Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

 

From Advertising to Corporate Admin to Banana Export

After 11 years of working in a corporate company, I resigned in my post as Junior Officer because I believed that I already served my time and there is a better opportunity for me out there.  I am thirsty for growth in a new environment so I went to Singapore with high hopes that I will land in a more fruitful job there.  Unfortunately, what I envision did not materialized because I did not expect that I need more time when applying and I no longer want to land in the same type of work environment.   At the same time, I was not informed of the numerous calls from various companies I applied with because I am already back in the Philippines.  I only knew about it when the one who should relay the messages to me apologized around 3-4 years later while on her deathbed (my sister-in-law’s mother).

To make the story short, I move forward by following my heart’s desire —

COMMODITY TRADING.  Although I have nothing except experience and skills, I capitalize on what I have and concentrate on my strength — computer and the internet.

Start-up:  Not for the Fainted Heart

I never worked in Singapore but I took advantage of the seminars when I was still there that equipped me with much needed information which helped me with the online trading business that I have now.  I was mentored by a Singaporean that I worked with daily over the net.  It did not start smooth as I was exposed to all sorts of clients including scammers, cheaters and manipulators.  Even with limited resources, I pursued online commodity trading by initially registering my business as sole proprietorship which I named Sembawang Trading.  The word sembawang is a residential area I stayed and was first exposed to international culture and trading.  I started utilizing Alibaba, Tradekey and other known commodity trading sites.  I was first mentored in Crude Oil and Scrap trading but I later shifted to Cavendish Banana.  I instantly get an importer-buyer from Lebanon.  I easily adapted to the paper works and art requirement because I both have backgrounds in office work and creative advertising.  But I did not expect that my partner will manipulate what I work hard for and cheat both me and my buyer.  It resulted to legal issues because even the shipping company sued my partner.  Thank God I was not included.

I have to move forward so I continued.  One thing about me is I am an idea sponge. I was cheated but I make it a point to learn the ins and out of the business and was able to document some of the procedures and documents needed. Tough at first but I stood again and re-position my self and my company as temporary Agent-Company/Consulting firm.  Since then I was able to facilitate numerous export of cavendish banana and other agriculture products to these countries (latest downward):

– China (pending, awaiting for the new box and label I am introducing)

– Singapore

– Vladivostok Russia

– Bulgaria

– Iran

– Bahrain

– Egypt

– Saudi Arabia

– Dubai

– Dubai

I simultaneously did other task related to product sourcing, area survey, feasibility study and business plan maker, consultant, etc.

Last year I was given the chance to establish and Farm and Export Company for an American Holdings Firms.  My self and my wife literally establish everything from scratch.  The American Investor just provide the initial funds.  But when the company is already ready, there is no longer funds due issues the American has with his partners and his company.  My ready feasibility study and business plan and the photo documentation I captured has been used to raised funds.  I work-out an export deal to Kuwait that started the export.   The start-up was imperfect but it became the stepping stone of the company where it is right now.  Everything was so stressful that I don’t felt the Christmas spirit.  What makes it harder than expected is my wife’s breast cancer —  actively growing.  At the same time, we were told to take care of the house and family of the Filipina wife of the American.  Tough but I survive.

Balancing the equation, I decided to resign.  I chose my wife over the future earnings.   I decided to revive my company and now Sembawang Trading is on its feet again with high hopes and aspiration to elevate its status as Exporter from a mere agent-trading company.  The rest is history but I won’t deny the fact that I am now seeking an Investor to maximize its full potential.  Everybody knows that this business is a money making machine if given the funding for start-up and initial cash flow.

EXPORT OPERATION

Cavendish Banana Plantation area where harvest are done.  

I have people guarding and supervising  harvesters.  We call it “Live Cut”… a term we use which means our representative will  tell which area and bananas to harvest as there are technicalities involve and to avoid unfit bananas to be packed.

Transport of bananas from plantation are to processing/packing house via a railing system

Processing and Packing (Packing House) 

(should be done right after harvest)

As our loyalty is to our clients, we have Quality Inspectors at packing house who guard quality, sizes, weight and calibration.  We also assign Supervisors of Quality Inspectors and I check them.

