There's a substance in nata de coco that can be transformed into wound dressing. Rice and mongo can be turned into snack food. A mom and pop dried fish operation can scale up. These three stories that when science meets entrepreneurial minds, success is possible.
The Department of Science and Technology on Thursday launched three three-volume "Science for Success: Stories of How Science and Technology Can Help Your Business" to help inspire creative business minds during the pandemic.
Science and Technology Sec. Fortunato dela Pena said the books could provide "possible solutions to expected scenarios like COVID-19." The pandemic and resulting lockdowns has shuttered much of business activity outside the house but gave home-based entrepreneurs the chance to meet evolving consumer needs.
"Science makes good business and good business means science," said Trade and Industry Sec. Ramon Lopez.
One of the books was co-authored by Robinsons Retail President and CEO Robina Gokongwei-Pe and her friend of 42 years, CLFG Capital Corp President Maret Bautista.
Gokongwei-Pe said she thought she was getting pranked when she received a message asking her to co-write the book with her friend. She said she was convinced that the project was "legit" over a dinner of Chinese food with Bautista and the DOST chief.
"The book is very relevant, especially today in the present environment, that compels people to be more creaitve to set up their own businesses," Gokongwei-Pe said. She said she learned much about starting a business from his late industrialist father, John Gokongwei Jr.
The Gokongwei group's retail arm works closely with small and medium enterprises, she said. "It is filled with very inspiring stories about pinoy entrepreneurs," she said of the book. "It is entrepreneurs that drive our nation and it is enterepreneurs that make our nation propserous."
Traveling the country to meet small busienssmen, Gokongwei-Pe said she and Bautista were "blown away by (their) ingenuity perseverance and indomintable spirit."
"We always went home with our hearts and tummies full," Bautista said, adding they also gathered enough material for a book on food.
The book will be available soon in bookstores and online.
