CIE Launches Pearl Principle, Ang Bagong Pinoy in Cebu

The Centre for International Education in Partnership with Ang Bagong Pinoy launched the Pearl Principle and the first local chapter of Ang Bagong Pinoy at the Riga Room of the Cebu Waterfront Hotel last June 23, 2006.

Ernesto "Boogie" Boydon, President of Ang Bagong Pinoy opened the forum by welcoming guests and speakers. Mr. Boydon introduced the Pearl Principle, Ang Bagong Pinoy, to the audience, its history, goals and its vision. Ang Bagong Pinoy is a community of Filipinos all over the world seeking to build a better Philippines by starting within themselves--one Filipino at a time. It aims to recover, nurture and advance the Filipino identity, promote good citizenship, and inspire in the Filipinos the love, pride, and appreciation of their Filipino identity. Ang Bagong Pinoy will dedicate the Filipino identity for the spiritual, cultural, social, and economic advancement of the Filipino nation.

Prof. Nelia Cruz-Sarcol,Founder and CEO of the Centre for International Education or CIE, talked about the Pearl Principle. She started the Pearl Principle Movement a year and a half ago in Manila. She organized a conference of more than 400 participants at the Manila Intercontinental Hotel. She never realized that it would grow into an online group and get organized in the size that it is now of more than 2000 Fiilpinos all over the world. Prof. Sarcol talked about the need to find the leadership within our selves to create the much-needed change within a Filipino's sphere of influence. She declared that man has been waging an unseen war of finding the will to change from within. Prof. Sarcol ended her talked with the hope that the Pearl Principle will evolve into a unifying ideology for the New Filipino.

The talked entitled "A Pinoy Culture of Peace and Excellence" delivered by Lt. Col. Joey Forteza, a Pearl Principle Fellow and an active member of the Philippine Air Force was a very scholarly discussion of aspects of culture as it is viewed by the military minds and security specialists all over the world. Lt. Col. Fortaleza moves from the simple perspective of a glass half full and half empty to the different "isms" that have shaped politics and economics around the different parts of the globe. He ended his talked with vision that we can evolve and even drive a culture not only appropriate for the Filipino but a culture that can be a light beyond the Far East.

Another Pearl Principle Fellow, Jay O. Tabaña, Outreach Leadership Trainor of the Lighthouse Christian Outreaches and Communities, talked about the "Next Generation Social Entrepreneurs" in the Philippines in the coming years. Mr. Tabaña sounded out the many family names of prominent Cebuanos who shaped the development and economy of Cebu and emphasized that most of them continue to participate in Cebu's economy through the new generation of entrepreneurs. The speaker discussed how the next generation of Cebuanos and Filipinos in general, will evolve from a purely profit-centered businessperson to a social entrepreneur. He believes that the next generation of entrepreneurs will become more conscious of social issues and will use their businesses to respond to these social issues.

The last speaker was the Executive Director of the Pearl Principle, Virgilio Y Paralisan of the Centre for International Education. Mr. Paralisan went directly to the introduction of the concept developed by CIE called the Entrepreneurial Development Management Model. He presented the typical model of development for most organizations and the eventual outcome of their programs. Mr. Paralisan presented the Entrepreneurial Development Management Model as a solution to most of the development initiatives whether by government or by community organizations. The concept is based on a model that an enterprise is a better delivery vehicle for any action in the community whether it is for profit or for social action. This is the model that is followed by social enterprises built on the Pearl Principle.

Pearl Principle Enterprises respond to a social need. It is managed professionally. It has a successful model and a plan based on CIE's own success. Pearl Principle Enterprises lend themselves to replication. These social enterprises are created to be profitable and hence sustainable.

More than thirty participants to the forum were inducted by Ernesto "Boogie" Boydon, President of Ang Bagong Pinoy, before the forum ended. The induction happen right after the forum because the participants requested that they be inducted on that very occasion. The forum ended with prizes raffled off to lucky participants of the forum. The newly inducted members of the Ang Bagong Pinoy will have their first membership meeting on July 1, 2006, at the Centre for International Education.

Get details of the meeting from Virgilio Paralisan or Malou Tan-Wong by calling (6332) 4127622 or 2332566.

The Pearl Principle Business Model: The Entrepreneurial Development Management

The Current Situation:

In the Philippines, at least 50 million people consider themselves poor. (Philippine Daily Inquirer, June 2, 2006).

Seven in ten Filipinos (70%) say their personal circumstance worsened over the last year, while 83% are of the opinion that the national quality of life of most Filipinos and their families is worse now than it was a year ago. (Pulse Asia, March 2006)

On the other hand, the state of Philippine education is bleak. 9.2 million out of 57.6 million Filipinos aged 10 to 64 years cannot read, write, subtract and add, or understand simple instructions. (Philippine Daily Inquirer, June 5, 2006)

Our Answer: Social Entrepreneurship

Social entrepreneurs are Generative Leaders who combine business savvy with social mission. They are P.E.A.R.L.S.: Passionate, Ethical, Action-oriented, Results-focused, Leaders of Society.

