When Abraham Diolanda, a fourth-year medical biology student, joined the Far Eastern University (FEU) Chorale during the pandemic, he simply sought a creative outlet. What he discovered was far richer: “I found a second home. My journey with the FCA taught me discipline, built my confidence, and grounded me in empathy, resilience, and servant leadership,” he shared.

Diolanda’s story is one of many shaped by the FEU Center for the Arts (FCA), a community of campus based, student-led cultural groups that includes the university’s Bamboo Band, Chorale, Dance Company, Drum and Bugle Corps, Drummers, Guides and Theater Guild.

Beyond mounting performances and mentorship, the FCA cultivates creativity, self-reliance, and a strong sense of purpose that reflects the university’s broader commitment to holistic student development.

For Danyel Reyes, an alumnus of the Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts, the experience extended far past the campus. “Through the FEU Dance Company, I performed, choreographed, and even competed abroad—something I never imagined doing as a student,” he recounted. Having represented FEU and the Philippines twice in South Korea and once in Taiwan, Reyes credits the FCA for helping him develop the management skills and professional maturity. His experience at FCA continues to guide him in his current roles as an advertising practitioner and as a member of Hiraya Contemporary Dance Company.

This ethos took national stage when FEU recently hosted the 11th National Conference of the Association of Cultural Offices in Philippine Educational Institutions, Inc. (ACOPEI). The event united cultural officers, educators, policymakers, and prominent speakers such as National Artist Ricky Lee, NCCA Executive Director Eric Zerrudo, CHED Executive Director Atty. Cinderella Filipina Benitez-Jaro, DTI Creative Industries Program Manager Atty. Gio Franco Gomez, and CCP Vice President Dennis Marasigan.

In recognition of FEU’s leadership in arts and culture education, the conference also marked the election of FCA Director Martin Lopez as ACOPEI president. In his three-year term, Lopez will prioritize a Safe Space Handbook for student artists, a legislative proposal mandating Cultural Affairs Offices in higher education institutions and closer relations with the Commission on Higher Education.

Over the past two academic years, the FCA has engaged an average of more than 300 student-artists per semester, with more than half benefiting from full scholarships. Participation has consistently been strongest from the Institute of Arts and Sciences and the Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing, which underscore a broad appreciation for the arts that span both humanities and STEM disciplines.

This level of participation is made possible in part by FEU’s robust scholarship program, which plays a critical role in keeping the arts accessible to students from all backgrounds. Students who meet both academic and artistic standards may receive partial or full grants, with top performers eligible for additional assistance that covers miscellaneous fees. For many, this support enables not only participation but the completion of their education. “As a student who struggled financially, receiving an FCA scholarship helped me finish college,” recalled Aulwin Ortiz, a former member of the FEU Drummers. He added that the FCA became a space of diversity and unity, where a wide range of perspectives were embraced, celebrated, and channeled toward a shared goal.

With this foundation of inclusiveness, FCA student-artists regularly bring recognition to FEU on national and global stages—from the Chorale’s participation in the Asia Choral Grand Prix in Bali, to the Dance Company’s silver-medal finish at South Korea’s Andong Mask Festival. Their accomplishments span performances across Philippine cities such as Baguio, Tarlac, Cavite, and Manila, as well as global venues in Indonesia and Mongolia. These triumphs further resonate through FEU’s cultural calendar, with FCA groups leading signature events like the Marching Band Festival, Tamdula, FEUlikulahan at Kuwentuhan and Pasko sa Piyu that exemplify FEU’s dedication to creative enrichment and excellence.

“At FEU, culture and creativity are not peripheral to education,” Lopez said. “Our work at the FCA has always been about widening access and deepening impact and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to create, lead, and find belonging through artistic expression.”

Now at the helm of ACOPEI, Lopez brings with him a vision grounded in practice. His national agenda is not a departure, but a continuation of the inclusive, student-centered work he has long championed at FEU. By scaling the values and experiences that have defined the FCA— access, mentorship, and empowerment—Lopez aims to help institutions nationwide recognize them as a vital pillar of education.

The thrill of opening your dream business is exciting. But when it comes to operations, logistics might not always be top of mind for budding business owners.

You might be focused on product development and sales, have limited resources, or find the entire concept of logistics too complex. However, its importance is often overstated. It encompasses many aspects, from storing materials and finished products and managing your stocks to fulfilling orders and moving products.

If you’re a budding entrepreneur, here are three mistakes you might be making when it comes to logistics and how you can avoid them:

Not Keeping Track of Your Inventory

Say you are a pet supply store owner and a specific dog toy suddenly became popular on social media. You see a steady increase in interest but run out of stocks over the weekend, so customers decide to check out other stores instead.

If you sell essential goods, the window of opportunity to regain your customers may be short – they might come back next week to see if you’ve restocked. However, if you sell durable or non-essential items, a lost customer might not need to return for months or even years.

On the other hand, overstocking can also be costly as excess stock incurs storage costs. Over time, slow-moving or non-moving stocks may have less value and can become an added burden.