 Hauling

(transporting of packed bananas to loading site where Container van are park waiting to be filled-in)

Sampling Inspection at Loading Site

Before we allow packed bananas to be carried inside the Container van, we undergo Random Sampling Inspection to counter check everything.  All are recorded and verified on site.

If packed bananas do not pass our Samplers’ Standard, we declassify or order the delivery truck to bring them back to farm (unfit to be delivered due to found reasons).

Loading Site

(There should be a facility other aside from parking and roof cover (e.g. uninterrupted  electrical plug in, temperature checker, loader crew, lighting and support food to stay-in workers).  Loading are commonly done

in the evening to be protected from effects of sunlight

Hustling, Transporting of Container van to designated Sea Port

(there should be cut-off time, proper seal lock and paper works coordination)

This business is undoubtedly a money making machine but it needs your investment to maximize its full potential.  It seek from US$3,000. to US$30,000. to invest on facility and required permits and licenses.  In a matter of months, it can pay ROI to investors as there is always buyers  and our system is low risk, simplified and cost-effective.  Just a few weeks ago, the proponent was invited to Macau China for a possible long term export deal.  Other clients are interested (e.g. Malaysian, Kuwaiti, German, etc.)

You may email the proponent directly at sembawangtrading.co@gmail.com

Images of my recent Macau trip

They say it’s like Las Vegas in Asia. Maybe.

As I already been to Singapore and Malaysia, I easily adapt and blend to the culture and environment, especially that I am an Asian my self.  Not totally the same but there are similarities in many aspect of architecture, culture and how tourism is managed. The language and images of people’s faces are dominantly Chinese but the architecture seem to have strong European influences particularly the old homes and structures along residential areas.

Although the main purpose of my trip is business meetings, I obviously explore more the architectural structures.  Allow me to show the photographs I have taken:

Grand Lisboa Hotel & Casino, view from the park

Upper part of Grand Lisboa Hotel & Casino

Grand Lisboa on the other side

Upper part of Grand Lisboa Hotel & Casino in the evening

Main entrance of Grand Lisboa Hotel Casino

Below are Grand Lisboa main hall wealthy grandeur interior

 

All of the above are from Grand Lisboa Hotel Casino main Hall interior

Old Lisboa Hotel main entrance

Grand Lisboa building top portion

Other side of Old Lisboa Hotel Casino

Old Lisboa Hotel Casino top area in the evening

Dancing Fountain in front of  Wynn Hotel Casino at the heart of Macau

 One interior area of Wynn Hotel Casino

One interior ceiling area of Wynn Hotel Casino

At the side of Wynn Hotel Casino

Wynn Hotel side view from the park

Wynn Hotel front view, view from another side.

Another view of Wynn Hotel Casino

One spots inside Wynn

Wynn in the evening

Wynn Hotel again upon sun set

One of the buildings near Grand Lisboa and Wynn

View to the center Oval area near to Grand Lisboa and other Skyskapers

Glass Sculpture Structure at the oval center area

Limousine

View of Grand Lisboa from other side

Park area

Underground walk way with glass sculptured structure entrance/exit

Benches at the park view to Wynn and other skyskapers

Above and below photos are the interior of Old Mansion, as the guard says

Above and below photos are the interior of Old Mansion, as the guard says

Below are various places, structure and other thing you can see in Macau:

Below are various spots and areas in the famous Venetian Hotel Casinos (feast of the eye)

Below are buildings, hotels and structures fronting Venetian

(City of Dreams)

There’s more!  Macau is a feast to the eye and the camera lenses.

Craft and other Ideas that reminds the true meaning of Christmas

Commercialism evolve so fast and most of the times, it hid reasons why a particular season or occasion exist.  Christmas is one perfect example.

Out of my curiosity, I was able to found some creative approach to Christmas… without sacrificing the meaning.

I am not against glitters and ornamental display but hope people will not forget that it is also important to include the things that reminds all of us especially the next generation what Christmas is really all about.  In spite of  Christmas commercialism, there are those who still display their beliefs.  Some even innovate and show their creativity.  Below are some I found that can serve as fuel for ideas:

I

Note: The writer of this blog does claim ownership to the images.  Photos are excerpt from Google Images