They lead, inspire, create a vision and engage people to generate something from within themselves, thereby, fundamentally changing communities. Social entrepreneurs are catalysts of change.

Social entrepreneurs, Bill Drayton says, “are not content just to give a fish or teach how to fish. They will not rest until they have revolutionized the fishing industry.”

The CIE Six High Impact Programmes (S.H.I.P.)
In line with its vision to become a veritable institution who champions the upliftment of the quality of human life, CIE takes up as its social mission the challenge of confronting our country’s problem of illiteracy and poverty. CIE espouses the Pearl principle advocating the ideology of “initiating change from within and within one’s sphere of influence” in order to “transform a state of hopelessness into a state of optimism where opportunities are created as in the creation of a pearl.” CIE has chosen social engagement and the Pearl Principle as the anchor of its social entrepreneurship programmes.

CIE captains the SHIP in spearheading the creation of Social Enterprises to address problems in illiteracy and poverty. The SHIP is an acronym for Six High Impact Programmes of CIE putting into action tenets of the Pearl Principle. These are viable and sustainable development programmes that can be undertaken by NGOs, POs, cooperatives and like-minded individuals including CIE students who dare to engage in this mission as partners.

CIE, believing that everyone is an active learner who creates meaning not only through theory but more importantly through practice, has in fact required its own students to be advocates of the PEARL Principle. Graduating classes in high school and college engage in projects that actually help alleviate the life of a disadvantaged family. They teach families life-skills to earn, manage and sustain themselves to truly improve their quality of life.

CIE S.H.I.P. shall turn adversities into opportunities by creating Social Enterprises undertaken not as acts of charity but as processes of reciprocity so that it may ultimately create an intrinsic value to the community that CIE serves.

Entrepreneurial Development Management (EDM)
Traditional sources of funding are becoming scarce. Donor-fatigue syndrome is mounting because of global recession and economic crisis.

The EDM model dares to help eradicate poverty and illiteracy by creating social enterprises undertaken NOT as acts of charity, but processes of reciprocity, ultimately creating an intrinsic value to the community it serves. The EDM Business Model is self-generating because it has a mechanism for internal resource generation.

The main requirement is PASSION for social engagement to make a difference in the pursuit of nation building.

No license fee is required.

The Ship support package to launch your journey towards social entrepreneurship

• Affiliation and support from established reputable private schools.
• High Standard Curriculum
• Quality Assurance from GEQ
• Comprehensive Training Program
• Management Consulting Support from GEQ
• Standardised Operations Manual
• Assistance in site improvement
• Consulting support on Finance Management and Fund Generation
  

The Pearl Principle: Social Entrepreneurship

Combining the very best of the not-for-profit, philanthropic world with the very best of the for-profit, enterprising world...

The Current Situation
Billions of private funds have been poured, directly or indirectly into the public school system to improve the quality of education. Yet, the deterioration continues.

The state of Philippine education is bleak. Official statistics from the Department of Education reveals that 9.2 million out of 57.6 million Filipinos aged 10 to 64 years cannot read, write, subtract and add, or understand simple instructions.

Our answer: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS

They are Generative Leaders who combine savvy with social mission. They are P.E.A.R.L.S.: Passionate, Ethical, Action-oriented, Results-focused, Leaders of Society.

They lead, inspire, provide a vision and engage people to create something of themselves, thereby, fundamentally changing communities. Social entrepreneurs are catalysts of change.

Bill Drayton defines a social entrepreneur as someone who recognizes when a part of society is STUCK, and provides new ways to get it UNSTUCK. He finds what is not working and solves the problem by changing the system, spreading the solution and persuading entire societies to take quantum leaps.

Social entrepreneurs, Drayton adds, "are not content just to give a fish or teach how to fish. They will not rest until they have revolutionized the fishing industry."

However, social entrepreneurs are like other entrepreneurs. They look for "irritants" in the environment and convert these into opportunities. They do this mainly as a social mission, with the savvy of "combining the very best of the not-for-profit, philanthropic world with the very best of the for-profit, enterprising world" (Bill Strickland, "Genius at Work"). They pursue their goals with the same fervor and discipline as any true blue entrepreneur.

Our Solution: THINKING OUT-OF-THE-BOX

What if, the not-for-profit and the for-profit organizations work together to address this problem?

The NGOs, POs, cooperatives or individuals can get together to take up the challenge and set up an alternative parallel school system. This concept is called the Pearl Principle Formation School (PPFS) System. PPFS System is established in support of public school but planned, led, organized and coordinated for quality by the people, of the people, for the people. We can begin by establishing a program from Kindergarten until Grade 2.

The Pearl Principle Formation School System
The first 6 years in a child's life, the early childhood stage, is the most crucial because it is within this period that the foundation of one's PERSONHOOD is laid out. The PPFS System offers pre-school education with a strong bias on Reading and Comprehension, Writing, Mathematics and English as a Second Language.

The PPFS System uses a curriculum validated by a system-wide Quality Assurance, known as Global Examinations and Qualifications (GEQ). Designed by curriculum experts from leading private schools, less privileged students are assured of better quality education. It is administered using a curriculum that is consistent with quality standards, and supported by first-rate teacher training offered at a very affordable cost.

