September 15-21, 2013—St. Paul University Iloilo (SPU Iloilo), College of Accountancy and Business (CAB) Department held its annual Entrepreneur Week or the CAB Week celebration. The event was headed by the advisers of the CAB organizations such as Paulinian Chamber of Commerce (PAULCEE) and Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA). Mr. Erwin Ursua, Paulcee CEO stated that the preparation for the said event lasted for two months. Planning and deliberation of activities are included in the preparation. Two weeks before the agreed date of the event, they started putting up these plans into actions. You can see that the whole university were filled with black and yellow banderitas, the three large cubes spelling out CAB were placed in the facade, and the Marian Lobby was redecorated.

On the first day of this event, the students first had their fund-raising activity where every group was tasked to raise money through selling different products. The same day, chosen students performed a flash mob on Plazuela aiming to promote the CAB department in SPU Iloilo. Students were given a chance to use their critical thinking skills through the Amazing Race. Each group was given Php50 as their starting money which they will use to go to different towns in Iloilo. In Lapaz market, their skills in endorsing products were tested. They were tasked to help some vendors in selling common goods. Mr. Ursua stated in an interview that one group even accomplished to get a total sale of Php20, 000 worth of products within merely 30 minutes.

On September 21, the Accountancy students also had a dinner with successful alumni of SPU Iloilo and the objectives of this event were for the students to get ideas on how to handle a business and to be more knowledgeable and understanding of the different business aspects and accounting principles. The various symposiums held was what most CAB students consider as the most important activity in the event. Ms. Amy Labis, a student of Business Administration major in Marketing Management, said, “The seminars helped me a lot because I learned a lot of things about business, on how to handle a business, how to run a business and how to improve your business.” Ms. Sherrie Mae Compas, another CAB student, stated, “Ang mga talks guid sang kalian-lain nga speakers ang nagtatak saakon. Labi na guid ang ginhambal sang isa ka speaker ‘Start small. Dream big.’ (I will never forget the talks of different speakers, especially what one speaker said ‘Start small. Dream Big’.)” Both of these students were also impressed of the young businessman (one of the speakers) who had started to stand a business at the age of 18.

During the CAB week, the students were not only involved in business activities. In fact, they also had the Literary Musical Activity wherein students were given a chance to show off their skills in dancing, extemporaneous speaking, and many more. Their skills in sports were also tested and were showed off in basketball and volleyball both for men and women. This event showed that the CAB department is also giving importance in developing not only their academics but also their talents.

By the end of the CAB Week, not only the CAB students who enjoyed the said event but also the different departments of SPU Iloilo even the CFP students. Ms. Therese Ramona Bolaño, a student from CFP-G said, “It was very enjoyable seeing the CAB students like they were professionals. It was like looking them as Future Business Professionals.”

This year’s CAB week was very significant to every CAB student as they not only enjoy the whole week but also they have honed their skills to be competent in business and acquired new ideas to be great professionals.

by Rholin Grace Bulan