FACCOC To Co-Host 2nd Private-Sector Led Philippine Investment Roadshow in Orange County, California

Online, April 7, 2013 (Newswire.com) - The Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County (FACCOC) and The Council on Trade and Investment for Filipino-Americans (COTIFA)are honored to host the 2nd Philippine Investment Roadshow on APRIL 23, 2013, from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Westin South Coast Plaza, 686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa, California.

FACCOC and COTIFA will roll out the red carpet to welcome to Orange County distinguished speakers led by His Excellency JOSE L. CUISIA, JR. , Republic of the Philippines Ambassador to the United States, HON. MARIA HELLEN BARBER-DE LA VEGA , Consul General, Philippine Consulate General Los Angeles and MR. ARCHIMEDES C. GOMEZ Trade Representative of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center Los Angeles.

Top Philippine Business Delegation will deliver the latest briefings on macroeconomic and political developments in Asia, Financial and Investments, Infrastructure, Construction and Real Estate, BPO, KPO and IT, Mining, and Human Resources.

BERNARDO M. VILLEGAS, Ph.D., Economist; Professor, University of Asia and the Pacific

FRANCISCO SEBASTIAN, Chairman, First Metro Investment Corporation

ISIDRO A. CONSUNJI, President, DMCI Holdings, Inc.

RAINERIO "BONG" BORJA, President & Country Head, EGS Philippines

BENJAMIN PHILIP ROMUALDEZ, President, Chamber of Mines, Philippines; CEO, Benguet Corp.

JESUS M. ZULUETA, JR., Chairman, ZMG Ward Howell

DAN LACHICA, PHd. President, Semiconductors and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc.

This investment roadshow is open to Fortune 500 companies, business owners and investors. It comes at an opportune time for the Philippines as Fitch Ratings recently declared the Philippines "Investment Grade," the first-ever such rating achieved by the country from a major western credit rating agency.

In a statement, the credit rating agency upgraded the Philippine sovereign's long-term foreign currency rating to 'BBB-' from 'BB+', and its long-term local currency to 'BBB' from 'BBB-', with a 'stable' outlook on both ratings. Fitch Ratings is the first of the three major western credit rating agencies to upgrade the Philippines to investment grade status. This is a strong vote of confidence for the Philippines and a sign of recognition that the economic, financial and good governance reforms implemented by Philippine President Benigno Aquino III's administration are working.

As co-host of this illustrious event the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County (FACCOC) is also holding its popular Fourth Annual "Secrets to Success" in the evening after the Philippine Investment Roadshow. This highly popular annual event brings together inspiring Filipino American entrepreneurs who will share their secrets to building a successful business. This year they feature young, successful Filipino American entrepreneurs.

THE Speakers for Secrets to Success: Young, dynamic, energetic

MENDRICK LEELIN is the co-founder and CEO of Yojie Japanese Fondue chain of restaurants.Yojie has become the most popular Shabu Shabu specialty restaurant in the country winning a number awards and attracting an impressive celebrity clientele. Yojie has shown an impressive growth, despite harsh economic times and has become the first franchising Shabu Shabu restaurant in the country under Mendrick's leadership.

MIA MCLEOD is the President of McLeod & Associates. Having opened her company at the age of 22, freshly after graduating from UC Berkeley in 2004, she is now celebrating the company's 8th year anniversary, along with having over 50 real estate agents and affiliates. A Survivor and Thriver of the Real Estate crash, she was also recognized by the National Association of Realtors and by Realtor Magazine in 2008 at the age of 25 as one of the 30 under 30 honorees nationwide, representing the only Fil-Am among her peers.

JAY BALDEMOR is a creative visionary, inventor, designer and entrepreneur currently focused on expanding the global reach of his company, Gruv Gear, which designs and builds innovative utility products and accessories for the Music and Photography industries. Within 3 short years, the company has landed distribution deals in USA, Japan, Germany, Australia, India, and Lebanon, and currently ships daily to adoring fans and customers worldwide. Jay is also an internet veteran in product management and enterprise web development, and a patent holder with Yahoo Inc. for his work on developing a new mobile application in 2000.

MARY GRACE LAGASCA is the executive director of InJoy Life Resources, Inc. Mary Grace and her husband Jason are the social entrepreneurs behind InJOY. Having just opened their second facility, InJOY has quadrupled its capacity in less than 6 years. Combining their experience in both business and ministry, they are advocates for changing the way people - especially the church - view persons with disabilities. It is their passion and desire to bring their work with InJOY oversees. Their most recent and greatest achievement thus far is their 5-month-old son Luke.

THE Moderator: Positive, encouraging, empowering.

EMMA TIEBENS, "The Relational Marketer", is an Amazon best-selling author, empowerment speaker, corporate trainer, clarity coach and brand marketing strategist. Her best selling book, "Magnetic Memorable and TRUSTED" book, helps entrepreneurs, service professionals and corporations to go from invisible best-kept secret to highly visible and trusted online authorities. Her audio book, "Think, Feel and Grow Rich: 5 Simple Steps to Sustainable Success, Satisfaction and Significance" has helped hundreds of people get clear on their life's mission and message, and live an optimized life of continued joy, inspiration and purpose.

The Program for the entire day

PART I - PHILIPPINE INVESTMENT ROADSHOW
feat. Philippine Business Delegation
Hosted by COTIFA and FACCOC

9:30-10:00 Registration and Coffee/Tea
10:00-11:30 General Session; Q&A
11:30-12:00 Networking and Photo Op
12:00-1:00 VIP Luncheon
1:00-2:00 Roundtable Discussion
2:00-4:00 Break/Refresh

RSVP to the Philippine Investment Roadshow can be made at:

http://april2013cotifa.eventbrite.com

PART II - 4th ANNUAL SECRETS TO SUCCESS
feat. Young Filipino American Entrepreneurs
Hosted by FACCOC

4:00 - 5:30 Registration and Table Showcase
5:30 - 6:30 Reception and Networking
6:30 - 8:00 Secrets to Success Program featuring

Young Filipino-American Entrepreneurs
"How I (We) Made 6...7...8-Figure Business"

MENDRICK LEELIN, CEO/Founder - Yojie Japanese Fondue
MIA MCLEOD, CEO/President - McLeod & Associates Real Estate Brokers
MARY GRACE LAGASCA, Owner/Executive Director - InJoy Life Resources, Inc.
JAY BALDEMOR, President/Founder - GruvGear.com

RSVP to "Secrets To Success" can be made at:
http://april2013faccoc.eventbrite.com

The Philippine Investment Roadshow is generously sponsored by Ogletree Deakins. Interested attendees and exhibitors can register for this event through [url:http://april2013cotifa.eventbrite.com]

For additional inquiries please contact by email:

[email protected]