The Business Model
Traditional sources of funding are becoming scarce. Donor-fatigue syndrome is mounting because of global recession and economic crisis.

The ultimate goal is to have the parallel school system attain self-sufficiency while increasing its social impact. This is achieved by massively promoting Social Entrepreneurship to operate as many Pearl Principle Formation Schools as possible in urban as well as rural areas.

The main requirement is the passion for social engagement to make a difference in the development of our country. NO LICENSE FEE is required.

The Challenge
How many of us will dare find the gift within ourselves and actually turn it into something positive? How many of us can find and honor our strength and flexibility with the inner power to create and succeed rather than break apart?

Engage with us in this mission - for love of country. Together, let us build a better future for Filipinos through quality education.

WHAT YOU NEED TO HAVE
PPFS Requirement

* Passion for social engagement to make a difference in the development of our country.

* A minimum land area of 200 sq. m. situated in lower middle class communities with provisions for at least 2 classrooms at 45 sq. m. per classroom.

WHAT YOU GET
PPFS Support Package

* Affiliation and support froM established reputable private schools
* High Standard Curriculum
* Quality Assurance from GEQ
* Comprehensive Training Program
* Management consulting support from GEQ
* Standardized Operations Manual
* Assistance in site improvement
* Consulting support on Finance Management

The Pearl Principle is an ideology of positive change. It states that one has to initiate change from within and within one's sphere of influence. It is an advocacy of transforming a state of hopelessness into a state of optimism where opportunities are created as in the creation of a pearl.

Attend the PPFS ORIENTATION on August 12, 2006, 10:00 a.m., at the 10/F Cordova Condominium Valero corner Sedeño Streets, Salcedo Village, Makati City

Call: Manila Telefax (02) 8889999
Direct Line (02) 8923088

Cebu Telefax (032) 2332522
Direct Line (032) 4127633

An Invitation to Every Filipino Who Wants To Make A Difference

The Centre for International Education in Partnership with “Ang Bagong Pinoy” would like to invite every Filipino who would like to contribute to the goals of alleviating poverty and improving our national literacy to a gathering of Pearl Advocates entitled:

The Pearl Principle:
Positive Action Through “Ang Bagong Pinoy”

Speakers:

“The Pearl Principle”
Professor Nelia Cruz-Sarcol
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Centre for International Education

“A Pinoy Culture of Peace and Excellence”
Lt. Col. Joey Forteza
Pearl Principle Fellow
Philippine Airforce, AFP

“Next Generation Social Entrepreneurs”
Jay O. Tabana
Pearl Principle Fellow
Lighthouse Christian Outreaches and Communities

“The Pearl Principle Business Model:
Entrepreneurial Development Management”
Virgilio Y. Paralisan
Executive Director
Pearl Principle

June 23, 2006, 1:00 P.M.
Riga Room, Cebu Waterfront Hotel
Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City

Please visit the CIE Pearl Principle Booth June 21-23, 2006 at the Cebu Waterfront Hotel.

One (1) unit computer, One (1) unit printer, MP3 players and T-shirts will be raffled off to lucky guests. Bring your business card and a valid identification card.

The Pearl Principle Formation School Goes Mainstream at the Cebu Business Month

The Pearl Principle Formation School, one of the Six High Impact Programs or SHIP of the Centre for International Education or CIE, will be launch into the mainstream of civil society during the Cebu Business Month InTourPreneur Exhibition, this June 21-23, 2006, at the Cebu Waterfront Hotel. CIE invested in two 3 meters by 3 meters exhibit booths in the event (Booth C07 & C08).

The Pearl Principle Formation School is an alternative parallel school system offering pre-school education with a strong bias for Reading & Comprehension, Writing, Mathematics and English as a Second Language. It is initially making available the pre-school license to the public for a nominal fee.

The Pearl Principle Formation Schools or simply Pearl Principle Schools are schools providing pre-school, formal elementary and high school education to children of economically disadvantaged family by delivering a world-class curriculum within socialized tuition fee rates.


The Pearl Principle School is a system. It is a socialized educational system that allows any not-for-profit or non-government organization and even government instrumentalities to set up a Basic Education Program in any community. The system provides support for faculty training and development, a license to a proven system of teaching, financial and school management system, and consulting services to aid organizations in setting up the school in their
community.

The Pearl Principle. Copyright Centre for International Education. All rights reserved.

The Pearl Principle: Social Entrepreneurs

There were seven (7) problems of the country brought up and discussed in the Pearl Principle National Conference last September 28-29, 2004. These were the issues on poverty, unemployment/underemployment, peace and order, the deteriorating standards in education, corruption, over-population and our national “identity crisis.”

The participants presented possible solutions followed by the usual debates. Most of the proposed solutions were “top-to-bottom” strategies. We are not saying we do not need change at the top. We are in total agreement that we do- but we must be able to do more from where we are standing right now.

The Pearl Principle believes in a “bottom-to-top” approach. This will ensure a solid footing for any long-term change to be sustained. This begins with change from within and within one’s sphere of influence.

