred outlets nationwide. His global outlook has taken this Pinoy brand to Singapore, Japan, Macau and the US. He also introduced other brands such Bisaya Ispisyal and USA Sports which enjoyed the same marketing success. Banking on the triumph of his first brainchild, this young entrepreneur diversified into the publication and restaurant business and developed brands Cebu Magazine and Café Adriatico. An advocate of Philippine tourism, he also embraked into media and launched Cebu! TV, a 24-hour regional cable channel featuring his home province Cebu and its charming people.

Aldeguer is the youngest person to be awarded the prestigious TOYM (The Outstanding Young Men) for Business Entrepreneurship by then Pres. Fidel Ramos. His recent accolade is the Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry's Entrepreneur of the Year for Tourism awarded by Pres. Gloria Arroyo. He was also chosen by the British Council to represent the country at the International Young Design Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

With the presence of Sarabia and Aldeguer, the 25 th Visarcon will surely be an educational and rewarding experience for delegates as they converge in Iloilo City to exchange business ideas, foster linkages among chapters and develop lasting friendships with fellow JCI members.

Seminars lined up during the conference are JCI ACHIEVE: Chapter Development Program for current and incoming officers and A Brand New You: The Jaycee Make-over which tackles on Aura, Personal Protocol, Style and Grooming required of successful entrepreneurs and leaders. Other activities include: the JCI Public Speaking Competition which offers members the opportunity to showcase their abilities and to share ideas on issues of particular importance to fellow members; and the Iloilo Challenge: First Visayas Adventure Race which test the delegates' endurance and problem-solving skills as they explore the different district plazas looking for clues for their Challenge.

The 25 th Visarcon is hosted by the al-female JCIP Iloilo “Ilang-Ilang”. It is sponsored by City Square and Trade and Freedom Jeans in cooperation with Province and City of Iloilo, Province of Negros Occidental, Robinson's Place Iloilo, Skinea Facial Care Center, Pepsi, San Miguel, Consolidated Distillers of the Far East, Villa Suan Plu, As Mixx, Klub Kawayan, St. Yves, Mang Inasal, Globe Broadband, Globe Telecom, Light Tops, GMA TV 6, Campus Radio, News Today, Entrepreneur and Iloilo Premiere magazines.