Keeping stocks at a healthy level will help you plan your purchasing strategies and reduce costs. To help you ensure you have enough inventory on hand to meet customer demand and streamline your operations, consider tapping a fulfillment service that can handle multiple aspects of fulfillment from picking orders to packing them.

Not Optimizing Your Distribution

Imagine you’re a small business owner selling handcrafted wallets and you have a bulk order from a couple who’s set to get married next week. Relying on less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping might seem economical, but you will have to wait for other shipments, potentially delaying your delivery. Your deliveries arrived last minute – but the damage has been done, and you have a bridezilla giving you negative reviews.

It is essential to take time to optimize your distribution method or partner with a reliable delivery trucking service that has key distribution points. 

Not Anticipating Seasonal Surges

Planning for day-to-day operations is essential for any business, but anticipating how different occasions or seasons can impact your business takes careful planning. Failure to account for seasonal surges can lead to unpredictable demands, sales disruptions, and stockouts.

Picture this: you’re a health supplement retailer. It’s only October but you know that as soon as the new year enters, most people are starting their wellness journey and there might be a demand for fitness-related products. Come January and you don’t have enough stocks of your popular supplements, you may have to deal with the aftermath of negative reviews by disappointed customers, which may also deter potential ones.

You can maximize sales during peak seasons by proactively planning for seasonal surges even before they happen and having an effective restocking method that can help you plan ahead.

A Reliable Partner to Level Up Your Logistics Game

The complexities of logistics can often feel daunting. Instead of figuring out things on your own, you can partner with a reliable logistics solutions provider like Ninja Van Philippines, which offers a comprehensive suite of solutions to streamline your operations and help you avoid common logistical pitfalls.

With Ninja Van Fulfillment service, you can keep your products safe and secure within state-of-the-art logistics and warehousing distribution centers until they’re ready for shipping. Say goodbye to manually processing orders and counting inventories, as Ninja Fulfillment can fulfill, pack and pick for your orders.

Ninja Van’s equipment such as the Dimension Weighing and Scanning, automated rollers, conveyors, and multipurpose mobile scanners are designed to provide an accurate movement of your inventory, allowing you to access a Live View of your inventory with real-time updates.

On the other hand, Ninja Restock provides flexibility for small businesses to do smaller, frequent restocks without the need to pay for an entire truck. Smaller load requirements and frequent drop-offs allow you to deliver nationwide, whether daily, weekly, or twice a week, while only paying for the space your products occupy in Ninja Van’s trucks.

Ninja Restock also leverages its established nationwide network, including key distribution points of 40 warehouses from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi. With its 100% coverage nationwide, you can be assured of reliable and timely deliveries to your distribution and retail partners. When coupled with thorough planning, this would be beneficial during seasonal fluctuations or the need to restock popular items right on time.

In the competitive world of entrepreneurship, efficiency is key. By entrusting your logistics needs to a reliable logistics partner like Ninja Van, you can optimize your operations, avoid common pitfalls, and focus on what truly matters – building a successful and sustainable business.

Filipina OFW-Turned-Entrepreneur Jury Joani Honored in International Magazine Signing Event

After more than three decades working overseas, Filipina entrepreneur Jury Joani, founder of Jury Hot Sauce Trading, was honored in a magazine signing event held on May 29, 2025, at La Fiesta, Mall of Asia Seaside. The celebration marked her feature in the prestigious Emirati International Magazine, where she was recognized as the first Filipina to grace its pages.

Joani, a native of Zamboanga with Spanish heritage, left the Philippines at a very young age to work abroad as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). Her journey is one of deep sacrifice, quiet strength, and limitless hope.

“Ang sakit-sakit iwan ang pamilya ko noon. Bata pa ako, pero kailangan kong kayanin,” she shared emotionally, recalling her early days working in a foreign land.

While working in the Middle East, Joani came across a centuries-old hot sauce recipe once served to Arab royalty. Inspired, she began developing her own blend—using only organic and local ingredients. After years of hard work, she returned to the Philippines and established Jury Hot Sauce Trading, turning a legacy of pain into purpose.

“Ginawa ko ‘to para sa mga kagaya kong OFW. Para alam nilang puwede rin tayong magtagumpay sa sariling bayan,” she said, addressing fellow OFWs.

The event was graced by Dr. Pratik Mungekar, a respected scientist, professor, and Managing Editor of Emirati International Magazine, based in London and India.

“Meeting the first Filipina to be featured in Emirati International Magazine is truly historic and inspiring,” said Dr. Mungekar, who personally flew in to witness the occasion.

Jury Joani’s story now stands as a powerful symbol of hope and transformation for OFWs across the globe.

“Hindi lang ako nagbenta ng hot sauce. Isinilid ko rito ang luha ng pag-asa, alaala, at pagmamahal ko sa Pilipinas,” Joani said, her voice thick with emotion.

From a life of silent sacrifices to international recognition, Jury Joani proves that no dream is too distant, and no humble beginning too small, to create something that touches the world.