However, what kind of people can take on the Herculean task of solving such problems in their level within their spheres of influence--- without political power and/or unlimited resources? We will need people with “inexhaustible determination” to persist and endure the long and difficult journey of such transformation.

A Savvy with Social Mission

Our answer: We need SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS who are Generative Leaders possessing characteristics of P.E.A.R.L.S. (Passionate, Ethical, Action-oriented, Results-focused, Leaders of Society).

They can lead, inspire, provide a vision, as well as engage people to create something of themselves, thereby, fundamentally changing communities. Social entrepreneurs are catalysts of change. Pearl Principle advocates are social entrepreneurs.

Bill Drayton defines the job of a social entrepreneur as someone who recognizes when a part of society is STRUCK and can solves the problem by changing the system, spreading the solution and persuading entire societies to take quantum leaps.

He said, “Social entrepreneurs are not content just to give a fish or teach how to fish. They will not rest until they have revolutionized the fishing industry.”

Social entrepreneurs, however, are just like other entrepreneurs. They also look for “irritants” in the environment and convert these into opportunities. They do this mainly as a social mission, with the savvy of “combining the very best of the not-for-profit, philanthropic world with the very best of the for-profit, enterprising world,” (Bill Strickland, “Genius at Work”). They pursue their goals with the same fervor and discipline as any true blue-blooded entrepreneur.

Pearl Schools

The Pearl Principle advocates, after a series of monthly meetings, have proposed to address one of the issues that cropped up in the conference. They decided to tackle the deteriorating standards in the public education system. Results of national achievement tests as well as international surveys were reviewed. The dismal performance of the Philippines in the 2003 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and its repeat test was a shocker, a reality check so hard to accept. In Science Grade 8, we placed 42nd among 45 countries; in Mathematics, we lodged one level higher at 41st. In Grade 4 Science and Math, we were consistently on the 23rd place out of the 25 participating countries. The equally discouraging results of the High School Readiness Test have left the Department of Education with no other choice but to put in place the controversial Bridging Programs.

The Pearl Principle Nation Movement shall initiate change by establishing the Pearl Schools. These schools will be strategically located nationwide where under-served middle class families live.

The Pearl Schools are conceptualized as a parallel school system to that of the Department of Education. The Pearl Schools will rise because of the people, for the people and shall be run by the people.

The Pearl Schools are assures of a customized curricula based on the situational analysis of the most current baseline skills of students and the immediate needs of the community to spur economic development in that particular area. These curricula will be designed by the sponsor education institution, CIE Global Colleges renowned as the School for Leaders and the only International Associate Partner of the University of Cambridge through its International Examinations Division. CIE, as sponsor agency will provide initial funding for the Pearl Schools.

CIE will share with the Pearl Schools applicable and relevant educational best practices from among private schools here and abroad. This will be an attempt to bridge the educational gap and learning opportunities between the public school system catering to the under-served middle class and exclusive private schools for the elite.

Social Return on Investment (SROI)

Each Pearl School will be given an Instructional Blueprint to follow. A system-wide Quality Assurance will be in place, led by the Pearl Principle advocates who are noted academics.

Let it be clear that the Pearl School System is to be established in support of all the efforts of the Department of Education to improve the quality of basic education. The Pearl Schools can help fast-track innovations because it does not have to contend with a bureaucracy. This is just like piloting new programs that would otherwise entail huge amounts of funding for research, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

As Social Entrepreneurs, the Pearl Principle advocates know very well that traditional forms of funding are becoming smaller. There is a widespread “donor-fatigue” syndrome growing worldwide especially because of global recession and economic crisis.

Business Plan Format:

A simple yet typical business plan includes the following:

Market need – significant of the problem/need this service wishes to address;
Product/Service – must have a unique value proposition;
Environment analysis – who are doing the same things?
Marketing plan – what is the target market? the strategies that will be used;
Financial requirements – sources and uses of capital; projected cash flow
Intellectual property strategy – what intellectual property exists and can it be protected?
Management team – who is involved and what is their experience?
Social Return on Investment (SROI) – describe social impact (preferably in qualitative and quantitative terms)

The Pearl Principle. Copyright Centre for International Education. All rights reserved.

The Pearl Principle: The Vision, The Brand Strategy and the Business Strategy

People’s Vision

Singapore Incorporated has a vision. They know where they want to go. They have a ROADMAP laid out (35+years ago) as a guide. It is not a perfect roadmap- I am sure, they had to “re-route” several times before they got to where they are. This roadmap spells out the essence of their very existence as a people-this roadmap resides in their collective thoughts.

How about us? Do we know where we’re going to? (A song comes to my mind… and I sing softly with a heavy heart).

Philippines incorporated, can we create it?

Everyone knows and everyone has advised every Tomas, Ricardo and Horacio in our country that the only way we can create Philippines Incorporated like Singapore is to have a national vision and a national value system or collective consciousness.

But do we have a national vision…uh, uh… is it clearly stated?

The basic rule is to make the “begin with the end in mind” very clear, easy to understand and to remember. Goodness, I know we have tried over and over. However, we always start the discussions with problems, get stuck there and end-up with various analyses of “who-dun-it” and why? (All the time!)

