Mentor Mike Launches Books on Life, Entrepreneurship with Purpose

Mentor Mike aka Dr. Michael V. Maranan, LCB, MMLSM, DBA, DHUM just got his books released. It's a collection of his experiences in the lines of building businesses, education and mentoring. He is the man behind Windfreight Express Total Logistics Incorporated and 88 Sunfreight Express Corporation, and is its President and CEO. He wears many hats as a licensed Customs Broker, Professor, Public Speaker and Entrepreneur. He also got his DBA in Thames, and his Master's in Logistics and Supply Chain in PCU. He also got his Honorary Doctors of Humanities from United College of Brazil, plus a recognition from Lyceum Batangas as an Outstanding Alumnus. It has always been his dream to have education accessible for all which is why he wants to educate, empower and inspire others especially those who are already good at their craft (professionals and leaders). 

His Books: 

From Eight to Infinity: Secret Stories and Lessons from the life of Dr. Mike Maranan is more of a memoir, where he explains his experiences from when he started to the time he was leading corps. 

Confessions of a Licensed Customs Broker is about how to weave through the complicated world of customs brokerage. He gives practical ways if you are doing a venture like his and will show you have leadership, perseverance, discipline and faith could help you make it a successful one. 

The Business That Fits You and the Tagalog version "Ang Negosyong Swak Sayo Challenge" on the other hand will give you excellent entrepreneurship advice, and how to sustain trend driven businesses so you can make it into a long term one through building practical plans and framework. He wants it to be understood and digested easily by Filipinos and dedicate it to aspiring ones including importers, exporters, pros and students across the country. It won't be just theoretical as he made sure to include his real life experiences, tells you straight what would be profitable or not. Show you the ropes too. 

Here's some clips from the event a few days ago:

The event was also graced by some of Mentor Mike's celebrity friends who swear by the practical tips they got from the books he put out. 

The books are currently available via his website mentormikebooklaunch.com or his social media channels. You can also expect the release to be done in digital shopping apps and platforms very soon. 

(Photos and videos on this article are from Rain de Ocampo of Raincheck, covering for KUMAGCOW.COM)

Wipro Acquires Philippines S Brands Consumer Care Inc.

Companies are getting bigger by the minute and that's including the folks from WIPRO and consumer brand S Brands Consumer Care Incorporated, makers of Keratin Plus, AlcoPlus and their affiliated products (Empress Shampoo, Grips Ignite Body Sprays, DEOPlus deodorants, Fiona Cologne and more!).

The event was attended by their executives Dwarakanath Ayengar, Arun Giridhar, Prabhat Garg, Maansi Gagroo, Amit Dawn, Nagender Arya, Dick Sy Ong, Sharon Yu Ong, Teodorico Jimenez, Romel Hipolito and Rosario Aquino.

Mr. Dick Sy Ong of S Brands says "S Brands is growing and Wipro has the record to get that going. I see their leadership, and see the heart, we believe in the same thing. Every success we celebrate today is because of you. We thank our consumers, and this is the beginning of a new chapter. The best is yet to come."

Nagender Arya of Wipro Consumer Care adds "Welcome everyone, to our partners who made this possible. Putting your trust in us made us all excited. We at Wipro are very diversified, we are already 81 years old, initially an IT services provider, listed in NY and Mumbai, but we are also in consumer products in India, US and large markets. We also have charity initiatives which works in the rural and poor area of India, all for a noble cause. Wipro and Consumer Care and Lighting is now present in Southeast Asia, China, Africa and over 60 countries. We started as a cooking oil company and now have 37 brands. We have grown 36 times in 25 years, all because of the amazing teams and partners we have in these areas. It has helped us be global, and today our partnership with S Brands makes this the 16th one, we welcome them especially with Keratin Plus, AlcoPlus, Grips, DeoPlus, Empress, Fiona Cologne, we have creative campaigns ready as part of our smart marketing. Our plans for the country is complementing what we have in Wipro, it expands our footprint here and makes us ready for other markets, making it possible to get the brands to Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, South China and Hong Kong markets where we are present."

Then they signed the pact in front of the media, answered questions about the benefits of having S Brands becoming part of Wipro and vice versa. S Brands has local influence, they also have a good presence in the Philippines and will take advantage of bringing in what they have and do the same for the hygiene category, a strong market in the Philippines.

They also said the Philippines is the 4th largest market in Asia and is a very young and bullish market. S Brands also saw their culture, R&D and they just clicked. Being in the consumer care business, they have similar values, sort of aligned. They have the passion and way of working. Product development will be easy, they would work side by side to grow, which means more products for Filipino consumers. Retail partners and distributors can expect a rapid growth rate, and they will be happy about the experience they will get. They will have more exposure for the international markets. It will benefit all. 

They are also delving into AI, and since they are also in the tech business, they will adapt and use it for their advantage. Marketing, campaigns, all will be done by that in the future. People will also be trained, make their work enhanced, included in the roadmap they designed with consumer analysis and social media work. 

Can't wait to see everything happen soon! Congratulations!!

FFCCCII Launches 2nd Short Form Video Comp for "Operation Barrio Schools"

The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. or FFCCCII just recently announced their 2nd TikTok Video Competition with this year's theme: A Classroom For Every Dream (How FFCCCII Barrio Schools Have Improved Lives). 

The occasion was attended by FFCCCII President Victor Lim and his fellow FFCCCII officers Mr. Jayson Size, Mr. Peter Mangasing (Co-Chairman of Youth Integrated Committee), Mr. Reynold Sy the FFCCCII Vice President, Mr. Eddie Cobankiat (Chair Public Information and Media Committee) and Kamuning Bakery Owner and Journalist Wilson Flores. 

After the successful contest last year, they're gearing to get more people to join in this 2026 edition. For those who don't know, the organization has already built over 6,500 since 1961 and have been able to help countless students to finish their studies in different regions across the Philippines. 

This is open to Filipinos, 13 yo and above. Entries should be 1-2 minutes short, shot vertically with English Subtitles featuring FFCCCII Barrio School experience, impact or topic. You may upload this privately or through QR codes then tag @FFCCCII.official and use the hashtags #FFCCCIIBarrioSchools on May 5 - 15th this year. Total cash prize amount to 850,000 pesos and the Grand Prize is Php 120,000!

Mr. Victor Lim says "We at FFCCCII would like to encourage Filipinos especially the young ones to join our competition. Our organization's flagship project Operation Barrio Schools is part of Filipino Chinese tradition and we hope to showcase these to spark hope and see progress in communities."

The competition will be set in 2 categories #MyFFCCCIIBarrioSchoolJourney and #TheFFCCCIIBarrioSchoolsStory. Deadline for entries is on May 15th. So if you are a budding content creator or story teller, you've got to join this on the black app! Category A will be for currently enrolled students, teachers and school employees. Category B will be for content creators (pro or non pro, please scan QR for complete mechanics).

Here's the press conference on video, please enjoy!