These perennial questions will never have definitive answers. So, I suggest we skip the analysis and finger pointing. Everyone has a hand in the predicament we are in. No one is innocent except our children who will inherit the mess we created. Unless…

Proactive Advocates

The advocates of the Pearl Principle, in a people’s congress last September 28 and 29, 2004 at the Hotel Intercontinental in Makati City, have come up with the following:

People’s Vision: Philippines-Pearl of the Orient Seas: A Strong and Tenacious Republic Instituted by Nation-loving Generations (S.T.R.I.N.G.)
People’s Operating Values: Passionate, Ethical, Action-oriented, Results-focused Leaders of Society (P.E.A.R.L.S.)
Ideology/Culture: the Pearl Principle- Change must begin from within and within one’s sphere; wherein a state of hopelessness is transformed into a state of optimism where opportunities are created as in the creation of the pearl.
People’s National Slogan: “Pilipinas Perlas Ng Silanganan”
People’s Symbol of Hope and Transformation: The Pearl

People’s Symbol of Hope and Transformation

We need a symbol of Hope and a model for transformation. It can’t be just anybody. Anyone can come and go. So many has let us down. Almost everyone has a hidden agenda. Most have turfs to protect. There are those weak in character. A lot has let us down.

The “pearl” then is the (near) perfect choice. The oyster’s inner struggle to survive has a romantic touch to it. If you are going through a similar struggle, it is sentimental enough to hit you in the heart. It is faceless but it has life. It is the only living organism which can transform an “irritation” into a priced gemstone.

It is very easy for us to identify with the story of the pearl. It has no race, no creed, no political affiliations, no gender--- it has universal appeal and its story is easy to recall.

When everything else in one’s life is in disarray, one can just think of the pearl –the national symbol of hope. I am sure the flicker of hope will start to warm the heart of this person enough to make him stand-up to fan the flame to help him convert his feelings of hopelessness into optimism. Only then, will he be able to see beyond the pain and the feeling of being a victim—to someone who has enough courage to overcome.

National Treasure

The symbol “pearl” has always been in our subconscious. We see this symbol in many Philippine insignia. However, there is no conscious effort to make this a shining symbol of our Motherland.

We did a survey; we found out that the nipa hut comes next to the Philippine flag as our national symbol, followed by the “jeepney” , a second-hand reconditioned vehicle- junk from another country which found its way onto our streets.

Does this say anything about our self-image?

Let there be a conscious effort to promote positivism among our countrymen-beginning with a simple step--- adapt the “pearl” as our official National Symbol next to our flag and claim- particularly the world renowned Philippine South Sea Pearls, as one of our National Treasures.

China is known for its fabulous jade. Bangkok, for its amazing gold. Australia, for its extraordinary opals and onyx. Amsterdam, for its superb diamonds. Japan, for its legendary mikimotos. Let Philippines be known for its marvelous Philippine South Sea pearls.

Enterprise Development

Should this be the case, we can create more product lines around the pearl, our new National Treasure. Currently, we have a hodge –podge of pearl products but nowhere in site is a cohesive plan to grow and maximize the potential of this entire industry.

This has a direct correlation to tourism. Where there should be a master plan for destination development, there should also be a master plan for tourism product development -paying special attention to unique national treasures.

Other than the Philippine South Sea pearls, replicas of historically significant Philippine artifacts can be manufactured. These can be sold separately but are actually part of collection sets. This way, foreign and local tourists would have something to look forward to collecting each time they come to visit the different historic spots of our country. They can buy for their friends, too, some of these collection/collectible pieces that their friends were not able to buy/collect when they last visited.

The beauty of coming up with collectibles and collections is that we end up selling to those former visitors, even if he or she has long gone, just so their collections can be completed and updated.

People’s Vision and Philippine Brand Strategy

Philippines, Pearl of the Orient Seas, this is our “historical brand” (since the 1500s). It’s in Rizal’s “Ultimo Adios”. It is in the first stanza of our National Anthem.

With all the above being congruent, we can already connect plans for brand strategy and business strategy. Truly, a STRING of PEARLS.

The Pearl Principle. Copyright Centre for International Education. All rights reserved.

The Pearl Principle: The Prescriptive Approach For National Progress: Generative Leadership

(Last of three parts of a series of articles written for the Business Section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer by Professor Nelia Cruz-Sarcol, Founder and CEO of the Centre for International Education.)

Part 3:

Last August 2004, my friends and I were talking about grim news in the broadsheets, radio and television. We felt that there had been too many talks and debates of “why” these awful things continue to happen to our country and the “who” are causing or have caused these events to happen.

Many of us keep looking back and digging dirt while creating other mounds as we dig. These mounds will eventually have to be cleared and dug again. The endless transferring of dirt from left to right, front and back, continue to go on……. We are digging here and there, maybe to bury ourselves in???

“Does anybody have a solution?”

One of my friends, who had seen efforts from the farthest left to farthest right, had been battle-scared, so to speak, in quest of an answer. According to him, everyone has advice to give but not many are acting on their proposed solutions-too difficult they say. I guess maybe they-themselves are “problems”

My small group comprise of “Don Quixotes”. However, we do not wish to fight windmills. We are dreamers, yes ---not of a new Philippines but of the TRUE Philippines--- which has always been called “The Pearl of the Orient”--- “Perlas ng Silanganan”.

The truth of the matter is that solving the problems of our country is a Herculean task. This process of transformation will take some time. However, by accepting this fact, we would have won half the battle. If only we will accept such, then we can plan better what to do next, so we can move up to next step, instead of “band-aid” solutions here and there. “Band-aid” solutions will get us nowhere.

This truth led us to the Pearl Principle. To be able to solve the problems of our country, we need to individually take it upon ourselves to change for the better. And as we evolve and reach out to people within our spheres of influence, something will spark!!!

This concept must first be embraced by a good number of the middle class and must be led by the middle class. The elite and captains of industry of our society have been given multiple chances to lead this change, but it just won’t take off. However, if all people from all strata of society will embrace it, well and good. However, I personally believe that the middle class must led---for they are still within reach by those from below and can truly feel for the great masses. The middle class have not lost their dreams (yet) and they can truly inspire others to hope. They can show how dreams can be fulfilled and that dreams can still be fulfilled. They can be the bridge to our future as a people.

It will only take one ordinary person to start the SPARK and spread the flame until it becomes big enough to touch others and move them to the same direction. The FLAME that I am talking about here is NOT a destructive flame but a PASSION intense enough to forge metal into a new form.

This is the mission of the Pearl Principle. To awaken the resolve from the majority that each has a hand in creating the true Philippines. We are all oysters creating pearls to string around our Motherland to make it live up to its historical destiny as THE PEARL OF THE ORIENT!!!

Proponents of the Pearl Principle are pragmatic idealists. They do not just prescribe. They know that each awaked spirit must also have skills and competence to effect change within one’s sphere of influence. Notice that we always use the term “within one’s sphere of influence”. This is because of the proponents’ belief that the core must be strong and the core of society comprises of the individual, his family and his immediate community.

The competence to effect change within one’s sphere is called GENERATIVE LEADERSHIP rooted in the GEAR THEORY OF DEVELOPMENT.

The Gear Theory of Development states that a single gear by itself is almost useless. It has to get engaged with other gears to create movement/motion and energy. A person who has evolved because of the Pearl Principle must “engage” with other “gears” or people of the same mind-set. One will not be able to achieve much if he just keeps to himself.

He will need to become a Generative Leader who can make others hope and LIVE again. He LEADS, INSPIRES, VISUALIZES, and ENGAGES his people to CREATE new solutions, generate new ideas, think out of the box.

CREATE actually stands for creation, reinvention, enrichment, adaptation/assimilation, transformation and enlightenment. These thinking processes are operational in a person’s brain only if he is in a state of optimism. Pragmatic idealists who are true disciples of the Pearl Principle possess these abilities.

They lead because they inspire others with the way they live their lives along tenets of morality. They are guided by a noble vision--- living lives of purpose and commitment to make a difference and contribute to making the world a better place by being good, doing good, spreading goodness within their spheres of influence….. because all of our spheres of influence put together make up the entire Filipino people. To get to 80 million, we must begin with number “1”. We are all part of the big picture.

The Pearl Principle position on Generative Leadership is that it should also be evident in the work ethics of a person. First, he must possess self-mastery. he must engage his team to create and reinvent new ways to do things, products and services which enrich lives of people and our ecology, keeping in mind how such new ways of doing things, products and services adapt and assimilate cultural differences. His actions must be purposeful in the hope that these will contribute to the transformation of society while his decisions should help enlighten even those around him. A true Generative Leader sees himself at the center of a unified field of diverse energies that can fuel change.

The Pearl Principle. Copyright Centre for International Education. All rights reserved.

The Pearl Principle and National Economic and Moral Recovery: Essence of the Pearl Principle

(Second of three parts of a series of articles written for the Business Section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer by Professor Nelia Cruz-Sarcol, Founder and CEO of the Centre for International Education.)

Part 2:

An unsuspecting oyster, peaceful and content with the way submarine life was taking its normal course, was suddenly invaded by hundreds of teredo micro-organisms from everywhere. A daring teredo swept its way straight into the inner chambers of the oyster’s shell and lodged in its virgin flesh. The oyster tried to expel the invader but as it did, the irritation burnt the inflaming muscles more. The discomfort became unbearably painful. Rescue from the surrounding waters was nowhere in sight. The oyster could only think of an impending death.

But you see, the oyster refused to die. While its effort to expel the teredo became futile, the oyster instead thought of easing up on the deadly irritation wrought upon its aching flesh. It then assessed the resources available to it from within. The oyster discovered that it has a natural weapon to respond to this kind of threat: by secreting NACRE.

With the resolve to stop the pain and discomfort, it coated the teredo with layers upon layers of this smooth and luminous nacre. Painstakingly, the oyster labored hard and a pearl was created.

Proudly, the Pearl Principle National Coalition, as convened by like minded Filipinos from the middle class, offers you the gift of the pearl, this miraculous living gift from the sea----the only gemstone produced by a living entity---- the creation of beauty from adversity, of art from irritation.

The story of the pearl illustrates that even the worst and most painful experience can become something of a healing artistry. The creation of a pearl is a glowing example of a mortal threat transformed into magnificence.

The Pearl Principle is the advocacy of transforming a state of hopelessness into a state of optimism were opportunities are created as in the making of a pearl.

Our country today is literally and figuratively invaded by countless “deadly teredos” that are breaking apart our “envisioned strong Republic” and rendering our people hopeless. The irritation and the discomfort brought about by crisis after crisis, have reached unbearably high proportions.

The Pearl Principle reminds us that adversity is really part of ourselves. However, some of us respond to these pains and hardships by fixating on the pain, keeping it fresh in our minds for weeks, months and even years--- some a lifetime. Others take small irritations and blow them out of proportion, making them larger irritations. Complaining and dwelling on the problem, on the pain or ordeals endured will only result in a life overshadowed by unending dissatisfaction and stagnation.

The Pearl Principle reminds us that we can convert pain, misfortune, ordeal or failures to something of value. Our essence as a nation is formed out of obstacles that we confront as a people and as a country. Our experiences, painful and hard surround the core of our being. Each of these challenges is our nucleus for creation, each victory over the hardships we endure is another pearl in our path.

Transformation occurs again and again in our growing process. Every incident, every emotion, every success, every sorrow, becomes another layer of our national development….exactly like the many layers of nacre that coats the deadly teredo microorganism---creating a beautiful pearl.

Our pain, which can be unspeakably intense and sometimes debilitating, brings the lessons we never forget. They are imprinted deeply in our core--- we should use these experiences to better weather future struggles. Our core must be solid and hard, the layering actually helps us mature…and shall help us see beyond what others do not see.

How many of us can take a challenge, as oysters do, find the gift within ourselves and actually turn it into something positive? This is what the Pearl Principle teaches us--- to find and honor our strength and flexibility in the inner power to create and succeed rather than break-apart.

We offer the pearl principle as a potent tool and strategy to help us recover from this debilitating state of hopelessness. We present the analogy of the oyster called the Pearl Principle--- as the most viable way to effect positive change: the change from within and within one’s sphere.

Together, we shall become the catalysts for change to make our country a better nation… we shall endeavor to become the oysters that would create the TRUE PEARL OF THE ORIENT.

Our vision is to create a S.T.R.I.N.G. of P.E.A.R.L.S.

This means a Strong and Tenacious Republic Instituted by Nation-loving Generations of Passionate, Ethical, Action-driven and Results-focused Leaders of Society.

This is a vision was crafted by a group of over 500 Filipinos from all walks of life--- who found themselves huddled last September 28 and 29, 2004 at the Hotel Intercontinental Makati city—in search of a new meaning and of a new resolve to better themselves---ourselves--- for the country. There is a need to inspire and henceforth, engage every Filipino to roll-up their sleeves and buckle down to work to awaken our strong sense of nationhood.

The group leaders selected by the participants themselves have met twice since then. The group flew to Cebu City in November 2004 and met again in Makati City last January 10, 2005. There is another meeting on February 12, 2005, Saturday. Those who attended Pearl Principle Conference last September 2004 and are interested to join the core group, please don’t hesitate to email joseph.titar@cie.edu for details. The group is now called the Pearl Principle National Coalition.

The Pearl Principle. Copyright Centre for International Education. All rights reserved.

The Pearl Principle: The Prescriptive Approach For National Progress

(First of three parts of a series of articles written for the Business Section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer by Professor Nelia Cruz-Sarcol, Founder and CEO of the Centre for International Education.)

Part 1:

The Pearl Principle advocates believe that perennial problems of the country may be solved by addressing them at source. When we say at source, we really mean on per province basis, or the closest we can go--- to able to solve certain problems. Since policy making is very much influenced by the actual needs of clients who are end-users and beneficiaries of our services, the closest we are to the actual implementers and beneficiaries of a development plan, the more viable and relevant the solution/plan would be. This is not a new strategic approach because most successful private businesses have been using it to better manage the quality of delivery of their products or services. There may be variations in the implementation for private sector and the government but the fundamental principles are still the same and applicable to both.

We do not believe in “generic solutions” to the problems that beset the country. A “shotgun approach” may hit the target, but the splinters may cause harm to the surrounding “by-standers”… we mean, other neighboring cities, towns and municipalities. Generic solutions should supposedly “kill the enemy” called poverty. Decades have passed, the situation still remains the same, to some localities, it’s even worse now.

There are prosperous cities in certain provinces but some of the surrounding areas are still disadvantaged, depressed and underserved (DDUs). Even within city enclaves, you can see poor sections within the vicinity of progressive districts or even within a barangay. Example of which is in Makati and Muntinlupa, among others. Development has not trickled down to the greater majority.

I personally see this situation everyday whenever I turn my chair around and look out through the glass curtain wall of my office on the 28th floor of RCBC Plaza. I look down and I can see the Makati Medical Center, the famed Ayala Avenue, the old, yet, still beautiful, and the upcoming commercial buildings and condos being marketed as very modern- or should I say, post-modern in design with world-class amenities. But as I move my gaze to a small area right in front of Makati Medical Center- two blocks away from Ayala Avenue… is a group of shanties sticking out like a “severely sore thumb” of a confused society. I say “confused” because I question our role in the continued existence of such maladies.

It is still mind-boggling to see such a scenario in a very progressive city. This small spot that I see from my window is just approximately 5,000+/- square meters in size with maybe 150+/- families. If the leaders (government and civil society) cannot address such a problem, how else can we solve bigger and more complex issues at hand? The Pearl Principle idealogy teaches that CHANGE MUST BEGIN FROM WITHIN… AND WITHIN OUR SPHERES OF INFLUENCE.

We should ask ourselves… have we done enough? Who did we do it for? Who else should benefit from the perceived development that is happening? What can we do now? We must do right thing.

The Pearl Principle proposes the use of the Prescriptive Approach as against Generic Approach to Development Planning. The Prescriptive Approach, as it is used in the practice of medicine, would normally comprise of a team of doctors (experts) of different specializations needed to cure the patient. The patient and his family, in modern medicine, are also active participants in determining the course of action of treatments to be done. This is imperative because non-cooperation of the patient and his family cannot do it by themselves. There is a vital need for the objective expertise of the diagnostic team. The same principles are also recommended as part of the Prescriptive Approach to Development that we have been proposing for quite some time now.

We have been using the Prescriptive Approach in Mentoring start-up businesses since 1998, in the business school which I founded, the CIE Global Colleges. This came about because CIE has been using the Problem Based Learning (PBL) Pedagogy for quite some time now. PBL is also inspired by the way medical doctors are trained. As part of our outreach projects, we are using the PBL-Prescriptive Approach in coming up with a holistic development plan for Tabuelan, a small municipality in the northern part of Cebu.

In the Tabuelan Project, we sat down with community representatives to discuss and propose the people’s vision of Tabuelan. Based on what was discussed, we created a diagnostic team, composed of experts in different fields necessary to advise the Tabuelans as to their course of action to move them closer to their vision.

Now that the Pearl Principle National Movement has been established, we are have started to organize our qualified cell groups to form the initial Enterprise Development Centers (EDCs) all over the country. This, I believe, is one of the foremost reasons why so many are responding positively to the Pearl Principle National Movement. The role of EDCs is to provide the provinces with a diagnostic team for Prescriptive Intervention. The EDCs will be led by young- successful entrepreneurs and other experts- depending on the need of the area- who are willing to lend a helping hand to address the unique needs of the underserved Filipinos and bring about prosperity in the communities.

Here are the activities that the EDCs will engage in:

• Encourage Entrepreneurship across the country
• Advocacy and propaganda
• Enterprise Development Training
• Enlistment in SME Programs
• SME Business Development
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Regular Enterprise
• Management Support
• Bring Investment to rural communities
• Advocacy and propaganda
• Venture Capital Roadshows
• Trade Fairs in cooperation with other agencies and NGOs
• Non-traditional Business Development and Incubation Center

We have an acronym for this strategy- T.E.A.C.H.:

Train to the tenets of the Pearl Principle for Peace and progress
Engage people for collective action
Assess collective strengths and weaknesses
Create opportunities from current problems
Hand-holding and advising

The Pearl Principle. Copyright Centre for International Education. All rights reserved.

The Pearl Principle

The Pearl Principle Movement advocates the transformation of individual Filipinos, and of the entire Filipino nation, through the application of the principles behind the birth of a pearl.

A pearl is created when an irritant invades an oyster. Instead of silently suffering the pain caused by this irritant, and instead of depending on its neighbors to remove the invader, the oyster responds by secreting nacre. The clam coats the irritant with nacre, and in due time, this creates the pearl.

Pearl Principle
We believe that the values that we see in the formation of a pearl can be applied to our personal lives and communities. The oyster does not suffer in silence; it takes action to neutralize the irritant. The oyster does not depend on external factors to address the irritant; it relies on what it can produce. The oyster works within the area it can act on which is inside itself.

We believe that, as in the creation of the pearl:

• We should overcome problems, instead of simply enduring them;
• We should use our inherent resources and talents to face our challenges;
• We should work within our sphere of influence;

Furthermore, we believe that transforming ourselves, and our nation will be a continuous and never-ending process of growth, which we can pursue by taking on challenges of increasing complexity.

Objectives
Through the application of the Pearl Principle, we will see within the next five (5) years:

• Filipinos who are Social Entrepreneurs, who are disciplined, passionate, and ethical agents of change who turn challenges into opportunities;
• A network of Filipino individuals and groups, moved by love of country, that are able to overcome personal, family, community, and national challenges by using their inherent gifts and resources on areas that are within their capacity to control;
• A Filipino nation that is able to meet increasingly difficult challenges through collective action and utilization of inherent resources.

Strategic Approaches
We will be able to realize these Practical Visions by:

• Engaging individuals and organizations to apply the Pearl Principle to their respective areas of influence; and
• Supporting, innovating, and augmenting the Philippine educational system.
  

The Pearl Principle. Copyright Centre for International Education. All rights reserved.